Page 32 of Dreaming of His Omega
Several gasps, including Elarian’s, brought me back to reality.
“That’s stupid!” I blurted. “Why would you grantthat?! I didn’t actuallymean in my dreams!”
The genie held up his hands. “Don’t shoot the messenger. I don’t grant the wishes. I am merely a vessel, a middle-man. The magic works through me, but I do not control it.”
One of the women in the room cleared her throat nervously. I recognized her as a neighbor. “You don’t mean to say this human wrote a book about us and then wished Vale Valley into existence, do you? IknowI’ve lived here longer than that young man has even been alive!”
“No, no,” the genie laughed. “Vale Valley was real long before Travis here learned of it.” He nodded to Rosemary. “And it’s a wonderful town.”
“Thank you.”
The genie went on, “But Vale Valley has a rather unique magic of its own. If your characters lived anywhere but here, I don’t know that the wish would have made them real. Most likely it would have remained in your dreams. But, it seems my own magic and the magic of this place combined, bringing Traviel and his family to life here. And when you awoke, everything but Traviel remained.”
“And then,” I said slowly, still trying to process it. For a moment I was looking out the window of my house again, wishing… “I wished that I could find my way here. To Vale Valley.”
“Indeed.”
“So, running into a friend, the dropped ticket at the train station…”
“All products of your wish. And here you are,” the genie said. “Two down, one to go. If I may make a suggestion?”
“You’re the expert.” I gestured for him to continue.
“Be careful what you wish you.”
“Thanks,” I said dryly.
The genie chuckled darkly. “I mean it. Unless you want to continue this dreaming business, I suggest your final wish be to fix this. But, word it carefully. If you wish for it to stop, you may erase Traviel and Elarian from existence again. If you wish to fullybeTraviel, know that you, as Travis, may be the one who is erased.”
I looked over at Elarian, whose eyes were wide with alarm and fear.
“Don’t worry,” I told him quickly. “I won’t do anything to hurt your or Traviel.” My eyes drifted to the bassinet. “Or Kirielm.”
As if hearing his name, the baby began to fuss.
“We should leave them in peace,” Rosemary said, standing. “I’ll give you some time to talk, then return to check on you.”
“Thank you,” Elarian told her.
The throng of people left with Rosemary, leaving me alone with Elarian and the genie.
“What now?” Elarian asked, still eyeing me warily as he rocked Kirielm.
“I guess I decide.” I sat down on a chair, one that I remembered describing in a book.
The genie sat as well, watching us with a small smile, bordering on a smirk. I had a feeling he was enjoying the show.
“What do you think you’re going to wish for?” Elarian asked.
“I’m not sure. Like I said though, I promise I’m not going to wi—” I laughed nervously. “I’m afraid to use the W-word.” I shot a look at the genie, who merely smiled. “I’m not going to uh, magically request anything that will make Traviel or you cease to exist.”
Elarian nodded. “Okay,” he said softly.
“I know this has been so hard for you, I’m sorry,” I offered. “I swear, if I had known this was real or that I could have just wi— magically gotten myself here, I would have done it weeks ago.” I noticed that he had a forgotten cup of tea. “Can I make you a fresh cup?”
“I can do it.” He started to stand, shifting Kirielm to one arm.
“Please, allow me.” I smiled weakly. “I do know my way around.”
