Page 35 of Dreaming of His Omega
“What are…” I felt a cooling sensation, then the mist faded. “Did you just do something to me?” I clutched Kirielm closer and stood quickly in alarm. I realized that I had just jumped up far too fast for the good of my incision and pressed my free hand to it in concern.
“I wouldn’t worry. I think you’ll find it has healed quite nicely,” chuckled the genie.
Keeping one eye on him, I yanked up my shirt. The red, angry incision had faded to a white, nearly invisible scar. The stitches were gone, dissolved completely since I last saw them. I pushed my fingers against it and felt no pain, not even discomfort.
“You healed it?!”
The genie shrugged. “I caused a lot of your problems, the least I can do is fix what is within my power.”
“Thank you. How can I…” I swallowed nervously. “I’m not in some sort of magical debt now, am I?”
“No, no. We don’t dabble in debt games. Don’t worry. Ah.” He stood and looked off behind me.
Traviel and Travis were returning.
After showing off my healed incision to Traviel, we sat together on the couch. He happily took Kirielm from me, cradling our baby tenderly against his chest. He looked down at him, smiling. He had been so afraid to hold the tiny infant, it made my heart swell with joy to see them now.
“What did you decide?” I asked Travis. I hated to interrupt the moment, but as much as I was dreading the answer, I couldn’t wait to hear it.
“In spite of my original expression of desire, I amnotTraviel,” said Travis. “Certainly not when I’m awake. And when I dream, I’m just along for the ride. Any sort of—” He gestured to the genie. “—thingthat I do that would merge us into one seems wrong. I don’t want to lose myself. I wanted this life, but it’s not mine. I created you and Traviel for each other. To be together. I was never supposed to be part of it.”
I put an arm around Traviel’s shoulders. “Thank you. But… what about you? You wrote your books to escape your life. You’re willing to return to it, just to give us a chance to live ours?”
“Yes.” Travis didn’t look entirely happy about it, but I knew he was sincere. “Okay, genie?”
The genie stood and rolled his shoulders. “Technically, you don’t actually need me here, but I don’t have anywhere more interesting to be.”
Travis wrinkled his nose. I slid even closer to Traviel, practically holding my breath.
“I wish,” Travis began, taking a deep breath, “that Traviel and Elarian can continue living the life they’ve built here in Vale Valley, without Traviel’s existence being tied to my dreams.”
The purple mist began to swirl around us. I closed my eyes and tightened my grip on Traviel. I felt a chill, then nothing. I was almost afraid to open my eyes, but I could still feel Traviel under my arms, firm and real.
I looked. Kirielm was there, peacefully sleeping in his father’s arms. Traviel’s eyes opened and met mine. I heaved a sigh of relief. We were still here. Everything looked the same. Travis was still there too. He looked down at himself, then around the room.
“Sort of expected I’d vanish this time,” he laughed nervously.
“So, now, if he goes to sleep, Traviel stays here?” I asked.
The genie nodded.
“Any unpredictable wish side-effects we need to worry about?” Traviel asked.
The genie chuckled. “No, no. I think your wish worked out exactly the way you wanted.” He bowed in Travis’ direction. “Your three wishes have been granted.”
“Guess I should’ve wished myself home,” Travis said.
“You can stay here as long as you need,” I offered.
“I’m be fine,” Travis said.
Traviel shook his head. “Nonsense. We owe you.” He ran a hand through his hair, then looked down at Kirielm. “We owe youeverything. Even our very lives. Letting you stay here while you figure out what to do next is the least we can do.” He smiled sadly at Travis. “Especially after you gave this life up for me. I wish you could live in Vale Valley too.”
Travis started to laugh, then gasped as a now-familiar purple mist began to swirl around him. “What the…”
“Oops,” said the genie. He bowed again. “I should go.” Without another word, a darker, thicker purple mist swirled around him. When it cleared, he was gone.
Twin looks of surprise and confusion crossed Travis and Traviel’s faces.
