Page 17 of Genie's Boy
“Oh. What happens if they die?”
So bright, plucking that question right out. “That’s happened many times and when they take their last breath, the lamp is returned to me. There are rules regarding the wishes as well. They cannot wish to be immortal, wish for me to kill or bring someone back from the dead, nor can they wish for more wishes.”
How many masters had I gone through over the centuries? Likely hundreds. No matter how many times I’d hid the lamp, it still found its way into the hands of another greedy bastard. But during those ages, life expectancywas short and many barely got a single wish granted before their lives came to an end.
“Can’t you wish for your own freedom?”
A simple, realistic question that only the fates could answer. They had their hands in everything to do with me. “That would be fantastic, but I’m not allowed to wish for that. Magic, yes. Wishes for my life in general, no. Tangible items, I can conjure many, but matters of my freedom or heart, those remain natural. It would take a master to make the wish for my freedom in order for it to become a reality.”
Could Raj be the one to fulfill that dream of freedom for me? Or would it become a nightmare? I had no skills with which to earn a living by and if magic was stripped from me, would everything I’d built over the past centuries fade away along with it?
“At least I know I’m with you by choice and not by magic.”
“That I do, my love.” Never had I been more thankful than I was for that. “Come, love, it’s time for you to sleep. Know that if I’m gone when you wake, it’s because he summoned me, and I will return to your side as quickly as I can.”
“Why do we keep sleeping in my tiny bed?”
“Because if my master calls and we are someplace magical it will force you to appear alongside me. I want him tohave no knowledge of our relationship for fear he’ll use it against us. Putting you in jeopardy is not an option.”
“But you could save me,” Raj whispered, his words laced with a hope I couldn’t guarantee.
“Not if he wished otherwise. He who holds the lamp holds all the control.”
“Is it too soon to say I love you?” he asked as he crawled into bed and I slid into the space that had become mine beside him.
Audibly, I gasped. “Not if you truly feel it with all your heart.”
“I do. I know it’s fast, but I feel it bone-deep. I’m happiest when I’m with you, but when you’re gone, I’m sad and my heart hurts. That’s how I know it’s love.” Raj turned and curled up in my arms.
“I love you so deeply, my boy.”
His breathing slowed, though he managed two more words before he drifted off. “Night, Daddy.”
My heart filled to overflowing.
Chapter Seven
Raj
The dream I had last night was so real, so vivid. Full of surf, sand, and a cool breeze passing through the open canopy I rested beneath. A nap on a sunny beach with Genie beside me. His face lit up when I called him Daddy. I hated to wake from it. It was one of the most pleasant dreams I’d ever had. After I wiped the sleep from my eyes I stole a quick glance at the table, and there again sat breakfast. “If he keeps this up, I’ll become spoiled.”
“That’s the plan,dear boy.”
“Genie!” I shouted and jumped. “We should consider a bell for you.”
“I’m not a cat, Raj.”
“So that’s a no to the bell?” Cheeky, absolutely. But what’s he gonna…
Genie growled and pinned me against the bed. “No.” He ran his nose along my collarbone and nipped my ear. “Bell.” Then he turned and walked away. “Come and eat.”
How did that growly, commanding response get such a reaction from my cock? It stood erect and ready for action. With a shake of my head and a stern mental warning, it calmed down and I followed Genie's orders.
“Dear boy, what shall we do today? Visit the island or possibly someplace new?” Genie watched as I ate. It was a bit unnerving, but I did my best not to make a fool of myself.
“I need to wash clothes. I’m out of clean ones.”
Before I took the next bite, I was dressed in an outfit that I’d never seen before.
