Keeping the Genie (Genie's Love, Book 3) (4 page)

His gaze flits to Sebastian. “Sebastian returned to Ortarus and sought me out. When he told me everything that happened, that he had been a genie, met you, Lily Richards, that you absolved him of his crime and sent Sebastian back here, I knew it wasn’t a coincidence. What are the odds that Sebastian, an Ortarian, had met and fallen in love with my daughter? I didn’t tell him who I was or who you were. I knew it was a sign that things were about to change. My crown started to glow, which was another sign, telling me that I needed to get Sebastian back to you, Lily. The revolution was about to begin.”

“Why me?”

His eyes are intense as they bore into mine. “Because you are the key to everything.”

“Key to everything? What are you talking about?”

Sebastian looks just as confused as me.

Alaric says, “I couldn’t bear the way Sorenten was running Ortarus and I needed to do something and save my people. But being that I barely have any magic, I was weak and helpless. I, along with Renaya and Sebastian, started to plan a rebellion—”

“I don’t remember such a thing,” Sebastian says.

Alaric holds up his hand. “Please let me continue. We wished to kill both King Sorenten and Prince Soren, because assassinating the king and not the prince would get us nowhere. Renaya was Soren’s personal maid and was able to gather information about him and his father. We had only just begun to plan the assassinations when Renaya suddenly murdered the prince.”

“It was self-defense.” Her eyes and mouth are hard.

“I couldn’t allow Renaya to be killed, so I helped her fake her death. We started gathering more Ortarians to join us. We didn’t know exactly how we were going to take down the king, but we weren’t going to allow our doubts to hinder us. Then one day, after Renaya’s ‘death’, Sebastian seemed to change. He had been here all along, but there was something different about him. He told me everything that had happened—that he was the one who murdered the prince originally and as punishment he was sent to Earth as a genie. Then he was absolved of his crime and returned to Ortarus.”

“I don’t understand,” I say. “Sebastian suddenly changed?”

“When Sebastian was absolved of his crime, Ortarus went back in time to after the prince was murdered. Sebastian came back as himself, with the memories of his years on Earth. He took the other Sebastian’s place. He was the same person, but had changed.” He turns to Sebastian. “Because you were on Earth all that time, you didn’t know about the revolution. I felt terrible to have to lie to you about your sister’s death, but I knew I couldn’t tell you the truth. I needed you back on Earth.”

“But why?” I ask. “You keep saying that Sebastian needed to return, but you’re not explaining why.”

Sebastian pats my arm. “He’s getting there. We’re very confused and curious, but we need to be patient and let him explain.”

I exhale through my nose. “You’re right. I’m sorry.” All this is driving me crazy. “Why did Sebastian need to return to Earth?”

“Because he needed to bring you to Ortarus.”

I’m about to ask why, but shut my mouth. Like Sebastian said, I need to be patient.

“I didn’t have much magic, and didn’t think I could send him back, but forces beyond my control sent him. Through what little magic I had, I suppose.”

“Forces?” Sebastian lifts an eyebrow.

Alaric nods. “Fate. Ortarian energy and willpower, if you will. It is what provides us with magic. It would appear as though you were meant to go back to Earth and bring Lily here to start the revolution.”

“Why me?” It feels like I keep asking the same question.

“Because you are the only one who can defeat my brother, your uncle the king.”

Sebastian and I exchange a shocked glance.

“Me?” I ask, my voice hoarse yet again. I clear it, but it doesn’t seem to do anything. “Why?”

“You’ve done some magic since you got here, haven’t you?” Renaya asks. For a second, I completely forgot she’s sitting here. She’s been so quiet, probably giving Alaric time to explain it all without interruption.

I nod as I remember the lightning shooting out of my hands. “When the palace guards grabbed Sebastian, I freed him. But what does any of that have to do with the king?”

“Because you’re my daughter and are half Ortarian, you have magic. It doesn’t work on Earth, only here.”

I stare at my hands. “If I’m half Ortarian, why do I have such strong magic? Sebastian told me shooting lightning is strong magic.”

Alaric nods. “You’re my daughter and heir to the Ortarian throne. You’re the only one who has royal magic, other than King Sorenten. You’re the only one who can challenge him. The only one who can kill him.”

“Me?” I squeak. “I have to kill the king? You expect me to
murder
someone?” I can’t stand mystery thriller movies and TV shows. All that blood and murder makes my stomach churn. My…dad can’t be serious. “No way.”

“Lily—”

I’m on my feet. “You can’t bring me here against my will and demand I kill someone. That’s not only wrong. It’s immoral. Unethical. It’s crazy!”

Sebastian stands and rests his hand on my arm. He doesn’t say a word, and I have no idea what he’s thinking. I cross my arms over my chest. “I won’t do it.”

Renaya folds her arms, too, her eyes hard as she stares at me. If looks could kill, I would be six feet under by now. “You killed before,” she says. “The two palace guards.”

“But I didn’t know what I was doing! It’s not like I
meant
to kill them. I was just saving Sebastian. I had no control over my magic or even my brain.”

Alaric gets to his feet and steps toward me. Once again, he reaches for my hand, but I pull away. “I know you feel nothing for Ortarus or the people living here. You don’t understand the hardships we’ve been through. The pain. The anguish. Children have been torn from their parents’ arms, slaughtered before their eyes. That is all due to the king.” He steps closer. “Believe me, Lily, if I was able to do this myself, I would never ask you to murder anyone. But King Sorenten is not a man. He’s a monster. A ruthless ruler with no heart. He kills without reason. He murdered your grandparents, the king and queen, and many, many others. He must be stopped.” He turns to Sebastian. “You thought your sister had committed suicide. You must have been torn up about it, perhaps you felt guilty for having a good life on Earth.” His eyes move to me. “We’re trying to make Ortarus a good place to live. A place where we feel safe, protected. Cared for. Happy.” He rests his hands on my shoulders. “These Ortarians aren’t living. They’re not even surviving. They just exist. Now you can wonder why any of this is your problem. You’re human. You live on Earth. But what if you didn’t? What if you lived here? Would you be able to live day after day wondering if the love of your life will come home from work each night? Perhaps he made a small mistake and was ordered to be executed. How would you bear it if your daughter was ripped from your arms and forced into the palace, to be used? And I don’t mean for work. Ortarians live in terror. Each and every day. They are part of you and you are part of them. How could you stand there after knowing all of this and not want to do something about it?”

“I do want to do something about it!” I say. “Just a few days ago Sebastian and I were talking about the possibility of helping Ortarus. I know what a horrible place it is.” I shake my head, trying to hold my tears back. “I know the king needs to be taken down, but I can’t take someone else’s life. I’m sorry, I just…can’t.” The tears break through their barrier and slide down my cheeks. “I can’t deal with this.” I cover my eyes.

Arms wrap around me and Sebastian presses his lips to my temple. “It’s okay, Lily,” he whispers.

“This isn’t an easy task,” Alaric says. “And I didn’t intend to upset you. I’m trying to save my people.”

I wipe my eyes. “I want to save them, too. I would do anything to save them, but I
can’t
murder anyone.” A new batch of tears attacks my eyes and the only sounds in the room are my hiccups. Sebastian’s arms tighten around me.

“I think it’d be best if we call it a night and resume tomorrow,” Alaric says, patting my back. “I’m sorry to put you in this situation, Lily, but you’re the only one powerful enough to defeat King Sorenten. We have no other choice. You’re our only hope.”

There’s a lighter pat on my back—probably Renaya—before the door opens, then shuts. Only Sebastian and I remain in the room. His hands run up and down my back, trying to soothe me, but I don’t think anything can. I know King Sorenten needs to be killed. I know Ortarus is a terrible place and Ortarians deserve to have a good life. But why do I have to be the one to do it? Me, the girl who can’t watch fish eating other fish or animals attacking one another.
I’m
the one destined to free Ortarus? All because I was born into royalty?

When I killed those palace guards, I wasn’t really thinking. I was just saving Sebastian. It was almost like the magic was controlling me. But to ask me to
purposely
go after someone? I…can’t.

Sebastian wipes my tears with his thumbs.

“Sebastian.” More tears come, and this time he doesn’t bother to wipe them. “What do I do?”

He doesn’t answer, only pops small kisses along my temple. “I don’t know.”

I lift my head to gaze into his eyes. “What would you do?”

He hesitates.

“It’s okay. You can tell me,” I say.

He shuts his eyes. “I would kill the king.” His eyes open. “I understand what Alaric was referring to. I’ve felt the pain and grief all my fellow Ortarians feel and go through every day. I’ve suffered many hardships. So yes, I would kill the king.”

I sink down on the bed and stare at the muddy walls. Sebastian drops next to me and takes my hand. “I don’t want to tell you what to do. I would never force you to do something you don’t want to do.”

I bury my face in my hands. “Everyone is counting on me.” I lower my hands as more tears fill my eyes. “They call me their savior.”

He fingers my cheek.

“All those people in there.” I nod toward the doorway. How could I let them down? But then again, how could I murder, even if he
does
deserve it?

It’s no surprise that I don’t manage to get any sleep. The same images replay in my head—Alaric explaining that I need to kill the king, me refusing, and Renaya glaring at me. Sebastian has been very great to me, letting me pour my heart out to him, tucking me close to his body before he drifted off to sleep. He never complains or makes me feel like I’m disappointing him. From what we talked about, I gathered that he wants the king dead, but he doesn’t want me to do something I don’t feel comfortable doing. He would never pressure me. That’s one of the things I love about him—how sensitive, caring, and understanding he is.

But I have to wonder, am I completely wrong here? Is it not a big deal to murder such an evil person?

I can’t imagine the horrible things he’s done. How much pain he’s put the Ortarians through, but I need to try to understand it. I know what it’s like to suffer loss, to feel pain. After Daisy died, I never thought I would laugh again. Meeting Sebastian changed everything. He brought light to my life.

Is it the same here? Could I be the one who will bring light to all the Ortarians? Could I change their lives? Could I make them happy?

At the same time, I’m no murderer. I think back to what Hastus said, about my training. Is that what I’ll be training for? To kill the king? Does this make me some kind of assassin?

Sebastian shifts on the bed. I don’t know the rules here, if we’re allowed to share a bed, but I’m very grateful he’s with me. I don’t think I would be able to get through any of this without him by my side.

“Lily?” he says, his eyes closed, his voice sleepy. He raises his arm, as though searching for me. I clasp his hand in mine and give it a squeeze. He smiles and goes back to sleep.

As I watch him, something dawns on me. He looks so peaceful, like he doesn’t have a care in the world. I’m almost positive Ortarians don’t have that luxury, especially the poor who are always on edge, always stressing, always worried. I could potentially change that.

By killing the king.

I massage my temples. Am I making a big deal about this? Would another human in my situation go forth without question? We’re talking about improving people’s lives. We’re talking about putting smiles on little kids’ faces.

I’ve had a good childhood and a pretty good life. Even though my sister died and Mom shut me out, I have come to terms with that. I was creating a good life for myself with the man I love. It’s not like that here. I can’t be selfish.

All these thoughts are making my head spin. Since I’m not going to get any more sleep, I slip out from under the covers, get dressed, and leave my room. The other bedrooms seem to be empty. I guess everyone wakes up early here.

I find Salia in the kitchen, bent over the sink, where she’s washing dishes. Not using magic.

“Good morning,” I say.

She smiles. “Lily. Did you sleep well? Would you like something to eat?”

“That’s okay, I’m not really hungry. And yes,” I lie. “I slept well. Do you need help?”

She looks at me like I asked her if I can polish her shoes. “No, please, Princess Lily. It’s all right.”

I stare at her. Princess Lily? I hadn’t thought about that. Alaric—my dad—is the true king. That makes me the princess. Oh, god. Princess?

I hold up my hands. “No way. I’m just a regular person like you and I’d love to help you with the dishes.”

Her cheeks flush and she bows her head. “Thank you.”

We get to work, she on washing and me on drying. “You can’t use magic to wash the dishes?” I ask.

She shakes her head. “I’m only allowed to use magic to cook. Cleaning the dishes was another servant’s task at the palace.”

For an evil king, Sorenten sure has everything neat and in order. I suppose it’s his way of having control over everything.

We work in silence. I wonder if I can use magic to make this easier, but then I decide to skip it. One, I’m completely clueless when it comes to magic. I might fry the place with my lightning bolts. Two, I’m not really interested in embracing that part of me. Not yet. Maybe not ever. I don’t know.

When our eyes meet, Salia gives me a friendly smile. I wonder if they know Alaric has talked to me. The fact that Salia called me princess makes me think that they do. Does she know I don’t want to kill the king? Is she disappointed? Angry?

She seems lonely and sad. I wonder what her story is and would like to get to know her better.

“Hey, Salia?”

“Yes?”

“Where’s your family? Are they part of the rebellion, too?”

Darkness fills her face and she turns away from me.

“I’m sorry,” I say. “It’s none of my business.”

She doesn’t say anything as she continues to scrub so hard her hands are getting red. I put my hand over hers. “If you want to talk about it, I’m here. I know we don’t know each other, but I want you and everyone else to know that I care.”

She turns to me, her eyes glassy. “You’ve changed your mind?”

So she’s aware I have an issue with killing the king. I bite my lip. Her eyes are wide, shining with hope. When I told Sebastian last night that they’re all hopeful, I just said it. But now as I gaze at her, I feel it. Though I don’t know her story, I can feel all the pain and suffering she’s endured in her life.

How could I be so selfish to refuse?

“Yes,” I tell her. “I’ll…I’ll…” I shut my eyes.

This time she rests her hand on mine. “You still have doubts.”

I open my eyes. She still looks hopeful, but it’s dimmed. I can see betrayal and disappointment seeping in. “It’s just hard for me. I know I have no right to say that. I have no idea what it’s been like for you and I can’t really understand...”

“My father.” She faces the sink. “He’s been…” Her voice trails off. “He is…”

“It’s okay, Salia. You don’t have to tell me.”

She scrubs another dish, harder, even though there are no food stains on it. Her eyes fill with tears and her lower lip trembles. “King Sorenten tortures him. Daily. For everyone to see.”

“What?”

She nods, her scrubbing growing even more intense.

“He
tortures
your dad. Every day? Why? What did he do?”

She slams the dish in the sink. It doesn’t crack. “He stole some food from the palace to feed my family. We didn’t have much and my little brothers and sisters were starving.” She swallows. “He was caught by the palace guards and as punishment, King Sorenten tortures him publically. He wishes to teach the Ortarians a lesson, that no one steals from the king.”

“Salia, I’m so, so sorry. Being the king’s torture toy? He’s a psycho. A real psycho.” I wrap my arms around her. She goes still, then slowly accepts the hug.

“Thank you, Princess,” she whispers. The pain in her voice causes tears to spill down my cheeks.

What sick person does something like that? Salia’s dad was desperate to feed his kids. Is that such a crime? And to be tortured
every
day? That’s nuts. Totally nuts.

“Every day, I wish I were powerful enough to free my father,” Salia whispers against my cheek. “But I’m weak and helpless. Before I came here, I was forced to watch King Sorenten tear my father apart, then paste him back together again.” She sniffs.

I can’t stand this any longer. This is just one horrible story I’m hearing. There are many, many others, some most probably even worse than this. I won’t let that monster get away with this. He needs to be stopped.

And I’m the only one who can do it.

“I’ll take the king down,” I tell her. “And I promise you I’ll free your dad and your family will be whole again and Ortarus will be a good, happy place to live in. You have my word.”

She draws back and looks into my eyes. “Princess, I didn’t tell you this in order to sway you—”

“No. I should have accepted my destiny from the start. I’m really sorry. It was selfish of me.”

“You’re not selfish.”

The king is the most powerful person in Ortarus, but I can’t let that deter me. I’m going to save these people, these kind, caring people who don’t deserve this heartache.

I’ll die trying.