a good man. One worthy of the best life has to offer. It has only been a little more than two weeks, yet we have found a synergy and companionship I was missing, even with Aether. His loss no longer hurts as much as it did.”
“Ah,” The Lady said knowingly. “Have you fallen in love?” Her rosy lips curved in a smile.
“No,” Dae spluttered. “Not quite. I mean, how can one do that in the short time we’ve known each other? Don’t be ridiculous. We simply get on well. We are, erm, compatible in many ways. I wouldn’t call that love.”
He was blushing. He could feel it. He could also see Ben’s soft lashes against his cheek when he slept, and the little thing he did with his nose when cuddling Tess.
The Lady nodded wisely. “I see. Well, it would bode well to encourage him to use his last wish before the time expires. After then, the wish is voided.”
Dae’s eyes widened. “Honestly, the wish actually expires? That sucks,” he muttered. “Was that little snippet of information in the manual, too, in the small print?”
“It’s on the first page, in rather large blue text, under the heading ‘Very Important Things for a Djinn to know in Wish Granting,’” The Lady stated with a twinkle in her eye.
Dae huffed. “Still. Someone should have told me.”
Lady Mage Elicia stood up, her dress rustling as she did so. “It has been lovely seeing you, Daeliel. I shall tell your family you are well. They will be thrilled to hear it, no doubt.” Her warm hand caressed his cheek. “Speak to your young man. Convince him to make a wish and make it wisely. I’d suggest you both sit down and discuss your feelings for each other first. Who knows, out of such discussion, perhaps a solution may be found to both of your problems.”
“What problems?” Dae asked waspishly. “He makes a wish, I go back to the lamp. That’s about it.” Son of a Banshee, I don’t want that to happen.
The Lady cocked her head. “Is that how you see it? Silly boy. Perhaps I misjudge you. Think long and hard about what that last wish might be. I can offer you no more advice than that. Good-bye, Daeliel. May the energy and love of our beloved Nemesia be with you.”
Dae stood. “And with you, My Lady. Thank you for the update on my family. It is appreciated.”
Lady Mage Elicia shimmered and within moments she was gone.
Dae pulled his robe closer around his body, for all the good it did, and trudged back to the house.
His mind circled with questions.
The Lady sounded as if she expected Dae and Ben to come up with some magical solution to make life different for the two of them.
Dae sighed as he walked inside and closed the door. There was no magic solution. Dae was torn between wanting to remain here with Ben, and going back to serve the remainder of his sentence so he could eventually see his family—his niece or nephew for the first time.
He didn’t think there was anything anyone could do to give him both.
***
“Why you in such a bad mood today, Mr Grumpy Pants? You’ve hardly said a word all day.” Hemingway nudged Ben with his thigh as they sat together eating their sandwiches on the steps of the new work-in-progress monkey enclosure. At lunchtime today, the workers were enjoying their break in the sunshine on the grassy picnic area. Ben and Hemingway had the steps to themselves.
Ben shrugged. “I’m fine. Got a few things on my mind, I guess.”
Hemingway looked at him shrewdly. “It’s Dan, isn’t it? Your cousin.”
Ben didn’t miss the slight emphasis on “cousin.” He looked over at Hemmy. “What’s that supposed to mean? Why would anything to do with Dan be giving me grief?”
Hemmy snorted loudly. “Ben, I’ve known you for a long time. Dan is your cousin like that pretty woman over there is your next bed partner.” He gestured towards an attractive dark-haired woman walking past. “I wasn’t born yesterday, you know.”
Oh shit, Ben thought in a panic. Bloody Hemmy was too observant. “I’m sure I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
Hemmy grinned— a great big grin that showed his teeth and made Ben a little nervous. “Uh-huh. Don’t fucking lie, mate. The two of you eye-fuck each other any chance you get. You two have chemistry. Hazel and I have noticed it. I don’t know why you feel the need to pretend with us.