Rubbing One Out - Susan Mac Nicol Page 0,57
to end. The Lord and Lady had decreed it so, and I have to go back.”
Ben’s face twisted. “The Lady Mage Elicia. How come I didn’t see her? Where was I?”
“You were sleeping,” Dae muttered. “It was early in the morning and something woke me.” He sat down on the couch again and pulled a cushion close to his chest. “She had news of my family and life back home. It was lovely to hear it, but then she told me the bad news.”
Ben slumped down next to him, looking shattered. Dae’s heart cracked a little more at the sight.
“So three days is all we have?” Ben’s shoulders slumped. “I can’t believe it.”
They sat in silence. Tess came over and laid her head on Ben’s lap, brown eyes soulful. Ben stroked her head absently. “Is there no way they’ll grant an extension? I mean, I don’t even know what to wish for.”
Dae didn’t answer, and shook his head in sorrow.
“Do you want to stay?” Ben asked abruptly. “I mean, is it something you’d consider? I know life here isn’t exciting, and your life back home is more magical than this world, but you’ve become a part of my life. Is there some magic you can do to stay here?”
Dae sighed. “I’ve thought about it a lot the last week. I’ve come to love this world of yours, and then there’s you. You make me feel life here could be fulfilling. But as a Djinn, I’m bound by the Rules of the Accord. They are the law where I’m from and cannot be broken.”
He reached out and took Ben’s cold hands in his. “It isn’t on my list of things I want to do, but I have no choice. The Lord and Lady have decreed it. I’m being summonsed back to a further five-year sentence in the lamp, still without seeing my family or seeing you again.”
They stared at each other in silence for a minute. Finally, Ben heaved a sigh and stood. He shuffled over to the window, his sweatpants and tee-shirt hanging loosely around him, and stared out into the dark.
“If you could stay here, would you want to?” His body tensed and Dae noticed his fingers clench at his side. “I don’t want to make my final wish without knowing what your wishes are.”
Dae puffed out his cheeks. “Ben, that simply isn’t possible. It doesn’t matter what I want.”
Ben turned fiercely. “It does matter,” he snapped. “I can’t believe in all this talk of magic and other worlds there isn’t a solution where you don’t have to go back into that damned lamp prison. You’re a Djinn, Dae. A being filled with mystery and wonder. Surely there must be something you can do.” He sat and took Dae’s hands in his. “The question is, what do you want to happen?”
Dae drew in a deep breath, his heart filled with anguish. “Ben, I don’t know what I want, all right? I want to stay here with you, in this world, wake up to you each morning, play charades with your zany friends, and watch your face come alive when you’re talking about your precious penguins. I want to see my family again, tell my parents I love them, and see my little sister grow up. What I don’t want is to be the Djinn in the lamp with a life full of pleasure and excesses, but no one to love, no family, and subject to the whims of whoever next rubs the damn lamp. If there’s a magic wish that helps me do all of that, then please, make it.”
***
Ben couldn’t help himself, and gathered his man in his arms and stroked his back with calm, soothing movements. “Baby, it’s okay. I can’t say I understand, because, hey, what the hell do I know about being cooped up in a lamp with no one to comfort me. I promise you, we’ll figure this out.”
He hugged Dae close, willing his warmth into his lover’s body and wishing with all his heart he had the answers. Ben had a glimmer of an idea but he wasn’t sure how Dae would feel about it. It would mean an incredible sacrifice, and Ben wasn’t sure he could ask that of the man.
Dae pulled away and regarded Ben with troubled eyes. “I have a feeling you have a second wish in mind and aren’t sure how to tell me about it.” He smiled tremulously. “How about you lay it on me?” He leaned in