Jinni's Wish (Kingdom, #4)

He held up his finger. “I do not know if you deserve this, princess.”


Brown eyes turned softly pleading as she clasped her hands together. “I’ve been a very good girl, Jinni. Lady Ellie demanded I eat all my grains this morning and you know how much I despise cook’s grains. Mush and tasteless, but I swallowed it all. I did not even argue with papa when he demanded I play with that rotten Ishmael, who always thinks it is funny to dunk the ends of my hair in ink.” She held up a curl of hair, a woeful expression turning her lips.

He grinned. Never in his life could he have expected this moment. A djinn who chose to leave his place in the stars to live amongst humans. Knowing humans would be in awe of their great power, but never able to see the creature beneath it-- the one who yearned for friendship and affection, a morsel of kindness that did not involve the granting of a wish.

For most djinns it was not a problem. Jinni had never known of another like him. Most enjoyed their vaunted position of power. But the day Aria had accused him of looking lonely, she’d been right. He’d always ached to have a friend. The fact that he wanted one so badly settled like a hot coal in his gut. Should anyone ever see him now, he’d bring shame to his people.

Jinni shrugged the offending thoughts aside.

“That is not why.”

Aria crossed her arms, eyes quizzical. “Why then?”

“Because when Ishmael dunked your hair in ink, you should have asked me to turn him into a toad. That you did not offended me greatly.”

She giggled, covering her mouth with her hand to try and prevent anyone from overhearing them out in the hallway. Sentries walked the halls routinely, especially upon the royals’ floor.

“Father says I’m to marry that rotten Ishmael someday and I’d much rather a man than a toad.”

“Oh well,” he nodded sagely, “wise decision.”

They shared a secret smile.

“What treasures have you found me this time, Jinni? Is it the star in the sand?”

Withdrawing his hand from his back he slowly opened his hand, revealing a hardened, cream-colored starfish.

Aria gasped, her small fingers trembling as she grasped onto a spindly end. She jumped from the bed, a bundle of energy racing toward the treasure chest hidden in her closet. Her navy blue bed gown flowed behind her like water in motion.

Jinni reclined on the bed as she pulled the small wooden box full of her ‘treasures’ out. Bits of things he’d scrounged up when given time away from his duty to the king. It was difficult for Jinni to ever get away and the few times he did, he always made side errands to seek out new articles for her chest.

She had a vial of sand from the Never Sea, a mummified seahorse, and now her starfish. Running back, a breathless smile on her face, bare feet barely heard above the rustle of her nightdress, she held the box out for his inspection. She’d laid her treasures reverently upon a turquoise silk scarf.

“Thank you, Jinni, thank you!”

He was getting ready to say “you’re welcome” when he heard the unmistakable swish of a woman’s skirt move away from the door. Aria’s eyes grew wide and she swallowed hard. “Oh, Jinni, you should go. You should…”

He shook his head and jumped to his feet. “No, princess.”

“But if you’re caught, they could kill your body and then you’ll be gone from me forever.”

Tweaking the tip of her nose, he moved toward the door. “Get in bed now, Aria.”

He didn’t look back to see if she’d listened, instead he opened her door gently. Heart in his throat, not fear for himself, but for Aria if he’d been discovered in her chambers. Jinni would never dream of harming the girl, or of even entertaining the idea of mating her, she was but a child. But the law was law and in this realm, an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth still ruled. Not only would he be executed, but the princess’ reputation would be soiled. Child or no.

Quietly he exited, glancing both ways, he spotted the bulky shadow half hidden behind a large potted fern.

There was only one way to ensure Aria’s reputation stay intact. Jinni withdrew his hooked cutlass.

“I will not tell.”

Jinni sucked in a harsh breath, the voice reminded him of velvet-- all soft and luxurious, and so tantalizingly familiar. He narrowed his eyes. “Who are you?”

Then she stepped out of the shadow and his eyes widened.

She was beautiful.

As any Queen would be.

Her hair gleamed like rich oil in moonlight, her skin was a dusky hue and bronzed golden by the fierce sun. Piercing green eyes held his and fire burned a hot trail down his spine.

“Queen Nala,” his voice came out choked as he quickly thrust the cutlass back in its sheath. Jinni bowed low. “Forgive me, Queen.”