“You’re thinking awfully hard over there,” Gwyneth notes as Charming leans down to whisper something in her ear. Her cheeks pinken, making my nose wrinkle. Why him? I just don’t get it. But he’s like a puppy on a leash, so at least there’s that.
“I was pondering the amount of sausage required for the future,” I explain.
Nash glances at me over his shoulder with one eyebrow raised.Yes, yes, your sausage is most definitely included in all my future possibilities.I feel more connected to him, but there’s still something that hasn’t quite clicked, like he’s holding something back from me. Haven’t I proven I’m made of stronger stuff and can handle his threefold?
“So this power you feel,” he says, coming to his full height and turning toward me. “When did it happen?”
I twist my lips to the side. It’s going to make the Red Queen’s demise appear premeditated, when the reality of the situation is that I’d rather never lay eyes on another Idol for as long as I’ll live. “When the Red Queen met her end, I think I sort of absorbed her power.”
Nash stiffens. He’s appalled. Maybe a little scared. Who am I? The maiden he fell for, or a dangerous creature he wished back into existence? He’s probably regretting that now. “I see,” he says in an even, calm voice devoid of any quirks of emotion.
“Do you?” I wonder. “Because I do not. So if you have any clue as to what is happening, you need to let me know.”
He closes his eyes and folds his arms. “I’m not sure. I need to do a little research. There may be something.”
That’s hopeful, but I can’t lose my dark knight. Whatever the reason he’s keeping his distance, it has to end.
“Right.Research.” I narrow my eyes. “Because this can all be solved by books.”
His eyes snap open, and I realize I was wrong. He’s not void of emotion; he’s keeping his feelings on lockdown.Talk to me, Nash. No more secrets.I don’t say the words aloud, but I try communicating everything I’m feeling through our stares.
His gaze drops to my lips, and he swallows.
“You know you have a magical being at the tip of your fingers who might shine some light on this,” Charming says.
Ugh, I forgot he was even in the room. Can’t he go back to taking up space but not adding to the conversation?
“Genie,” Gwyneth adds with a smile. “Clever.”
Eww, no. I don’t like this new world.
Everyone stares at me except baby Theo, who is rolling on his back and making little growly noises.
“Summon Genie,” Malachi murmurs. “He’s right.”
Again... eww.
I huff. “I wish...”
Nothing happens.
“I wish,” I holler so loud it bounces off the curved ceiling.
Genie poofs into the room, and I bite my lip. What in Blazes is he wearing? It looks like some kind of skirt made of leather flaps with braces crossing over his chest. “You called?”
“Don’t get distracted,” Hart advises.
Too late.“What are you wearing?”
Genie looks down at his skirt and blinks. “I was busy.” He scratches the back of his neck, his cheeks flushing. “There’s a coffee morning every Thursday, and it’s my turn to host. Can we move this along so I can get back to make sure Sir Sweeps-A-Lot doesn’t start a genie war?” He tilts his head and scans the room. “Actually, you know what? You guys seem nice and settled here with plenty of room. Time to return your infernal broom.”
He snaps his fingers, and Sir Sweeps-A-Lot appears beside him, wearing a matching leather mini-skirt. Genie grimaces and wiggles his fingers to make the skirt disappear. I highly doubt that whatever they were doing included gossiping over fine china, but I’m not going to ask.
“What do you need?” Genie asks, reminding me why I summoned him.
Sir Sweeps-A-Lot rushes over and pats my body down like he’s checking for injuries. I let him get that out of his system while I point at the tiny dragon.
Genie’s eyes widen. “Did you conceive and give birth? How long have I been gone? Time works weirdly in the lamp.”
