Did I return to an alternate reality where Prince Poopfloof has a sense of humor?
“Someone clue me in on how this is possible,” Hart demands. His eyes haven’t left me, as if he’s afraid I’ll disappear if he blinks.
The genie floats back and forth. “Well, one of you needed to make a wish.”
“You were clear that wouldn’t work,” Malachi points out.
“It wouldn’t—not with me. Death isn’t in my remit.”
“I’m lost,” Gwyneth says.
Genie sighs like he’s frustrated that everyone hasn’t already caught up to his brain. I have the opposite problem.
“It’s who and where you made the wish to,” I start.
Genie points at me. “What she said.”
The gang glance at each other.
Charming holds his hands up. “I made no wish.”
No shit, you mellow.
“It was Nash,” I state, spinning to face him. “I heard you when you spoke to the stars.”
He jerks back like I slapped him. “How?”
This part was a little tricky, as it suggests premeditation on my part to leave this world. “I made a wish before I died.”
Genie grimaces as the knights take a step toward me, tightening the circle.
“What was your wish?” Hart demands.
“Let no story end because I was loved.”
Silence settles like a heavy blanket as everyone absorbs the words I’d spoken to Genie that fateful night.
“What are the consequences?” Malachi wonders.
“As long as she is loved, she won’t end,” Genie supplies.
“That’s diabolical,” Hart says with a slow grin. That’s his scary smile. Let’s face it—it’s Hart. All his smiles are scary.
“It’s smart,” Nash breathes. “Does this make you immortal?”
“Until I’m no longer loved,” I point out.
“That’s never going to happen,” Malachi says.
“How does this link to the wish Nash made?” Gwyneth asks.
Nash’s jaw tics, but he ignores everyone but me. “I wished you would come back to us, never leave us again, and never be at the whim of the Idols.”
“Together, their wishes braided into a loophole that fate itself couldn’t untangle,” Genie says with a smile as he floats on his side with hearts in his eyes. “True love conquers all, including death.”
“Speaking of true love, when is someone going to stop avoiding my question and tell me where in the Blazes my dragon is?”
The genie grimaces, and everyone holds their breath. I swear, if that damn dragon has gone and died on me, forget wishes; I’ll burn this kingdom down until the Idols give him back to me. My hand rubs over my breastbone. Except I know he’s still here, because I can feel his heartbeat next to mine. Each of them is different, yet harmonized.
