Four rotations of the moon had passed, and things had finally settled down after the vizier’s death. The dragon’s thistle medicine had cured Ali’s dark lung. It had taken a few weeks for the genies’ power to restore to full capacity. Then they had worked their magic to create all my wishes and more. Back in Utaara, the sultan had called in all the builders in Utaara to rebuild the slums. New townhouses and apartment blocks rose from the ashes left behind by the dead creep. My heart warmed, knowing all of my neighbors would receive fresh accommodations.

I glanced around my own new home. A five-bedroom mansion by the sea with salmon-colored walls, wooden floors, high ceilings, and plenty of windows to welcome the coastal breeze. The air was thick with the scent of baked Barbari bread thanks to Dahvi’s skills in the kitchen.

Zand delivered breakfast to the table out on the deck overlooking the coast—an assortment of tapas laid out on the dish, cucumbers, feta cheese, olives, jam, and other condiments.

“I’ll never get used to being spoiled,” I told him, giving his butt a little love tap.

“Nor should you, my desert queen.” He laid a big one on my lips.

I grabbed his wrist where he used to wear the gold bands holding him captive to the genie lamp. Gods, I was so glad my men had stayed with me once I had released them from their service.

I added five plates and only two sets of utensils to the table. The genies ate with their fingers; it was their culture, so I left them to it as a little reminder of home.

Teacups rattled as Dahvi set them on the dinner table. Zand added the pot to a woven mat in the center of the counter. I smiled in thanks as he poured me a cup of a cinnamon-scented brew.

Ali and Kaza had the morning off breakfast duties and sat waiting for their meal.

I gave the tops of their heads a kiss before I took my seat at my usual place on the opposite side of the table away from the fireplace. It wasn’t like we needed the extra heat. Our home by the coast was warm and tropical. But my genies thrived on the fire. They claimed it stoke their inner flame and connected them to their magic. Well…what little remained after they’d sacrificed it for a life with me.

“Oh, come on,” said Kaza, with a playful punch on Ali’s upper arm. “Are you telling me there’s no special girl in your life?”

“Gods,” said Ali, covering his eyes. “Can you put a shirt on? I’m sick of looking at your nipples.”

I snorted, hot tea spewing from my lips.

Once I had freed them, they had thrown out their vests. They’d also taken to walking around without anything covering their chests. Didn’t bother me. I got to perv all day long. But my poor brother didn’t feel the same way. I didn’t blame him. He was young and reedy, waiting to fill out, and having three gorgeous, ripped genies living in the same house probably gave him an inferiority complex.

A hearty laugh rolled in Kaza’s throat as a shirt with the words I Love Genies on the front suddenly appeared on him. Dahvi and Zand shared a smile, plucking their own shirts out of thin air—a singlet for Zand, which showed off every muscle in his chest and arms. Gods, he may as well have been wearing nothing. Not that I was complaining. Dahvi wore a shirt similar to Kaza’s that read, Genies Rock.

That was it. I was done. I slumped over the table giggling. These four made me laugh so much. This was how things usually were during our mealtimes. At least it wasn’t boring. I’d found my soul mates, Ali had three big brothers who’d protect him just as I had, and the genies scored an even bigger family.

Zand sat down beside me and patted his thigh. That was my cue to sit on his lap. I did so, positioning myself sideways, and he wrapped an arm around my waist. I rested my legs on Dahvi, and he massaged my foot.

Gods, I enjoyed being spoiled.

Kaza stuffed a cheese-and-jam bread slice into his mouth. “Spit it out, little brother. Who’s the girl? I know there is one. I’m the love god.”

Everyone at the table got stitches from that one. Although, Kaza had given me his heart and had claimed me as his only mate, he was still a ladies’ man. Always charming our housekeeper, Ali’s schoolteachers, stallholders in the market… But the flirty flattery was as far as it went. That’s the way I liked it.

Gods. I rubbed a hand to my forehead. The last thing I wanted to hear about was Kaza’s past escapades with other women.

Kaza winked, prompting Ali to spill the beans.

Red pinched my poor brother’s cheeks. “Well. There is one.”

“Does she have big breasts and a small waist?” asked Zand as he munched on some bread dipped in oil.

I cleared my throat.

“Don’t worry.” Zand ripped off a piece of lamb and patted my thighs. “She’d never compare to my desert queen.”

Damn, I loved it when he called me that.

“Why don’t you go talk to her?” encouraged Kaza.

Ali ducked his head. “She’d never look at me.”

My brother had never spoken to any girls. The poor kid was too shy.

Kaza washed his breakfast down with tea. “She will once you use some complimentary lines to woo her.”

Ali stuffed an olive in his mouth, going even redder.

Kaza loved teasing him. I think it made him feel like he had a younger brother. I guessed now that we were all family, that was the case.

Zand rubbed my thigh with his free hand, and I squeezed it back.

Dahvi tickled my foot, and I flinched, poking my tongue out at him.

“You’ll like this one, my desert queen.” Kaza blew me a kiss from across the table. Then he turned back to Ali. “Was your father a thief? Because someone stole the stars from the sky and put them in your eyes.”

I moaned. “Does that actually work?”

Dahvi went to answer, but I raised my hand, stopping him.

“Never mind,” I said, “I don’t want to know.”

“Oh, oh.” Kaza bounced in his chair. “I’ve got a good one.”

Even Ali seemed amused for a change.

“Are you a genie?” Kaza made everyone wait in suspense for a few moments before delivering the end. “Because whenever I look at you, everyone else disappears!”

We all laughed.

“I’m not saying that.” Ali shook his head and chewed some cheese, jam, and bread.

Kaza dunked a cucumber slice in some dip. “Trust me. She’ll love it.”

I wasn’t so sure of that. If Ali’s love interest was half as smart as I was, she’d see through any corny lines. Besides, that wasn’t really Ali’s style.

Kaza patted Ali’s chest with the back of his hand. “Do you have a map? I'm getting lost in your eyes.”

Zand got a chuckle from that one.

Kaza kept pestering Ali throughout the remainder of breakfast.

This sort of banter was pretty much how every meal went. And that’s how I liked it.

Once Zand and Dahvi were finished, they were out the door. Zand, to collect wood for the fireplace he kept ablaze all day long. Dahvi, to do his morning yoga. That was cool with me. I’d gotten into the habit of watching them. Something I’d never tire of.

So far I was pretty content with the way my life had turned around. I had my own home by the ocean, a larger-than-life family, and enough money to never worry about anything again.

The genies still possessed a little magic, but far from the great expanses they used to harness. It was enough to whip up a meal here and there, give me a rose, and take the magic carpet for a spin. But doing so made them tired and in need of a rest.

I spent part of my days preparing plans to build my orphanage and school. At mealtimes I would join Dahvi in the kitchen. My nights were consumed with pleasure and passion with my men. I’d never been happier. Every day I couldn’t keep the smile from my face. I was so grateful to the gods. For once in my life my future looked incredibly bright. I was very excited for what else lay in store for my family and me.

But for now I had a big secret I was about to unveil to Ali. I couldn’t wait to show him. I tiptoed down the corridor to the little cage in my room.

“Hello there,” I said, opening the cage door to give the little furry thing with the big expressive eyes inside it a scratch on its chin.

It squeaked at me and nibbled on my finger.

I laughed, picking it up. “Oh no. I’m not a banana.” The little squeaker cuddled my neck, and I stroked its soft back. “My brother’s going to love you.”

I carried the monkey out into the living room where my brother was reading one of his books and Kaza was smoking a hookah pipe.

“Ali,” I said. “I’ve got someone I want you to meet.”

“It’s not a girl is it?” He sunk into his sofa, and hid behind his book.

Kaza snatched it away. “Damn right it’s a girl.”

“No, Azar. Please don’t embarrass me and introduce me to another girl.” When Ali glanced up at me his face blanched and his lips wobbled. “Is that for me?”

My throat choked up, and I nodded. News of Karim’s death had crushed my brother. He’d grieved for over a rotation of the moon. I’d given him time to process his monkey’s death. Then I’d ordered another squeaker from a merchant in town. It only arrived by messenger this morning.

“Her name’s Karima,” joked Kaza, slapping Ali with the back of his hand.

Ali laughed. “That’s a stupid name.”

I handed Ali the monkey.

He clutched it to his chest as if it were his own baby. “Hello. You’re very cute. And you don’t smell as bad as Karim.”

Tears streamed down his cheeks.

Damn it. He made me cry too.

“And you’re a girl too,” said Ali. “What shall I call you?”

“Kazana,” suggested Kaza.

“No way,” Ali replied.

Zand entered with a stack of logs in his arms.

“Zandi,” Kaza said.

“No.”

“Careful,” Zand said, throwing a log onto the fire.

“Dahvina,” tried Kaza.

“Gods.” Ali slapped a hand over his forehead.

Kaza crossed his arms. “What about Ali Baba?”

Ali’s frown softened. He thought about it for a few moments. “It’s a boy’s name. But I like it.”

That was settled then.

Ali jumped and gave me a quick hug. “Thank you, Azar.”

I rubbed his back. “You’re welcome.”

Things were finally coming together. Everything was perfect. I’d gotten my happy ending, and I couldn’t ask for it any other way.