CHAPTER 17

Mac

WHEN I WOKE UP THE next morning, I was feeling particularly good about myself. I mean, I had just had the best sex of my long life. Of course, I’d be happy. Even more so because it was with someone I cared for so deeply.

I rolled over and reached for Aly, intent on rekindling last night’s activities but my hand found an empty bed. Frowning, I sat up and opened my eyes. The room was filled with light and the clock told me it was after eleven.

Had she said she had to work today?

I eased out of bed, not bothering to get dressed. My back ached and I smiled in memory. Who knew Aly was such a hell cat? She’d sure given me a run for my money.

Going to the kitchen, I poured myself a glass of water and thought about stopping by the coffee shop to see her. If she was there, waiting until this afternoon to see her again, to touch her once more, would be torture. I wanted her now.

Setting my glass in the sink, I moved over to where a pile of clothing sat for me. Deja vu. Hadn’t she done this once before? The note on top of the clothes told me she had cleaned them before she went to the bank. She’d be back in a few hours.

Well, at least I wouldn’t have to wait until this afternoon to see her again. Though, I wasn’t sure when she had written the note. It could have been hours ago or even minutes ago. I had no idea when she’d be back.

Once again, I found myself having to entertain myself. If I was going to stay in the human world with her, I needed to find something to do with myself. I couldn’t just let Aly pay for everything. I was supposed to take care of her not the other way around.

I would need to get a job. Though, how I would go about doing that with no identification or credentials, I didn’t know. But I was sure Aly could help me figure it out.

Setting the note back on the counter, I gathered up the clothes and went to the bathroom. While I was washing up, the front door to the apartment opened. I hurried out of the shower, excitement filling me to see Aly again.

Before I could get out of the bathroom to greet Aly, a body appeared in front of me and blocked my path. My cousin, Ga’nova, stood in front of me. Dark haired like me, he was older by a few centuries and had piercing green eyes. He was dressed in the casual clothing from Tavokia, slacks, and an open-neck shirt, he glanced around the tiny bathroom with disdain.

“Hello, cousin,” he said when his gaze finally landed on me, “You are looking well.” Ga’nova drew out as his eyes raked over my nude appearance.

“What are you doing here?” I demanded, trying to keep my voice low. I didn’t want Aly to hear and come barging in. If my cousin was here, then nothing good would come of it.

“I heard from a little birdy that you were about to break the spell,” he smirked at me, “I just wanted to make sure you were sure you knew what you were doing.”

Aly’s voice could be heard through the bathroom door as she called my name. I didn’t answer her. I glared at Ga’nova to remain quiet. For once, my cousin listened and kept his mouth closed until Aly’s phone went off and she walked away from the door to answer it.

“I’m going to ask you one more time, Ga’nova,” I pointed a finger at my cousin’s chest, “What are you doing here? Did you just come to make sure I wouldn’t break the spell? Because I’ll have you know I have no intentions of breaking it.”

Ga’nova cocked a brow, “Not even if it’s what your master wants?”

“But she doesn’t,” I argued, “We already talked about it. She doesn’t want me to leave.”

“But aren’t you being selfish?” Ga’nova asked a pitying look on his face. “You were sent to her for a reason.”

“And what reason is that?” I spat back at him.

“To make her dreams come true of course, and by not granting her wish you are not doing your duty.” My cousin’s chastising tone made me frown.

I hadn’t been lying when I told Aly she’d only received my bottle because she deserved it. Just like all my other masters, though, I had done my best to not give any of them what they really wanted. The same went with Aly. But what if Ga’nova was right? What if I was the reason Aly would never get her bakery?

I couldn’t live with that. The guilt would eat me alive.

“There has to be another way.” I shook my head and then stared at the bathroom door, as if I could see Aly through it.

“You know our people have some gifts of foresight, which was put into the spell. You would go to those worthy of your gift. Those who would have never achieved it without some kind of magical intervention.” He turned the knob of the bathroom door before I could stop him, cracking it open enough for me to hear Aly’s conversation.

She was talking to Jade. The bank hadn’t gone well. I closed my eyes briefly as she said the words I wished I would never hear from her.

“You know what you have to do” Ga’nova urged, and when I tried to go out to the front room he stopped me with his hand, “You can’t grant it in front of her. Especially not like that.” He pointed down to my unclothed form.

“Why not? She’s seen me like this before.” I didn’t see what the big deal was and I wanted to hold her, kiss her one more time before I was sent back to my world.

“There’s a little stipulation in your spell. One that I came here to tell you about.” He gave me a smug smile that made me want to punch him in the face.

“Well, spit it out why don’t you.” My fingers curled into a fist, the desire to hit him almost overwhelming.

“If you grant this wish, as you should, your spell will be broken and you’ll return home to your kingdom, but…” he held up a finger to emphasize his point, “It will also make her and all your previous masters forget you ever existed. They will think they just had a spot of good luck.”

My stomach sank. That was something I hadn’t known. I’d thought, I could make her dream come true, go home to take care of some things, and then come back to pick up where we’d left off. But if she doesn’t remember me, I couldn’t even see her beforehand. The moment I granted it she’d forget about me. I could see how a naked stranger in her home would not be a good idea.

“I can’t do it.” I looked to Ga’nova who nodded his head in agreement.

“I can see this is a hard decision. I wouldn’t want to make it any more difficult for you, so feel free to take your time. But a chance like this might not come again. She may never make a wish like that again,” his gaze settled on me his lips pressed into a thin line, “Can you deal with that?”

Before I could answer, Ga’nova disappeared. I quietly closed the bathroom door and leaned against it. He was right. Of course, he was right. He’d always been the more responsible one. But just thinking of Aly not remembering me made my heart break. How could I give her what she wanted more than anything in the world and then lose her like that?

I turned around and placed my forehead against the cool surface of the bathroom door. I could hear her voice just through the other side and I wanted so badly to go out there and see her. But I knew I couldn’t.

If I saw her, I wouldn’t do what needed to be done. I couldn’t be selfish. If I loved her, I had to give her what she deserved. Even if it meant she wouldn’t remember me.

I closed my eyes and brought her face to the forefront of my mind. With a slight push of magic, I granted my very last wish as a genie.