Keeping the Genie (Genie's Love, Book 3) (14 page)

I nod. “Sebastian needs to know about this, but I shouldn’t be the one to tell him. He’s just so angry with them.”

“He needs time. We don’t have a lot of it, I’m afraid. As much as it would be great for him to forgive them, we can’t worry about their family drama. We need to train and prepare to raid the palace.”

A chill passes over me. Raid the palace. A chance for my fellow rebels to get hurt, possibly die, a chance for the love of my life and his sister to be slaughtered before my eyes. The same with my father. I have no idea how things are going to turn out, but one thing is for sure: that bastard of a king is going down.

There isn’t a lot of room in this basement to train, but we don’t let that hold us back. Hastus is harsher than he was before we came here. The fact that the king is sending more guards to search for us means we need to get moving or else we won’t be ready to take on the guards. I’m glad he’s pushing us to the limit. Earlier, he told me I’ll have some one-on-one time with him. I’m grateful. I feel like I’m not at all ready to battle Sorenten. I can use all the help I can get.

Sebastian and I haven’t spoken much. After I talked with my dad, I went to Sebastian’s room. He was sitting on his bed, his mind seeming to be anywhere but in the room. I understood that he needed to be alone. It was on the tip of my tongue to tell him the truth about his parents, but I stopped myself. The four of them should discuss it when they feel it’s right.

Now he’s standing before Hastus with his fists raised. Hastus is going to use magic to attack him, and Sebastian needs to defend himself with only his arms and legs. Renaya, Alaric, and some others are out scouting. They want to make sure the guards don’t come sniffing around. Sebastian doesn’t need to scavenge for food and supplies, since his parents have generously given us more than enough.

My opponent is Salia. When she first joined the others to train, I was surprised. She never seemed to be interested in learning to fight. She told me something changed inside her ever since the attack. She felt so helpless that she decided to train with everyone. This is only her second time, but from what I’ve seen of her so far, she’s really good.

I’m going to use my magic and my fists. Another advantage we have over the palace guards is that they rely solely on magic. We’ve got martial arts. Weapons, too, but those can always be snatched away from us.

Lifting my hand, I throw a bolt at her, only a tiny one, since I don’t want to hurt her. She quickly leaps behind me, causing me to turn around. She then jumps to my right, knocking me off guard and sending me crashing to the floor.

I smile up at her. “Nice. Good job.”

Her smile is wide. She does a small curtsey. “Thank you, Princess Lily.”

Yeah, the whole princess thing? I figure if she wants to call me that, I can handle it.

We train until late. After dinner, I have my private session with Hastus. Once I’m done, I’m sweaty and gross and all I need is a shower and to fall into bed.

The shower wakes me up a little and my body is still sore from all the training. I hope I’ll be stronger when I’m up against that bastard of a king.

“Hey.”

Sebastian is sitting on his bed. He smiles when he sees me. “How was training?”

I get into his bed and scoot over to him. “Grueling, but good. I actually feel my muscles getting stronger. Isn’t that crazy?”

His smile is strained.

“Are you okay? Still thinking about…?”

He puffs out his cheeks. “This morning, Alaric told me I should give them a chance. Hastus said the same to me during training.”

I slip my hand into his. “And now you’re going to hear it from me.”

His eyebrows knit. “What do you mean?”

“I mean that your parents have a lot they need to say to you. To you and Renaya.”

His eyebrows knit even more. “They spoke to you?”

“No, but Alaric did. Sebastian, I know you’re angry and hurt, but I think it would be a good idea to hear them out.”

His fists clench. “I want nothing to do with them.”

“Sebastian—”

“They’ve manipulated Alaric and now they’re manipulating you.”

“No one is manipulating anyone,” I say.

He laughs sarcastically.

“Why are you like this?” I ask. “I know your parents put you through hell, but don’t you think you should give them a chance to explain?”

“Explain what? That they were greedy for magic? That they preferred having a social status over their kids? Why should I speak to the people who made it perfectly clear that I wasn’t worth anything?”

“Because they were trying to provide you with a better life.” I press my lips together. I didn’t mean to say that. It just slipped out. I don’t want to be mad at him, but I am. The Sebastian I know would give his parents a chance to explain. He’d open his heart, no matter how much they hurt him.

His eyes are wide. “W—what?”

I swallow. It’s too late to take it back now. “Sorenten promised the poor that the palace would take their kids and give them everything they needed.” I rest my hand on his chest. “Your parents couldn’t provide for you so they gave you away to someone who could. They were promised to be taught magic. They never thought they wouldn’t see you again. They honestly thought they were doing the right thing. What was best for you and Renaya. Sorenten promised them all these things, but of course they were lies. Once your parents learned the truth, it was too late. It ate away at them.”

Sebastian doesn’t say anything. His gaze is glued to the carpet, and I can’t exactly read the expression on his face. Shock, perhaps some guilt. I remain quiet to give him a chance to process everything. For years he thought his parents abandoned him. For years he resented them.

He swallows. “Does Renaya know this?”

I shake my head and lay it on his shoulder.

He strokes my arm. “Thank you for telling me.” His voice is low.

“Are you going to talk to them?”

He lets out a breath. “I don’t know. I know I should, but it’s hard.” He rubs his hand down his face. “How do I know they’re telling the truth?”

“That’s why you need to talk to them. From what I gathered after meeting them, it seems like it was the truth. I mean, the looks on their faces was just so heartbreaking. I didn’t realize it at first, but they looked like they were in so much pain.”

He nods slowly. “My parents were never horrible people, and when they were giving us away, that hurt me. They were so loving and caring.”

“I know they still are.”

“But the way I behaved yesterday…they won’t want to talk to me.”

“I’m sure they’ll forgive you for that. And yes, they do want to talk to you. I don’t think they blame you for being upset with them. It was just one huge misunderstanding.”

He clenches his jaw. “Sorenten is to blame for everything.”

“We’re going to make him pay for all the pain he caused.”

He smiles sadly and kisses my forehead. “I’ll talk to them in the morning. That is, if they’re still interested.”

“I know they are.” I caress his cheek. “I don’t think they’re going to give up on the chance of rekindling a relationship with you.”

He bends his head and places a gentle kiss on my lips. “To be honest, when you and Alaric were getting to know each other, I was a little jealous. I wanted to have what you have. A mother who loves you and a father willing to do anything to make up for lost time.”

“Maybe you’ll have that, too.”

He rests his forehead against mine. “Thank you for all your encouragement. I don’t know how I would handle this without you.”

I give him a passionate kiss. “I felt the same way when you got sick.”

He opens his mouth, then shuts it. He combs his fingers through his hair. He sighs and looks at me before crumpling the blanket in his hands.

“What’s wrong?” I ask.

He shakes his head.

“Sebastian.”

“I don’t want to upset you, but it’s been bothering me and I’m going to explode.”

I take his hands. “You can tell me anything, you know that. I’m not some porcelain doll. I can handle it.”

“I know you can, but whatever I want to say is going to cause a rift between us.”

The last thing I want to do is argue with him, but if it’s bothering him so badly, I need to know what it is. I need to help him. “Tell me. Please.”

He keeps his gaze on the blanket. “I’m going to fight Sorenten with you.”

I groan. “Not again.”

His eyes flit to mine. “Why won’t you let me? Because I don’t have magic? Because I’ll get in your way? Because I’m…weak?”

“You’re not weak.”

He cups my face in his hands. “I love that you’re so powerful and brave. I know you can take care of yourself, but you have no idea what Sorenten is capable of.”

“I’m not scared of him.” Of course I am. I just can’t
let
myself be. When I’m going to go into battle, I won’t let him or anyone, or myself, psych me out.

Sebastian holds me close in his arms. He doesn’t say anything. He doesn’t need to. When he tilts my head to kiss me, I can feel every emotion spinning inside him. His worry of my battling the king, his nerves to speak to his parents. The future he desperately wants for us as well as all the Ortarians. I tug him close and deepen the kiss, promising I’ll do everything in my power to give him that future.

I spend most of the next day training with Hastus. Just like yesterday, he’s rough with me, but I welcome it. I fight through my aching limbs, because my pain is nothing compared to all the pain the Ortarians go through every day. I see Casa’s face before my eyes and think about all the stories the rebels told me, all the horrible things they’ve been through. These thoughts and images help me ignore the burning in body and push myself to be the best warrior or savior or whatever I can be.

“You’re progressing nicely,” Hastus tells me as I down some of that sweet drink. I still can’t remember its name, no matter how many times I’ve asked Salia. But that doesn’t matter. This drink is pure heaven.

“Thanks. Do you think we’re ready to take Sorenten down?”

He leans back in his chair. “We still have a lot of training to do, but we need to move quickly before his guards find us.”

I nod, pushing the images of our fallen comrades out of my head. I don’t want to lose any more of us, but we can’t hide out here forever. Like Hastus said, the guards are eventually going to find us. Also the more time we waste, the more time Sorenten gets away with terrorizing the Ortarians.

He pats my arm. “Don’t worry. We’ll be ready for him. I promise you that.”

We train for a few more hours, before Hastus decides to call it a day. My body is exhausted, but at the same time, something inside me wants to go on. When I tell that to my trainer, he laughs. “Your magic comes so naturally to you. Soon, you’ll be the one teaching me.”

I playfully slap his arm. “Sure. And about my magic, I feel like it’s part of me. Like a best friend living inside me. So far we’ve been getting along great.”

He smiles. “Hold onto that. When your magic is part of you, you can do anything. And—”

“I need to be the best I can be when I’m going to take down the king.”

He watches me for a second or two. “Lily, I never asked you how you feel about all of this. I know you’re nervous, but what else?”

I shrug. “It doesn’t really matter how I feel. I just have to make this world a better place for all Ortarians. Rich or poor, it doesn’t matter. Everyone deserves to be treated equally.”

“If you feel that way, then you truly are the princess you’re meant to be.”

I shift from one foot to the other, trying to shake off how uncomfortable he’s making me feel. I guess the whole princess thing still takes some getting used to. “Thanks.”

“Okay, I kept you here long enough. Go get some fresh air.” By fresh air, he means to go the main room, since we can’t go outside. No one does, except for Renaya, Alaric, and some of the other spies. When I asked my dad if I could join them, he told me I need to focus on training. I think he’s worried what would happen to me if I leave this shelter. Not only because they need me to kill the king, but because he wants to protect me.

In the main room, everyone is going about their usual things, relaxing after a hard day of training. Some are talking, others are eating. Some smile to me as I pass them. Others bow their heads. I return the smiles, ignoring the pang in my stomach. How many of us are going to survive this? No, I can’t be thinking these negative thoughts. We’re
all
going to survive. We need to.

Sebastian is in our room when I enter. Technically, this is only his room, but I’ve kind of moved in. I stop short when I find his parents seated next to him at the table. Renaya is here, too.

“Oh, hi,” I say.

Sebastian gets up and takes my hand. He faces his parents. “Mother, Father, this is Lily, the love of my life.”

Both Candon and Merla stand up and bow. “Princess,” Merla says.

It’s strange to meet my boyfriend’s parents, but it’s even stranger to have them bowing before me. “Please, it’s just Lily. And you don’t need to bow. Uh…” I grab some of my hair. “It’s nice to meet you.” I never met any of my boyfriend’s parents before, since I hadn’t gotten far with them. Is this how Sebastian felt when he met my mom? No wonder he was so nervous. I want to sink through the floor.

Candon smiles, bowing his head. “It’s our pleasure.”

Merla steps forward and hugs me. “Sebastian tells us it was you who convinced him to talk to us.”

I laugh lamely. “Well, you can thank Alaric, really.” Why did I say that? “Um, so I guess I’ll leave?”

“Of course not,” Merla says. “We’d love to get to know you.”

I glance at Sebastian and Renaya. They seem to be in a good mood, although it’s hard to tell with Renaya since she’s still got that cold, distant look in her eyes.

They lead me to the table and we sit down. Sebastian is still holding my hand, and he has a loving smile on his face when our eyes meet. I tuck some hair behind my ear and shift in my seat. I shouldn’t be so nervous, but I am. I mean, it’s not like I feel like I need to be perfect in front of his parents. Sebastian doesn’t care about that kind of thing and they don’t seem to be the type, either.

Merla gives me a warm smile. “You come from Earth.” It’s not a question. Her eyes are dazed with fascination.

“Yeah. I mean, yes. Yes, I do.” I press my lips together. Sebastian squeezes my hand, and I swear I can see a small smile on Renaya’s face. Am I making a fool of myself? Why do I even care about such a thing when we’re in the middle of a rebellion?

“Fascinating,” Candon says.

“I guess…”

Merla takes my free hand. “We would like to thank you for the task you have taken upon yourself. Killing King Sorenten.”

“Thanks. I’d do anything to help all of you.”

She smiles. Candon nods.

“I’m sorry for everything Sorenten put you through,” I say. “But don’t worry, you have my word that he won’t be ruling for much longer. Ortarus will be a safe, wonderful place again.”

Sebastian’s hold on my hand tightens. I don’t think we concluded anything last night, about him wanting to help me. Honestly, I want to pretend like it doesn’t exist.

“I also want to thank you for risking your lives to protect us,” I tell them. “We’re in your debt.”

Candon shakes his head. “There is no need to thank us. It’s about time someone stands up to that ruthless ruling pig.” He clenches his fist.

Merla places her hand on his arm. “Candon, we need to relax.” She turns to me. “It’s us who should be thanking you. Sebastian told us how you cared for him when he was a genie on Earth. And that you watched over him when he grew sick after the attack on your compound.”

I smile at Sebastian. “I love him.”

Sebastian is about to say something, when there’s loud banging from above us. “Open up,” a booming, male voice says.

Candon and Merla leap to their feet. “Palace guards.” They zoom out of the room. Sebastian, Renaya, and I quickly follow. Their parents rush up the stairs, through the hidden door that leads to the secret basement, and up the stairs, probably to the house.

We all stare at one another. Alaric, who’s standing on the side, face is sheet white.

“Open up!” the guards call. “By the order of King Sorenten, you are to open the door this instant.”

I hear the sound of the outside door being opened. “Yes?” Candon says. His voice is muffled but clear enough to understand.

“We must search your house,” another guard says. I use my magic to peer through the ceiling. Three guards are standing in the house, one beefier than the next.

The guards march around the house, throwing doors open, looking under the beds and the closets. I turn to lead the others to an escape route—the ceiling I climbed in from that leads to the backyard. But I stop when I see many more guards around the house. They must have called the others. There’s no escaping now.

Alaric, Hastus, and Renaya pass weapons out to all the rebels. We hide behind the furniture, Sebastian and I ducking behind a couch.

“What are you searching for?” There’s a tremor in Merla’s voice.

“Rebels,” one of the guards grunts.

“There are no rebels here,” Candon says calmly.

The guards don’t respond as they keep poking through the place. The others can’t see what’s going on, only can hear. More guards have gathered around the house now and there must be more than thirty. Running out to attack will only be suicide. Our best option is to defend. I want to reassure everyone that everything is going to be okay, but how can I?

One of the guards is right above us when he stomps his foot on the floor. His eyes widen as he pulls a rug aside to reveal a few tiles on the floor that are a little uneven than the rest. This must be the door that leads to the basement.

My heart gallops in my chest. Oh, god. They’ve found us.