Of Wish and Fury (Seven Kings of Jinn)

Ari sat in sandy dirt and as her eyes adjusted to the scene, she relaxed, noting the familiar people, the familiar feeling of the world playing out before her. “I don’t know how we’re related.” The beautiful female jinn with jet-black hair smiled, shrugging elegantly as she laid back on a rock.

Lilif.

Pale moonlight glinted off a placid lake, and mountains like black shadows guarded their privacy. The male jinn, with his matching black hair and youthful beauty, smiled at her as he stepped out of the lake, refreshed from his midnight swim. “Do I really need to explain the mechanics to you?”

She threw a pebble at him, laughing. “Of course not. You know what I mean. We’re so different. I’m so…”

“Petulant, spoiled, annoying?” He grinned teasingly.

She harrumphed. “I was going to say… destructive.”

His smile melted into a scowl. “True.”

“And you’re all about order and everything having its place.”

He shrugged. “Together we balance it out.”

His words made her smile. “I think Master likes me the way I am, don’t you?”

Her brother’s mouth twisted, his eyes sparking with dry humor. “I think he more than likes you.”

“He doesn’t know me,” she whispered, staring off into the night sky, a strange, almost dangerous look in her eyes. “He thinks he knows everything… but I’m going to surprise him.”

Unease seemed to ripple through her brother, and he narrowed his eyes. “You can never hope to master him, Lilif. Never.”

As if she hadn’t heard his words, Lilif looked at him, her gaze pleading. “Whatever happens, promise me you’ll always be there for me. For anything I need of you. Promise,” she insisted.

Wisdom flashed in his young eyes as he walked toward her in contrition, his expression sad. “I cannot make that promise. I love you. But I cannot make that promise.”

She gasped, tears glittering in her eyes. “Is this it then? Is this how it will be between us from now on? No promises, no trust? Is this how it is to be a grownup?”

“No, sister.” He shook his head slowly and reached out to catch a tear as it spilled from her luxurious eyes. “This is how it is to be immortal.”

“No.”

“No.”

“Ari.”

“No.”

“Ari, wake up.” She felt her body shake, hands grasping her wrists tight. Pulled from the dream, Ari’s eyes flew open and automatically shut against the stinging light of day that streamed into the hotel room. A rough finger brushed her cheek and she shivered at the touch. Jai. Peeling her eyes open, Ari sucked in a breath at the sight of him. He looked wonderful. He looked… worried. “You were having a nightmare,” he murmured, gently easing back into a chair he’d pulled up next to her bed. “Do you want to tell me about it?”

Needing to sit up, Ari struggled, waving Jai off when he tried to help. She felt disgusting. She must look disgusting. Ugh. Awkwardly, she patted her hair, trying to brush the greasy strands back from her face. Lovely. “Hi.” She smiled, a little embarrassed.

His answering smile nearly melted her insides and curled her toes. “Hey.”

They were silent a moment, each seeming to tabulate each other’s features, memorizing them. “The dream?” Jai asked, his voice hoarse.

Remembering her latest dive into a dream world where Lilif seemed to be the star, Ari frowned. “I keep having these dreams—”

“And you’re just telling me now?” Jai scowled with concern.

Ari huffed with frustration. “Will you let me finish?”

Without apology, Jai waved at her to continue.

“I started having them just after Charlie told us about the wish. So it was before we ever went to your father’s house.”

“Significance…?”

“It’s always this jinn woman. Beautiful, long, dark hair. She’s an immortal. And there’s this other guy she’s always fighting with. When you showed me the painting of Lilif, the artist’s rendition of her really resembled this jinn woman from my dreams.”

Jai’s brow puckered in confusion. “You’re dreaming about Lilif? The first of the lilif jinn? The Seven Kings of Jinns’ mother?”

Ari nodded. “I think so.”

“Well, what are the dreams about?”

“Honestly?” Ari shook her head. “I have no freaking idea.”

Jai thought for a moment and sighed. “It could be nothing. The connection between you is paternal — she is the White King’s mother. Why don’t we ask your uncle when we see him next?”

Although Red had saved their lives many times now, Ari still hesitated. “Do you think we should?”

Jai froze. “You don’t trust him?”

“I don’t know. Do you?”

“I don’t know.”

Ari sighed and gazed at the door. “Is Charlie alright? Fallon told me…”

Her guardian nodded and leaned in a little closer, the tiny diamond in his ear winking in the light. Why was that so hot? Ari’s eyes traveled from it along his firm jaw to his five o'clock shadow. He needed a shave. Ari had the sudden urge to rub her cheek against him. Her stomach clenched and she returned her focus to his eyes, which seemed brighter than they had been seconds ago. “Charlie will be okay. He’s dealing. It helps that the Roes are treating him like a hero for saving Fallon and helping him understand it was self-defense.”