Keeping the Genie (Genie's Love, Book 3) by Dee J. Stone Read Free Book Online

king down,” I tell her. “And I promise you I’ll free your dad and your family will be whole again and Ortarus will be a good, happy place to live in. You have my word.”
    She draws back and looks into my eyes. “Princess, I didn’t tell you this in order to sway you—”
    “No. I should have accepted my destiny from the start. I’m really sorry. It was selfish of me.”
    “You’re not selfish.”
    The king is the most powerful person in Ortarus, but I can’t let that deter me. I’m going to save these people, these kind, caring people who don’t deserve this heartache.
    I’ll die trying.

Chapter Seven
     
    Later that day, Alaric and Renaya meet Sebastian and me in my room. I haven’t seen either of them all day, and Sebastian and I have been talking with some of the other rebels, learning their stories and sympathizing with them. I haven’t had a chance to tell Sebastian my decision. I just couldn’t find the right moment. We haven’t really had alone time. With so many people in this tiny place, we don’t have much privacy. I’m sure sleeping in the same bed is causing people to whisper about us. Ortarus doesn’t seem like a place where PDA is encouraged.
    We’re sitting on my bed while Alaric and Renaya take the chairs facing us. “Before you start,” I say. “I want to apologize for yesterday. I was wrong to behave that way. This place and these people mean something to me.” I look at Renaya. “All of you do. You’re right that I can’t understand what you’ve all been through, but that doesn’t matter. No one deserves to live such a life. If I can do something to change that, I will. I need to.”
    Renaya’s face lights up. It’s the only positive emotion I’ve seen from her. Sebastian’s eyes are wide.
    Alaric bends forward. “Are you sure?”
    “Very.”
    Sebastian grabs my hand. “It’s dangerous, Lily. You could die.”
    “That doesn’t matter. Didn’t you tell me last night that you would do it?”
    He runs his hand through his hair. “Yes, but I was talking about myself.” Fear and worry seep into his eyes. “I was up all night thinking about it. I don’t want to lose you.”
    I place my hand on his. “You won’t lose me. And even if I die, I’ll die trying to give your people—our people—a good life.”
    He tears his gaze from me, to the floor, and doesn’t say a word.
    “Sebastian, I’m sorry, but it’s the only way. I can’t think about myself here. We’re talking about thousands of people who live in fear. That’s not a life. I can change that.”
    Sebastian’s eyes move to Alaric. “What happens if Lily is killed during the battle with Sorenten?”
    Alaric hesitates. “There’s more that I haven’t told you.”
    Sebastian and I exchange a look. “What do you mean?” I ask.
    He’s quiet for a few seconds before, “After Sorenten is killed, all his magic ceases to exist. For example, his hold on me will vanish, too. My royal magic will be restored to me.”
    “That means you’ll be king,” I say.
    Alaric nods.
    “Then Lily’s life isn’t important,” Sebastian says, his tone shifting from confusion to anger. “She can die in the process of killing Sorenten and it won’t make any difference because you will still be king!”
    I grab his arm. “Sebastian, relax.”
    He pulls his arm away. “I know you want to be strong, Lily, but someone needs to protect you and watch over you. Now I see Alaric for who he truly is. A selfish, heartless ruler.”
    Alaric shoots to his feet. “How dare you say something like that to me? Do you honestly think I don’t care about my daughter? You think I don’t care if she dies in battle? I only just got her. I never want to lose her.”
    Sebastian presses his lips together. Alaric sits back down. “She’ll train hard, under Hastus’s guidance. Hastus is the best warrior we have.”
    “There’s still a chance she’ll die,” Sebastian says.
    “There’s always a chance.” Alaric’s voice is