Three Wishes by Jenny Schwartz Read Free Book Online Page B

bound by Solomon’s curse. I couldn’t kill Khan, but she could. She…she killed herself.”
    “Cali.” His arm tightened.
    “Two innocents. Two bright lives of courage and compassion. I tempted Khan into wishing for the next walled city, and when he walked in triumph through its entrance, I made sure the walls fell on him. I vowed that no man would use me again.”
    She straightened. “And that includes your precious David. I will let his nature kill him. The life he has chosen will define his wishes, and I will turn them to his destruction, as I vowed.”
    “What of Miriam? She has vowed to save him.”
    “She’s too late.” Cali moved out of his embrace, standing and walking to the edge of the waves.
    “It’s never too late.” He followed her. “You only have to choose life.”
    She turned from the sea and faced him. “I chose death.”
    “Because you were hurt, violated in your spirit. I am sorry, Cali.”
    “I didn’t tell you the story for pity. I told you so you’d know I’m serious about killing David. You won’t seduce me from my vow.”
    “Seduce?”
    “Being kind to me. Being nice.”
    “It’s easy to be kind to you.”
    She shook her head.
    Rage surged through him that life had destroyed her self-perception. She should be a bringer of delight, a joy to the heart, laughter and happiness.
    “You’re beautiful.” He paused. “I’m not a poet. I don’t have pretty words to woo a woman—”
    “I told you. I don’t want seduction.”
    “I’m giving you the truth. You deserve pretty words and loving touches. You won’t believe me because I’m clumsy. Words.” His fists closed in frustration. “I look at you and see a powerful woman who ought to radiate generosity and grace, and instead, she’s curled up like a terrified hedgehog, all prickles and vulnerability. You’ve been hurt and you’ve settled for vengeance rather than risk your heart again.”
    “I’m cursed, Andrew.” She whirled and punched his chest. “I have no hope, no freedom. I live in a damn bottle.” He caught her wrist as she slammed him again and, off balance, she landed against him. “Don’t tell me I can be and have what I want. I can’t. I can’t and you’re cruel to make me remember.”
    “To remember what?” He held her close, one hand smoothing over her back. “To remember the pain or the joy of love? Would Paul want you to dwell on the pain?”
    “Paul? He wouldn’t know. I was a girl he met in the marketplace. He’d only just learned my name and begun to smile at me. My knees used to go weak—from a man’s smile. We never even kissed.” She pushed her face into his shirt. “Our love never had a chance because I’m cursed.”
    “Cali.” He tried to ignore the surge of possessive satisfaction that the poet hadn’t kissed her. “Forget the curse. You’re making your own life harsher by punishing yourself for what you couldn’t control. Allow yourself joy. Stolen moments can be the sweetest.”
    “How would you know?” She leaned back to glare at him. “You’re an angel. You don’t have to steal anything.”
    “Don’t I?” He regarded her ruefully. “I think I’ll have to steal your kisses.”
    Her eyes widened.
    “No answer?” He caressed her face, tracing the soft curves, feeling the flutter of her lashes. Her trust was as fragile as a moth. Except he was the moth, impossibly drawn to her bright flame. “Your skin is soft and you smell of roses.” He kissed her, keeping the touch light. “Your lips are softer. You taste of summer.”
    She stared at him blankly, but her fingers caught at his shirt, bunching it.
    “I was wrong to call you hard yesterday. You are soft, seductive.” He kissed her, adding a little more pressure.
    Her lips parted.
    Sweeter than peaches. Her taste intoxicated him with the pleasures of summer. Long, lazy delight. He learned her mouth. The satin lips and moist cavern. Her sweet breath and shy tongue. She wasn’t accustomed to play.
    He