The Jinni Key by Bethany Atazadeh

Author:Bethany Atazadeh [Atazadeh, Bethany]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: fantasy, fairytale retelling, royalty, castle, princess, ya fantasy, magical abilities, magical creatures, little mermaid, mermaid, little mermaid retelling, fairytale, fairytales and folklore
ISBN: 9780999536865
Publisher: Grace House Press
Published: 2019-12-03T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 25

Kadin

I TOLD YOU THE Mere couldn’t be trusted, Gideon spoke into my mind as we returned to the village.

The others were oblivious to our silent conversation.

Though I struggled to think about anything other than Arie, my lip twitched and I almost smiled at the Jinni. I think... I hesitated over what I wanted to say. I wasn’t completely sure.

I’d told Rena to leave, yet found her more ingratiated with Bosh than ever. Maybe she’d cast a spell over him—or all of us—so that we would allow her to stay. As much as I wanted to blame her for the delay, I found myself agreeing with her suggestion that we take our time and make a plan of attack, rather than race back and hope to figure it out when we arrived.

Normally, Gideon was patient, but this time when I didn’t finish the thought, he spoke to my mind again. Tell me what you think. What is the purpose of this ploy to spend time with me?

I shook off the direction of my thoughts, deciding to simply tell Gideon the truth. I think... it’s not so much a ploy as it is that... she may have a bit of a crush on you.

I could almost feel the stunned mental silence as Gideon processed this. The crunch of dirt under our feet was the only sound as we neared the village.

A crush... truly?

I hadn’t known a thought could hold such a tone, but I found myself holding back a laugh at his complete and utter shock. A Jinni male was no different from a human male when it came to reading women, it would seem.

Why else do you think she wants to spend an entire day with you? I countered, glancing over at him with a small smile. If all the men, Mere, and Jinni I knew were lumped together, Gideon would be one of those I trusted most. I’d come to think of him as a true friend.

We walked back to town, entering the busy streets once more, as Gideon seemed to ponder my words. He nodded to himself so slightly I doubted the others noticed, then threw a quick thought to me. Might as well get it over with, then.

Even as the thought reached me, Gideon strode ahead to join Bosh and Rena. “How would you like our day together to begin?” he asked Rena politely, and, ever the gentleman, he nodded to Bosh as well, “You’re welcome to join us if you’d like.”

Bosh opened his mouth to answer, but was saved from the awkwardness by Rena shaking her head adamantly. “Not if you want the day together to count. It has to be just you and me.”

Gideon didn’t say a word, but the stiffness in his spine and stride spoke volumes. I covered my mouth, stifling a laugh.

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