As You Wish Read Online Free Page A

out.”
    Karis folded her arms across her chest and took a deep breath. She would need a lifetime to regroup.
    “I can’t give you that much time.”
    “I know.” She looked up at him. “If you really can help me…I want that.”
    Vander nodded. “All you have to do is think or speak my name and I will appear.”
    “Like poof! And there you’ll be?” She realised his assessment of her being in shock was dead on, as hysterical giggles bubbled up in her throat.
    “Something like that. Look, you need to decide soon.” He spoke the words firmly, his eyes holding hers in a steady gaze. “I can help. Call my name when you are ready.”
    “Okay,” she whispered, blinking as he disappeared from sight in a rush of swirling heat circling the room. The air began to cool immediately and she wrapped her arms around her body, her loneliness even more pronounced in Vander’s absence. For a second, she considered saying his name but she knew she wasn’t ready to face him again just yet.
    Sinking to the floor in utter exhaustion, she hugged her legs as uncontrollable shivers racked her body. She stared at the hand painted bottle on her counter, the reality of all that had just taken place hitting her hard. Was she actually contemplating sleeping with a genie? This was how she was going to help her mother? Tears filled her eyes and she began to cry.
    Her mother was out there somewhere. She could feel it and the overwhelming sense something terrible was going to happen made the hot trail of tears wider.
    Wiping her eyes, she got up from the floor and walked towards the bottle. The glass seemed to shimmer as she picked it up and relaxed her with each passing second she stared at the colours. She felt calm, peaceful even and sleep beckoned to her as she climbed the stairs to her bedroom with the cool glass in her hand.
    She sunk into her queen size bed and struggled to keep her eyes open. For once, she was unafraid of her dreams as she placed the bottle on the pillow beside her and drifted to sleep within seconds.

Chapter Three

    Vander cursed as he rubbed the heated skin under the glowing bracelets around his wrist. He could never get used to moving between dimensions no matter how many times he had crossed over.
    “Niri?” Moving from room to room, he was grateful to be alone. Later, he would find her and talk, but right now all he could think about was the woman he’d just left. He’d sensed her sadness the instant he’d gone. With little effort, he’d used his own telepathic abilities to send her the message— I am here, do not be afraid .
    Closing his eyes, he saw her sleeping peacefully with his vessel nestled on the pillow beside her. Pleased, he opened his eyes, still smelling lingering traces of her shampoo on his hands. The intoxicatingly sweet scent of honeysuckle reminded him of her wild hair. She was so different from the other women he encountered in his realm. Although he could sense her strength, it was clear she didn’t recognise her own abilities.
    Becoming a Djinn at the age of thirty-four, he’d lived without aging for almost a hundred years. He had seen many beautiful women, but Karis’s unique beauty had tempted him more than once to touch and kiss the curves of her toned body. Yet, it was the alluring air of innocence reflected in the bewitching emerald depths of her eyes that truly intrigued him.
    Vander shook his head, determined to get Karis off his mind. He would see through his promise to Nadine to help her daughter, but he hadn’t counted on how much he would look forward…no enjoy , the process of helping her come into her power. In fact he couldn’t wait for her lessons to begin.
    “Vander!” Rafi bellowed from the other side of the heavy wooden door.
    Vander cursed, wishing for a few more moments of peace. Being part of the Djinn brotherhood meant each of his kind knew when another genie passed through the portal. He opened his door, giving his friend the customary tilt of his head