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

you?”
    “I’m well, thank you.”
    “Is it okay if I ask you where your parents are?”
    Her lower lip trembles as tears enter her eyes. “They’re dead.”
    “I’m so sorry to hear that.”
    She lowers her head to her knees and her shoulders heave. I rest my hand on her back, telling her it’s going to be okay and that she can talk to me whenever she wants.
    I’m about to leave, since it looks like she wants to be left alone, when she lifts her head. “Princess Lily, are you really going to save us?”
    “I’m going to try.”
    Her eyes fill with hope. “You’re going to free my sister?”
    “Where’s your sister?”
    “She was taken to the palace. My mother and father refused to give her up, and the palace guards killed them. I was hidden in a cabinet in the kitchen. They didn’t find me. When it was safe, I ran. Renaya found me and brought me here.” She fists her hands. “I want to train to be a warrior. I want to kill the palace guards. Each one of them.”
    I rub her arm. “It’s great that you have all this energy inside you. We can use a strong warrior like you. But be careful, okay?”
    She nods.
    I get to my feet. “It was nice meeting you, Casa, and don’t worry, I’ll rescue your sister. You have my word.”
    She smiles. “Thank you.”
    ***
    Training resumes after lunch. When Hastus sees how much pain I’m in, he waves his hands over my body and all my pain magically disappears.
    “Soon,” he tells me, “you’re going to be able to do that. We need to take one step at a time. Overwhelming you with magic while you’re working on your physical training might not be the best idea. Most Ortarians grow accustomed to their magic over the years, but you’re going to learn it for the first time now. And you’ll have to do so quickly. But we’ll leave that for another time.” I nod. Using magic now isn’t something I want to do. I’m so tired I’ll probably burn the place down.
    Hastus claps his hands to get everyone’s attention and we begin to fight. As I’m pummeling Sebastian with my fists—or trying to. He’s not making this easy—I catch sight of someone standing in the doorway. Alaric. He’s watching everyone, but specifically me. Because I’m distracted, I’m not defending myself properly and Sebastian throws me to the floor.
    I massage my arm. “Ouch.” I grin up at him. “I think we’re even now.”
    He helps me to my feet. “Did I hurt you?”
    “No.” I cock my head to the side. “My dad’s here.”
    Surprise fills his eyes. “You’re calling him your dad.”
    I shrug. “I can’t be mad at him, can I? He wanted to be part of my life, he just couldn’t. And as much as I don’t like him lying to my mom, I get it. He loved her so much and wanted a future with her, even though he knew he would have to hurt her. It’s like what happened to us.” I stroke his cheek. “I was willing to be with you even though I knew you would leave me.”
    “Sebastian and Lily,” Hastus calls. “Why aren’t you training?”
    We get back to work. Hastus walks over to Alaric and they talk. Hastus must be updating my father on my progress. Both of them look at me. Is Hastus telling my dad about my super strength, or whatever it’s called?
    My dad seems pleased. I don’t know why that makes me feel better. Maybe because I never had a father who was proud of me.
    Renaya enters the room, and she and Sebastian battle one another. She’s quick and sharp, knocking Sebastian off his feet more times than I can count. When he’s on the floor for what must be the hundredth time, he gapes up at her. “What have you done with my little sister?”
    She yanks him to his feet. “Your little sister was weak. The new Renaya is…” She waves her hands over her uniform. “This.” She looks into his eyes. “Do you see I can take care of myself now?”
    “Yes, but—”
    “Good.” Her voice is clipped. “Because I’d rather not argue about it anymore.”
    She walks out of