Free Wishful Thinking by Sandra Sookoo

sitting on the settee near the floor-to-ceiling windows as if he didn’t have a care in the world.
    Bastard.
    “None of the last names I’ve come up with are correct?” She propped her elbows on the desk and buried her head in her hands. A headache loomed across her forehead from the constant stress. Midnight was two hours off and she hadn’t accomplished much except guessing his first name—Randal. Obviously, that wasn't much of a stretch. She'd simply went down the alphabet again until she'd hit his middle initial—L. Again, that bit was too easy since his first name was Randall with one L . It made sense, especially in magical being logic, that his middle initial was also an L .
    “I’m afraid not, but I admire your effort. The possibility of being free is a great motivator.” Bitterness choked his voice. If he noticed, he didn’t show it.
    “How do I know what you say is the truth? What if I’ve already said your last name but you’re lying about it?”
    “Once you utter my correct moniker, I will immediately dissolve into a shower of sparks. Magical beings of the nether world closely guard their names and when one is said, we cease to exist.” He shrugged as if he’d gone over the information too many times to count. “There is no more mystery which translates to the loss of magic. Death is the next step. We are born to it.”
    The knife of guilt twisted deeper into her gut. How could she consign him to his fate? And why should she have to take the fall and give up her life because he'd come out of his prison on his own? She glanced across the room at him, and her heart lurched. She sighed. At no time during their evening together did he make a move to kiss her.
    Had he gotten what he wanted and now he only needed her to comply with the rest? Deep down, she didn’t think he was capable of such avarice or deception. Not him, the man who so patiently and lovingly paid her attention and built her confidence. Believed in her, taught her to believe in herself so she could succeed.
    Life shouldn’t be this hard.
    “Rand, if you were to live life again in the mortal world, what would you do?” She stood and came around her desk. Once she crossed the carpet, she stepped out of her heels and drifted to a stop before him. “I mean, you’ve spent years in the nether world. How do you plan to adjust?” Urgency compelled her to touch him. She held back, knowing once she did, there'd be no controlling her reaction.
    “Why do you concern yourself with me, my dove? We are now rivals and want the same goal. In order for one of us to survive, the other will not.”
    “Don’t remind me. It’s all I think about.” A twinge of sadness played through her stomach. “I’m curious, though.” Jovie stared down at him with a frown. “You must hate me. I’m the only roadblock to your goal. It’s probably annoying after all this time.”
    “If that were true, then the same could be said of you, and you do not project feelings of animosity.” Rand cocked his head to one side, giving her a smile that didn’t light his eyes. “I have learned not to put stock into circumstances beyond my control.” He caught one of her hands in his, tugging her easily into his lap. “Fate is my map and destiny my guide. I go where they lead. It’s who I meet on the journey that makes it worthwhile.”
    “Then you’re glad I was the one who released you?” Her attempt to leave his lap was thwarted when he tightened his arms around her. “It could have been Clinton or anyone else who reached for the tea service.”
    “No. One human for each nether world being. That is the legend.” He threaded his fingers through her hair, cupping her head. “Without you, I still would be imprisoned. Without you, I will never be free.” His green eyes bore into hers. “I’m sorry it has to be this way. I'm as trapped in the rules as you. The only difference is I knew all along whereas you are just finding out now.”
    He knew yet he