DESIRE

by Kailin Gow

  We all filed into the tiny kitchen, Liam taking a seat while Pim followed Mom to the counter where she poured a cup of coffee. Liam’s eyes were on me, heavy and gripping, as though fearing I’d melt right there in front of him.

  I turned away, finding it difficult to face him. Even as I pulled the carton of milk from the refrigerator, I felt his stare digging into my skull. When I sat down, he quickly shuffled his chair beside me and reached out for my hand.

  “Father has obtained an audience for you,” Liam said.

  We’d been through this so many times before; I couldn’t even bring myself to feign elation.

  “I believe we can really set this straight once and for all,” Pim added, his eyes lovingly on my mother as she added sugar to his coffee.

  “They made a mistake, Kama,” Liam went on, his grip on my hand tight and fearful. “They were just short of admitting it and they are now prepared to set things right.”

  I met his gaze and saw the boy I had so loved and trusted all these years. He meant so much to me and the broken dream that had been my life these past months had weighed so heavily on me. The thought of finally setting things right gave me a peak into the future I could truly have with Liam.

  My gaze drifted to Pim and my mother. “I think they would be even happier than us should this finally get settled. Just look at them. It would sure make for weird dinner nights.”

  “I don’t care,” Liam whispered. “So long as I can be with you, I can handle anything.”

  I looked into his eyes, earnest, sincere, loving, yet with that tinge of desperate fear that pierced through my heart, leaving a gaping hole of guilt. If he learned of the kiss I’d shared with Torrid; if he knew of the mixed emotions I now felt, it would surely crush him.

  And what if he should find out about his father?

  My gaze intensified as I looked deep into Liam’s eyes, trying to pick up on a hint of his thoughts. Did he already know? Was he aware his father was a Catcher of Magical Ones?

  A gasp of shock and horror nearly escaped me as my own thoughts whirled through my head at a frantic pace.

  Liam was set to become Governor. Surely his duties would include catching genies, just like his father. Liam could potentially be the man to ultimately capture and imprison my father.

  The thought made me shudder.

  “You okay?” Liam’s concern ran through his fingertips as he trailed his hand up my arm and caressed my shoulder.

  “Yeah.” I tried to smile as genuinely as I could. “Just picturing my mom and your dad.”

  He chuckled without amusement.

  “I was also picturing you as Governor.”

  He cocked a brow of uncertainty.

  “You’ve watched your father all these years, the policies he’s instilled, the hand he holds over the city. Have you thought of the kind of governor you’d like to be? Are there changes you’d make?”

  “What are you saying, Kama?” He came in close, but a guarded wall veiled his gaze. “Do you think my father’s doing a bad job? Should I change anything?”

  “No, I’m just curious.”

  “Did something happen to you?”

  “Liam, if my Life’s Plan is to change and we’re to be together, I just want to know what I’m getting into. I want to know the kind of politician you’ll make; the kind of leader you envision yourself as.”

  “I really haven’t given it much thought. Right now I just want to concentrate on getting you back in my life and getting an education. I haven’t even really talked to my dad about it.”

  He leaned in closer and kissed my temple. “I know your displeased with my dad’s ability to alter your Life’s Plan, but really, he’s doing all he can. As Governor, I couldn’t do more than he’s done.”

  “I know.”

  “And you know that I will give it all up for you if your Life’s Plan isn’t changed. I’d leave Arcadia. I’d live wherever you want to live.”

  I glanced at Pim as he talked intimately with my mom. It was as if we weren’t even in the room, their gazes were so fixed on one another.

  “Come,” I whispered as I took Liam’s hand. I led him to my room and shut the door.

  “If my destiny is to be with you, then my destiny will include a degree of leadership in Arcadia. There are so many things I have to tell you, things you don’t know about. There are so many things I’d like to change once you're in office and I’m there at your side.”

  My position at his side would allow me to make the changes necessary to free the Magical Ones. Perhaps breaking through the force field wouldn’t even be needed. Their freedom could be had easily, without battle or bloodshed.

  The thought warmed me and I was filled with hope.

  He sat on the edge of my bed and guided me to sit beside him. “I’m open to any ideas you might have. This is your city, too, and I know you're smart enough to be the greatest asset I’ll have as governor. I’ll always come to you for advice and…”

  A wistful smile came to his lips as he reached for the pendant around my neck.

  “You're still wearing it.”

  “Of course.” My automatic response was void of emotion.

  “This means you still have me close to your heart,” Liam said, interpreting the chain on my neck in his own fashion. “Despite being kept apart, you still wear it.”

  He leaned in to kiss me, his lips seeking out the emotions I held back.

  I loved him. I loved the boy I’d known, the young man who’d always been there for me and the strong man he was to become, but…

  A heavy knock at the door made me jump back and after a quick glance at one another, Liam and I rose to face the sudden intruder.

  Before I could give permission to enter, the door opened and I was shocked to see a strange man standing at the threshold. Mom and Pim stood behind the little, thin man with thick glasses, their expressions difficult to read.

  My gaze rose to meet my mother’s, partially accusing her for the sudden intrusion, partially questioning who the strange little man was.

  “This is Dr. Sanz.” Pim was strong and authoritative as he entered my room.

  The faint violet glow around the doctor caught my attention and my gaze automatically dipped to his wrist where a leather band was tied. I swallowed the ball of fear that rose to my throat, doubled up on the protective barrier of my private thoughts and calmed my fidgeting hands by shoving them into my pockets.

  “Kama Johnson,” Dr. Sanz said. “How nice to finally meet you.”

  I nodded, waiting for more.

  When he held out his hand, I fought the urge to back away and reluctantly pull my hand out of my pocket to shake his. “After spending all these hours poring over your files, I was eager to see you face to face.” He brought my hand to his lips.

  “Dr. Sanz is on the Committee,” Pim explained.

  That fact did not keep me from wanting to rip my hand free of his. He was a genie and I feared my inner most thoughts would be too easily exposed through the physical contact. The second he released my hand, I shoved it back into my pocket, finding the warmth and security I needed to hold myself together.

  We know you know.

  My eyes widened and my gaze swiftly swept over Liam, Pim and my mother. Had they heard him? They all smiled, innocently waiting to hear what the doctor had to say. I calmed my racing heartbeat and fought to keep my body from shaking while my fingers played with the lint at the bottom of my pockets.

  Dr. Sanz radiated joy and wonder and I wanted to be comforted by it, but his eyes were also shielded with skepticism, leaving me uncertain as to what he expected of me.

  “Dr. Sanz is our most talented statistician,” Pim said. “I personally enlisted him to look over your files. I knew he would find the error and I knew he’d best be able to make the proper corrections to your Life’s Plan.”

  “I just have a question for you before your Life’s Plan is finalized,” Dr. Sanz added.

  Liam took a step closer and wrapped his ar
m around my shoulder, his grin confident and sure.

  “Okay,” I said, eager to hear the question that could alter the destiny the Committee had set me on.

  The little man turned to look at Pim. “Could we have some privacy?”

  “Of course.” Pim guided my mother out of the room.

  “I want to stay,” Liam said. He parted his feet and stood with determination as his hold around my shoulders tightened.

  Dr. Sanz frowned and appeared ready to argue, but nodded reluctantly. “Take a seat,” he suggested as he gestured toward the bed.

  Eager to get off my shaky legs, I sat on the edge of the bed while Liam remained standing at my side. Dr. Sanz pulled out the wooden chair at my desk. I caught his gaze as it swept over my school books and quickly perused the shelves over my desk. A satisfied grin crept to his lips as he turned to me and sat.

  “You're a very smart girl,” he said.

  “Thank you.”

  “Your file was quite impressive. I’ve gone through a lot of files throughout my career and have rarely been so impressed.”

  “Thank you.”

  “I can certainly understand how you’d be upset by the blank Life’s Plan you received.”

  “You had some questions for me.”

  His idle chatter was driving me crazy and I was eager to get to the heart of the matter.

  “Just one.” He opened the thin briefcase he carried and pulled out an electronic tablet. As he looked up at me, he poked his thumb into the bridge of his glasses and pushed them up, an annoyed grimace on his lips.

  I waited, my heart pounding, my head preparing for the answer I would give and my whole body ready to run and retch if he didn’t speak up soon. The pregnant pause seemed to go on forever as he looked at his tablet and back at me repeatedly. Whether he was deliberately being dramatic or simply trying to shake me up, I couldn’t tell, but I was about to jump out of my skin and throttle the little man for being so insensitive.

  “If you could save the world, would you do so?” he asked. He set the tablet on his lap and looked at me.

  That was the question? I was elated. How easy. Of course. In a heartbeat. Without a second thought. I smiled and prepared to answer.

  “Would you do so if it meant risking everything?” he added.

  “Everything?” I murmured. My mind went blank.

  “What kind of question is that?” Liam blurted out.

  “An important one.” Dr. Sanz answered without even looking at Liam. His eyes were on me and I knew he was trying to get into my thoughts. He wanted a frank answer, the truth.

  He set his elbows on his knees and leaned forward. “Once we alter your Life’s Plan, it is permanent. There is no turning back. An error may have occurred in the preparation of the Life’s Plan you initially received, but any correction, any alteration will be final. Do you understand?”

  I felt the weight of his question, the importance of the change that was to come. My life depended on this answer. Was I truly prepared to risk everything? Everything?

  “You have the unique opportunity of changing the course of your life, Ms. Johnson. This is unprecedented and I suggest you give the question great thought before making a decision.”

  My thoughts ran to Torrid and all he’d taught me. I considered my heritage, my father and all the Magical Ones inside and outside Arcadia who were depending on me. My destiny was to save them, to break through the force field and free them. As General Adon’s daughter, it was my duty.

  But my hand rose to capture Liam’s. Warm and strong, I felt his love right down to his fingertips. I felt his strength, but I also felt his need for me. He loved and trusted me enough to take all my wishes and desires into consideration as Governor. As his wife, we’d be a powerful force, able to bring Arcadia to greater heights, all while giving the genies of the world the ability to live free and in peace.

  I could guide him, and yes, I could save the world.

  “Yes,” I said, feeling the pride swell inside me, bringing a smile that was confident to my lips.

  Dr. Sanz neither smiled nor frowned. His features remained expressionless as he tapped my answer into his tablet, popped it back into his briefcase and snapped it shut. He rose, barely glancing my way.

  “Is that it?” Liam asked, his tone heavy with annoyance and frustration.

  The doctor ignored him, but gazed directly at me. “You’ll be contacted by the Committee once they’ve revised your Life’s Plan.”

  I wanted to question him, to find out more, but he opened the door and was gone.

  Liam paced in front of me, his anger visible in his clenching fists. “That’s it?”

  “Liam, I’m sure the question is valid.”

  “No, it’s the stupidest question ever. You? Save the world? And risk everything in the process? That’s a load of bull.”

  “It’s a perfectly good question, Liam.”

  He turned to me, his eyes filled with questions and accusations. “There’s something you're not telling me, Kama.”

  “So much has happened since my birthday.” I rose to face him. I wanted to share it all with him, to explain, but I knew it was too much.

  “Are you in trouble? Is that it?” The concern in his voice was touching and I wanted desperately to alleviate his worry. “Honey, you’ll know I’d do anything to protect you. Just tell me what’s going on and I’ll fix it.”

  I leaned into him, letting all the anxiety of the morning flow out of my body. He wrapped his strong arms around me and I felt safe and secure. When I looked up at him, I was touched by the emotions so plainly written all over his face. He loved me, of that I had no doubt.

  His lips beckoned me and I knew that I would find happiness there; soft, warm and so welcoming. I kissed him and allowed myself to be carried off into a world where only he existed. His arms tightened around me, pressing me to his body.

  “It feels so good to hold you, to kiss you. This is where I want to be for the rest of my life; at your side. No matter what happens, I want to be with you.”

  “But you're the Governor’s son, Liam. If my destiny isn’t…”

  “I don’t care who my father is, Kama. My life is my own and if it’s with you I’m happiest, than that’s where I belong. There are plenty of people eager to take my father’s position. The Governor’s chair won’t remain empty for long should I choose a different path to take in my life.”

  I looked up at him, wanting to open my heart, open my thoughts and share all I’d been through with him. I feared his reaction to all the knowledge, about his father, about the genies, about the Catchers. Would he hate me for opening his eyes? Would he thank me?

  Chapter 19

  With all the excitement surrounding my upcoming new Life’s Plan, I forgot about my early morning rendezvous with Torrid. I had a fresh outlook on my life, the true destiny I was meant to follow. My life was with Liam, first lady to Arcadia.

  “Have a good day at school,” Mom said as she kissed me goodbye and left for work.

  For the first time in a long while, I relaxed and took up my morning routine with the same excitement I always had prior to my dismal Life’s Plan. Things were back on track and I felt confident my new Life’s Plan would be what I had always dreamed it would be.

  I cleared the morning dishes from the table and brought them to the sink to be washed.

  I thought little of the sound of the front doorknob turning and clicking. Mom was forever forgetting something when she left for work. But when I came to the living room, prepared to fetch her keys, scarf, sunglasses or whatever else she’d forgotten, the coffee mug in my hand fell to the floor and I gasped. “What are you doing here?”

  In the seconds it took to ask the question, Torrid had stopped the mug from falling and closed the space between us, his arms quickly encircling me and his lips taking hold of mine. My lips parted, welcoming his warmth. He pressed me to the wall, pinned my hands above my head and brought his mouth to my neck, his lips playing with my skin in
a way that shoved all rational thought from my head.

  “Torrid,” I said through breaths heavy with longing and desire.

  “Why didn’t you come this morning?” His lips nibbled their way around my ear, his question almost lost in the tiny kisses.

  “I…” Making a coherent sentence was out of the question. My entire body responded to his, exploding with the desire to have more.

  “I feared something had happened to you.” His kisses ceased as he cupped my face and looked me in the eye. “My God, Kama, I thought something dreadful had happened to you.”

  His breathing was loud and labored, filled with longing. He kissed the tip of my nose and my forehead.

  “I’m sorry. I forgot. Torrid…” I slid my hands out of his hold and shifted away from him. The moment I lost contact with his touch my body went cold, reacting violently to the sudden loss of warmth and love. “I’m to get a new Life’s Plan.”

  He knew. Not only did he know, but I realized that was the very reason he’d risked coming to my house.

  “Dr. Sanz is not what you think he is,” he warned.

  “He’s a genie, a Magical One. I saw the violet hue. I saw the leather band.”

  “Yes, he is a genie, but he has allowed the power bestowed upon him by the government to go to his head. He has no desire to see the Magical Ones freed. He has no intention of allowing you to change anything in Arcadia that he doesn’t want changed.”

  “But…”

  He took my hands, clasped them together and enveloped them in his. “Be careful who you trust, Kama.” He pulled me closer and laid his lips, softly and ever so lightly, over mine.

  Though tinged with restrained passion, the kiss was so much more. My head was suddenly filled with visions of a life with him, of his home… of mine. Multicolored stars lit up the sky, and the meadows and fields were filled with laughing children, abundant blooms and magic.

  “Do you see who you are?” he whispered.

  We stood on the balcony of a grand palace overlooking the land. Golden and filled with love, this was our home. He stood behind me, tall and strong, our gazes unified as we surveyed the peace and harmony of the world we’d built, the world we’d save. He wrapped his arms around me, nestled his lips into the crook of my neck and I felt the love and pride he had for the children playing in the fields… our children.