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Chapter is beta'd again by Aerle and Thérèse.

Chapter 14: The beauty of my surroundings

"Want to go for a ride?"

Marco looked straight into my eyes. "What? No."

It was hard to hide my disappointment. Even though I hadn't really expected him to say yes to my question, it still felt like a bigger rejection than it actually was. Still, I tried not to show it. "Ah, come on, just a short ride." I cast a quick look at Vivi, trying to get her to help me.

She seemed to notice it, as she said, "You should, Marco! I will not tell anyone you ever left… If you do not tell anyone I did."

"Where have you two even been?" Marco tried to keep speaking sternly, but I didn't miss how his eyes rested on the carpet a little longer than before, seeming to overthink his options.

I smiled hopefully. "Just the city. We weren't discovered by anyone," I assured him. "And if you don't want to go into the city, we can just fly for a bit."

"Have you any idea how risky that was, yoi?" Marco asked, but I saw the look in his eyes had softened.

"It wasn't. I made sure no one saw us," I answered. I could, technically, have been a little more careful, but no one saw us, and that's what mattered. I held out my hand to him, hoping, but at the same time scared he would grab it. I wasn't sure if I'd be ready to hold his hand, but I sure as hell wasn't not going to try. "Come on, we'll be back in a minute."

Marco seemed doubtful. "I can't just… fly out of here."

"That's what I thought, but I could, and so can you." Vivi gave him a small push towards me. "Go, Marco, relax for a bit."

Marco's hand was now within my reach, and I only hesitated a second before I grabbed it and pulled him towards the carpet I was still sitting on. I let the fire underneath the fabric warm up the air again, but it was hard to control while my heart was racing like crazy. I held Marco's hand! Even if it was for only a second, it did nothing good for my nerves.

Marco stumbled, but didn't fall down on the carpet. Still, to keep himself from completely falling over – or that was how he tried to make it look, I didn't quite believe it – he sat down on his knees on the carpet anyway.

Immediately, I let the carpet rise from the ground. I nodded gratefully at Vivi and then decided to be bold, grabbing Marco's hand again. "Hold on tight," I said as a warning, before I flew the carpet out of the window again.

I heard Marco take in a sharp breath as we flew into the air. After that, he was silent for a while, and so was I. I looked at him, and saw him looking down, over the edge of the carpet. I couldn't quite place the look in his eyes. "You aren't afraid of heights, are you?" I suddenly realized how bad my decision had been if that was the case.

Marco chuckled. "No. Not at all."

I let out a relieved breath. I didn't completely screw up yet. Apparently, he was just enjoying the view. And so was I. I couldn't take my eyes off him. He seemed to finally relax his body a bit and a slight, almost dreamy, smile lingered on his lips.

Suddenly, he turned his head towards me, and met my eyes. It took a second before he opened his mouth. "You're still holding my hand."

My face never felt as hot before. "I have to make sure you don't fall off." Great excuse, Ace, I thought sarcastically.

Marco chuckled again. "I won't fall off." He stared at a point behind me and raised his eyebrows. "Unless you let this carpet burn down."

It took a moment to register his words and the smell of burned fabric before I gained control over myself and the flames again. Apparently, the corner of the carpet had caught fire. I pulled my hand back. "I'm sorry, I was a little distracted."

"By what?" Marco asked. He didn't look away from me, and I was not able to break eye contact either.

"The beauty of my surroundings," I managed to bring out. Geez, when had I become such a sap?

This seemed to amuse Marco, as he started laughing quietly.

"What?! It's really beautiful from up here, isn't it?" I tried to defend myself. I knew my face was as red as a tomato, so I finally turned my gaze away from Marco.

Marco stopped laughing, but didn't stop smiling. "It sure is."

"So, you wanna go somewhere?" I asked him, to change the subject.

He seemed to be thinking for a while, when he said, "No, I'd be happy to just fly around for a bit."

I nodded. I didn't mind being alone with him on a small carpet in the air at all. So, we flew around for a while, neither of us saying something.

Until I remembered I still wanted something cleared up. "I've been meaning to ask you," I began, "Two weeks ago, when we were lying on Vivi's bed…" I heard how it sounded, but couldn't help but remember that detail. "You said something about my type. What did you mean by that?"

Marco looked at me, a faint smile decorating his face. "I think you already know, yoi."

How did he know? I mean, I didn't know for sure what he meant, but I had my suspicions. But how did he know back then, and how did he know that I knew now? "I'd like to hear you say it." I had to know for sure. "How did you know Vivi wasn't my type?"

Marco looked straight into my eyes, and placed his hand over mine. "Because she is a girl, and I don't think girls are your type."

My heart pounded in my chest and my throat became dry as my breath became heavier. I was captured by his gaze, and I had to swallow a few times before I trusted my voice again. "A-and you? Are girls your type?"

Did I imagine it, or did Marco lean in a bit? No, I was sure he was coming closer to me. Oh God, was this really happening? I wasn't sure if I should lean in too. I wanted it, but what if I misinterpreted his intentions?

About ten inches away from me, he stopped. "Ace… the carpet."

"What?" I asked confused. When I realized the edges were burning again. "Oh, I'm so sorry!"

Marco chuckled. It was a deep, sexy chuckle. "I know, it's the surroundings."

I wanted to hit him for making fun of me, if I had been a hundred percent sure he was making fun of me. And if I wasn't too nervous to hit him. "You didn't give me an answer yet."

Marco leaned back again, to my disappointment. "We should head back, yoi. I don't want any trouble."

I kept looking at him, hoping my answer would still come, but it didn't seem like Marco was going to say any more about the subject. I sighed. "Alright," I said, and sent the carpet in the direction of the palace again.

I was confused. Marco gave off contradicting signals. One moment he seems to be wanting to kiss me – or that was what I hoped really badly – and the next he doesn't even want to tell me about his sexuality. So, did he like me? Did he hate me for taking him on this carpet ride? Did he just toy with me? I couldn't read him. Sometimes he seemed to relax around me and we seemed to have fun – or was that how only I saw it? Because other times he acted distant, and official, like any other servant would.

God, I needed to know so badly. I needed to know at least if he was interested in guys, if I even stood a chance. Why wouldn't he tell me?

I sighed. Maybe he would tell me later. In the meantime, I just had to hold his attention. Or get it back. "Do you like to fly?"

Marco was silent for a while. "It's… nice," he said, while looking at the buildings below us. He had an almost melancholic look in his eyes as he watched the city pass below us.

"Do you miss the city?" I asked. I couldn't help but get that vibe from him.

Marco sat back up and shrugged. "A little. But there's no need to keep lingering in the past. My life is at the palace now."

"I have a place you can live," I said before I could think it over. "If you want to run away… with me…"

A sad smile formed on his lips, and he shook his head. "I can't."

"Why not?" I asked. I knew I probably shouldn't pry so much, but my curiosity got the better of me.

"Because I'm not the only one who I have to take into account here," Marco answered.

"You mean Vivi?" I asked as we neared the palace.

"Not only Vivi. It's complicated." That seemed to be the last he wanted to say about it, and although I was dying to know more, I decided to not be annoying by asking even more questions.

We reached the palace and flew into the princess's chamber again, where Vivi was waiting, and Marco stood up as soon as the carpet had landed. "That was a one-time thing," he made clear. "I'm not getting on that carpet again." Still, he smiled. "Even though I did like it."

I let out a relieved breath. For a moment I thought he was going to say how much he had hated it, but I was glad it was the opposite.

"Now, give me the carpet, I'll return it to its original place." Marco held out his hand.

I stood up, checked the edges of the carpet to see that they were only slightly burned – not enough to stand out unless one was really close to the carpet. I returned the rolled up fabric to Marco. "Well, I guess I should be going then."

Marco nodded, but Vivi took my hand. "Thanks so much, Ace. When will I see you again?"

I looked at the both of them, as if I would have to see them both, and not only Vivi. Well, to be honest, if I would come here, I'd want to see Marco too. "In two days?" I opted.

Vivi wanted to agree, but Marco interrupted her. "Three," he said.

We both looked questioning at him.

"I'm on duty around this time that day. The day after tomorrow, I won't be. Someone else might be here and catch you," he explained. And I was really glad he wanted to be here when I was too.

"Okay, three days, same time, it is." I said, and I walked onto the balcony to make my leave.

"Ace," Marco said before I could leave, sending a shiver down my spine as he spoke my name. I turned around to see what he had to say.

"They aren't," Marco said.

I send him a confused look. They aren't? What was that supposed to mean?

He smiled and made sure he had eye contact with me. "My type," he explained, and I could have sworn I saw him wink.

A huge grin took over my face, as I jumped down again. Girls weren't his type. He was gay. I stood a chance.

I couldn't have been happier.

When I walked up the stairs in my tower, I couldn't help but make a short stop at Izo's floor. I cleared my throat, before I pushed the cloth at his entrance aside, so he wouldn't be too surprised by me. I leaned against the doorpost, with my arms crossed in front of my chest, and a huge smile on my face – one that hadn't disappeared since I left the palace.

"Ace!" Izo sounded happy to see me, and quickly finished whatever he was doing to his face – he probably called it make-up.

"Guess what," I started, but I didn't have the patience to actually let him guess. "He's gay!"

Izo chuckled, as he motioned me to come closer. "I told ya."

"You told me I was his type. I'm only saying he's gay," I commented as I walked towards him. I had to remind myself of this as well. "That doesn't mean he likes me."

"It doesn't, but he does. I just know it," Izo said with a grin. "Besides, what's not to like?" he added, while looking me up and down.

"Well, maybe he does," I said out loud, hoping that it was true, and ignoring Izo's last comment. I still didn't actually believe that was an option, but there had been signals from Marco's side, hinting that maybe, just very maybe, he might like me a little.

"So how did you find out?" Izo asked. "That he's gay, I mean."

"Just… something he said to me a few weeks back came up again, and he indirectly told me," I explained. Of course, I should have known that wasn't enough for Izo, and he wanted me to tell everything in detail. I didn't, as I thought some things were private, between Marco and me, but I told him the gist of it.

At the end, Izo smiled at me. "You did good."

I snorted, as he almost sounded like a proud parent – at least that's what I imagined proud parents to sound like. "You think so?"

"Yeah, taking him flying, where it was just the two of you on a small carpet? Perfect choice!" He nodded. "Do it more often, and he soon won't be able to resist you anymore. Before you know it you're living together!"

I shook my head sadly. "He can't leave the palace. I told him he could run away with me, but he seems really hung up on that job. He said he needed to take other people than himself into account, or something. Whatever that meant."

Izo's smile fell, and he sighed. Staring displeased at the ground, he seemed to be thinking. Then he shook his head. "You just have to convince him then."

I frowned. Izo suddenly seemed to be acting a little strange. "Why?"

He looked up again and rolled his eyes. "Because you want a relationship with him, right? How's that gonna happen when he can never leave the palace? You can't forever meet up in the palace! There's no room for romance there!"

I hadn't really thought that far before. But I shook my head. "I'm not gonna ruin his life by forcing him to quit his job there."

"Oh, you're not ruining his life!" Izo waved my comment away. "You're making it better! He'll have you, that's way better than working in the palace."

"If he likes me," I started to count on my fingers. "If he wants a relationship, if we work out, if we don't break up soon after… There are so many reasons how this could not work. And then I will have ruined everything." I sighed. "Anyway, I'm not planning anything. I'll just see what happens. Besides, there won't be any more flying, he said it was a one-time thing."

Izo didn't seem satisfied with that answer, but didn't push me any further.

The next day, I was bored out of my mind. I had been thinking about Marco all morning, but that didn't get me anywhere. Except that I started worrying more and more. Maybe Izo was right, and a relationship wouldn't be possible if he stayed in the palace. And I was pretty sure he would never leave. So should I even try then? Maybe I shouldn't get my hopes up too much. Maybe it would be better if I just left him alone. But that thought created a knot in my stomach. I really didn't want to stay away from Marco.

I decided I'd been brooding enough for that day and needed some distraction, so I sat up. "Thatch, tell me a story!" I demanded.

Thatch looked up, and the object he'd been using – whatever it was, I wasn't quick enough to see it – disappeared into thin air. "What kind of story?"

I shrugged. "I don't care. Something interesting." I suddenly remembered a conversation we had weeks ago. "You were still going tell how you became a genie."

Thatch seemed to think about that for a second, before sighing. "Fine. Have you never heard how genies come into existence before?"

I shook my head. "Until I met you, I didn't even believe genies existed."

"Wow, that's… offending," Thatch said, a hurt look on his face. "You didn't believe in me?"

"Oh, come on! It's not like that, and you know it." I rolled my eyes and urged him to continue the story.

"Alright. Well, I have to be honest, even I don't know the fine details of how it works, but I used to be human." He nodded slowly, seeming to remember how it happened. "And then I died."

"How'd you die?" I asked curiously.

"I was… stabbed from behind."

My eyes widened in surprise. "Really? Wow, that's cowardly." When I studied Thatch, I could see from his face that it wasn't one of his favorite memories – obviously. Still, my curiosity made me ask, "By whom?"

Thatch sighed. "Someone I thought of as a friend. Anyway, that's not important for the story. I was dying, and then a genie hunter found me," he continued. "Genie hunters hunt for souls to capture, so they can turn them into genies. The thing is, you have to capture a soul who is not ready to leave this earth yet, and you have to capture them the exact moment they're leaving the body."

"That… must be a hard thing to do," I commented. "How do you know when that moment is?"

Thatch shrugged. "I guess it's the moment someone actually dies, breathes his last breath. Genie hunters seem to have an eye for that. But yeah, it's not easy. Not to find them, let alone catch them. That's the reason there aren't genies everywhere. And perhaps the reason you didn't believe in us," Thatch couldn't help but remind me.

"So he caught you and then you became a genie?"

"Yes, that's pretty much it. He did some kind of ritual and my soul regained some sort of body again, making me a genie." He pointed with his hands to his current body, to show what he meant. "Then he put me into the lamp and that's been my home ever since."

"You've been in that lamp all the time until I freed you?!" I said, a little shocked. How long had he been in there? Years? Maybe hundreds or even thousands of years?

"I wasn't inside all the time. I was bound to the lamp since then, but I've had different masters before you," Thatch explained. "They were mostly pretty selfish and greedy though, not like you. I mean, you've been pretty nice to me. You would never let me suffer like that."

Now I almost felt guilty for not coming up with a third wish yet and setting him free. Almost. I was just selfish enough to not do that. "Nice try," I said, since I'd almost fallen for it. "I'm not letting you go that easily, even after you told me how terrible your life has been and what a great guy I am."

Thatch rolled his eyes. "Well, it really wasn't nice, you know. Every time a master died before they could speak out their third wish, or my lamp got stolen. And then I could start from the beginning again." He smiled. "But honestly, it isn't so bad with you. You treat me like a human being, and not as some kind of pet or slave."

"Well, you're welcome," I said. "Then you probably won't mind to stay with me a little bit longer." I stuck out my tongue playfully.

Thach chuckled and shook his head. "A little bit longer won't be that bad. Still, if you've thought of your third wish, you'd better speak up now."

TBC

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