AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Her eyes flickered with emotion. She shrugged.
“Not really. My mother has a lot of money since she married her current husband, but she certainly isn’t happy. And I have a sister, Helen. Her husband makes a bundle with his computer software company. They live in a big house, drive fancy cars, and wear expensive clothes. Helen can buy whatever she wants. Except happiness.”
He felt lost in the depths of her sadness. He wanted to draw her into his arms, to caress away her pain. The reason for her wariness around men was tied to the unhappiness of her sister and mother. He could feel it. If only he could help her move beyond the wounds of her past.
He leaned toward her.
“Celeste, think about this. What do you want most in life? What is your heart’s desire?”
He hoped she would find what she was looking for. If a wish he granted would help her find that, he would feel fulfilled as never before.
“There is something, but….”
He took her hands and cradled them in the warmth of his own. “Tell me.”
She shook her head and drew her hands away, then stared into her tea. “No, I’m not sure.”
“Look at me, Celeste.”
She met his gaze, and he could see it clearly in her eyes. Hope. Need. Almost desperation. Whatever it was she wanted, it connected to the core of her soul. It had to be right.
He knelt in front of her, resting his hands on her shoulders.
“Go ahead, Celeste. Take a chance. Tell me what would make you happy.”
She gazed at him uncertainly, but seemed to draw strength from his closeness. “I wish….”
His heart ached, knowing she was delving into a dark, unknown place—a place she feared to tread.
“Yes, go on,” he encouraged.
She shifted uneasily, then glanced at him, her large eyes mirror-bright.
“Just say it,” he said in a soft, insistent voice.
She trembled and he took her hands in his, squeezing them reassuringly. He seized her gaze and locked onto it, willing her strength. She straightened in her chair, pulling her shoulders back.
“I wish that I would find a man….”
A man.Pain slashed through him, but he ignored it. Celeste needed to find her happiness.
Her voice trailed off, too hoarse to continue. She cleared her throat as he nodded in encouragement.
“A man who would love me forever. A man I would love back.” Her voice became strong and clear. “True love, not the kind that fades. My true soul mate.”
He nodded and forced his mouth to expand into a broad smile. Yes, that’s what she needed. Still, sadness sifted through him, because a part of him didn’t want her to love someone else, to be loved by someone else.
But there was no future for him and Celeste. As much as he might like her, love was out of the question. He was imprisoned in a crystal, destined to live his life three days at a time, serving different masters throughout eternity.
Anyway, he reminded himself that he didn’t trust women. All women could be enchanting at the beginning, but could turn controlling and needy. He had seen all too clearly how cruel a woman could be to someone she professed to love. Atia had made that abundantly clear. Why should he believe Celeste would be any different?
“Wait.” Celeste stood up and grabbed her jeans, then tugged them on. “Before you grant my wish, please take us back to my apartment.”
“Of course.”
He took her hand because he wanted to touch her for a little while longer, not because he needed to in order to take her back. He drew them through space, felt it ripple through them as they travelled. Her living room appeared around them.
“Thank you.” Celeste paced across the room. “Now that I’ve made the wish, I’m kind of nervous. Is it too late to take it back?”
