Keeping the Genie (Genie's Love, Book 3) Read Online Free PDF Page A

couldn’t find anything. It was like he didn’t exit. I peer at Alaric who hasn’t taken his gaze off me. Is that why he didn’t exist? Because he’s not from Earth? He obviously had a job or else he wouldn’t have been able to support us. And he went to college. But all that information must have disappeared when he returned to Ortarus. It was like he vanished from the face of the planet, which he kind of did. Mom must have remembered him because she loved him.
    “Okay,” I say my voice hoarse. I clear it. “Let’s say I believe you’re my dad. How do I know you’re the true king? Maybe you’re the evil brother.” It sounds silly coming out of my mouth. Alaric doesn’t seem evil at all. Actually, he’s being very patient with me and doesn’t seem one bit angry that I don’t believe him.
    Without a word, Alaric removes his helmet and sets it on the chair near him. Locks of curly white hair slap against his cheeks and neck. Now that his helmet is off, I can see his face clearly. He’s much older than a thought, but his eyes are youthful. Eyes that are the same shade as mine. And his curly hair…no, maybe it’s a coincidence. Though a large part of me is starting to realize that this guy really is my dad. We have the same nose and mouth.
    Alaric pulls at a curl. “They used to be red, just like yours.”
    “My hair is auburn,” I blurt.
    His eyebrows furrow. “Auburn, yes. We don’t have varieties of colors here. Only the basic ones.”
    I don’t say anything.
    “I see you’re still not one hundred percent convinced,” Alaric says.
    Again, I keep quiet.
    Sebastian looks at me, then at Alaric. “I’m sorry,” he says. “While I do believe you’re Lily’s father, I’m not sure about your being the true king. King Sorenten doesn’t have a brother.”
    Alaric shakes his head. “You have a right to be suspicious and cautious. I’ll convince you the same way I convinced your sister and everyone else here.” He takes off his armor to reveal a simple cotton shirt and pants. He unbuttons the shirt and pulls it off. Something is glowing on his chest. It’s a crown.
    Sebastian’s eyes widen. He jumps to his feet and bows down. “Your Majesty.”
    “What’s the crown mean?” I ask.
    Alaric waves his hand, motioning for Sebastian to get to his feet. “There’s no need for that, Sebastian. We are all equal here.” Sebastian returns to his seat.
    “What’s the crown mean?” I ask again.
    “Only the true king has the crown marked on his chest,” Sebastian explains.
    “Wouldn’t everyone see that the king—the fake one—doesn’t have it?”
    Alaric nods. “He used his magic to create it.”
    “How do I know you’re not using magic to create that?” I point to his chest. I guess I still don’t trust him. I still feel some anger toward him. I just can’t get over the fact that he pursued my mother after knowing he’d have to leave her.
    “I don’t have magic anymore, at least not enough to conjure up something that powerful.”
    Okay, maybe I do believe him. It’s hard not to. If he wanted to capture me and bring me to the king, why hasn’t he done so? And he seems to care about everyone here, especially the kids. An evil king wouldn’t do that.
    “Can I continue with the history of what happened?” Alaric asks.
    I nod.
    “My brother, King Sorenten, stripped me of my power and trapped me on Ortarus. I was unable to return to my family on Earth.”
    “How did Sorenten take your magic away?” I ask.
    “Because I was on Earth, I had no magic. Sorenten killed my parents and his power grew. When I returned, I wasn’t accustomed to my magic, after being on the human world for a few years. We battled and he won, thus stripping me of my magic.” He slaps his thighs. “He transformed me into this old man. I’m much younger than the man you see sitting before you.”
    “You couldn’t prove you’re the true king?” I ask. “You know, with that?” I point to his