Book 3: Chapter 18 (2/2)

“How about a star?” Vur asked.

Mervin blinked as Stella heaved a sigh from behind Vur’s ear. “What about a star?”

“Can I wish for a star?” Vur asked.

“…Uh, you mean like the things in the sky at night?” Mervin asked, pointing at the ceiling of the wagon. He scratched his head while letting out a low hum. “Is it possible…?”

Vur nodded, and Tafel poked his side. “Why do you want a star?’ she asked.

“You don’t want a star?” Vur asked back, raising his eyebrows.

Tafel scrunched up her brow. “Why would I want a star?”

Vur blinked. “Because … you want one?”

“But I don’t?”

“You don’t?”

“I don’t think I do?”

“Think about it harder.”

Tafel lowered her head and clasped her hands together. A moment later, she sat up straight. “I thought about it, and I’m positive I don’t want a star. What would I even do with one?”

“Oh,” Vur said. He looked at his left bicep. “You were wrong, Zilphy.”

“…You’re the one who misinterpreted my words in the first place,” Zilphy said.

“So, you don’t want to wish for a star?” Mervin asked. “That’s good because it would’ve been impossible for me to make you one. What else do you want? You don’t want to become stronger?”

Vur turned towards Tafel. “Do you want anything?”

Tafel’s arm rose into the air, her hand creeping towards Vur’s face. She pressed her thumb against the nail of her middle finger and lifted her hand towards his forehead, her other fingers outstretched. Then she flicked him. “You found the genie king. It’s your wish,” she said. “I don’t want you using your wish on me, alright? If you do, I’m going to be mad. You always do so much for me, so wish for something that you want for once.”

Vur rubbed his forehead and frowned. “Something I want…,” he muttered. He glanced at Mervin, who was staring at the part of Stella that wasn’t hidden behind Vur’s hair. “Can I wish for a cake?”

“No!” Tafel, Alice, and Alora shouted at the same time, causing Mervin to fall over before he could respond.

“I’ll bake you a cake,” Tafel said. “Wish for something harder to get!”

Vur sighed. “What about bear meat? I haven’t had that in a while.”

“Don’t wish for food, Vur,” Tafel said, her eyes narrowing. “Is that really all you want?”

“Well, I’m hungry.”

Tafel reached forward and grabbed the genie king. “I’m going to hold onto him until after you finishing eating. Think about what you really want. There has to be something other than food.”