The Djinns Wife

FOUR

  While Cyrus laid back in the tub as the warm waters washed away the dirt and grime from his worn skin, I pondered over the last two years. I've imagined this moment a million times, what it would be like to have him home, when would I see him again, how I would run into his arms upon seeing him standing somewhere random. Nothing like this, him wet, weak, and dirty falling into my arms at eight forty p.m on a stormy summer's night. Nonetheless it happening while there's another man in our home, one that I invited in. I sent Micheal home, I couldn't let him be here to loiter around like he's someone important. So I gave him my raincoat and spare umbrella. I hated to be blunt and uncivil but I couldn't let one favor hang over my head, he's been aggravating me for at least a year this one good deed didn't change things.

  He had to respect my boundaries as well as my marriage, there was nothing between us. Never had been and never will be.

"You know that man back there liked you" Cyrus mumbled from the tub, the words coming out almost muffled being as the bottom half of his face was submerged under the now almost murky water.

"Yeah I know... he's nothing but a pest. I only invited him in because he pushed my car all the way here by himself and the rain stared to pour. I'm glad he's finally gone so that I can focus on you." I responded to him. Eyeing the light brown water that needed to be changed.

  He's been in the bath no less than three minutes and it's time to give him fresh water, I would complain but the fact that I am able to serve and do for him right now in the slightest is one of the biggest blessing I've received in a long time. So I'll do it willingly, with grace, and without hesitation. I've missed this man beyond what I could properly put into words, so something as simple as clean bath water is naught.

"Come on love, you've got to get out for a second. You need fresh water" I told him while getting a towel.

  Cyrus said nothing, only groaning as he managed to stand shakily on his own to get out of the tub. I put the towel around him and helped him over to the chair as the water drained from the tub.

"You look better already we can get you cleaned up and have you relax while we talk about everything... I know we both have a lot to talk about..." I spoke looking at him uncertainly, I was still terrified to tell him about Amir. Don't ask me why because I didn't know, I just don't know how he'll react after all this time. I don't know how much he's changed and how he'll even take the news.

  I cleaned the tub and continued to run him a new bath with more epsom salt to help his body. He didn't have any wounds or outward injuries only a few minor scratches thank God.

"How did you get here...?" I asked taking a seat on the closed toilet.

"Magic... I jumped through portals and managed to use the last bit of magic I had left to get here to town. I ran well more or less stumbled here through the woods from a portal all the way from across town. I've been being held somewhere in some place that was a lot like my home world but very different. I don't even know how long I've been gone, I was locked in some hole like place for a very long time hardly fed in almost total seclusion. Only being greeted by some strange beings... they almost felt familiar but it was nothing or anyone I'd ever met. It was weird, I wasn't tortured, or beat, not even questioned. It was like their only goal was to keep me" Cyrus said releasing a deep sigh, looking down at his hands.

"I don't really know... but I was alone most of the time but I couldn't use my powers. Almost like my magic had been sealed away, They would never answer my questions or give me slightest clue about anything. I tried to fight my way out on numerous occasions but nothing I did worked. I couldn't even touch them, my hands went right through them... and like I said I couldn't use my magic. I damn near went insane until they forgot to put the magic seal back that they used to keep me bound. What ever kind of trick or spell it was wore off whenever they came... but one of them forgot to put it back and that's how I got free. They had become lazy and I took the opportunity to flee..." he said sorrowfully.