The Djinni & The Royal

❂ Morally Gray ❂

Najwa waited for the Djinni alone. Edna had tried to reason with her but it had only made her worse. She needed time to think, plan...

Najwa had just begun to trust The Djinni, adore her... Only to be reminded of why to fear her. She was a monster. Evil. Perhaps even Satan. The child sat down on her bed with a huff. She sat in silence, her eyes roaming over the room, looking for anything to aid her in an escape.

The door opened, making her jump. The Djinni sauntered in cool and collected. Najwa stood, once again nervous in her presence. "I did say to go to your room." Djinni reminded. The girls lips formed a thin line. "You disobeyed." The woman continued. Najwa stepped back as She came increasingly closer. "Honestly Najwa." She stopped in front of the younger. "What did you expect me to do? Slap his wrist? He tried to steal you." She said calmly. The child stayed silent, averting her eyes.

"When someone steals something important from you, you'll understand." Djinni promised. Najwa raised her face definitely.

"It's wrong. What you did was evil." She whispered, trying to keep fear from her voice.

"By whose definition?" She countered.

Najwa frowned. "Everyone's! It's wrong to kill!"

Djinni laughed lightly. "He didn't think so. He's killed more than I have." Najwa fell silent. She didn't know that.

Djinni wrapped an arm around Najwa's shoulders gently. "There is no absolute 'Good' and 'Bad' Najwa." She explained, sitting them down on her bed. "There is for something's I guess. Most things though, are gray. Is it fair for me to let him kill countless other people?" She asked. Najwa shook her head slowly, relaxing into the arm around her. The Djinni never let them be this close and against her better judgement, Najwa couldn't help but enjoy it.

"No. So my action could be considered 'Good' or 'Bad'. Perhaps it's both. The thing to understand child-" She met her eyes. "No one but yourself will be there forever. If you're not going to protect yourself, who will? Should I have let him take you?" She shook her head in response. "Then I did what was right."

Djinni stood and looked back at the girl she hesitated a moment before lowering to her knees in from of the girl. "I almost forgot." The Djinni made a fist in front of her face. Silver mist wafted from the spaces between her fingers. Najwa sat forward, the danger forgotten. She watched the Djinni's eyes concentrate on her fist. Suddenly red eyes flickered up to meet the girls. Najwa's stomachs knotted. She blushed slightly. She could smell the woman's hair and she enjoyed it. Like unknown flowers..

The Djinni opened her hand to display a necklace. It was shaped much like a rosary but instead of a cross, there was a little silver locket. Najwa took it delicately. The locket was a heart, engraved with little flowers and leaves. Her mouth fell open. "I-Its beautiful." She looked up. The Djinni smiled, self satisfied.

She stood, to Najwa's dismay. "Happy Birthday." She touched the girls cheek, making her blush again. Then she left. Gone in seconds.

Najwa looked down at the locket and smiled. She lied back on her pillow, holding the necklace tight. Closing her eyes she sighed. Why was she worried again?

Moments later Edna stopped the Djinni in the hall. "Is she upset? Crying, ranting-"

Djinni laughed, cutting her off. "Sleeping." She provided. Edna's mouth dropped in surprise. Realizing her mistake she pressed her lips together suddenly.

"How?" She nearly demanded. Djinni shrugged one shoulder. "Potion? Spell?"

"I'm wonderful with children?" She asked sarcastically.

Edna frowned. "You put her to sleep, didn't you? We agreed no magic was to-" Djinni waved a hand.

"No. I gave her, her birthday gift. She lied down. Not a sound since." She smiled, sauntering away from the woman down the hall. Edna's expression soured further, if possible. Just wait until she saw the real gift, a bow and arrows.

"Pleased with yourself, are you?" She asked bitterly. Djinni smirked and glanced back before continuing away, swinging her hips from side to side.

"Maybe a bit." She admitted, calling over her shoulder.

Edna shook her head. "Just because you can do that one thing better than me-"

Djinni laughed. "Only playing Edna." She winked. The older woman's expression softened slightly.

"Oh, off to bed with you child." She scolded half-heartedly. The Djinni laughed again loudly.

Najwa listened to the women's hallway conversation with suppressed laughter. Once they were quiet she went back to her chair. She sighed and linked the clasps to her necklace. The top fit like a choker, the heart lied just above her dress neckline. She smiled in the vanity mirror.

The girl brushed out her hair, braiding it to match the Djinni's. She frowned into the mirror. Her hair seemed so plain compared to the woman's. She pulled her waves free of the knotting and growled at the texture. She was torn between idolizing the Djinni and wanting to be her.

Najwa huffed in defeat and went to her bed. She really hated the feeling she was developing. They were distracting and embarrassing. She felt a sudden pang of guilt for thinking so little of her teacher not more than a few hours ago. Had she really lost her loyalty so fast?

She tossed and turned until Edna rang the bell just inside her door. She dressed nervously, intent on being professional and above all, loyal. Until the very end.

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