Shimmer by Jennifer McBride

jangled madly as she placed a hand on each hip. ‘What is the point of a royal blood line if there is no empire to return to?’
    Amurru slid off the bed and shuffled to her. ‘Should Vennum succeed,’ he reached out a small, stubby hand to her, ‘then Genesia’s only chance to live on lies in you.’
    She shook his hand off. ‘I will not stand back and watch while Vennum destroys my family.’
    Amurru glanced at David. ‘Empress, you have no choice.’
    â€˜Please, David.’ She placed her hand on his arm. ‘Unharness me.’
    â€˜I am so sorry about your brother.’ He gently removed her hand. ‘But I will not unharness you.’
    Understanding dawned as the small part of the conversation she had overheard came back to her. Amurru had asked David not to unharness her.
    â€˜Please, David. You more than anyone know how it feels to have a loved one taken from you. Would you not have given anything to go after your father? To find him and bring him back, no matter what the cost to you?’
    David took a deep breath. ‘Yes.’ His eyes darted to Amurru. ‘But it doesn’t change anything.’
    â€˜You will not miss out, David.’ Her eyes pleaded with him. ‘I will grant all the wishes you can think of before you unharness me. In fact, I will even promise to return to you when my family is once again safe.’
    He gave a violent shake of his head. ‘I can’t, Kora. I won’t!’
    â€˜You can. Try to understand how important this is.’
    â€˜I do understand and I know how you feel.’
    â€˜Then free me. I can change things but I need to go now.’
    â€˜I’ve seen Vennum and all his harnessed genies. Are you really powerful enough against all of them?’ His voice became louder, harder. ‘And even if you are, what then? You told me yourself that a genie cannot harm a human.’
    â€˜Please, David. I beg you. I cannot do nothing.’
    He stepped away from her. ‘I’m sorry.’
    Frustrated tears sprang to her eyes but she held them in. ‘You stupid, selfish human, you have no idea what you are doing.’ Then she spun on Amurru. ‘Look what you have done. I shall never forgive you.’
    â€˜I have done my duty, Empress.’ Amurru blinked his yellow eyes slowly at her. ‘Your father’s last command to me was to keep you safe here on Earth.’
    She thought of her little brother, harnessed by Vennum, and her father leaving the castle all alone in search of him. What would he do? He must have a plan of some sort. Maybe he was even considering doing a deal with the Slaytians. Had it had come to that? Whatever his plan was, she knew he was unlikely to succeed alone. He needed help, her help! And yet here she was trapped on this stupid planet by a selfish, stupid human. She glared at Amurru, feeling betrayed. He had left her while she was asleep to manipulate David. She did not understand how Amurru could stand by and watch Vennum destroy their home.
    â€˜Does my father have a plan?’ Kora asked, her voice quivering with rage. ‘It is a mistake for him to go off on his own like that!’
    â€˜He did not say, Empress.’
    â€˜But he is alone, Amurru. Alone outside the city walls.’ She threw her hands up in the air helplessly. ‘He will have to travel on foot, without the use of his magic!’ The very thought of this filled her with terror. What if her father was forced to use magic for some reason? Even the smallest trickle of power used out in the Genesian wilderness would lead Vennum straight to him.
    â€˜He will be careful, Empress,’ said Amurru. ‘He knows his enemy well.’
    â€˜He is so vulnerable, Amurru.’ She knew Amurru was trying to reassure her, but she also knew the enormous risk her father was taking. ‘How could I bear it if Father was also harnessed by Vennum?’
    Amurru’s eyes were full