Tales of the Djinn: Sultan's Choice

By Emma Holly

Handsome Sultan Iksander feared he’d never be loved again. Already a couple, human Georgie and angel Connor proved him wrong by risking their lives for him. Now, if he wants to keep his new partners, he must make a hard decision.

Praise for the Djinn series

“FANTASTIC! [T]his may be the best thing she has written to date . . . an epic tale of romantic fantasy.”—In My Humble Opinion

“Addictive . . . should not be missed!”—Long and Short Reviews

• Language: English
• Publisher: Emma Holly
• Release date: Feb 7, 2018
• ISBN: 9780996771856

Emma Holly

Emma Holly is the award winning, USA Today bestselling author of more than forty romantic books featuring billionaires, genies, faeries and just plain extraordinary folks. She loves the hot stuff, both to read and to write!

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Tales of the Djinn: Sultan’s Choice

Emma Holly

Digital edition

Copyright 2018 Emma Holly. All rights reserved. With the exception of quotes used in reviews, this book may not be reproduced or used in whole or in part by any means existing without written permission of the author.

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to the vendor and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

This story is a work of fiction and should be treated as such. It includes sexually explicit content that is only appropriate for adults—and not every adult at that. Those who are offended by more adventurous depictions of sexuality or frank language possibly shouldn’t read it. Literary license has been taken in this book. It is not intended to be a sexual manual. Any resemblance to actual places, events, or persons living or dead is either fictitious or coincidental. That said, the author hopes you enjoy this tale!

Tales of the Djinn: Sultan’s Choice is an approximately 27,000-word novella.

eISBN-10: 0-9967718-5-9

eISBN-13: 978-0-9967718-5-6

Discover other exciting Emma Holly titles at www.emmaholly.com

Cover photos: Bigstock—Green Ocean, ValentinaPhotos

Table of Contents

Title Page

Sultan’s Choice

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 1: The Billionaire Bad Boys Club

About the Author

Other Titles by Emma Holly

Sultan’s Choice

Handsome Sultan Iksander feared he’d never be loved again. Already a couple, human Georgie and angel Connor proved him wrong by risking their lives for him. Now, if he wants to keep his new partners, he must make a hard decision.

Book 5 in the Tales of the Djinn

~

Praise for the Djinn series

FANTASTIC! [T]his may be the best thing she has written to date . . . an epic tale of romantic fantasy.

—In My Humble Opinion

Addictive . . . should not be missed!

—Long and Short Reviews

Chapter 1

Georgie and her two male lovers stopped, dumbstruck, at the bedroom door. One of her companions was a handsome genie, the other a tall angel. Wonders nearly as glorious as theirs halted her in her tracks.

Well, she said. This certainly is an escape from the everyday.

Her voice was breathy, even a bit unsure. The room was—literally—fit for royalty. That distinction didn’t apply to her. She was human, maybe a little magical but not fancy in the least. Back in her world, she made a living turning other people’s junk into furniture. Junk wouldn’t dare slink in here. Instead, chairs and chaises gleamed with gold leaf and glittered with precious gems. Miles of pale blue silk stretched up towering walls to a Sistine quality ceiling. Beneath the exotic djinn-themed murals, plump velvet pillows in charming meadow shades heaped as lush and pettable as kittens. The floor was a lake of gold-flecked white marble. Along one wall, windows that arched like the Taj Mahal opened onto a roof courtyard. The evening light slanted in, not quite night but not day either. Like a vision out of a fairytale, two long-tailed white birds nestled cheek-to-cheek on a green palm branch. The feathered pair was beautiful enough to seem enchanted.

Pretty much like everything in Iksander’s residence.

"My apartments are big enough for the three of us, the sultan pointed out. I know you liked the commander’s more modest quarters, but he’s occupying them now. His breath caught with hesitation before he spoke again. If you and Connor prefer simpler surroundings, I can find somewhere else for you. I, however, ought to move back into the royal suite. Considering everything my city has been through, people need to feel I’ve truly returned, that my hand is on the wheel of state again."

The sultan looked at Georgie, assuming per usual that she could speak for herself and her long-time boyfriend. Once she would have, but Connor was also Iksander’s lover. More importantly, the angel was becoming increasingly individual. These days, he might have different preferences from her. Georgie was mostly glad for him that this was the case. He liked evolving, as he put it. Now and then, though, the fact that he wasn’t automatically on the same page as her took adjusting to.

She glanced at Connor to get his take. He was smiling, his kind blue eyes encouraging. She thought she understood the message they conveyed. She turned back to Iksander.

We’d like to stay with you. We’re not used to this much luxury, but it’s not going to scare us off.

Absolutely not, Connor seconded. Sharing more of your company is what matters. If you want us with you, we want to be here too.

Iksander probably would rather they not notice his shoulders relaxing. A proud man, he wasn’t yet comfortable with his feelings for members of two species he’d spent the majority of his life viewing warily. Djinn considered humans rivals for the Almighty’s affections. Angels were even worse. They’d taken humans’ side in the celestial battle for who would be most loved. That’s what djinn believed anyway. Georgie’s concept of the deity wasn’t as nailed-down as Iksander’s.

I want you here, the sultan said. He cleared a hint of huskiness from his throat. You two are what I’ve longed for all my life without even knowing it.

Well. That was more of a declaration than Georgie expected from the generally guarded man. Her cheeks felt hot . . . and other parts as well. She couldn’t look away from Iksander’s beautiful lime green eyes. One corner of his full mouth twitched. He saw he’d moved her, and it amused him.

Good! Connor said, never uncomfortable with affection. I want to look at everything.

The angel wasn’t kidding. Though he could perform certain types of magic, he had a mostly human body. No wings declared his secret nature, no uncanny celestial glow. Today he wore slippers with felted soles, the same as Georgie and Iksander. Relying simply on his impressive muscles, he propelled himself across the floor hockey-player-style, sliding from object to object that intrigued him. When he went to his knees to investigate the underside of a gold divan, Iksander laughed softly.

I guess I don’t have to worry about him making himself at home.

No, Georgie agreed, noting how the sultan’s gaze lingered on the angel’s rear. Connor is adaptable.

Georgie! Connor called from the distance he’d skidded to. He sat back on his heels grinning. "Iksander’s people have stuck jewels beneath the furniture too!"

Of course they have, Georgie said. They’d run out of places to put them otherwise.

It’s a sign of respect. Iksander sounded a teensy bit defensive. The ruler of the city is supposed to have—

—the fanciest, bestest, most sparkly stuff?

I didn’t start the tradition, Iksander muttered.

I’m teasing, Georgie said. Connor and I know your top priority isn’t how twinkly your belongings are.

Iksander crossed his arms and huffed. She hadn’t said it wasn’t a priority at all.

Should we not joke so much? she asked, worried she’d exceeded his tolerance for humor. "Your palace is beautiful to us. We’re just a bit overwhelmed."

I believe you’d rather I housed you in a hut.

No, she denied. We like it here. Really.

So if I draped you in pearls and diamonds, you wouldn’t mock my taste?

Connor had skidded back to them. He considered her thoughtfully. "Would you drape her in only pearls and diamonds? Because I think that would look nice."

Right, Georgie scoffed. I’m exactly that kind of girl.

At least it wouldn’t be a dress. I know you don’t like those.

She gaped at him. He was utterly straight-faced.

We could skip the pearls, Iksander offered. Nothing but ropes of diamonds from head to toe.

She’d need a tiara, Connor interjected. And maybe rubies for her toes.

For God’s sake. I’m not a damned princess!

The rubies would match your hair, Connor said.

No, Iksander contradicted. Rubies aren’t the right shade at all. Padparadscha sapphires perhaps.

You’re not decking me out like a—

Maybe she’d prefer a diamond tool belt, Iksander proposed instead.

With a 24 karat hammer, Connor agreed, and maybe a platinum wrench.

Georgie shut her open mouth. They were teasing her. Both of them. Like a comedy skit they’d practiced ahead of time. She wasn’t used to her men teaming up that way.

You’re ganging up on me, she said.

The sultan smiled. Only with fond intentions. You do seem to have a— he searched for the human phrase —slight phobia about expressing your femininity.

It’s not a phobia! And I’m plenty feminine! Her fists were planted on her waist. She’d tucked a khaki t-shirt into her favorite buckled black leather pants. Admittedly, the garments weren’t girly, but who said every girl had to love ruffles? These clothes—which she’d brought from her human home—had gotten her through their adventures in the icy city of Iksander’s enemy. Without warning, her defensiveness switched gears. Did Iksander mind that she was a tomboy? Worse, had Connor all this time?

That possibility knocked her off kilter. Connor always acted as if she were perfect.

Georgie. The sultan cupped her face between his hands. You don’t have to look so worried. Connor and I love you as you are—leather pants and tattoos and eyebrow rings.

He brushed the last with a gentle fingertip. Georgie wished she felt mollified. You wouldn’t hate it, though. If I tried to . . . be more typically seductive.

Iksander’s irises lit the way genies’ did sometimes, the glow causing his green eyes to burn. Him meeting her gaze so steadily stirred shivery sensations. You can’t imagine you aren’t seductive now.

I like feeling tough, she admitted. I feel safer when I’m dressed badass.

He stroked her choppy, streaky pale red and dyed yellow hair, yet another unfeminine fashion choice. I’m not used to women who think that way. I suppose we both have to work to understand each other. I do hope you feel safe with me.

Doesn’t everyone who risks their heart feel a little unsafe sometimes?

True enough. His smile slanted crookedly. Unless, of course, they’re Connor.