Zhavage scanned the note, his eyes widening when he reached the end, then handed the paper to Verin. Verin showed no reaction as he read it, only the color of his eyes betrayed him; going from turquoise back to cool aquamarine. He folded the note and returned it to me.
“What do you think, Brother?” Zhavage prompted Verin when it became apparent that he wouldn't comment. A grin hovered around Zhavage's lips. “How is it that only you can save our lovely Spellsinger? What exactly do you have to offer her that I don't?”
“Cease,” Verin growled.
Zhavage held up his hands in mock surrender. “I'm merely curious.”
“Prophecies only reveal themselves in the end,” Verin said grimly. “I don't waste time trying to unravel such puzzles.”
“He likely meant that your mother would be the only one who could contact Petra for us,” I offered.
“Petra?” Verin asked sharply. “The Satyr crime boss?”
“Yes.”
“What kind of trouble are you having that you need to—” Verin cut himself off when his stare landed on Saif then he scowled. “It's the Jinni, isn't it? Petra's lover. What has he done?”
“He's the spirit who has possessed Slate,” Darcraxis answered for me.
“Impossible,” Zhavage scoffed. “Jinn cannot possess Beneathers.”
“That's exactly what my family said,” Saif interjected. “But it seems as if it is possible. And what's worse is the occurrence heralds the end of my race.”
“King Verin, this is Prince Saif of the Jinn,” I introduced them.
Verin nodded crisply at Saif before asking me, “Another prophecy, Elaria?” Evidently, he was having trouble with the title thing too. “How many mystical portents have you brought me?”
I grimaced at him.
“You're rather cynical for the son of a seer,” Saif noted.
“She is the reason I am cynical,” Verin countered. “Regardless, I will help you as much as I can.”
“Thank you, Verin,” I messed up and left off his title too. When I caught the look Zhavage sent me, I cleared my throat and tried again, “King Verin.”
“I think we can dispense with the titles, Elaria,” Verin said gruffly. Then he turned to Zhavage to add, “Thank you for the use of your ship, Brother, but it appears that things are more dire than I realized. We must leave immediately.”
“Of course.” Zhavage went serious, all teasing gone, and handed Verin and odd key; wide, flat, and with jagged teeth. “May the tides carry you swiftly, my friends.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.” I inclined my head as one regent does to another; just slightly.
“If you dispense with titles with my brother, you cannot keep them with me, Elaria,” a little of the Red Dragon's flirtatious nature returned. He took my hand and kissed it gallantly. “I wish you luck with your lover.” His gaze flashed to Verin.
“The ship is docked outside,” Verin announced brusquely. “My apologies, but you'll have to go for a short swim to board it.”
“If getting wet is the worst thing that happens to me today, I'll count myself lucky,” Gage countered.
Verin grunted in agreement.
Chapter Thirty-One
Verin started to strip.
I blinked.
Zhavage handed me a large, shiny bag, slapping it against my belly to get my attention. “For your clothes.” He grinned mischievously. “Unless you want them to get wet too?”
Verin's sculpted body was unwrapped like a present. Welcome to the undersea world, Elaria. Here's a preview of what we have to offer. First came his broad chest, muscular arms, and lean waist then... more. So much more. Streamlined like a swimmer but with a hint of warrior-buffness, Verin's body was perfection; his skin pale but with a golden tint that kept it from looking unhealthy.
I swallowed past the dryness in my throat, the bag hanging limp from my hands.
Then my men started to undress, and I was assaulted by masculine beauty on all sides. From Gage's thick, Griffin muscles to Declan's sleek, Shining One elegance, it seemed like a display of the most gorgeous bodies of all time. I don't know what kind of museum would offer that sort of thing, but I'd be first in line to view the exhibits.
“Little bird?” Torin lifted a brow at me when he caught me ogling his pecs.
“Oh. Um... okay.” My hands went to the button of my jeans. They were a little shaky.
I was still in the jeans and silk blouse I'd put on that morning in Slate's Zone. Had it only been that morning? So much had happened in a single day. I was so distracted by those thoughts that I forgot about the nearly naked men and unzipped my jeans absently. But a sharp movement drew my head up and refocused my attention.
As soon as my zipper announced the departure of my clothes, my guys realized how much they didn't relish the thought of me standing in only my underwear before a large group of men. Especially since Zhavage was among that group, looking eager to boot. My men moved in front of me to form a living screen for my modesty.
“How rude,” Zhavage muttered. “Queen Elaria got to look upon my glorious self—completely nude, I might add—twice, and I didn't attempt to hide anything from her. But I'm not even allowed a peek at her in her underthings?”
“No.” Gage grinned and crossed his beefy arms. “But you can look upon my glorious self all you want.”
“She will have to swim away,” Zhavage reminded us, ignoring Gage's comment. “Then what
