“That's an old saying and a trite one.” I grimaced. “I think it was made up by people who don't love completely.”
She raised a brow at me.
“I love completely,” I declared. “When I love someone, it's forever. So, I can say with absolute certainty that if I love your son, I will never get over him. And if he were to get over me, it would hurt all the more.”
“More than losing the other men you love?” She asked with a cunning twist of her lips.
I let out another sigh. Point to her. And it was a sharp point; one that pierced me right through the heart.
“No, it wouldn't hurt more than losing them,” I finally conceded.
Savassa leaned forward suddenly and took my hand in a strong grip; one she looked incapable of. “Take him with you.”
“What?”
“When you go to free your Gargoyle, take my son with you,” she begged. “You still need him, Elaria; I swear that you do. And I will tell him so; that I saw it in your reading. He will help you because he already admires you and the thought of you being hurt will upset him.”
“The damsel in distress,” I huffed.
“My son doesn't gravitate toward damsels in distress but a strong woman who needs an ally? That appeals to him; it allows him to show his worth to her without diminishing her.”
Queen Savassa's words didn't surprise me. From what I'd learned of Verin, it sounded on-point. I remembered Verin's behavior after he saved my life. He hadn't lorded it over me, even after he discovered my polyamorous lifestyle and was disgusted by it. Oh, yes, we went through a rough patch for awhile. Verin had believed that I was using my magic to make him attracted to me; to force him into my harem as his mother had been forced into his father's. When the truth came out—that our attraction was real—he'd apologized sincerely. I think that says a lot about a person; when they can admit to flaws or mistakes even when they don't have to. It's an especially rare trait to find in a king.
“You need him, Elaria.” She hadn't let go of me. “And he needs you. Let it happen; don't fight it. When it's over, you will both be better for it. More importantly, you will live.”
“This is the strangest conversation I've—” I suddenly remembered threatening Gargo once; telling him that I'd die before I allowed him to rape me in my grandfather's body. “Okay, it's in the top five strangest conversations I've ever had.”
“I'm not bartering for your sexual services,” Savassa chided me. “Only asking that you keep an open heart when dealing with my son. You said you'd repay me. This is the payment I require; take Verin with you, draw the love out of him, and don't hold back from loving him in return.”
“Is that all?” I chuckled. “I thought this reading was the payment?”
Savassa let go of me and sat back. “I've demanded far more for summoning the dead before.”
“I'm sure you have.” I sighed.
“It won't be easy to convince Verin to join your family. I know he's already confessed to you a little of his distaste for harems but it goes far deeper than you know. I'm surprised he confided that much to you, and I'm rarely surprised. Which gives me hope. I believe you can work past his issues.”
It would be good to have the option, Kyanite pointed out. And the others already expressed a type of approval.
What he said, RS chirped in.
Savassa was waiting.
“All right. You'll have your payment, but I'm not guaranteeing the result you want.”
“No, but I'm guaranteeing a result you'll want,” Savassa said in a way that sent chills down my spine.
Chapter Thirty-Five
Queen Savassa and I found the men in a feminine sitting room, drinking coffee from silver mugs and speaking animatedly. They got to their feet chivalrously when we walked in.
“What has all of you so worked up?” I asked.
“Trapping the Jinx,” Saif said with a grin. “When you cast him out of your lover, you will be in control of him. You could force him into a containment unit while he's in his spirit form and then we'll be assured that he won't be able to hurt my people.”
“Like you did to your Goddess?” I asked as I sat down.”
“It's the best way to imprison a Jinn.” Saif shrugged while he and the other men resumed their seats. “And we need this particular Jinn securely trapped if we're going to avert the prophecy.”
“The Jinx?” Savassa asked.
“We believe that Idrisanigal is the Jinx; a Jinn who has been foretold to end the Jinn Race,” I explained. “He has great powers that other Jinn don't possess.”
“Ah,” she murmured.
“Mother?” Verin was staring at Savassa suspiciously.
“I can't see the outcome for the Jinn; neither the race or the Jinx,” she said gravely. “But I know that you must help them, Son. They won't succeed without you and so much rests upon this mission. You must help them with everything you are; all of the power inside you. Hold nothing back. This endeavor will not only save your friends, and possibly an entire race, but it will also help our people. I urge you to go with them.”
Verin blinked once, slowly, then looked at me.
I clenched my teeth. Everything Savassa said was technically accurate; Daha said we needed Verin and Savassa swore we still did, his help could save my family and the Jinn, and, if I did my part, he could be swayed into bringing his people back to the surface, which may be a good thing for the Lóng. Still, I didn't feel right about deceiving Verin, even if it was only a twisting of truth. He was a straightforward man and he deserved a straightforward answer. But I couldn't give it to him; not without betraying his mother's confidence and
