I looked at my men for their counsel and consent; they nodded.
“We would appreciate your help if you could spare the time away from your kingdom,” I said as diplomatically and unemotionally as I could. “But if—”
“If you need me, Elaria, I'm yours,” Verin declared then his expression shifted as if his mind had just caught up with his mouth. He cleared his throat and added, “All of you fought to free the oceans from the threat that Gargo posed. How could I refuse you now?”
“Indeed,” Savassa said smugly.
“Thank you; we deeply appreciate your assistance,” Darcraxis responded since all I could do was gape at Verin. He glanced at my men and added, “We know it's a lot to ask.”
I looked away from Verin and tried not to look back. I can lie if I need to, but this charade had me twisted up in ways that compromised my talent for subterfuge. I had to keep reminding myself that we did need Verin, just probably not to trap the Jinx. Mainly, I was conflicted over the possibility of accepting his help in the fashion his mother had suggested; the fashion everyone seemed to be suggesting. Even my men were being swayed onto Team Verin; a development both unimaginable and astonishing. But the two people who would be most affected weren't onboard; Verin, because he didn't know about my condition and me, because I... well, I guess I was in denial. I was still hoping for a miracle.
“Do we need a special container to hold the Jinx?” I asked Prince Saif, both to change the subject and to give me someone else to focus on.
“Yes. I'll have to go home and commission its creation.”
“We'll go with you,” Torin offered. “We won't be able to do anything without the bottle anyway.”
“And I would like to see your home world,” Verin added.
“Perhaps I can arrange a tour while we wait on the container.” Saif grinned; our potential victory had lightened his mood considerably.
Verin grunted eagerly.
“That would be lovely. Thank you, Saif,” I translated the grunt. “And thank you again, Queen Savassa for your help. I don't know what we would have done without you. But we should probably head to the Jinn Palace as soon as possible.”
“El, it's late,” Gage reminded me. “We all need some rest. Especially you,” he said the last pointedly.
He was right. I couldn't risk stressing the RS with anything, not even a lack of sleep. Any strain could send her into a downward spiral.
“Then you must take your rest in my home,” Saif offered. “I can have our sorcerers work on the bottle while you sleep. If we have time, we'll tour the city in the morning.”
“Perfect.” I stood up and the others followed suit. “Your Majesty, it was a great honor and pleasure to meet you.” I held a hand out to Queen Savassa.
She used my hand to pull me into a hug and whispered in my ear, “Take care of my son, Spellsinger—both his body and his heart—or I will send the dead after you.”
Okay, that was a first.
Chapter Thirty-Six
With Savassa's threat still ringing in my ear, I prepared to travel to Dahabi with the others. Usually in such a situation, one of my husbands would offer to transport our male guest. Even though Verin had his own means of travel, he'd never been to the planet Zuja before so he'd need a guide. But none of my men offered to escort him. In fact, they looked at me expectantly.
I sighed and went to offer Verin my hand. He took it with some surprise; his grip strong but his skin soft. I flinched. The juxtaposition hadn't surprised me. When you're a powerful magic-user, you generally don't have to worry about calluses and that goes doubly for being an immortal shapeshifter. No, it wasn't the fineness of Verin's skin that sent a jolt through me; it was simply his touch.
I couldn't help feeling that my life had become an unavoidable sinkhole, pulling me down to a fate I had no choice in. But then that's what fate is, isn't it? A lack of choice. A track laid by someone else for your train to take; the only track you've got. Despite that, the feel of Verin's hand in mine masked any despondency or apprehension I might have felt. I don't know if that was a good thing or not. A feeling like that could make me reckless, and that was the last thing I needed.
What I did need was sleep.
Gage was right; it was late and I'd been going at full speed from the moment I woke that morning. My exhaustion trumped both worry and attraction. I looked at Verin, he nodded, and, without a word, I took us to the Jinn capital.
We reformed before the palace, in the same spot we'd arrived in earlier that day. Saif didn't need a stone or charm to move through the Realms; he had a natural ability the Jinn called Ree. He traveled in his spiritual form and then returned to physical when he arrived. That return was a bit of a spectacle. First, Saif's eyes appeared—twin flames in empty air—then a translucent body came into focus around them. The spirit hardened into a physical shell, color washing through it like ink through water.
After he'd solidified, Saif grinned broadly and waved his hand toward the palace. “Come, my friends, I'll see you settled for the night before I seek the Royal Enchanters.”
I started forward.
“Elaria?” Verin's velvet voice stopped me. It also sent a shiver down my spine.
I swallowed past my dry throat and looked back at Verin. He squeezed my hand. I frowned in confusion. He looked down pointedly... at our joined hands.
“Oh! Sorry.” I let Verin go and hurried toward Saif to cover my embarrassment.
Verin made a growling rumble that I think was meant to convey nonchalance but sounded slightly annoyed to my ears. I couldn't confirm it with his
