“You have no guarantee of that.”
“I trust him.”
“Well, good luck. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
Larkin pushed past me to exit the bathroom. I reached out, grabbing her wrist, and felt her tense beneath my palm. I quickly let go, not wanting to make her feel uncomfortable.
“Please, listen to me,” I said. “I’ve been thinking of how to help you.”
“I never asked for your help.”
“I know, but that doesn’t mean I don’t want to offer it.”
Larkin shook her head and turned away, hand on the door. I couldn’t preface this because she wasn’t giving me a chance.
“Use my gift,” I blurted out. She froze, and I continued in a hurry. “I’m not sure if it’ll work because I’m only a demigoddess, but if there’s a chance, then it’s worth a shot.”
The silence crowded in around us and I felt like I’d made a horrible mistake offering my gift to her. I had one shot at helping her and it panned out disastrously.
“This won’t change my mind,” Larkin said, blue eyes narrowing. “I won’t change my vote. I can’t be bought, Quentin.”
“I’m not trying to bribe you,” I replied incredulously, trying not to take offence. “I don’t care if you vote against me.”
A small lie. I cared very much about trying to keep myself alive, but I wasn’t trying to bribe Larkin into changing her mind. This offer came without an agenda. I’d never factored my life into the equation when the rogue thought took root and flourished that night.
“If you want me to not exist, that’s your decision. I’m asking you to use my gift because I don’t want you trapped in a marriage with a…” I couldn’t even finish the sentence.
“How did you get Gray to approve of this?” she asked quietly. “Because I swear, if you told him—"
“Do you really think I’d be standing here with you if Gray knew anything about this? He would have kept us at home to make sure I couldn’t find you.”
Larkin snorted, her hard facade crumbling at the truth I’d spoken. “Why would you do this?”
“Because no one deserves to go through what you’ve been through.”
“I’ve been cruel to you from the moment we met. I voted for your death.”
“And if that’s something you can live with, then that’s fine. I won’t—and I don’t—hold it against you.”
She stared at me for a few moments. “You’re a peculiar being, Quentin. How you were designed for Grayson? I’ll never understand.”
“He’s very blessed,” I explained with false modesty.
Nervous laughter trickled from her, and she took a step closer to me.
“You asked Sloan for help,” I pointed out.
“Sloan is family. I can trust her.”
“You can trust me.”
Larkin hesitated, indecision colouring her eyes.
“Quen?” Gray’s voice sounded down the hall, and I straightened.
“Now or never, Larkin,” I prompted.
She sucked in a breath and whispered in a rush, “Quentin, Goddess of success, I ask you directly for your gift. Aid me in leaving my husband and dissolving my marriage. Bless me with your success.”
