He was obsessed and poisoned. Jasper asked why he would do this? Why would he enter into this agreement? Because it was his penance. But they would never believe that. So he used this opportunity to ask for what he wanted. A second chance to live. To live without the poison. And whether he was granted this or not, he would be happy to serve her.
He didn’t deserve forgiveness for what he’d put her family through. But he could only offer himself. It was all he had to offer. She could do with him as she chose. She could even destroy his soul if she wished. And in the event of her untimely death, he hoped he could be reborn. But she would be immortal, so death could only come from an outside source. As her protector, he would sacrifice his soul in exchange for her life.
The fairy princess Reiya had definitely saved him by killing his corrupt self. The vampires kept his soul as a slave. Now that his soul was free of corruption, he was able to remember the events of the past clearly. Now, the next fairy princess was offering him a chance to serve as penance. The depth of contrition he felt meant it would take several lifetimes to earn some redemption. And he was willing to offer himself to her for eternity.
CHAPTER 43
“Lucie, I don’t want you doing anything that could be dangerous.” Jasper held his hand up as Lucie walked toward him. She reached forward and grasped his hand, holding onto it gently and looking into his eyes.
“Jasper …” Lucie smiled at him. “Do you have faith in me?”
“That’s a cheap shot, Luce. You know I do, but this isn’t the same thing.”
“Yes it is. Either you always believe in me or you only sometimes do. I’m confident in myself.”
“He would never allow this,” Jasper said, shaking his head.
“Well, he isn’t here. Besides, I’m my own boss. He can’t control me and my actions. So just be quiet and let me concentrate,” Lucie said, furrowing her brows.
“Don’t worry, Jasper. I’m right here. I’ll keep her safe.” Aedan walked over to Lucie’s side, just in case. He would be ready to act if he needed to.
“She isn’t going to need any help. She can handle the djinn.” Abaas chuckled. Things had changed so much since he died. Now he was the one believing in the fairy princess.
“Before you continue, though, I want to say one thing. Your kind may not like the idea of you being a master over a soul. It’s a little dark for fairy culture.” Abaas watched a smile curl over Lucie’s lips.
“Good thing I don’t plan on being the fairy princess forever, right? I’m going to be the vampire queen, and …” Lucie looked over at the banshee and back to Abaas. “Having various servants seems to be their thing. I don’t think any of them would think twice about me being your master, especially since the vampires already claimed your soul as theirs.”
“Grandma and Aunt Reiya might not like it, though.” Aedan watched as Lucie shrugged.
“I’m not saying they have to accept him as their family. They’ll just need to understand the situation for what it is. I understand there’s a history there, one that I didn’t live. But I’m going to judge the person by who they are now and not by the past. I can only go by what I know. And right now, he is offering a way for me to help Jasper by tying himself to me. Besides … Grandma and Aunt Reiya have kind natures. It’s Grandpa Asher I’m most concerned about.” Lucie smiled.
“It’s funny, thinking about that alpha as a grandfather now. You know he almost killed me once …” Abaas rubbed the back of his neck.
“Yes, that was mentioned to us before,” Aedan said, looking over at Abaas. “I don’t really know what to think about you. But if you try anything against my family, I won’t hesitate to destroy your soul.”
“I expect nothing less.” Abaas smirked and leaned back on his heels. “So are you going to deal with this djinn or not?”
“Well, if everyone is done talking now …” Lucie closed her eyes and tried focusing on Jasper again. But she couldn’t connect to the djinn inside of him. It was like it was dormant. She was going to have to aggravate it again.
“So earlier, when I was sitting at the table with those other women … well, one of them said something really upsetting,” Lucie whispered. “It’s the reason I left. I didn’t know how to handle the situation. I still don’t know.”
She watched as the green energy swirled from Jasper again. This time, before she could get interrupted, she latched onto it, taking it firmly in her hands. The energy bit at her, scalding her hands with its heat. A green fog entered her mind as her consciousness faded inwardly.
Lucie stared at the green smoke that wafted in a thick ball in front of her. A burnt smell stung her nose as she tried to think what she needed to do next.
“Future Queen of the Vampires … what is it that you want?” A deep bass voice echoed in her mind.
“I do not wish for you to be attached to Jasper or his bloodline anymore.”
The green smoke swirled around in front of her. “This arrangement was made in order to protect the vampire line, so that no descendant of royal blood can claim the throne by betrayal.”
“But it doesn’t just work this way. Your anger makes them lose their self-control, and they kill when they don’t want to. I trust Jasper, and he shouldn’t have to carry this burden. I ask that you make a deal with me.”
The green smoke glowed brightly, pulsating with its light. “I can choose to make a deal with the royal line, which will include you as their future. You wish to create a new master-servant relationship, then you must have a new host in mind.”
“As long as I am alive, the new host won’t lose control, right?” Lucie was cautious of the demon in front of her. His aura seemed different, though. The djinn was more like a creature that depended on a host to live, so it formed master-servant relationships and had a fierce loyalty to its master. She knew there was more to it, but for now, she had the basics.
“This is true. But can you handle the bond? Are you someone who can be a good master to your servant?”
