Page 56 of Djinn in Love

“I think you’re the closest thing to a best friend I’ve had in a long time. Maybe even my entire life,” she admitted.

That had effectively ended the discussion because Jasper stared at her with burning black eyes for a long moment before he got to his feet. He came over to her, hoisted her off the stool she was perched on (they were in the kitchen), and carried her back to his bedroom with her head dangling down his back.

Afterwards, Veronica lay face down on his bed, her head turned toward him, and Jasper rolled onto his side to look at her. He traced his fingertips down her spine, just touching her. It was something he often did. Random touches when they were making dinner together or hanging out. Hugs and kisses when she least expected them.

She hadn’t brought it up, but she had no doubt that he sensed how desperately she needed that contact. He paid attention to her needs and reactions, even if she hadn’t voiced them aloud yet. Not only did he pay attention, but he made an effort to give her what she needed. It was another reason she was done falling in love with him. She was already there.

“I’m going to have to call you my best friend more often,” she murmured.

He smiled at her words, but his expression quickly turned serious. “As much as I like hearing that, you need friends and other people in your life, baby. The selfish part of me doesn’t want you to do it because I like being your only touchstone, but the part of me that understands humanity knows that wouldn’t be healthy for either one of us.”

God, he really was her best friend. He was more concerned with her mental health and happiness than what it might mean for him if she expanded her circle.

“I’m sure I don’t have to tell you this,” she murmured lazily. “But it’s difficult for me to make friends.”

“What about your boss?” he asked.

“What do you mean?”

“The way she talks to you is definitely much friendlier than employer/employee. I mean, I don’t talk to my assistant like that. I respect her and she’s been with me a long time, but we don’t have that kind of relationship.”

Veronica’s eyes grew unfocused. “I do consider Dominique a friend, but we’re not that close. She keeps everyone at a distance. Even me. So, she’s not my best friend. I think she could be, but I can tell that’s not what she wants.”

“I wonder why,” Jasper murmured.

“I’m not sure, but she’s older than she appears. Most fae are. It wouldn’t surprise me if she keeps humans at arm’s length because she must watch us age and fade away.”

“God, I hope not. That’s grim.”

“I know.”

They lay in silence for a long time until Veronica finally broached a subject she’d been curious about since she first met Jasper.

“I have a personal question I want to ask you,” she began. “But if it makes you uncomfortable to talk about, it won’t hurt my feelings if you say so.”

Jasper’s eyes had been closed, but he slowly opened them as she spoke. “We’re not discussing ex’s, are we? Because I’m going to need plenty of alcohol when you tell me about yours.”

She shook her head. “No, it’s about your magic.”

“Okay.”

“I know magic is a very personal topic for most of us, and that a lot of supernaturals prefer not to share too much information, so if that’s you?—”

“Veronica, it’s fine. Just asked me whatever it is you want to ask.”

“Well, basically, I was wondering exactly what your magicis. There’s a lot of mystery surrounding djinn and it’s made me curious.”

“Have you been dying to ask this since we met?” he teased, winking at her.

Veronica wrinkled her nose at him but told the truth. “Yes. Now, if you’re willing, answer me.”

“I’m sure you’ve heard rumors about djinn magic, haven’t you?”

She nodded.

“Well, some of them are true. Djinn can grant wishes, but we’re not obligated by our magic like folklore says. We’re encouraged by our power to fulfill it, but not forced. The stronger the djinn, the easier to resist the wish. Unless the wisher has their own strong magic. Then, it’s much more difficult. It can still be done, but we have to battle our own magic and theirs, so it takes longer to wrestle the urge to grant the wish into submission. There’s no cap on the wishes unless we want it to be so, but there is always a price to be paid. Anytime a djinn grants your wish, it sets the world, well, the magic in this world, out of balance. In order to maintain that balance, there has to be an equal payment. But it’s not a basic trade, like two items of equal value. At least in a financial worth sense. The value is based on what you care about. If your wish is small, you pay with a small thing. Something that you value but may not miss too much. If the wish is big or meaningful, then you pay with the things you value most. Djinn get blamed for a lot of that, but it’s not our choice. The magic itself is what required balance and so it’s the magic that demands the price.”

Veronica stared at him. “That’s a heavy responsibility. Did you have your powers as a child?”

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