Jocelyn stares at me, her eyes as blue as the water we've dipped our tail and legs in.
"NO. I didn't go there to hurt him. I thought about it, but I didn't do it. I'm not the one who--"
I pat her shoulder. "I didn't think so. Not really. Just don't nudge my people away from their duty, okay?"
She sighs. "I just needed to see him without all the fuss. But then, in the end, I couldn't make myself do it."
"Can you do it now?" I add with delicacy, "He'd like to see you, but he understands--well, as much as he's capable--that you might be reluctant."
She looks into my eyes. "You're young. Have you ever been hurt?"
"Not like you, but yeah. This happened pre-Daji, of course."
Her gaze is hypnotic. Does it just come naturally? Is it a feature of being a Lamia? "What happened, if you don't mind my asking?"
"She ended it," I say. "How much detail do you want?"
"All you're willing to give," she replies.
