Korum didn’t say anything, only inclined his head slightly. Patience was the key here. Patience and respect.
“You wish your charl’s family to be brought into our society. To have them share her extended lifespan.”
Korum kept silent, holding Lahur’s gaze with his own.
“We will not grant you your request.”
Korum fought to hide his disappointment. “Why?” he asked calmly. “It’s just a few humans. What harm would it do to bring them to Lenkarda and have them share fully in my charl’s life?”
Lahur’s eyes darkened, turning pitch black. “You argue for them?”
“No,” Korum said evenly, ignoring the way his pulse had picked up. “I argue for her – for Mia.”
Lahur stared at him. “Why? Why is one of these creatures so important to you?”
“Because she is,” Korum said. “Because she means everything to me.” He knew he had just done the equivalent of exposing his throat to Lahur, but he didn’t care. It was no secret that Mia was his weakness, and trying to hide it from a ten-million-year-old Elder was as pointless as beating one’s head against a wall.
To Korum’s shock, a faint smile touched Lahur’s lips, softening the harsh lines of his face. “Very well,” the Elder said. “You have convinced me – and I’ll give you one chance to convince the others. Bring the humans here and let them speak on their own behalf.” He paused for a second, letting the full impact of his words hit Korum. “I would like to meet this Mia of yours.”
Chapter 21
“What’s wrong?” Mia asked after the second time Korum fell silent, as though absorbed in his thoughts.
They were eating a late dinner on the beach – a romantic outing Korum had suggested the day before. Mia had expected something over the top . . . and it was. All around them, hundreds of tiny lights floated in the air, looking like a cross between stars and fireflies. The sun had already gone down, and these lights, along with the new crescent-shaped moon, were the only sources of illumination.
For their meal, Korum had prepared dozens of little dishes, mostly of the finger-food variety. They ranged from tiny sandwiches made with a delicious artichoke paste to some exotic fruits Mia had never tasted before. It was a spread fit for a king. Mia had been greatly enjoying everything – until she noticed Korum’s oddly distracted manner.
“What makes you think something is wrong?” he asked, his lips curving in a sensual smile, but Mia wasn’t fooled. There was definitely something on his mind.
“Don’t you think I can tell by now when you’re worried about something?” Mia cocked her head to the side, staring at her lover. He could still be a mystery to her at times, but she was getting to know him better with each day that passed.
He looked at her, his gaze almost . . . calculating. “You’re right, my sweet,” he said finally. “There is something I need to talk to you about.”
Mia swallowed. The last time Korum had needed to talk to her about something, she’d found out that her mind had been tampered with. What could it be this time?
“It’s nothing bad,” Korum said, seemingly understanding her concern. “In fact, it’s all good news.”
“What is it?” Mia couldn’t shake an uneasy feeling.
“We found someone on Krina who can reverse Saret’s procedure,” Korum said, watching her closely. “She can undo everything he’s done to you – including the memory wipe.”
“Oh my God . . .” Mia didn’t even know what to say. “But, Korum, that’s awesome!”
He smiled. “It is. And there’s something else.”
“What?”
“Do you remember my petition to the Elders about your family?”
Mia almost stopped breathing. “About making them immortal like me?”
“Yes.”
“Of course I remember,” Mia said, her heart beginning to pound in her chest with a wild mixture of hope and apprehension.
“There’s a chance they might grant it.”
This time, Mia couldn’t contain an excited scream. Jumping to her feet and laughing, she launched herself at Korum, who got up just in time. “Thank you! Oh my God, Korum, thank you!”