Psyche

Chapter Eighteen

"So-where are we going anyway?" August leaned her head against the window, rubbing her neck. Probably hadn't been sleeping right.

Get in line.

"We are going to a very special place." I told her, "And you are the first human-I use the term loosely, of course-to step foot in it and live after to tell the tale-not that anyone would believe you."

"You've killed people because they found this place?" She bit her lip. Uncomfortable. Hey, you live as long as I did, and killing a human or two because they barged in on you is pretty much okay. Sparingly. In moderation. Like everything else.

"Don't worry about it." I answered. I reached into my jacket pocket, and yanked the chain from within, holding it out, "Here-put this on."

"What is that?" She gasped. On the silver chain was a pendant, with a large purple stone. Amethyst. Technically, divinae ametisto, divine amethyst, from the people of Canem. Probably the last piece of it left. The silver settling around it swirled and bent. Good craftsmanship. Of course, I'd expect nothing less, considering its origins.

"A protective amulet." I let it slip through my fingers as she took it from me. "It will protect you from persuasion of supernatural means, keep you grounded mentally and spiritually, and, I'm hopeful, aide in your emotional recovery."

"Where on earth did you get this?" She cradled it in her hands, "It's-so big!"

"It was," I tapped my fingers on the steering wheel, "a-mm-how you say-? What is the equivalent these days?"

"So . . . beautiful . . ." She murmured.

"Do you kids still have dowries these days?" I wondered of her.

"Dowries?" August glanced at me, "What do you mean?"

"Do you know what a dowry is?" I asked.

"Yeah." She nodded, "It's something given to the groom's family when a girl gets married."

"Sort of like that." I continued, "Also, like a bride price, which is given to the bride's family in return for her marriage. I was given that necklace by a Canem noblewoman when I was-well, I suppose around, in human equivalents-."

"I still don't get that." She interrupted, "You look, well, way young. How do you give 'equivalents'?"

"To put it simply," I explained, "Canem develop mentally, emotionally, psychologically, spiritually, including powers, much faster than they actually grow physically. So, when I was, say, your age, I looked about . . . say . . . hm. Half that. I suppose we age half as fast. But it's different for every Canem."

"Okay." She shrugged, "I guess that makes sense."

"Alright," I continued, "anyway, when I was about sixteen, in human equivalents, a Canem noblewoman named Sabina gave me that as part of a, I guess, marriage gift, engagement dowry deal sealer when she propositioned me."

August nearly let the necklace slide through her fingers. "What?" She demanded, "Propositioned?"

"Yes." I nodded, switching lanes. The highway seemed to stretch on forever, "It means to-."

"I know what it means!" She exploded, "Some woman proposed to you when you were sixteen?!"

"Yes." I was glad she had such an understanding.

"Why the hell would she do that?" Or, perhaps not.

"I was the only male of the seven children my father, the King, had." I told her, "So-."