“This? It’s not something that will irritate her. I think there’s a very real chance it will upset her—and in the end, to no purpose. She won’t be able to change your mind, and she won’t be able to influence Jay—Jewel—The Terafin—”
Jarven chuckled.
“—either. I care about her at least as much as I care about you—and for far better reasons. I don’t want to hurt her. I know you won’t tell her a thing; if she finds out, it will be because of me—or because of an announcement made in the House itself, should Jewel consider your offer with care.” Clearing her throat, she added, “and what are you offering in return for the concession you demand?”
He steepled his fingers beneath his chin, a gesture with which Finch was familiar. His gaze was still sharp, still hard. “You are aware, no doubt,” he finally said, “that I am exceedingly fond of Lucille.”
“You are. You would never deliberately hurt Lucille. If I may be either bold or foolish, I would swear you would never deliberately hurt me, either.”
He nodded; there was acknowledgment, but no warmth or encouragement, in the gesture.
“But you would never deliberately avoid it, if you were focused on a goal, a deal, a significant acquisition.”
“That is harsh, but perceptive.”
“Jarven—if I didn’t know this to be true, you’d be impossible. I also understand that you grant me the same courtesy: you know I’ll never go out of my way to deliberately hurt you—if that were even possible—but that I won’t surrender things that would harm me solely to prevent it, either. Lucille is not you—which is why you both trust and like her—and she’s not me. She couldn’t have this conversation—she’d be too busy trying to change your mind.”
“She knows me,” he said quietly.
“Yes—but she’d try, anyway. She would feel like a failure, or worse, in the wake of an outcome that you and I acknowledge at the outset is inevitable.”
After a long pause, he inclined his head. “Let me grant you that point.”
“What do you offer for the seat? A vacant Council chair this early in a ruler’s reign is an important strategic piece. If you are given the seat, what will you bring to the table that will be to The Terafin’s advantage?”
He did smile, then; it was a very, very odd smile. “I am inordinately fond of you, Finch, but I will say today that you have done something I would not have considered possible, for a variety of reasons. You have made me proud.”
The praise moved Finch because it was so unexpected. But it did not change her demands; if anything, it strengthened the certainty that she must be firm and clear-sighted. These negotiations would decide Jay’s future in the House, or a great part of it. So much, resting on the shoulders of this elderly, implacable man.
“What does The Terafin want?”
Finch smiled and shook her head. “That is not how this game is played, Jarven. She has something you want. Absent obvious threat—which I am certain, until the end, you will not make—you must now convince her that you have something she needs.”
“The threat would be effective, given her precarious position.”
“No, it wouldn’t—and you won’t make it except as a very last resort.”
“Will I not?”
“No. Even if you mean it—and I don’t doubt that you do—it will break something between you and Lucille that the few years you have left won’t be long enough to heal. Only if you have no other option will you play that card.”
“Indeed. I rather resent Haval, at the moment.”
“Haval has nothing to do with this.”
“Does he not?”
“No, Jarven.” Finch rose. “This is you; this is all you. I’ve spent very little time with Haval and Hannerle; I’ve spent sixteen years in the Merchant Authority offices, bringing you both tea and news. If you have not considered what you will offer The Terafin in return for the Council chair, I will leave you to consider it now.”
“Has it not occurred to you,” Jarven said, also rising, “that it is precisely because I am uncertain of what she needs that I want that chair?”
“Never,” Finch replied sweetly. “And it never will.” She turned toward the door, and then turned back. “I’ll be in the office tomorrow, unless another demon appears in the Common; given today, I don’t expect it will be all that busy.” She hesitated, and then crossed the room, bridging the gap between them. She hugged him tightly and briefly.