"I have never seen a person more consumed by their desire" said Giriel Bruinstead. And it is at once both a judgment and a measure of blessing never before expected because she has called this demon a person and addressed her honorably, even as she is critical of her. Naji is a person. Whatever else she may be, whatever desperation she might feel, she is in the world now, denying the corrupting part of her nature in the name of love. Was this the power of Venus in the flower kingdoms? It offered such a world of ideas. 

Giriel put on a formal expression. This was not a divination, but it was a pronouncement, a lesson. "I cannot give you someone else's heart. No magic in the world or out of it can do it. Not even the Rakshasa, not your mother, not the gods. You may think, perhaps, given the places you have been and the beings you know, that you could own someone, control them utterly, and play with them as you will. But that is not their heart that you have taken, only their body. You cannot make someone love you, and if you try despite the warning, you will break the both of you in the act."

Giri softens her tone, offers Naji a smile, puts an arm around her, and offers her a sip of tea. "That doesn't mean it's wrong for you to want. The ascetics say that we're supposed to purge ourselves of all desire, but I'd call them fools for rejecting everything of value (and besides, they want to better themselves, but desire is motivation even for the hypocrites!). Look, this will be hard for you, but try to be good to her." She points at Piripiri. "Try to think about what she wants and what will please her. Not as a slave! But as a friend, a confidant, a lover. You might find she wants much of what you want, and besides, people with the dragon's blood are pretty strong to endure the advances of a demonic person such as yourself. If you want her love so badly, show her that you care about her as a person. And perhaps, just perhaps, she will offer you her heart freely. The only way they can be given."

Giri shrugs. "Oh, and take a break for a minute. Drink some tea with me. They're busy yelling about the Rakshasa crashing the big barge and we're going to have at least one hunt on our hands before any of us get home. So, pace yourself a bit."