Jafar materialized in Regina's sitting room with a puff of purple smoke. He nodded gratefully at Regina. "Thank you for summoning me. It can get quite uncomfortable in that tiny bottle."
She didn't care for his pleasantries or complaints. "Why should I believe you?"
He smiled and clasped his hands together. "I'm sorry?"
"How do I know you're not just trying to get something out of me by convincing me that I can change the laws of magic?"
"Command me to tell you the truth. I cannot disobey my master."
Regina crossed her arms. "Tell me the truth, then. Can I change the laws of magic?"
"Yes, but not alone."
Her eyebrows quirked in question.
"It takes two sorcerers to cast the spell in the book, and they will both acquire the power to break the laws of magic."
Regina frowned. "Now that's a problem." Unlimited magic in the hands of Rumplestiltskin? Forget it. And Emma…she didn't need it either.
"If I may make a suggestion?"
"Go on."
"As I have said, I also was a sorcerer before I was condemned to this life of servitude. If freed from my prison, I could be the other to cast the spell."
"And why should I trust you?" If it was one thing Regina had learned, it was not to give anyone the benefit of the doubt.
"Because after it is done, I will go back to Agrabah and never trouble you again." His smile curled maliciously. "My quarrel is not with you, but with others. Together, though, I think we can both get what we want."
Regina mused over his offer. He was no doubt in this purely for his own means, but like he said, maybe by working together, they each could accomplish their own goals. She would keep a close eye on him. Besides, how could he harm her as a genie?
"Can I wish you free?"
"No." He shook his head. "It doesn't work like that. I accidentally stole water from a well, and the well's guardian punished me like this." He gestured to the golden cuffs on his wrists. "The only way I can be free is if I return the water."
"And where is this water?"
"On the ground near the well. I hope," he added underneath his breath, clenching his hands into fists.
Regina sighed. "In Agrabah?"
"Wonderland."
She settled her hand on her hip. "And you expect me to trust you after you're no longer under my command?"
He raised his eyebrows and shrugged his shoulders. "I suppose if you want to cast the spell, you'll have no choice."
She would have to think of a way around that one.
Jafar leaned forward. "Why haven't you wished for the spell?"
Regina stiffened. Henry's face came to mind, but she wasn't about to reveal her one and only weakness to this genie. "Because I don't want to yet. It's none of your business."
Jafar bowed his head in submission. "Very well."