Filed To Story: Traded To The Lycan King Novel (Colette & Merikh) by MG Wattsons
-We need to devise a punishment for Elm.- He says, bringing me back to the issue at hand.
“I need you to elaborate on why you don’t know.” I say to Elm, who looks up at me with his remorseful eyes.
“I don’t recall being in the woods, or even seeing him around. I remember waking up in pain and using the earth’s energy to heal my wounds. Truthfully, I had no idea what I could have possibly done for it to happen.”
I furrow my brows looking at my father, who seems to be in deep thought.
“I thought we couldn’t use our powers before the attack happened…” Johannes adds in thought, his own interest clearly rising as we all discuss this openly.
“Is it possible he was controlled?” I ask, looking up at Merikh. “Like the red-eyed wolves?”
“Red eyed wolves?” Johannes mutters to himself in question.
“Yes, if the magic barrier were down.” Merikh offers, ignoring Johannes, “But it was supposed to be up at that time. It should have only come down in order to help Percy heal, as his healing was affected.” “So someone was able to topple it. Make me beat your gamma and then put it back up?” Elm asks.
“Seems that way,” Caspian mumbles. “So it is not entirely your fault, Elm.”
“How it happened is no matter to me,” Elm says, bowing his head again. “I wish to atone for my hand in it all.”
I sigh, tilting my head as I look at him. “Elm, if you were coerced in any way, it is hardly yo fault.”
“Not to mention hurting him isn’t what is illegal.” Johannes adds.
“It is when they are re here and when they are protected under my watch.”
spian bites o Johannes puts his hands up in defeat, pacing over to the window that overlooks the garden.
“Have your workers here noticed anything?” Merikh asks Caspian who rubs his temples, looking tired.
“No.”
I keep my focus on Elm, watching him as he doesn’t move a muscle waiting for his punishment while the other three discuss and try to get a better understanding of things. Elm doesn’t recall it, so punishing him feels wrong.
-He could be faking it-Merikh says in my head and I turn, looking up at him. He gives me a tight smile, showing me he is just trying to help me understand the situation better, but I don’t respond.
“I want you to vote for us to join the council.” I say, making the room fall silent. Johannes scoffs and I feel a trickle of pride filter from Merikh. “That is the punishment I chose for you.”
Elm looks up at me, confused. His mouth falls open to speak, but he tilts his head and frowns. Then he sits back on his knees and watches me closely.
“You don’t want to beat me or my mate?” he asks like either would have ever been an option.
“Of course not. Your mate is more innocent than you in the matter, and I am convinced you are equally not at fault.” I tell him.
“I’m confused.” Johannes snorts. “You are just going to…blackmail him into voting you back onto the council. That is not how this shit works. There is a process and-“
“I accept.” Elm says gratefully. “I accept and I attest to the fact that I would have voted for you before you asked this of me.”
“Johannes,” Merikh says his name and the vampire hisses at him, as he turns to look at him. “Who was he speaking to about it?”
“I was talking to Florence.” Elm says. “She told me I should not come forward, that it would be bad for my family, but when Johannes told me he knew, he swore he would blackmail me into voting against you.”
I glare at Johannes, who shrugs. “I do not think your kind belongs here.”
“That is not up to you,” Caspian says.
“They should be eradicated.” He bites out. “Down in the dirt beneath my feet, where they belong.”
“Leave my presence,” Caspian says, bolting up. “I am sick and tired of your blatant hatred. You caused your own downfall, and the death of the woman you pretend you didn’t want.”
Johannes slinks out of the room without so much of a look back at us, and Caspian pinches his brow.
“He is not the only one speaking of eradicating your kind,” Elm tells us. “There are also rumors of a hybrid amongst the council members.”
Elm glances around the room and then rubs the back of his neck. He meets my gaze and then his eyes skirt over to Caspian..
“You know,” I whisper. He nods.
“I knew during our f real talk.” He agrees. “Being a fae, I can feel other elements. Earth is my specialty, but I can sense the water in you. It’s in your veins, melded into your soul.”
Have you told anyone else?” Merikh asks, his protective nature coming on strong as his voice sounds like a threat rather than a gentle question.
“No.” He says simply. “I voted against no hybrids. To my kind, a mate, a true mate, is a gift that is rare. So if she was created from a union that was divinely given, she is supposed to be here.” “And the others?” I ask, swallowing the lump in my throat.
“They do not think like I do.” His lips tilt down. “The very existence of a hybrid sets them on edge. The thought that someone could be more powerful is the only thing many of them fear.”