Filed To Story: Traded To The Lycan King Novel (Colette & Merikh) by MG Wattsons
“Not all Fae, but I can, yes.” He says, ” pauses, looking at Merikh.
you wanted to show me the way, I would not be opposed. But…” He “You wish for me to keep my distance?” Merikh asks as Elm frowns. “As you know, I will not leave her unattended since our Gamma was brutally attacked on property.”
“Ah, yes.” He nods. “I suppose you will want to keep her within arm’s reach at all times. I can understand that.”
“Shall we?” I offer and he sighs before nodding and motioning for me to show him the way.
The moment we hit the garden, I can sense his tension leaving his body. He smiles and reaches out, touching the green hedges and looking around at the stunning flowers and bright green leaves. “This way,” I tell him, turning down a path to the left and he follows along, Merikh at a distance behind us.
“You can be frank.” He tells me, “No need to keep up pretenses.”
I laugh lightly and shake my head.
“I truly have no ulterior motives, Elm.”
“You aren’t going to try to sway my vote or get me to trust you?” he asks, his eyes narrowed like I am lying. I once again laugh, this time a little harder.
“I am hardly one to ask for trust when I can’t trust a damn soul here, other than my own kind, that is.” I smile at I him and he seems to think about what I am saying. “And as for swaying your vote…what good is trying to change one vote in the face of what, nine, no’s?”
“I think you could sway a few others,” he says, chuckling. “Let’s not pretend you aren’t here to show a softer side to your off putting mate.”
I glance over my shoulder, looking at the massive form that is Merikh, and bite back a smile. He definitely doesn’t scream ‘let’s be friends’ to someone who doesn’t know him. But underneath, though, he screws up regularly and has trust issues…he’s pretty amazing.
I
“Truthfully, I didn’t even know there were other species until very recently. I want to know you all, understand you and your stance on why my kind should be subject to being the toy of council members when they get bored.”
“Oh come now, no one here is like that.”
“No? Not Johannes?” I ask. “Because from what I can tell, what he did is far worse than what our kind did, only difference is you all made it legal to prey on us but not allow us to protect ourselves.”
“I play no part in keeping your species out. I abstain from voting now. Even if I don’t like your kind, I believe we are all stringer together.” He rushes out and I shrug.
“Elm, I am here to show you a tree that needs your touch.” I smile. “We do not have to discuss these things.”
“Then what would you rather discuss?” he asks, and I grin.
“Well…tell me more about the fae. What are you all like? Do you all have such a way with nature like you?”
“Have you learned about any of the others yet?” He asks amused. I shrug.
“I know a little about the Sirens, and I’ve experienced some magic, not quite sure at whose hands it was.” I shrug. He frowns.
“Someone used magic on you?” he asks, sounding disappointed.
“Unfortunately, not many people like my mate. Not that I can’t, at times, understand the sentiment.” I watch as Merikh’s head snaps up, his eyes meeting mine with a glare and I send him a pretty little smile and a tiny hand wave. Just so he knows, I’m thinking about him..
“What kind of magic, do you know?” He asks and I shrug.
“Merikh called it dream weavers.”
“Nasty stuff.” He mumbles. Then he looks around and leans in. “I have an herbal remedy that can erase the things they have done. I will have it sent to your room.”
“You really don’t have to do that,” I say, shocked, and he smiles genuinely.
“I can tell you are a decent person.” He says, pointing over my shoulder. “Butterflies like sweetness, and they seem to follow you.”
I can’t help the blush that creeps up my cheek, and he rubs the back of his head.
“My queen would truly enjoy your presence. You are wise, playing this old man like a fiddle, but in a way that I can tell you mean no harm.”
“Could she not make it?” I ask, feeling disappointed as well that I don’t get to at least meet a female fae.
“Not this time.” he smiles, but it doesn’t reach his eyes this time. Instead, he looks disappointed and I get the feeling not everything is sorted in his love life.
*Merikh’
Colette laughs with her father as I sit in the far corner, watching as she wipes water from her blouse. She looks so happy and at ease as she manipulates the water, trying to get it to shake, rather than splash. Caspian Was thrilled when we arrived, his hands shaky as he tried to tamp down his smile, but it’s glaringly obvious he is excited.
If I didn’t know that they were related, I would almost be jealous. Okay, that’s a lie. I am jealous, but not of the relationship they are building. She looks at him with wonder and relief. It’s like knowing a part of what she is, where she comes from, has brought to life a side of her I may never get to experience. All I get are side ways glances and the occasional scowl.
I mean, sure, when we are around the others I get to sneak little moments and convince myself she feels the same pull I do. It’s damn hard holding her hand or kissing her shoulder knowing that to her it’s an act. For me, it’s a taste of what I screwed myself out of. Like an addict carrying in drug of choice in his pocket with never really being able to consume it.
It makes me itchy and irritable to be away from her emotionally. That barrier she keeps up. The damn thing slides into place the second our bedroom door closes. It goes from equator hot to arctic icy. And it’s not like I know how to fix it. Apologizing is all I can do and swear I will never do it again, and that I have no more secrets, but what good is a promise if the person making it has proven they can’t keep them?