Page 222 of A Soul to Guide

Raewyn wished such a special moment wasn’t being witnessed, but she was thankful none of them could understand what they were saying or the tender words coming from him.

“I have been waiting for over three hundred years for you.”Merikh licked across her cheek to erase the stain of her tears.“If you truly meant what you said, if you have really found it within your heart to love me, I won’t allow anyone to take you away from me.”

A strange hiccup, like a giggle and a sob catching at the same time, broke from her.

Even though this wasn’t the time nor place, he wasn’t going to let her up until she gave in. Not that it was a particularly hard decision – she’d already made up her mind before coming here. She just hadn’t known what it truly was or how permanent it would be.

“How do I do it? How do I give you my soul?”

“I don’t know,”he answered truthfully.“Just will it or... Nevermind.”

A chomp of fangs clipped right above her before he thickly swallowed.

Wait, that’s it? I didn’t even see it!Then again, why would she see her soul when it technically wasn’t magic? It was essence, something beyond recognition.

“Am I supposed to feel anything different?” she asked, patting at her chest.

“I’m not sure, but my hunger is gone. The scent of fear is no longer bothering me.”His muscles tensed, as if he’d winced. “However, it’s so hot, it feels like it’s going to burn me from the inside out. Was it meant to be blue?”

How was she supposed to know? Blue flames tended to be hotter than most others, though.

Raewyn waited, but even as time passed, he didn’t free her. “Merikh, can you let me up now?”

He grunted.“I don’t want to. I want to stay here, where I can hold you and protect you.”

She wanted to laugh, realising he could be possessive when he wanted to be. She didn’t, though. “We can’t do that.”

He did eventually pull back to remove his weight from her.“I know. I can see the worry on their faces. The bearded one waving his hands will not wait much longer.”

Once she was free, Raewyn sat up. She also reached for his hand, subconsciously knowing it would be there waiting for her.

Her cheeks heated when she stood, like she’d been caught doing something she wasn’t supposed to now that her attention was split from Merikh. She turned to him.

“I’ll translate for you, okay? You’ll need to follow whatever orders the lead guard tells you. I will have very little sway in this discussion.”

“I thought you were some important person in this realm.”

Raewyn nibbled her bottom lip, feeling a little shy. “I am, but there are seventeen other councilmembers. Mericato is the head of the safety department. He was born without the ability to speak, so he will have a translator speak on his behalf. Not even the guard commander can overrule him.”

He’d changed his form back to the more humanoid version she was used to, and his voice was normal as he stated, “As long as I will not be separated from you, I will do as they ask.”

Still holding his hand, she stepped in a random direction. She redirected when she heard movement coming from the left.

“Raewyn,” Cykran shouted in relief.

He must have come forward too fast, because Merikh wrapped his arm around her midsection, pulled her back flush against his torso, and bit out a malicious snarl. Raewyn shot her hands into the air just in case his quills had lifted.

“I told you to stand back,” Mericato’s translator said.

“Everything’s fine. He’s just a little agitated. I would be too if I had weapons pointing at me.” Raewyn sighed, and it only took a small push to free herself once his arm had loosened. “Merikh is seeking sanctuary within Lezekos, Mericato. He will do what is asked of him, and I promise he will not cause anyone harm.”

“How can we trust his word after what has happened today? We spent hours chasing him.”

Raewyn’s features morphed into a scowl. “Did he hurt anyone? He knew attacking would only reflect terribly in his favour, so he fled out of fear.”

She doubted it was fear, but she figured that was the safest bet to win Mericato’s stoney heart over. He was silent as he thought on his options.

“Please don’t judge him on his outward appearance,” Raewyn added. “We have made contact with many people who are different from us. Don’t allow us to reflect badly on this day in the future. He may look a little scary, but his heart can be gentle if given the chance.”

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