Page 231 of A Soul to Guide

“And if I said no?” she asked warily, worried about how... callous or selfish his answer may be.

“Take you home, then return to Earth where I could help protect my brothers.”

Her brows furrowed, and she shook her head. “You wouldn’t have stayed here after everything?”

“If I could not have you, then I knew it didn’t matter where I was – I wouldn’t be happy. I would have preferred to attempt to protect my family from Jabez, to join no one’s side but theirs. You showed me what it felt like to not be filled with hate, and I would have preferred to use that gift by being a shield for those who were able to have the love I could not.”

Raewyn only translated the first half of what he said, as the second part made her clog up on her own feelings.

“What he says is true,” Cleth translated.

“Now you’re forgetting to mention that he was technically keeping her captive until he posed all this to her.”

“That doesn’t matter. They are here now.”

Although it was obvious that Merikh’s heart wasn’t pure, his reason for being here was: her.

When both Mericato and Ulair agreed he wouldn’t be a threat to the city, especially learning that their bond had erased his hunger altogether, the weight of the meeting changed.

It became a discussion about where he would live, which was with her. What he would like to do in the city, which was be with her. How he would prefer to dress so they could tailor him clothing, of which he told them to ask her what she’d like him to wear – so long as they made him guards that would protect everyone from his quills.

It became a little comedic towards the end, when he’d answered each question with ‘whatever will make Raewyn happy.’

When she offered for him to make his own choices, he simply stated, “How am I supposed to know what I would like here? I’m still just trying to adjust to how fucking thin the air is up this high. Why do I have to answer all their questions right now?”

Raewyn almost laughed, but she just coughed behind her fist to hide it. She was sure, in time, he would come to learn what he truly desired within the city.

Just as they were ending the meeting, Merikh nudged her. “I want to ask them something.”

With a nod, she requested for them to wait from leaving their seats.

“When I first learned the truth of my connection to Weldir, that I was a servant and a soul ferry for him, I felt betrayed by the parents who had created me. I had already lost my brother and been Jabez’s companion for many years before I was approached by the Witch Owl and learned of it. At the time, I didn’t know telling this to Jabez would be the reason he would turn on me, or that Duskwalkers would later become targeted. I thought he was my friend, and I was venting my frustration because I was angry and didn’t know how to process it. It didn’t help that I lacked the humanity to understand what was truly happening in the world.”

“Are you asking if we will allow them to come here?” Sliveria asked in surprise.

“Yes,” Merikh answered.

“No,” Cleth answered for Mericato. “At least not those who have not bonded with a human and erased their hunger. In your memories, I saw how you were formed. They will not be able to hold back with the blood and fear scents within the city.”

“You act like creatures at first,” Ulair cut in. “As already mentioned, we don’t allow wild beasts in our city.”

“You must also take into consideration that if we bring your kind here, it will weaken Weldir and pose a risk for our people as well,” Teyen added. “We would like to help, we really would, just as we have always wanted to help the humans, but we can’t.”

“We also can’t make a portal to get them,” Raewyn told him, her eyes bowing in sympathy.

What he was asking for was fair and noble, but she couldn’t help agreeing with the other members – at least regarding those who didn’t have a bride.

“The solution would be to find a way to help the Demons or make protection charms that would allow us to take back our world and Earth without fear,” Zerik offered. “It’s what we have been trying to do since their unfortunate arrival.”

Merikh grunted, but blue sparks flashed. His silence was haunting and painful, highlighting just how upset he was.

“I’m sorry, Merikh,” Raewyn said. “I want to help them, especially since Ingram and Aleron were so cute, but there’s little we can do for them, or the humans, right now.”

His huff was the only answer she received on the subject. It was all he could give without revealing the depth of his anger and disappointment.

Merikh finally stood. “Can you make them take these bindings off now?”

Raewyn gave a sad smile, wishing this meeting hadn’t ended on such a terrible note. “Absolutely. I’m excited to show you your new home.”

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