Page 119 of The Mentor
“Unless he gets chosen to represent the Northlands like Finn,” Archer said.
I angled my head. “That won’t happen until he’s at least twenty-one. Even then, you’re looking at a minimum of six years of separation. By then she’ll hardly remember him. I mean, she’s so young.”
Archer rubbed his forehead. “Now you have me feeling sorry for him too, but he broke our laws and should be punished.”
I crossed my arms and leaned against the door, whispering. “Don’t tell me you’re seriously going to be that big a hypocrite.”
He groaned.
“How can you judge a scared boy for being in love when he has committed no bigger crime than you have?”
Archer closed his eyes and I knew I had him.
“Fine,” he said. “But you better pray that Solo is a good actor. If he walks out there and tells everyone that he got away without a scratch…” Archer shook his head.
“I don’t believe in lies,” I said. “Why not make him do something more useful with his time than flirting with Willow? Maybe more cleaning chores, or make him tutor the younger students. He’s smart and an excellent fighter.”
“Where’s the punishment in tutoring?” Archer whispered with a frown.
“It’s called giving back to the community, and we’re trying to build his character, not break him. I’m sure you can be creative and think of something nonviolent.”
Archer narrowed his eyes and looked like he was biting his tongue. “Let’s get this over with so we can get back to celebrating our wedding day.”
When we opened the door, Solomon and Willow were still sitting in the chairs. They were leaning their heads together, but flew apart quickly.
“Here’s what’s going to happen,” Archer said. “You, Willow, are going to return to the party with Kya while Solo and I stay and get his punishment over with.”
“Please don’t hurt him,” Willow pleaded.
“Trust me, Solomon will survive the pain. He’s a tough young man, and Kya has argued that most of his punishment will be executed as tutoring and cleaning.”
“What?” Solomon scrunched up his face.
“We’re just making sure you’ll be too busy to fall into temptation again,” Archer said matter-of-factly and nodded for me to get Willow out of the room.
“Why is Solo the only one getting punished?” Willow cried when she and I got outside. “He didn’t do anything wrong.” Her gorgeous green eyes were wet and pleading.
“He’s being held to a different rule set than you, that’s why.”
Her shoulders were hunched.
“Maybe it’s better if you don’t kiss anymore,” I suggested. “You don’t want Solo to get in trouble again, do you?”
She shook her head, but I wondered how long the traumatic events of today would keep them apart. They were young, reckless, and in love. Undoubtedly, one of Mother Nature’s most potent cocktails.
CHAPTER 31
Creativity
Archer
Be creative.Kya’s words were taunting me, because looking at the young man in front of me, I didn’t feel creative at all. If Solomon came out of this room without a scratch it would be like giving a free pass to all the boys. Not to mention that Magni would definitely shit a sheep.
“Wait here,” I ordered, and went to find Shelly cleaning up in the kitchen.
“I need to talk to Shelly alone, you run outside now,” I told Tommy and Nicki, who were helping her.
Shelly met my eyes with a serious expression when I asked her: “If you were to come up with a punishment that would satisfy the Nmen’s need for justice and the Motlanders’ need for nonviolence, then what would you choose?”
