Oddly, Elder Merrick sneezed from my bed after sitting with his drink. Heavily. He shook his head, like he was brushing it off, the motion very wolf like. Rubbed the back of his neck, eyebrows together, his wolf growling quietly. Sneezed again, all of us staring by now…and his head tilted up to the right…sniffed once, and his wolf growled quietly. Navy blue eyes flicked to me, and he jerked his head to the right, rumbling, “Your mate’s here.”
I stared at a spot of thin air as Leric’s voice sounded, his tone irked, “That is so damn bothersome.” Instantly, he materialized, glaring at Elder Merrick. “I even went to the trouble to have alcohol sent to sneak in here.”
Elder Merrick’s lips twitched, and he lifted his beer in silent cheers. “Thank you, and it was a decent attempt.”
I blinked at Leric, trying to draw his attention. “You’re already done?” He didn’t appear to be in a great mood.
His narrowed eyes met mine, and he growled quietly, tiger sounding. “He hadn’t been using his powers recently.” He slashed a hand through the air. “He was a damn bleeder. I couldn’t burn the areas fast enough.”
Oh…he was upset because the torture hadn’t gone on as long as he wished. “It does suck when they bite it too fast.” I pushed my own peace down through our tether, and watched as he sucked in a harsh breath, eyes widening marginally, even as his thrumming frame physically relaxed, shoulders lowering. “Have you eaten yet?”
He exhaled heavily, silver eyes watching me, and he murmured on a soft voice, “That…is pleasant. Thank you.” I dipped my head, and continued an easy dose of peace to him as he stretched his arms over his head, shirt pulling at his large, muscular frame. “Actually, I did eat, but I’ll take one of those drinks.” He grabbed one, and came to stand next to me, resting his hips on the dresser, asking the Elders and Kings who had begun ignoring us, back to their own thoughts. “Which will it be, gentlemen?”
Sin shrugged a shoulder, drinking his own beer from the vanity chair. “Staying.”
Leric murmured, “That was a given.” Eyes back to the Elders and Kings. “Your answers?”
Elder Farrar stated casually, “I’m staying. If spirits haven’t ended us so far, you’re doing something right.” His brows bounced. “Peace at the Temple seems like a priority to all.”
About time someone said that.
“I’m staying,” King Zeller murmured slowly, sipping whiskey from a crystal, again siting on my bed.
“Same here,” Elder Merrick took a swig from his beer, expression calm. “My thoughts are the same as Elder Farrar’s.”
Leric flicked his hand in a wiping motion. “Can you two please get off her bed?”
King Zeller’s eyebrows quirked. “It’s damn comfortable.” A black boot patted my mattress. “And there’s nowhere else to sit.”
Elder Merrick only grunted, relaxing further, even fluffing a pillow behind the small of his back.
Silver eyes found mine, and he stated on a quiet growl, “My bedroom,”
“Is right next door. I remember.”
“—and the walls are thin.” His lips curved in a slow, cunning smile before glancing back out to the group, and I saw King Zeller’s shoulders shaking from the corner of my eye while I glared at Leric, but he ignored my expression, asking, “And the rest of you?”
Eventually, the rest stated they were staying, Elder Samson predictably last, but he was still staying, which I wanted him to. Wanted him to learn more, to learn to trust, and to learn what Elder Farrar had said was correct. Leric nodded, then stated, “I’ll tell you the elite Guardian is now dead who attempted to attack my Chosen. He wasn’t being coerced by anyone. His actions were all his own. He believed as the rioters do, that my Chosen will offset the balance, which she has explained what that is. He was a fanatical, and I’m sure he won’t be the last, so please, stay watchful.” His head dipped to Elder Farrar and Elder Merrick, and he stated calmly, “Thank you for catching him before he could harm her.”
Both nodded easily, the man nod, no words needed.
“And with that, I’ll leave you, unless you have any direct questions for me?”
My brows slammed together, the peace I had been sending him abruptly shutting down. “Where are you going?” He couldn’t be tired.
White brows lifted slowly. “I’m going to discuss with Roselle what actions we could take to make our people more inclined to you.” He tilted his head to the others. “I thought you would have your hands full, so I was going to handle this alone.”
“Right.” I tucked a hair behind my ear, brows still together, not liking this bond…jealousy…that had flared within me…a tiny thought that he might be going to see Lissa. “That sounds like a valid plan, since I’ve got more to speak on here.”
He hummed quietly, eyeing me through shaded lids, then peered back out to the group. “Any questions you need me to answer?”
When they shook their heads, Sin lifted his drink. “Actually, I have a question about the woman Caro was speaking with at the meeting.” A motion for him to proceed, and Sin asked, “I’d like to know her name and if she’s single?”
I blinked slowly, not really surprised.
Leric’s head cocked. “Are you working an angle?”
Sin’s lips curved, murmuring, “There are always many angles to work.”
