Traded To The Lycan King

Silence falls over us as we wait anxiously for Merikh to explain what he means. It is clear as day to me he is still feeling awful, but he puts on a brave face, like always. I watch my mother as she gives him an encouraging nod before he racks his hands through his hair.

"Giselle is a phoenix. As far as we know, the only one of her kind, yet none of us know how to kill a phoenix. Either they aren't as invincible as we think or they have chosen to keep themselves hidden from her,” he says, clearing his throat.

I have to bite back a smile at how cute he is giving his little speech as if he had rehearsed it all week. But then again, maybe he had. It is not like I have been entirely present when I am with him.

It's not from lack of love or wanting to be near him, though. The water is exhausting, beautiful, but draining in every way. But by the time I crawl into bed, I am too tired to even want to change into something for bed.

He meets my gaze, dragging me back to the point at hand. Giselle, how to get rid of the roach that seems to never die? But I find it so hard to focus when he is near, and I am energized enough to stay awake.

I don't want to discuss death and war. I just want to snuggle into his arms and laugh about our past and think about our future.

“Colette?" I hear my name whispered to my right.

"Yes?" I squeak out.

"Are you okay?” My mother asks, her eyes on me and a frown tugging at her lips.

"It's just been a long day." I give her a tight-lipped smile, looking around at everyone else. "Sorry, I will focus."

"This entire time we have sat and assumed that Colette is the only one who can kill Giselle. What if it's not about killing Giselle, but rather incapacitating her?" Merikh asks.

My dad frowns, his lips pressed tight together as he processes what Merikh is saying. I must admit, the idea of not needing to be the savior of all our species and our allies is appealing. There are many things I wanted in life, goals and aspirations, but being a hero was never one. And still isn't.

do you mean?" Caspian asks after a minute. "If Giselle lives, she will always be a threat. She will always

and store her in the ocean."

they are in a stupor, trying to wake themselves up. My mom watches us and after a minute, a sharp jab hits my ribcage and I hiss, rubbing my

do we gather her ashes?" I ask him. "She

they become heat." Ezrah says, speaking for the

to be in a rush, forcing things to move faster, as if she won't be around to spur things on. Phoenix's are known for rising from the ashes. They burn up in a heat so intense even a

that even the right word?" I

is their only downfall, at least that I know of, which, admittedly, is limited." Ezrah says. "Ash form is where they are most vulnerable. Is

and pacing the length of the deck in thought. "How do you suppose we get her to go up in flames? It could take years for her to reach that heat on her

is close." I murmur. “Everything around her when her anger rises or her emotions run high gets unbearably hot. She must have been absorbing the dragon's heat when their

process all the

and Caspian argue quietly to each other in some other language I don't understand while I stand from my seat and move closer to Merikh. His hand

a long shot, but if we can't kill her, the best we can do is make sure she

is close to the next stage. Giselle was suffocating in the room, nearly drying me out, and I don't think it was entirely intentional. I

it is also her downfall in this sense. That is the problem with chaos. There is never a plan and thus things eventually break down and crumble away." Ezrah says. "The very fact there is a

mouth shut and looks away, his jaw clenched tight before he turns his angry gaze on Merikh. "How exactly do you expect to store said ashes?" Zale says, finally breaking out of the conversation with Caspian. "You have a plan, fine. But what about where it will go? Who will know about it and what it is? There are many factors that need to be considered in

need to plan more than just ceasing a hopeful opportunity." He says grimly, his eyes settling on me. "You are not

my lips as Merikh gives my

relics or things you wish to keep safely away from others,” I shrug. "Only the siren king will

her to burn up,"