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.

a minute. "If Giselle lives, she will always be a threat. She will always come after Colette,

her ashes and

after a minute, a sharp jab hits my ribcage and I hiss, rubbing my

ask him. "She is impervious to heat, so she

heat." Ezrah says,

eyebrows rise in alarm. Every time I have been around Giselle, the air is hotter than the last. She seems 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

think she will evolve-is that even the

the heat consumes them. It 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 that correct Caspian?" Merikh asks, looking to my father for

That is correct." He responds, standing 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

emotions run high gets unbearably hot. She must have been absorbing the dragon's heat when their emotions make them grow warmer.

beginning to spring to life in my chest as I bite my lip, gnawing on it as I process all the information and Merikh's idea. It might actually work, forcing her to end herself so we can

don't understand while I stand from my seat and move closer to Merikh. His hand slips into mine, our fingers

long shot, but if we can't kill her, the best we can do is make sure she can't come back again." He

me out, and I don't think it was entirely intentional. I think she expedited the war because she

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 plan

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

plan more than just ceasing a hopeful opportunity." He says grimly, his eyes settling on me. "You are not strong enough to take her on, even

lips as Merikh gives my hand a gentle squeeze in

to keep safely away from others,” I shrug. "Only the siren king will know, passing it down from king to king to guard and protect it. We will have the time to figure out the details after we have her

to burn