Barre
My neck is tense from how hard my jaw is locked in place. I stare down at the purpose for my life as she sits with the other human women. The Empress puts a gentle hand on Elodie's shoulder, smiling sweetly while she talks.
"I've told Penelope all about you. She was happy to come." The smaller human nods, looking shy but opening her mouth to speak anyway.
"Yeah. I knew I couldn't stand by and let another girl go through anything we did." The female named Penelope's voice is so small that I can barely hear her. The female looks like she's about to fall apart.
Her mate stands beside me, he holds their offspring in his arms, bouncing the kit lightly as he glares at the scene before us. Fray is on my other side, also watching his mate wordlessly.
"I didn't want to come, but now that we are here, there is clearly an issue." The kit holding male says to me, not looking away from his female.
I nod once, my fists clenching as I fight the urge to demand that Elodie let me kill Locanas.
"As much as I agree that letting a female decide what is to be done with a male who has attacked them, my Elodie is not in any shape to be making such a decision." I murmur, my prospective mate oblivious to our conversation. "I want to kill him."
The little kit babbles nonsensical words as he grabs at his Pa's hand.
"I understand. If it was my mate, I would have a difficult time restraining myself. How are you not killing him now?"
"I don't really know, myself. Ending him is all I can think about."
The male named Elik simply nods.
"You are a male worthy of her then. I know what everyone says about you, but as far as I'm concerned rumors are useless and damaging." Elik says, and his words resonate with me.
Many believe that I am a blood thirsty beast. A heathen god. I respect this male for not believing what others love to spread.
I stand up straighter, a new confidence settling in me.
"You are lucky to have a kit. It must be wonderful to be a Pa." I say, and he nods, a smile finally gracing his face as he looks down at his son.
"I am. It is the best feeling. He needs me, as does his Mama. Being needed, relied on, it is the only thing I want. You have a great future to look forward to."
One look at Elodie, and it's easy to believe him. She is my future. I can take on anything if she is at my side.
She catches me staring, and meets my eyes before smiling. She does a little wave my way before going back to the conversation around her.
"I think there might be some redemption for Locanas, if you so choose." The Empress admits, and even if she is a female I want to yell at her.
Everyone is allowed to make mistakes, but the ones Locanas made are not easily erased. No one can expect such mercy if they attempt what he did.
"No. I can guarantee no girls will feel safe if they hear what he did and know that he lives freely in the palace. Aren't we trying to make this place safe?" Little Penelope says, her voice gaining in confidence and volume.
The Empress nods, and Elodie chews on the inside of her cheek.
"She's right. That stupid bastard can't just do that and expect a mate to fall in his lap! If anyone knew he was a rapist, they would ditch his ass." Soleil interjects, arms folded over her chest as she grouches.
I have to agree with Elodie's friend. She makes sense.
"Yes, but if we are not a government of mercy, what does that say? We have to look at this from all angles." The Empress says. I roll my eyes silently.
Even if I disagree with her, she already makes a good leader. She is not blood thirsty and hungry to show her power.
"I'm not saying we just let Locanas go, but killing him? That seems a little rash. He needs to be punished harshly, of course, but death? I don't know."
To my shock, Elodie and Penelope nod. These humans are too squeamish. I have no problem with sentencing death. It is what I'm most accustomed to.
"Let's take a break, and get something to eat. I love ordering food, being pregnant allows me to be as lazy as I want." The Empress says suddenly, winking at Elodie before beckoning a guard over.
"If it were up to me, El, Locanas would be 6 feet under." Soleil remarks. I have no idea what that means.
My female laughs, but doesn't look pleased in the least.
"Thanks."
She stands, quickly making her way to me. She silently folds her arms around me, laying her orange head on my chest. I'm speechless.
I embrace her, not ready for the words she shares with me.
"I don't want you to kill him." She murmurs, and just as my body had relaxed, it tenses again. I lean back slightly, staring down at her.
Her face is set firmly, like she's completely sure of her decision. I'm still not convinced.
"You don't have to make a decision yet. You have more time to think it over, Tiny." I rub her arm to comfort her, as I glance from Fray to Elik. Both have troubled expressions. I take a deep breath. I suppose frustration is a part of having a female in your life. I will have to get used to this life if I am to take care of Elodie.
"But, don't you think he deserves some mercy? I don't know him well, but he's a person. I don't know. This is so stressful." Her eyes blur with tears, she tries to hide them in shame.
My jaw tightens as the muscle works, I despise seeing what this decision is doing to her. She is a young female, she does not have the capacity and training of laws and justice. She is massively intelligent and capable, as I've learned from being around her, but she should not be expected to decide something like this. Especially after what she has been through these past few days.
"My love, don't stress yourself right now. It hurts to see you faced with such a decision. Take your time."
"If I may.." I turn towards the voice, seeing the Empress and the other female, Penelope. They look at Elodie, small smiles on each of their faces.
"It may help if you were to... talk with Locanas. You can understand him now with your translator. Meeting him in his prison, safely behind bars, might help you make a decision. I'm sure you're very anxious to go home with your new mate."
The mention of the word mate does nothing to touch the anger I feel at the proposal. Elodie? Talking to Locanas? Unthinkable. The bastard does not deserve her company, and she doesn't need to look at him.
I open my mouth to tell them it's impossible, but Elodie speaks first.
"I like that idea. When?" I'm speechless at her agreement. I hold her a little tighter.
"Tomorrow would work best. You need to rest. I think this meeting has stressed you enough." The Empress takes Elodies hands in hers. "I know you will make a good decision, whatever it may be. We will be there with you every step of the way."
My little human smiles, but it doesn't quite reach her tired eyes.
Penelope suddenly moves to her mate, taking her kit from his arms and nestling his cheek with her nose. The offspring squeals with joy. Elik pulls his mate into his arms, smiling down at his family.
A path resounds deep in my chest as I glance back at Elodie. It seems as if our future is bright, but the fear of losing it is strong. I need to protect her from everything.
"I am taking my mate to our room. We will discuss this later."