Chapter 10

CHAPTER 10

" T hey have to listen to reason," I say.

"One would think so. I think this angle should hold weight," Tabitha replies.

"It better. I don't want to contemplate the alternative." Suddenly, I look up and notice the failing light. "The hour has gotten away from us. The elders require my presence in the chamber at sundown."

Tabitha looks up at the sky, frowning. "Then you had better hurry—it won't do to be late. They may take that as an insult, which could seal your woman's fate before you even have a chance to plead her case. Leave Alexandra in my care. I will get her situated and then follow you to add the weight of my voice to your position."

"Very well. Please give her my love and explain to her that I had to make haste."

"Of course, and I will follow soon after. Now go. Hurry, before it's too late."

The idea of leaving Alexandra alone with Tabitha, whom she only just met, pains me, but I cannot risk the consequences if I remain even a second longer.

As Tabitha goes back inside her cottage, I set off at a dead run through the woods and up the hill into the village.The fearsome specter of failure and defeat already looms over me. What if I cannot get them to see reason? Will I have to kill her? I realize I cannot. Perhaps they will somehow allow her to leave our village unharmed if she promises not to speak? No, I already know that would never happen.

I run right through the central town square as the residents go about their chores and errands. But all eyes are on me after I yell for them to make a path as I finally mount the marble stairs of the central hall. I can almost hear the bells of doom ringing out for me. And for my love—my mate.

As I enter the large, ornately decorated hall, I see Troth, as well as Sammy, Kaldor, and Thorne. All those who were present when Tabitha cast her spell are present to support me. And all of them, including Troth, who is always the pinnacle of calm, look a bit nervous. I realize what happens to me tonight has a bearing on us all, and they know it. If I, or any of us, have a chance for a mate, I must stand my ground."Red!" I hear my name shouted over the din from the large imposing podium at the back of the room, where the twelve village elders sit wearing formal silver robes.

"Red!" I hear the voice again as I push my way through the crowd. I've never seen so many attend a trial like this.

"I am here," I call out over the others, and a hush falls over the room. The eldest of the twelve, Dartor, a silver-haired elf, his face more ancient than the village itself, steps forward to greet me in the custom of our town when one is on trial. I realize that is in fact what this is. A trial of sorts. I have seen this done before but have never been the recipient.

"Red, troll of the third generation and a prince of the house of Relgor. Do you know why we summoned you this evening?"

"Yes." I nod; I know they want more. "I have brought a human female, a woman, into our village without the permission or knowledge of either the Council of Elders or the Common Council. I take full responsibility for the consequences, but I must assure you all that she will cause no harm to us, nor will she expose our home or way of life. I give you all my word as a troll, a prince, and a respected member of this town."

"How can you be sure?"someone yells from the crowd.

"She can destroy all we have built with one of her pictures or by spreading word of our village! We have remained hidden for far too long to jeopardize everything now!" another voice chimes in.

"She must be killed! You must honor the old ways!" More voices join the call for murder until Dartor uses his booming voice and heavy gavel to bring the room to silence once more.

"Red, you hear the village speak. There is grave concern about what you have done. I speak for the council, and we agree. The human must die."

"You don't understand!" I bellow with all my troll power. "She is my mate!" The feeling of desperation grips me—I cannot live without Alex, much less end her life. I must save her at all costs. "I will give myself up in her stead if that is what you want! If you need blood, then take mine!"

"Your mate, you say?" Dartor asks.

"Yes! And I will sacrifice myself to save her. It isn't her fault that she is here. I brought her into the village, and I love her. Please, if you will not let her stay, then let me take her back home. And she has no pocket devices. No cell phone or camera. Tabitha can wipe her memory so she will remember nothing… But also, there is another aspect to this… with Tabitha… we…"

"Silence!" Dartor calls out. "We have heard enough." With that, the council devolves into murmured whispers amongst themselves. The rest of those gathered go silent. Everyone waits with bated breath to see what judgement they will meet out.

It feels like forever before Dartor stands up to speak the council's decision.

No sooner does he clear his throat than he is interrupted.

"Wait!" a booming female voice echoes through the entire chamber, reverberating through the walls. Tiny Tabitha appears next to me in her flaming glory.I am relieved she has finally arrived but a bit perplexed at the urgent tone in her voice.

Her bright green eyes lock on me, and she speaks, her voice booming again as if coming from the likes of Troth. "Before you render a decision, allow me, as a witch, a seer, and a member of the Common Council to speak on behalf of all unmated males here in this village."

Dartor nods and waves his hand in permission.

"Yes, it is true—Red's actions are in violation of our ways, but he did not act alone. Not really." A bit of a gasp echoes through the chamber. "Our village is in need of new blood!" Tabitha yells. "Who among you hasn't seen our males walking the streets in search of mates we all know they will never find here?"

"But there is exchange among clans and towns!" Dartor exclaims.

"Yes, but you know very well there is truth in my words," she continues. "A few days ago, I did a ceremony with some of our males. I invited in mates. I called upon fate itself to bring them the love they have yearned for."

More murmurs among the council.

"And fate has answered. This human was invited. And she has come. Maybe not in a way many would understand, but invited, nonetheless. She is not some dangerous cryptid hunter. No. She is Red's fated mate. And I would argue that far from being killed, she should instead be wed to the fine troll we know as Red, prince of the House of Relgor."

"But she is human!" a voice yells.

"Silence!" another of the elders calls out.

Again, they retreat into whispers, until finally, Dartor speaks, his eyes scanning the crowd. "Where is this human, that she might speak for herself?"

"She's gone, driven out by your arcane and outdated laws." Tabitha turns to me as she pronounces this bad news. Then, in a lower voice, she tells me, "She left you a note."

I take it with trembling hands.

Dear Red,

I have never felt so alive, so safe, and so at home as I have here with you. You are the most beautiful troll I have ever had the pleasure to, well… pleasure. But I know how this story must end. It's no different than all the other stories I have been through. But I will also save you from doing what I know you would never want to do. I must leave you and your village. I guess it just wasn't meant to be. I will love you with all my heart to the day I die.I hope you understand.

Alex

I am instantly full of an almost blind panic. But I know I cannot just run after her. To leave the elders without being dismissed would be unforgivable. With all my will, I stand my ground, waiting to hear their sentence.

They are whispering again.

I must go to her, though. I have to find her; she will die in these woods, either by cold, hunger, or something worse.

The seconds tick by like hours, it seems, but in reality, I know it is less than a minute.

"We have decided," Dartor finally says. "You speak reason. Both of you. Perhaps it is time for us to reconsider some of our old ways." Hope rises in my chest. "You say she is your mate?"

"Yes. I know it! I feel it!"

"Very well, then you must find her and claim her as such according to the old ways. If you do this, you will both be free to live as all the magical and mythical of our village, given all rights and freedoms."

I wait to hear the rest.

"And considering the information provided by Tabitha, we have decided that in this case, and in this case alone, a deep memory wipe may be sufficient for this human should she choose not to be your mate. This is only because of the circumstances with the spellwork and your testimony in this matter, Tabitha."

Thank the Gods. At least she won't have to die. But still, if I lose her, I fear I may die.

"Go," Tabitha says. "Find your mate, before she is gone forever."

After a quick bow and thank you, I am speeding toward the exit.

I must find her.

I thank the Gods we were given this chance.