Chapter 54: An Indefinite Trip
Koda;
"Ah! Since your son cost me twenty men, and an Omega... I can demand a life for a life. I saw a pretty Omega in your yard a few minutes ago... I want him. That’s all I ask."
My mind goes blank as I process his words. Father immediately looks over at me, and even though his expression is blank, I can tell that he’s just as shocked.
There are only two omegas in this entire estate. One is Alana, and the other is... Elián.
"The pitifully tiny boy with red eyes. Give him to me, and I’ll forget this horrible injustice your son has done to my people. The boy can help replenish the population we lost to your son." He continues, and I grit my teeth.
Father is unpredictable. He might agree to this. I can’t...
"That boy is Ashfang’s property. We are not giving him out." Father replies, and I pause.
Father... is protecting Elián? The man I know doesn’t care about anything that’s not family or his people.
For peace, I had expected him to agree and tell us that we could always look for another omega. But he’s...
"You... you won’t give me one scrawny omega?" Balinar replies in mock amusement, and I raise a brow at him.
Why does it seem like he doesn’t actually want Elián and is just trying to... probe? To see how important Elián is here...
"Like I just said. Elián belongs to us. We’re not giving him out." Father replies, and for a second, I swear I see confusion on Balinar’s face.
"Elián?" He repeats like the name is some odd mystery, and I’ve had enough.
"You’re not getting any omega from us," I note, and he eyes me in silence before sighing.
"Fine. I want trade access. As compensation, the people of Elkhorn will be able to move freely in and out of Beastheaven and do business here legally." He demands, and my heart drops to my stomach.
There it is.
His true intention.
The reason he orchestrated this whole thing.
He wants to infiltrate our land... be right under our noses. There’s no way Father will...
"Agreed. But you’ll have to sign a few treaties and trade laws before this becomes legal." Father replies, a nd my eyes grow wide.
He agreed!??
Balinar cocks his head in equal surprise as he stares at Father, and I swear I see the hint of a smirk play on Father’s lips.
What’s... what’s he planning? Does he have a plan??
"You agree??" Balinar questions in unbidden surprise, and Father raises a brow.
"I don’t believe I stuttered, Father replies, and I watch the scene play before me in pure amusement.
"Now, if that’s all, I’ll be taking my leave. See yourself out of my kingdom." Father then speaks as he turns away from Balinar and begins to walk towards the exit.
"When will you..." Balinar begins, but Father cuts him off.
"I’ll send for you when the papers are ready." Father cuts him off, and as Father walks off, I can’t help but feel like he’s up to something.
And there’s also the fact that he protected Elián. Why did he do that?
"You’re bigger than the last time I saw..." Balinar begins, cutting my thoughts shut, and I turn to him in annoyance.
"Get out."
He blinks at me, and I lift my hand, gesturing for him to use the door, and he scoffs before turning his back on me and marching off.
Left in the silence, numerous questions start invading my mind.
Why did Balinar ask for a trading union with us?
Why did he ask about Elián?
Why did Father protect Elián?
Why did Father agree to Balinar’s request?
What are these men up to?
********
Elián;
I sit silently at the dinner table, staring at the juicy piece of roasted meat on my plate.
Although everyone is eating, my stomach is in knots.
Not only can I feel Lioran occasionally staring daggers into my skull, but now, it feels like even Rhydian and Koda are watching me closely. Why?
I look up at Koda, who’s sitting beside me, and sure enough, he’s watching me.
I blink at him, and he forces a smile.
Okay.
That’s it.
Something is going on.
But what??
I look up, and Zethar is eating silently. He hasn’t raised his head once.
Alana and I stayed indoors the entire afternoon, expecting a bloody fight between Zethar and that creepy dude, but nothing happened.
Could that be why Zethar seems so angry?
He isn’t using any cutlery. He’s ravishing the huge price of meat with his hands, and no one is saying anything.
The chair beside him is empty. Zephan isn’t here. Now that I think of it... I think Zephan has been avoiding me. That’s good.
It’s good, isn’t it?
It means he knows what he did was wrong, and he has the courtesy to stay away.
Even though true courtesy would be him apologizing. But I’ll take what I get.
I look away from the empty chair, and my heart skips a beat when I see Rhydian watching me.
Why’s the monster looking at me? What does he want?? Another fight?
I’ll whoop his ass if he tries to be a jerk again!
I give him a stink eye before turning my gaze back to my food and taking another bite of my food. I take some of the salad and as I chew, their Father, who’s been eating like there was no one else at the table with him, finally speaks.
"I have an announcement to make."
I look up at him as I chew, and just then, I feel Koda go tense beside me.
I look up at him and see that he’s gripping his fork rather tightly.
Why the sudden shift?? Is something wrong? Did he bite something in his food?
"Are you okay?" I whisper to him as I stare at his face in worry, and he ggivesme a small smile.
Wait a... Is that a pity look??
Why is he looking at me like he pities me??
I look back up at Rhydian, and just as our eyes meet, he averts his gaze.
My heart starts pounding in my chest as it dawns on me that something is wrong... something is going on... and it has to do with... me.
"Elián," The king calls ,and my eyes dart to him.
"You’ll be going on an indefinite trip to Howleroot with Rhydian tomorrow."
My heart stops working,as the words reach my ear, and suddenly ,everything in my head comes to a screeching stop.
"Huh!?"