Page 54 of Shattered Soulmates

I can be a merciful leader, so for Snake’s sake, after Marissa has been sedated and the trackers inserted, a backpack is prepared for her, filled with cereal bars, other high-calorie snacks, water, bedding, changes of clothes, and other necessities she’ll need to survive. The prisoners in the wilds are provided with essentials, but to ease Snake’s mind, I give her a head start.

Marissa’s unconscious form is packed into an SUV and stowed in the back seat. Lynsey and Que get in the front and fasten their seatbelts.

“Well, I think we’re done here,” I announce as I tap the hood of the SUV with my knuckles. “Be safe, guys.” I turn to go inside. “Let’s go check on your packmate, Alpha Stone.”

The unease I've been feeling settles on me like a shroud. My dragon paces back and forth in my mind,roaring so ferociously that it rumbles loudly in my chest.

Yes, let’s do it.I’ve been worried about her.My med tech, Rachel, was with her all afternoon. Hopefully, she has an update.

Chapter 25–True Love’s Kiss

Drágon

As we make our way upstairs to the sleeping rooms, my dragon thrashes through my thoughts. He’s prancing and roaring, throwing waves of fire through my veins, pushing me to the point of bursting into flames. I’m sure if you looked into my eyes, they would be molten pools of lava right now. I’ve never experienced this before, and my dragonkin are too far away to be of any help in understanding what’s plaguing me.

Just as we reach the door to Paisley’s sick room, Byte comes stomping up the stairs behind me with a tablet in his hands. “Prez, it’s Lynsey. She says she needs to talk to you.” Lynsey and Que are on their way to Prisoner Island to drop off Marissa Hunt. I take the tablet from him.

“What do you need, little sister?” I address Lynsey.

“Drágon, Que, and I have arrived at the docks. However, Marissa has invoked the ancient tenet of Lost Soul’s Contrition before she’s banished.”

One of the age-old rules of Draconion or Dragon-kind law, known as the Lost Soul’s Contrition, dictates that the one being punished, like Marissa in this case, has the right to express her regret or sorrow for her sins or wrongdoings before punishment is meted out.

“I don’t have time for this,” I growl. But I know that we’re honor-bound to let Marissa express her sorrow. “Who does she wish to speak to?” My dragon’s stomping continues unabated.

“Miles,” Lynsey says flatly.

“What does she seek?”

“A Mercy Binding,” Lynsey sighs.

“Impossible!”

The person to whom the contrition or apology is made has the right to grant a Mercy Binding if they choose. In this case, Miles can show leniency toward Marissa by allowing her a second chance or reducing the penalty by accepting part of the punishment himself. It creates a delicate balance between mercy and justice. However, this is typically applied in cases where the offender’s actions, although morally wrong or illegal,were motivated by altruism or a willingness to risk everything for the sake of others.

This doesn’t apply here. Marissa had no such selfless goals. Instead, she carelessly destroyed families and lives without a second thought. Even now, just asking for this reveals her selfish nature. There would be no justice in affording her this time-honored rite. Nonetheless, it’s within Miles’ power.

And she really believes he will.

“Put her on screen,” I order.

Marissa’s pale face appears. I stare at her, unable to hide my disgust.After all Miles has endured because of her cruelty and infidelity, does she actually think he’d still show her mercy? That he’d take part of her punishment for helping him destroy the only real thing he ever had?

The delusion. Blind, oblivious delusion. It would almost be funny if it weren’t real life. She actually believes this is her happy ending, as if all the pain she’s caused doesn’t matter. Does she think Miles is hers by right, some paused life she can just press play on again when it suits her?

“How dare you even suggest such a thing!” I snarl, and she shrinks back.

My blood curdles as a sudden, sharp scream pierces the air from inside Paisley’s sick room. My head snaps toward the sound. “What’s going on?” I charge through the door, passing the tablet back to Byte without another thought. There,just inside, I see a beautiful unconscious female on the bed, thrashing wildly.

“Save me! Save me!” she cries, her voice filled with panic, her hands outstretched, grasping at nothing. The room echoes with her torment as she begins to convulse. Miles rushes to her and lifts her into his arms. Byte stands to the side, holding the tablet facing outward, and I see Marissa on the screen, her face screwed up in anger, shouting unintelligibly.

My dragon roars when Miles touches Paisley, but I know I need to restrain myself, as it's evident that Paisley’s condition is deteriorating rapidly. It's at this point that everything fades out of my sight, and the vision I had last night surges into my consciousness.

The indigo night sky, the eclipsing purple moon, the colorful display of dragonkin dancing against the expanse of stars in the heavens.

The female, whose hand I kiss, our vow. The other male abandoning his bond with our female. Her devastation, her pleading look to me.

“Save me!” She cries, her voice raw with pain. “Help me!”

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