Time for Change

Tyler gets back to his room and finds Shelby awake and watching the door nervously. She had been alone since Treren had to go to the meeting with him. Tyler has food sent to his room so that they both can eat. During all of this Shelby never takes her eyes off of him, just like every other time he's been around.

"I'm not going to hurt you," Tyler says finally getting frustrated at her looks of distrust.

Shelby doesn't say anything and just continues to watch him. It truly does remind him of a mouse waiting for a cat to pounce. He doesn't like the comparison, even if it is more than a little accurate. He keeps his distance to try to help her relax, but she doesn't.

The food comes and Tyler invites her to come into the other room to eat. Shelby looks at him and his extended hand then back to his face. She doesn't move. "I know you must be starving by now. You hadn't eaten much before and that was hours ago and what you did eat most of it came back up. You need to eat."

Still Shelby didn't move. In exasperation Tyler goes over to the bed and she shrinks back from him before forcing herself to hold still. Tyler stops, freezing on the spot. "I'm not going to hurt you, Shelby. Please, join me for some food. After you eat we need to talk and then I'll take you to your home." He hopes that will make it so she will stop looking at him like she was waiting for him to hit her.

"Why won't you leave me alone?" Shelby cries even as she rolls to the other side of the bed.

Tyler doesn't like that she's crying because of him. He doesn't understand this, he's made many females, both human and elven, cry and it's never bothered him before. Then again he's never had one that suffered the type of abuse Shelby did come into his notice before either. Being nice isn't something he's used to especially when it comes to humans. Broken humans like Shelby aren't something he's ever had to deal with before.

Tyler tries hard to contain his anger and impatience, he needs her help too much to let those emotions free rein like he usually does.

"The stones that you brought back to me? We call them augury stones. They foretell the future. Part of that foretelling is the person that finds the stones and the shape of the stones when they are found. You found the stones, you are a necessary part of the future. The shape of the stones was that of a bridge, they've also been known to come in the shape of a crossroad. The fact that they are a bridge means that you are necessary for us to cross from how we are to how we need to become to survive. There is no one else that can do that. Why you are able to do that and no one else is, I don't know. Shelby that is the truth. You are the only chance my people have. I need your help and I have to convince my councilors that we need your help. I've talked to them and they have agreed to reverse the law about humans not being allowed here, but they still aren't convinced about you being the one to help us. I need your help in convincing them."

"Just how the hell am I supposed to help a bunch of over grown two year olds about anything?" Shelby demands angrily.

Tyler has to hide his smile at her description of his councilors. They did act like two year olds at times. "Monday, I need you to play another game. They are determined to test you, with that game. I know you hate them, but this is the only way that they will accept you." He waits as she looks at him in anger. He holds his breath as she debates her answer.

Shelby looks at him and he flinches at the anger he feels coming off of her. "Just what kind of game, Majesty?" She manages to growl out and she notices that Tyler lets out a breath.

"You will need to find a few things in the store. That is all I can tell you now, I will tell you more on Monday if you agree to the test." Again Tyler holds his breath anxiously.

Shelby takes a deep breath and lets it out, "I guess I owe you that much at least, since you did give me another chance at life." She says the words but is unable to look at the king and turns from him. As she does so he notices the tear running down her face.

"If I manage to win this 'game', then what Majesty?" Shelby says and the way she says his title makes him flinch. So much bitterness and pain.

"I won't force you into anything, Shelby. But I need you to at least think about it. I know your first husband was abusive, I will promise you that I won't be." Tyler says softly and watches the human before him. Her mouth twists in silent derision.

"My ex told me he loved me, than nearly beat me to death. He held a knife to my throat, while he was so drunk or high that he couldn't even stand upright. Always he insisted that it would never happen again. Then when it did he blamed me."

Shelby turns to look over at the king, "I'm not an easy person to live with. You hate humans already, it will be just a matter of time before you do to me what my ex did. Only this time, there won't be anyone to save me. There won't be anyone I can go to for help. I'll be stuck here, where no one would stop you from killing me or my children. You want me to trust you with my life and that of my kids," Shelby shakes her head, "your reputation precedes you, how can I trust you?"