ELIA

Elia blinked at Brant. Had he really just said no? She looked at Reth, who didn't seem shocked, but more resigned.

Anger churned in Elia's chest.

"But—

"

"No one in this room doubts the King's heart for you, or for the people,

" Brant said, directly to her, his gaze unwavering.

"You see your Mate through the eyes of a Pair, you cannot be expected to question his heart. You also cannot be an objective witness to his motives.

"

"But he speaks to me of things in his—!

"

"He speaks to all of us of things that are relevant. That does not make us unbiased, Sire,

" Brant said sharply. A tiny growl puttered in Reth's throat, but Brant didn't take his eyes off her.

"You asked if you could speak to his heart of honor both for you and for your people, does anyone here question either the King's true heart for his mate, or his people? Or the Queen's good intention in sharing it?

"

He waited. No one spoke. Elia frowned.

But Brant continued without waiting for her.

"The question before us today is not whether our King is of good heart. The question is whether his heart fogged his mind and did he, in fact, betray his people—whether he intended to or not?

"

The elders shifted in their seats and glanced at each other.

"So, I will ask those who hold for the Tribe,

" Brant said, finally turning his gaze from Elia, who found she could suddenly breathe easier, and turning to face those behind him.

"Is the King guilty of interfering in the choosing of sacrifices, or manipulating the Lupine in their choice?

"

Every person present shook their head.

Elia heaved a sigh of relief and smiled at Reth. But he didn't smile back. His eyes still on Brant.

"Did the King betray his people in having care for Elia before we knew of her, and holding himself aside in hope of her?

"

The elders all shook their heads again—Elia noticed the women seemed much quicker to jump on that than the men. But that was two of the counts not being held against him, why wasn't Reth smiling?

Brant took a deep breath.

"Did the King break the Rite of Survival by choosing his true Mate, his Pair, when the Rite allowed for it?

"

Again, each of the elders shook their heads. Elia put her hands to her mouth. Could this be over so quickly? So easily?

Then Brant said, more slowly than the others as if the words were dragged from him.

"Did our King break the Rite of Survival by taking the wolf-daughter, Lucine, before her chosen time and with an understanding for the future?

"

There was half-a-breath pause, then,

"I say, guilty,

" one of the women said, though her voice showed no pleasure in it.

Elia's heart sank.

"As do I,

" said another, then another, then another, until one by one, all of the elders and wise-women had declared her husband guilty.

But, of what?

Was breaking the Rite treason in their eyes?

She looked at Reth, but his head was down and his eyes closed. Fear spiraled through her.

Finally, as the last of the others agreed with the judgment, Brant turned back to face them and said,

"I, too, say guilty,

" he said. He did not smile.

"Your judgment was held to the tribe, Reth. We have assessed the petition. We clear the Queen of wrong-doing. We declare the wolves incorrect in their assessment of events. But in the course of this petition, we find that the King has, indeed, betrayed his people.

"

Brant stared at Reth, who finally opened his eyes and met the older man's gaze.

"And what does that mean? What do you judge as the appropriate punishment?

" he asked in a jagged voice.

"I judge, that by the order of Anima, Lucine was taken, not in a mere physical act, but accepted as mate, and therefore, the Queen of Anima.

"

"WHAT?!

" Elia shrieked.

"What are you saying?

" She looked to Aymora for help, but Aymora, her face white and lips pinched, was staring at Reth.

"Reth, what are they doing?

"

Reth began to tremble, but Brant didn't take his eyes off of him.

"It is the judgement of the Tribe that the Flames and Smoke were walked in breach. That the mating was not true. That the Creator's way was thwarted by the choices of King Gareth Orstas Hyrehyn, the seventh in the Royal Line to take and hold the throne. And that the true Queen of Anima was shunned because of the actions of same King. This is a most grievous crime, may the Creator not turn His anger on the people for the sin of their King.

"

"May it be so,

" the other elders replied.

Elia looked back and forth between them and Reth, her hands shaking.

"Reth, what are they saying? What are you all saying?

"

"Elia,

" Reth breathed without looking at her.

"Quiet.

"

"Quiet?! They're saying we didn't mate! That we aren't—they're saying she—

"

"We're saying that Reth has broken vows,

" Brant said, his voice low and hard.

"And when any male breaks a mating vow, it is terrible. But when a King breaks a vow, it is a very, very serious matter, indeed.

"

"There were no vows,

" Reth said breathlessly, but he still didn't meet Brant's eyes.

"There was an understanding of future vows. But no vows were exchanged.

"

"Did you mate with the belief and agreement of coming together as husband and wife? As King and Queen?

"

"Yes, but—

"

"Consider, please, Reth, if it were your daughter?

"

"She offered herself first! Before we spoke. There was no agreement when she came to me and made the signals!

"

Elia couldn't figure out why Reth didn't meet Brant's eyes, but kept his gaze to the floor, his head bowed. What was he doing?

"Did you speak of the future before you gave over? Before you took her?

"

Reth's eyes widened.

"Yes.

"

"The judgment stands.

"

Breath tumbled out of Reth and Elia saw true fear on his face for the first time. His voice, when he spoke, was tight and pleading.

"Elders… please… Elia is my true mate. My soul tie. We are Paired—

"

"You took your mate—your true mate—with the blood of another sacrifice still on your prick,

" Brant growled.

Elia looked at the older man, whose face twisted with disgust. Then she looked at Aymora, whose face was straight, but… Elia blinked… tears rolled down Aymora's cheeks.

Her stomach clenched and threatened to revolt.

"What is happening?

" she breathed.