Total pages in book: 116
Estimated words: 108376 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 542(@200wpm)___ 434(@250wpm)___ 361(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 108376 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 542(@200wpm)___ 434(@250wpm)___ 361(@300wpm)
Often I spoke to her about how things were coming along in the forest. I had no idea if she could hear me but I figured it couldn’t hurt to talk to her anyway.
There was a knock on the door and my mother peeked her head in. “We’re leaving for the hearing soon,” she said.
“Okay, I’ll be down in a minute.”
Saying goodbye to Carra, I stood and dusted down the black pencil skirt I wore, paired with a cream blouse and blazer. Normally, you’d have to hold a gun to my head to get me to dress this smart, but today was a very important day. Vas and Sven would stand before the Hawthorn Council while my father, Rita and Roman pleaded their cases. All three of them were respected members of the council, so that was one thing in their favour. However, I tried to keep my expectations low. Pardons were extremely rare and it would take a giant stroke of luck for things to go our way.
I’d been shocked when Vas made the decision to stay in Tribane. Sven wasn’t too happy about it, but he eventually decided to stay, too. Staying meant taking the chance that they would have to return to the Prison of Thorns and serve the remainder of their sentences.
And today was the day we found out what their fates would be.
My heart had been lodged firmly in my throat for all week. A part of me couldn’t wait for it all to be over, even if it meant Vas was put back behind bars. I had no doubt that I would wait for him. The mark burned bright within me, strengthening our connection.
Our love.
If I managed to avoid fatal accidents or attacks, I would live a very long life. Being the son of a sorcerer and a demon, so too would Vas. So, what were a few paltry decades in the grand scheme of things?
Leaving Carra, I closed over the bedroom door and went downstairs to join my parents. We arrived at the Hawthorn Centre by car and I spotted Vas and Sven standing outside with Rita and Roman. They both wore suits, an effort at respectability. Unfortunately, their horns would always make them appear a little wild and dangerous.
I wouldn’t have them any other way.
I reached out, taking Vas’ hand into mine. “You scrub up well,” I whispered.
“Rita bought us the suits,” he said, his eyes running over me as a smile lifted his mouth. “And I could say the same for you.”
“I could hardly show up in jeans, now could I?” I retorted just as the doors to the centre opened.
I walked in next to Vas, nerves fizzling through me. He and Sven, on the other hand, looked calm as cucumbers.
“Aren’t you nervous?” I asked Vas.
He shook his head. “Sven and I are resigned to our fates. Whatever will be will be.” He paused, a mischievous gleam entering his gaze as he lowered his voice. “Besides, escape is always an option.”
I smacked him on the shoulder. “No more escape plans. I’ve had enough of those to last a lifetime.”
We entered the council chamber and the hearing was called into session. There were currently twenty four members serving on the council. I knew previously that it had been less but the numbers had grown over the years. Along with Rita, Roman, and my father, my uncle Gabriel was also on the council. I wasn’t entirely sure which way he was going to vote but I suspected it would be in favour of Vas and Sven’s freedom.
Over the course of the next hour, my father, Roman, Rita and thankfully, Gabriel all spoke favourably of Vas and Sven. Then there were a few council members who spoke against them. Unlike a typical legal case, they weren’t permitted to make any statements on behalf of themselves. When the hearing was complete, the council withdrew to their deliberations room.
The next hour was the most stressful of my life. I sat clutching Vas’ hand, my throat dry. He leaned close, his mouth at my ear, “Whatever happens, nothing changes. Not for me.”
I glanced at him and held his gaze. “Not for me, either.”
He eyes shone at my words and then the doors to the deliberation chamber opened. A decision had been made. Each council member retook their seats. A dark haired woman who’d been delegated spokesperson went to stand at the head of the chamber. I couldn’t remember her name but I knew she was a shapeshifter of some kind.
“A vote has been taken and all council members agree that both defendants have undertaken a great altruistic and humanitarian feat by freeing the captured miners in Oreylia. We can all accept that it was a selfless act that posed a high risk to each defendant that surely could’ve resulted in them losing their lives. For this, we commend them highly. However…”