in the hot sun waiting for Crius to be handed his judgement.
He was brought forward in chains, shuffling his feet because of the restraints around his ankles. I’d spent so long with his face one of the few memories in my mind, wishing I could see it twist in agony and defeat. He had long since healed from the beating I’d given him. Daz had required him to receive medis so he’d be well enough to deny or confirm his crimes.
But I felt no joy watching him be led to where Daz stood near the gates. The drexel had no throne or adornment to show his leadership other than his Night King tag rimmed in gold and another curiously matching woven armband. Yet, no one would deny that he was every inch the drexel. His mate, Frankie, stood nearby in a flowing dress and barefoot. She had a palm on her swollen belly as her hair fluttered in the breeze.
Ward and Gar stopped in front of Daz with Crius between them. He bowed his head before he lifted his eyes to meet his drexel’s.
“Your first offense is you are accused of lying about a betrayal which caused a warrior to be exiled for fifteen cycles.” Daz’s deep booming voice carried to every part of the clavas. “Do you deny it?”
Crius didn’t move until finally his head swung to me. I remained where I was, because with each passing moment, I wanted nothing more than to flee from the crowd and the stares, and this scene. I knew it was necessary—I’d been cast out just like this—but I felt disconnected, like an outsider looking in on a sacred ritual.
Crius swallowed and shook his head.
“Speak,” Daz barked.
“No,” Crius called out.
Somewhere in the difference, a welf howled. Ward’s mate, Reba, gripped the neck fur of her welf as she sniffed the air and whined.
Daz swallowed, and while he held himself in check, he visibly shook with his fists clenched tight at his sides and his scales rioting into a cascade of colors. “Drak said he saw you conspiring with the Uldani and had him beat so badly he couldn’t defend himself. After we cast him out, you sought to silence him forever. Is that correct?”
Crius’s head hung between his shoulders. “Yes.”
“Drak?” Daz called. “Is there anything you want to say to him?”
No there wasn’t. The revenge I’d sought had soured in my gut, and I didn’t like how it made me feel. I shook my head.
Daz shoulder heaved as he continued. “You are also accused of purposefully conspiring with the Uldani’s for them to take one of our females. Do you deny it?”
“No,” Crius said, softer this time.
Gar’s grip tightened on Crius’s arm, and he winced.
“Miranda,” Daz called. “Is there anything you want to say to Crius?”
“Yeah,” she shouted. “You’re a motherfucking bastard.”
Frankie covered a laugh with a cough, and Tabitha cackled until Justine shot her a dark look.
“Why?” Daz asked, a slight plea in his voice that pricked at my scalp. “Why would you betray your clavas?”
Crius clenched his jaw, and just when I thought he would remain silent, he said, “Sometimes we have to do what’s best for one and not all.”
Daz shook his head. “That’s not the Drixonian way. We have adapted to new ways and will continue to adapt, but one thing will always be true—She is All. And never betray your fellow warrior. You failed both.” He rose to his full height. “Crius, you are cast out of the Night Kings. You are not welcome within our borders and your name will be sent to the other Drixonian clavases, so they know you are not to be taken in.” He reached out and ripped the tag from Crius’s arm with a sharp tug. “If we see you again in our territory, you will be killed. You have until nightfall to reach our borders.” He nodded at Ward and Gar.
They removed his chains as the gates opened. The warriors standing at the front of the group closed rank, cutting Crius off from venturing further into the clavas. The only way he could go was out. Forever.
Instead of Crius walking, I saw myself. Stumbling with pain, heartsick and nauseous, Daz could have torn my heart out and I wouldn’t have noticed the difference. The gates closed, and I flinched, remembering the sound that had been like a stab in my gut. My clavas had meant everything to me—I’d been a loyal scout, known for my stealth.
Alone, I had no one.