She finally sets her quill down and gives me her attention. Her eyes are ice-blue. She props her elbows on the table, then folds her fingers together. “Please sit.”
I collapse onto the chair.
“Daria Gresham tells me that you’re wanting to be a witness during Collin Ward’s trial today.”
“That’s right. I tried to convince his magistrate to allow it, but he thinks it’s a waste of time.”
She purses her lips. “Well, I have to say that I agree with him, so tell me, dear girl, why should I allow it?”
“Because Collin’s not a rogue anymore.”
She quirks an eyebrow, but other than that, her frosty demeanor doesn’t falter. “Says who?”
“Me.”
Her thin lips rise in an amused smile before she sits back in her chair. “Ah, yes. The proposed fated mate comes to the rescue. Why am I not surprised.”
“Please.” I lean forward, desperation ringing in my tone. “Please, you have to believe me. I was living with him for almost two months prior to his arrest. I was with him twenty-four hours a day and in that time, he never killed anyone.” I don’t mention Declan or the old rogue because I firmly believe those incidents were different. Collin was defending me, not murdering for sport. “Please. I need to tell my story. Everyone needs to hear that he’s changed.”
She watches me for a full minute. Her gaze is unblinking, her expression blank. I have no idea if she’s considering what I just said or has merely spaced out.
She sits upright so quickly that I startle, and before I can blink her quill is back in her hand and she’s writing furiously again. “Fine. You may take the witness stand today. Now, is that all?”
I nod but wonder if she sees me since her attention is still on her writing.
“Very well then. You may go.” She makes a swishing movement with her hand—still not looking up—and I don’t waste any time exiting her room and crossing the sentry barrier.
I breathe a little easier when I reach the foyer. My grandparents are waiting and smile when they see me.
But while I’m ecstatic at getting the chance to defend my mate, I’m also terrified, because if I fail, his death will forever haunt me.
∞ ∞ ∞
An hour later, I step into the courtroom, and the prickly magic at the threshold needles me like thorns on a cactus. As has been the case every day this week, the courtroom is mostly full but by no means packed. I keep waiting for crowds to form, for news stations to show up, and for the fae lands and supernatural world to be as engrossed in Collin’s trial as I am.
But it never happens.
My grandparents have told me that rogue trials rarely garner attention. It’s the same old, boring story each time—wolf leaves his pack, wolf turns rogue, rogue murders others, rogue is caught, rogue dies.
There’s nothing interesting about a revolving door that spins round and round in the same pattern of its existence.
But those that I’ve come to recognize are present again today—Daria and her husband, Collin’s family, and a few members of his former pack.
I nod at his family. His parents and brothers acknowledge me in return. Even though our initial introduction was rather awkward, I’ve made a point to speak to them every day, and they’ve begrudgingly come to accept me. After all, they love Collin as much as I do, so dammit, we’re on the same side.
My grandparents and I sit in the back again, and once the trial starts, my mate is paraded out. His chin dips, and his broad shoulders fold inward. Each day he looks more defeated.
I will him to look at me, but today he keeps his focus on the magistrates. As before, the magistrates drone on.
It’s the same as it’s been all week. More evidence. More pictures. More gore. After four days of this, I’ve almost grown immune, but that’s only because I know my mate has changed.
“Brianna Drummond,” the queen justice calls late morning. “You may approach the court and take the witness stand.”
I stand hastily, and Collin’s gaze whips toward me. I walk steadily to the front and look around for the bailiff to swear me in, but nobody steps forward.
“Brianna, the stand.” The queen justice raises her eyebrows while the judges at her sides wait expectantly.
“Right. Sorry.” I step into the seat, and my breath sucks in when a powerful flare of magic coats my skin. Holy