was the first time I really believed them.
//Won’t they just investigate everyone?// I asked hesitantly as even more people joined in the chorus. There must be close to a hundred dragons shouting out they’d killed Flight Milain like it was a catch phrase.
//They don’t have the resources,// Seff answered, sounding calmer now than he’d looked when I first came out. //Besides, it’s only Nerio pushing this. The other Councilors weren’t sad to see Flight Milain go.//
“SILENCE!” Nerio roared, his eyes bugging out of his head. “Enough with this stunt. Let the one who has taken the angel root answer. Shira of Flight Galon, who killed Flight Milain?”
Thank you, The Alchemist.
“I don’t know,” I shot back, as if the tincture was forcing the words out of my mouth.
I stared unblinking at Nerio, daring him to disagree with me.
“You don’t know,” he repeated faintly.
“No idea,” I replied casually, shrugging a shoulder as best I could with my wrists still bound behind my back.
“We already know,” Ilia said, giving Nerio a mock confused face. “This entire crowd has admitted their guilt. Unfortunately, our holding cell cannot accommodate so many, but I’m sure they’re very sorry for what they did and have learned their lesson.”
Nerio sputtered, gaping at Ilia like a fish.
“Unfortunately, Micah, your lie by omission cannot go unpunished, though I’m sure we can take into account your willingness to come forward now,” Ilia added, brow furrowed.
“I understand,” Micah said, inclining his head. “We knew the risks when we came here today, but it was time. The guilt has consumed me for twelve years, and it only grows worse.”
“Very well. Enforcers, I believe the cuffs are on the wrong dragon. Release the rest of Flight Galon while you’re at it.”
In the twenty seconds it took to transfer the cuffs from me to Micah, my mates were at my side. I didn’t want to show emotion in front of the Councilors. I wanted to look like a calm, sound choice for the Council. That was my plan.
But by the gods, I’d missed my mates so much. I threw myself into the arms of whoever was closest.
“It’s okay, rebel. We’re here,” Oren murmured, his enormous arms banding around me as I greedily inhaled the smell of him, the feel of his chest under my cheek.
He smelled delicious. And his muscles were so solid. He was so big. Gods, I wanted him so much. I wanted to claim him. He had to be mine.
//Big reunion later, my love,// Ezra reminded me, sounding amused.
//I know, I know.// I took a deep breath, giving Oren one more squeeze before stepping back and putting my best Council face on. My mates probably didn’t want to hug me anyway, I hadn’t bathed in two days. I felt gross.
//I have a lot of body parts that want to reunite with you,// Hiram added, shooting me a cheerful wink. At least my stench wasn’t putting him off.
“Well, now that sordid business is out of the way, I suppose we should vote on the open Council position as all three tasks are complete,” Uri suggested amiably, smiling at Nerio. “Why don’t you join Flight Galon on the floor, Flight Mentrus?”
Flight Mentrus filed onto the floor, looking a lot less confident than they had before the last task, which made me feel slightly better.
“Excuse me, Uri. I am the Speaker, am I not?” Nerio complained, glaring at his colleague across the floor.
“By all means, proceed,” Uri said, spreading his arms. “You seemed overwhelmed, I thought perhaps you needed me to step in.”
“I am no such thing!”
Levi elbowed Hiram, who was laughing obnoxiously loud considering we still sort of had to impress Nerio. I snorted quietly. There was no chance of that happening. He’d hated us from the moment we posed a threat to his son’s position on the Council.
I guessed Ilia hadn’t made any progress on his investigation into Nerio in the past two days. How unfortunate.
“Fine. I suppose we’re doing this now,” Nerio grumbled. “Councilors, we have gone over the events of the first task. Flight Mentrus killed the fae who were managing the property and took the prisoner into custody. Flight Galon arrested the custodian and handed the prisoner over to the Assembly for medical care and repatriation to the fae.”
Sounded like a clear win to me.
“Raise your hand if you deem Flight Galon the victor in this task.” All of Seff’s fathers raised their hands, and a smattering of other Councilors from the other assorted flights.
Nowhere near the majority.
“Lower your hands.