“Shira,” Nerio snapped when I failed to respond. “How would you know that Odessa of Flight Milain was killed last?”
“Rumors,” I rasped, my tongue feeling too thick for my mouth. I didn’t move as two Enforcers sidled up next to me, giving me an apologetic look as they pinned my arms behind my back at Nerio’s command.
I couldn’t make out what the Councilors were saying, but not all of them looked hostile. They looked like they were giving my answer serious thought. Maybe that was the hope talking.
Nerio moved out of his row, walking down to the floor to pace in front of me, commanding the attention of all the observing Councilors and Enforcers. He was at least six feet away from me, but my heart was thundering so loud in my chest, I was certain he could hear it.
“I’ve had my suspicions about the gold, Shira, Councilors. Curiously, Flight Milain reported her dead after the attack on Glasdon Mountain. Yet, somehow, she came to be found in the hands of the fae twelve years later. She was liberated, then only weeks later, Flight Milain was found dead. At first, I thought it was her mates, but after listening to her today… Well, no normal gold would be so vicious as to suggest execution. Her comment about Odessa only confirmed my suspicions.
“I can only assume that Shira herself, damaged as she is — which we all already knew from her misguided run at the Council seat — murdered Flight Milain.”
“That is a big accusation to make with no evidence.” Ilia’s entire flight on their feet and glaring at Nerio. I could only tell what he was saying because I was watching his mouth move. His words were drowned out by the sound of the crowd, the shouts of objection from my mates, and the deafening rush of blood in my ears.
“Her death record—” Nerio began.
“There is no such thing,” Ezra shouted. “Check the Records Keep for yourself.”
“I checked it myself. Shira and her entire family were reported dead,” Nerio challenged. “If the record isn’t there, you destroyed it.”
“We did no such thing,” Ezra replied brazenly like he hadn’t ordered its destruction himself.
Gods, please don’t let them give him angel root tincture. The thought of them interrogating my mates made me want to vomit.
“Death record or not, her comment about Odessa was all but an admission of guilt. If you have anything further to say, save it for the trial.”
Trial.
My mates’ rage was palpable. I couldn’t turn to see them with the Enforcers holding me in place, but I could feel the heat of their anger on the back of my neck. Or maybe that was just Seff.
Gods. This would hurt them. This would kill them. I never wanted my mates to suffer.
“Order!” Nerio roared, quieting the crowd. “Shira of Flight Galon, you are under arrest on suspicion of murder.”
Chapter 20
No.
How could this be happening? They were taking her away. The Enforcers were marching her to the cavern in the rocks, the most highly warded place on dragon territory. They each held an arm behind her back, escorting her like a prisoner. We wouldn’t even be able to project to Shira once she descended the steps.
There were a million things I wanted to say to her, and they were all fighting for dominance. How could I sum up everything I was feeling in just a few words?
But my beautiful mate beat me to it.
//I love you. All of you.//
She loved us. It was the first time she’d ever said it. I swore to myself it wouldn’t be the last.
//And we love you,// Levi replied, fortunately having the wherewithal to respond when the rest of us stood there dumbstruck, watching our beautiful gold being taken away, struggling against the increasingly large number of Enforcers restraining us, achieving absolutely fucking nothing.
Shira’s head of dark hair disappeared down the stairs into the cavern and out of sight. Just like that, she was gone again. Out of our reach. Locked up. Again. By the gods, over and over, we let Shira down.
If I didn’t have these fucking shift-proof cuffs on, I’d cook every one of these Councilors alive. Seff’s fathers included. They should have done more to keep Shira safe.