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His brow furrowed questioningly then he looked at the bite mark and his eyes widened. His gaze darted to Axilla, coming in hot, and he sighed in exasperation.

“She will join the Trials,” Axilla informed Aculus, as she gestured to her.

“What?” Costa said in shock, the question echoed by several of the conclave who were still milling around the corridor.

“That’s not happening,” Aculus informed his mother.

“I agree.” Costa scowled at her.

Nadzia’s mouth gaped at her.Bitch!

Aculus cast Costa a withering stare that made the woman take a step back.

“It’s apparent you favor her. You know what that means,” Axilla informed him.

Aculus whirled on his mother. “She’s not Osivoire. You know she wouldn’t survive the Trials. The answer is no,” he growled.

“I’m already making a concession since she isn’t one of us, which you know is not our tradition. But if she can’t make it through the Trials then she’s not worthy enough to be a member of your conclave, the future Conclave of Osi.”

Axilla truly thought she was meeting Aculus half way.What a piece of work!She shook her head at the callous woman.

Aculus was shaking he was so angry and she thought he was about to explode but he didn’t.

“I’m done with this, I denounce all of it,” he spoke calmly which was almost more frightening than if he’d yelled.

Her heart sank, seeing the barely leashed anger and pain seething in his eyes as he stared down his mother.

Axilla’s mouth dropped open and the conclave gasped. Aculus ignored them as he led her down the rotating escalator.

“What is going on now?” Tellar met them when they reached the first floor.

“Goodbye, Patrem.” Aculus’ voice held a note of finality as he squeezed his father’s arm then continued through the grand foyer.

“Goodbye,” Tellar replied, shifting his confused glance from Aculus to the mezzanine above, where Axilla and the others were still standing dumbfounded.

Twenty-One

Goodbye

Nadzia

Tears welled up in her eyes as they swiftly went to the hangar and boarded one of the cruisers.

“I’m so sorry.” She scrubbed the tears from her eyes.

“This is not your fault. I’m truly done with that,” Aculus huffed as he started up the cruiser and whipped out of the hangar.

“I’m still sorry. I’ll do whatever this Trial is if it would help. You know I’m not as fragile as you think,” she offered, taking a seat on his lap as he piloted the ship.

“Ivory beauty, I don’t think you’re lacking. In fact, you can’t be compared to any female or person I’ve ever met. I don’t need some arcane tradition to prove that.” He caressed her cheek, making her smile. “Especially one where you could die, and I’d be forced to fight you. I won’t do it.” He frowned and shook his head.

“Okay.” She kissed his palm.

She’d be willing to risk it for Aculus. She didn’t want him to abandon his family or his birthright for her. Aculus was a great leader, caring for more than just the Osivoire. It would be a terrible shame for his people to lose that.

“I adore you, Nadzia.” He squeezed her tighter. “I was this close to telling my matron and all the rest of them that you are my weakness. I want you to know that. I’m not ashamed you’re mine. But I fear it would’ve made this worse. Axilla can be unrelenting,” he growled.

“It’s okay. I don’t feel like I was some dirty little secret. You were trying to protect me. Sorry I didn’t quite get how serious it was.” She stroked his tense forearm and he relaxed further.