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He relaxed his grip on his chair, cursing when it snapped off.

Once again, she skirted the fact that she was the Blessed by alluding that the Dragon King called forth an unknown being and had the man cleansed. Historic magic, she called it, proud and awed, and he knew she still couldn’t actually believe she’d done it.

King Kyron helped her down from the podium, his eyes shining with emotion Alessandro found he couldn’t read as well as he could usually do with others.

But Rowan smiled and motioned to the podium before walking away.

Already known as the Bloody Elf, King Kyron was infamous, but he’d never given speeches as he would for Judgement.

It was short, sweet and efficient, but there was so much appeal that he’d passed down to his daughter that Alessandro heard a few sighs of longing.

Rowan snickered at his side when her mother gave a huff of displeasure.

When Harris was called forth, he and King Kyron took each other’s forearms in the same greeting Alessandro had seen Kin exchange with the man.

When he sat, Rowan asked. “You know Knox?”

“He came looking for you when you were recovering. His daughter, Marissa, was apparently insistent. She gained your mother’s favor, and we hosted him for a couple of nights.”

Rowan scoffed and turned to her mother. “Since when are you good with kids?”

“Since it hit me. I’m really going to be a grandmother.” Annabelle pouted, digging into her husband’s side much like Rowan had done with her mate.

“Are you going to tell me what’s going on between you two?” He asked, attempting nonchalance as he noted the annoyance that passed through Harris when he locked eyes with Rowan.

She sighed, and while Harris Knox spoke, she sent the story right to his head.

Alessandro couldn’t help the grin. “You should know by now that you can’t thwart the mating feeling.”

His hand caressed her shoulder to prove the point.

She melted into his side. He could stay there in that seat forever if she kept touching him and using him as a support. “Yes, but we were both pretty damn stubborn about it and even when we both knew it was inevitable, you gave me the choice. Louisa deserves it too.”

“I received another one of your memories.”

Her eyebrows raised. “What, which one?”

“The one of you in that cage.” He tightened his grip on her hand. “I didn’t really know what I was asking of you when I asked you to Cleanse him. When they convict him, I plan on volunteering to be the one to execute him.”

“To be fair, I didn’t tell you.” She tightened her own hold on him. “If I could ask, could you let someone else do it? Now that we know Cherry is testifying, she will definitely bring up rage lust.”

The words were like a hollow gong in his head.

“I’m still not convinced it was the best idea not to bring it up ourselves.” He said.

“I think you’re just not accustomed to allowing Stone to take the lead. If he’s your heir, you‘ll have to trust him.”

“So if I run Barros through-”

“It will look like vengeance, like you’re trying to shut him up.”

“So who do you think should do it?”

Rowan’s chin pointed towards the new Coven Elder as Juliana helped her to the stage. The Brazilian Knot Alpha had green hair and a black sheath dress reminded him of her form when she shifted.

The Elder’s face glowed when light bounced off the several sets of scars. She sent Barros a frosty glare, her nose flaring when he leaned back in his seat, as if her presence was inconsequential.

Julianna shot Alessandro a slightly anxious look before she found her way back to her seat.