Page 18 of Courted By the Grumpy Dragon (Monsters of Saltford Bay #2)

"They used what Marcus called an automatic pen machine to copy Harold's signature," Trina continues.

"They forced me to sign as a witness by threatening my job.

I need the money for my mother's medical treatments, so I did it.

" Her voice breaks slightly. "I'm ashamed of what I did, but I was scared. "

"Why are you coming forward now?" Judge Morrison asks.

Trina's wings flutter and her lower lip tremble, but she doesn’t break.

"After seeing the whole town at the library's Halloween event, I couldn't stay silent anymore. What they did was wrong. Mr. Greaves loved that library." She looks directly at Nina. "He would want his money to go there, not to Delilah."

"This is absurd! "

Delilah leaps to her feet, ignoring her lawyer's desperate attempt to restrain her. Her voice echoes through the courtroom. Judge Morrison brings down his gavel.

"Ms. Vance, sit down immediately or I will find you in contempt."

But Delilah is beyond listening, her careful facade shattered completely.

"I am not going to let a goodie two-shoes like Nina Farrington steal what is rightfully mine!" she shouts. "Uncle Harold was confused at the end. He didn't know what he was doing!"

Marcus tries to pull Delilah back into her seat, but she shakes him off violently.

"I deserved that money after putting up with him for years!" Her voice rises higher, words tumbling out in a rush of spite. "So what if I had to make a few adjustments to his will? It's what he would have wanted if he'd been thinking clearly!"

The courtroom falls completely silent. Delilah seems to suddenly realize what she's admitted. She sinks back into her chair, her face draining of color.

Judge Morrison's expression hardens as he surveys the scene before him. He reviews the evidence once more, his mouth set in a grim line.

"Given Ms. Voss's testimony and Ms. Vance's own admission, combined with the impressive evidence gathered by Mr. Ashbane," he says finally, "I am ruling to invalidate the will dated October sixteenth on grounds of forgery and fraud.

Harold Greaves's original will executed on September fifteenth is hereby reinstated as his true last testament. "

He fixes Delilah with a stern glare .

"Furthermore, I am ordering a criminal investigation into this matter. Ms. Vance and Mr. Baird may face charges for will forgery, which is a serious offense in this state."

The courtroom erupts in cheers. Mrs. Stonemason dabs at her eyes with a handkerchief while Theo pumps his fist in the air. Beside me, Nina sits in stunned silence, tears streaming down her face.

"This court is adjourned," Judge Morrison announces, bringing down his gavel one final time before rising to exit.

I turn to Nina and find her already looking at me with an expression of such pure joy it steals my breath. Before I can speak, she throws her arms around me, burying her face against my chest. I embrace her carefully, aware of the eyes on us but unable to deny myself this moment of connection.

"We won," she whispers against my shirt. "We actually won."

"We did," I confirm, allowing myself a rare smile. "Harold's wishes will be honored."

Outside the courthouse, townspeople gather around us, offering congratulations and expressions of relief.

The scent of cinnamon rises involuntarily from my scales as I watch Nina accept their good wishes, her face radiant with joy and relief.

Every time someone mentions plans for the library's future, her smile grows brighter, and the Heart's Fire in my chest burns stronger.

Trina approaches hesitantly, hanging back from the crowd. Nina spots her immediately and breaks away, rushing to embrace the pixie woman without hesitation.

"Thank you," she says, her voice thick with emotion. "What you did was so brave. "

Trina's wings flutter, and she gives Nina a shy smile. "I'm sorry I didn't come forward sooner."

"What matters is that you did," Nina assures her.

I step forward, offering Trina my business card. "If you need assistance finding new employment, please contact me. My firm would be happy to help."

Trina accepts the card with a grateful nod. "Thank you."

As the crowd begins to disperse, Nina turns to me, her eyes shining with tears and happiness. Without warning, she throws her arms around my neck and kisses me, right there on the courthouse steps.

"I love you," she whispers against my lips, her voice trembling with emotion. "I know it's crazy, but I do. I'm in love with you."

The words resonate with the fire burning inside my chest, a certainty I've been carrying since the moment I first caught her scent.

"And I love you," I reply, my golden eyes meeting her warm brown ones. "You're my Heart's Fire, my forever."

My wings deploy, then curve forward instinctively to shield Nina from view as I return her kiss with all the emotion I've kept carefully controlled until now. The remaining townspeople cheer and applaud, but I barely register the sound.

In this moment, nothing exists but Nina in my arms, the taste of her lips against mine, and the absolute certainty that I've found my home at last.