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Alessandro shook his head as he retook his seat. “You couldn’t afford to let us look heroic for even a second?”

“You looked heroic.” Rowan promised, giving him a small kiss on the chin. “But as your woman, I can’t afford to look weak, can I?”

She really did just know what to say, didn’t she?

Antoni let out a roar of frustration as the minotaurs finished chaining him in.

“Want to hear my side of the story? Fine! I’ll tell you.

I lost the only good thing that happened to me because of these monsters.

Four years ago, their true state of being known as rage lust was spreading like wildfire in between these shifters.

They knew it, but they hushed up anyone who threatened to spill the truth.

The cowardice and greed of the Coven cost me my fiance.

She’d barely said yes before she got in the way of an infected jaguar shifter attacking a helpless kid.

It slashed her to ribbons in front of me. ” He sobbed.

Rowan recalled the witch’s words before he attacked Cherry, and her jaw clenched.

I knew a woman like you once, and she had a glaring weakness. I wonder if you have it too.

How could he have seen a trace of the “only good thing” that had happened to him in her and still have hurt her?

“How could you be so happy with a beast who can at any moment turn and run you through with his claws, just as they did with Tali? He doesn’t deserve happiness.

None of you filthy shifters hiding your beasts with the skin of humanity deserves to act like you’re more than just the base monsters you are. ”

“Don’t allow him to antagonize you.” Alessandro sent a message to every single shifter present. “He wants to provoke us to lose control. But he doesn’t know that we are more than that anger he’s given into.”

Those who had visibly had their hackles shaken tried to relax back into their chairs, scowls were the only hint of their offense.

“It is only a matter of time before you all show your true face, and now I’ve given the world time to prepare for that eventuality.

The Coven was right about you, Rowan Dahl.

You are a danger to the public. You are nothing more than a temporary fuck toy.

They’re using your goodwill with the public to soften their appearance.

You’re helping the wolves put on sheep’s clothing and you will get hundreds killed with that decision.

I hope when it happens you can find it in yourself to rise against them.

Like you rose against me and stripped me of the power of the staff.

I don’t know how a Blessed could get their mission so fucking confused. ”

Gasps and whispers broke out amongst the onlookers.

Rowan maintained a cool facade through it all, raising an eyebrow as if confused when he hurled out that last accusation.

Well, that had certainly been unexpected.

The steam evaporated from Antoni Barros with her lack of reaction. He tried to stare her down, but as Cherry had said, Rowan Dahl was stubborn.

“Are you finished with your defense?” The Goblin, who had stepped back each time someone took to the podium, asked from behind him when no more words came.

Barros bowed his head and took a step back to allow the minotaurs to undo his chains.

“We will give Judgement members an hour to decide their vote.” The goblin said, just as unaffected as Rowan was trying to seem, before he turned and walked off.

Conversation burst to life around them.

Alessandro glanced down at Rowan, who’d relaxed after everyone’s attention left her.

“That fucking asshole. How did he know?” She hissed angrily. “Kin doesn’t do sloppy work.”

“I don’t think he actually knows as much as suspects. The podium allows the witnesses to tell their honest belief of the truth, but beliefs are often unreliable.” Kyron answered. “You did well, not rising to take the bait.”

“I just want this to be over.” She groaned, standing up and dropping a kiss on Alessandro’s brow. “I gotta check on Louisa. I’ll be back.”

As she walked away, King Kyron slid his attention to him. “I take it she had talked you into not volunteering for his execution?”

Alessandro nodded.

“She can be surprisingly sharp.” Annabelle sighed. “I am sorry for all that you will have to endure because of this.”

Alessandro gave her a crooked grin. “We are strong, we will persevere. I have a separate query.”

Kyron raised an eyebrow. “Are you finally going to ask for our blessing in your mating?”

Heat colored Alessandro’s cheeks. “It did all happen suddenly, but this next part, I’m hoping, will happen a bit more traditionally to your people.

I wish to ask her to marry me in the way of the elves.

While I understand the overarching points, I would like to work out the finer details with your help. ”

Annabelle’s eyes lit up. “Well, first, it is customary to ask for our blessing.” She put a hand on her chin. “Usually you’d come with gifts to entice us. I am particular to the leather corsets of your people and my husband enjoys your pastries.”

Alessandro let out a soft laugh. “I think I could arrange that.”

King Kyron raised an eyebrow. “All I really want is for her to keep that joy alive. If you can promise me that will be your life’s ambition, you have my blessing, Dragon King.”

“Well, not mine,” Annabelle scoffed. “I would like to be bribed. Not to make it into a competition, but Atlas gave me a stunning jewelry set that cost him a year’s worth of wage.

Come over tomorrow night and I’ll show it to you while I give you a list of what’s expected for the traditional wedding, okay? ” Annabelle grinned.

It was so like Rowan’s that Alessandro knew it would be hard to say no to her.

“I’ll be there.”

XOXOXO

Louisa had her arms around Rowan as soon as she got close enough. “I know you’re busy being a mate, but this has to be the last time I find out shit like this through a trial! When it comes time to volunteer, I’m raising my hand.” Louisa growled.

Rowan found it amusing that Alessandro and Louisa, of all people, were on the same wavelength. “What he did to me was nothing compared to what he did to Cherry, it’s her kill.”

Louisa deflated but accepted her words. “He’s demented. Seeing you happy with your dragon must’ve pushed him completely over the edge. It almost made me gag to see how cute you two are.”

Rowan grinned at her friend when she pulled back. “It’s obviously mostly me. So tell me, my dear little blood sucker, what’s up with you and that tall, dark and handsome man I’ve had to threaten to behave?”

Louisa snickered and motioned to Rosario’s empty chair for her to sit.

“Where’d she go?” Rowan asked as she settled the silken fabric of her dress around her thighs.

“Talking to some ambassador or something. I didn’t really hear her because our wolf friend is drowning my own thoughts out with his.” She sighed. “I honestly thought it was going to be just a one-night stand. I didn’t think this would happen!”

Rowan scoffed. “Funny how that happens, huh?” She grinned, “But as you can see, it’s working out well for me so far.”

“Yeah, well, you have a set of parents that love you and aren’t psychos half of the time.”

“Definitely helps.” Rowan cast a look at her parents, who were bowing their heads and talking to Alessandro conspiratorially. What was that about?

“So, what are you going to do about it?”

Louisa shrugged. “Pretend it didn’t happen and try to forget him?”

“Ooh, you might have better luck than me. He does live like several continents away.”

Louisa frowned. “You don’t think it’ll work.”

Rowan shrugged. “I think you like him being in your head, seeing as you are quite adept at blocking out unwanted presences.”

Louisa narrowed her eyes. “You’re sounding a lot like a blonde woman I know.”

Rowan leaned forward. “She makes fair points every once in a while. But if you want to get out of here and turn to our less healthy coping mechanisms, I know a bar in that town they get the boats from. We have about forty minutes to kill.”

Louisa grinned. “That sounds fun. Do you have to ask your boyfriend for permission?”

“Woah, woah missy, you mean, mate?” Rowan corrected with a teasing grin. “No, I don’t have to ask permission, but I am going to tell him.”

Louisa let out a whipping sound.

“If only you could be so lucky.” Rowan sighed dreamily.

“ Louisa and I are sneaking away before the vote. Be a dear and cover for us if her mother comes looking, won’t you ?”

“ Be a dear? ” Alessandro asked with a raised eyebrow from his seat. “ I was unaware you were a sixty-year-old human woman. ”

She winked down at him. “I am just full of surprises, dear.”

“I want to talk about pet names when you come back. I refuse to be associated with game. ”

Rowan stood and held her hand out to her friend. Louisa stood and took it and with mischievous smirks, both women phased out.

XOXOXO

When Rowan phased back in, she smelled of ambrosia laced whiskey.

“Did you go to a bar without me?” Annabelle hissed. “Kyron, put our pebble in the live section.”

Rowan pulled a couple of shot bottles from the fabric of her dress and slid them over.

“Local brews.” Rowan grinned.

“Considerate of you, daughter. Ky, you may put our pebble in the die section.”

The goblin’s reappearance at the podium brought a hush over the hall.

He snapped his finger, and an enormous set of golden scales appeared at his side. A smooth black pebble materialized at each table at the same time.

“We will now ask you to declare your decision. Whisper into the pebble ‘live’ or ‘die’ and the pebble will find its way into the proper basket.”

Alessandro glanced down at the smooth rock before him. He could hear the whispers of those around him begin almost immediately.

Rowan curled her fingers around his as he picked it up.

“Die.”