Page 11 of Of Night and Blood: Special Edition

At the center of the platform kneeled one male and one female, not touching or even looking at one another. Smart. Though it would not save them, not if they were here. Public reapings occurred only when there was not a shadow of a doubt on the guilt of the accused.

And only when they committed one crime in particular.

Xavier and I stepped to the side of the two fae, every set of eyes in the crowd locking on mine. It would be I who was blamed by the angry, the vengeful.

“On this day, I stand before you with a heavy heart. For today, we must deal a sentence to the two accused on their knees in front of you. Today, we seek justice,” Xavier said, his voice booming.

Many in the crowd shuffled at his words, unrest building. Their thoughts hit me as if they were saying them aloud.

Liar! Stop! Evil! Wrong! Kill them! Corrupt! Please! Die! Die! Die!

I fortified my mental shields, forming gates with a golden lock, stacking hedges, pouring concrete, building walls. Anything to block out their voices as they merged into one long, hateful string.

“Marybeth Wells and Jameson Telladair stand accused of a crime greater than any other. Together, they have broken our most sacred law, risking the only defense we have against a wicked enemy. Both have endangered not only themselves, but you and your families as well,” he said.

I shivered at his words, thinking of a time when it was I who had made those mistakes. I who had risked the lives of those I loved.

Someone in the crowd hissed, a sharp sound that had everyone flinching. Xavier ignored it, continuing as if he had not noticed the discontent.

“Marybeth, a Multiple of Isle Shifter, and Jameson, a Water of Isle Element have fraternized for more than two years. Here they kneel, guilty of selfishness and treason. Guilty of mixing power, therefore weakening it.” He knelt down next to Marybeth, who began sobbing at his nearness. With his hand, he gestured towards her stomach. “Here they kneel, with a youngling they so carelessly created, knowing it would poison our realm.”

Shocked gasps, then complete silence. My eyes bulged as I took in the small swell of her belly. A youngling. They had conceived a youngling.

My disbelief created weak spots in my shields, and suddenly I felt not only the horror in Marybeth and Jameson’s minds, but also their love. For each other and for their unborn youngling. A single tear ran down my cheek, and I quickly wiped it before Xavier noticed.

“The punishment for this crime has long since been written. We must uphold our laws, for if we do not, we allow weakness to fester in our kind. With weakness comes death at the hands of the cursed demons, who desire our demise above all else. When two of us decide to put ourselves above the realm, the realm shall fall. Therefore, it is with great sorrow that I sentence them both to death. For if not them, then all of us shall surely perish,” Xavier said, his voice taking on a tone of finality.

Screams and shouts, the two fae grabbing each other in a desperate embrace, guards pushing back the crowd. A crowd of Marybeth and Jameson’s family and friends. A crowd to witness what happens when you break the law of fraternization.

Xavier looked to me, waiting. I dipped into a shallow bow, ignoring the way the fae cursed and threatened me. Though I knew better, I bent down to the accused, getting on my knees before them. Xavier would hate this, my show of remorse. It undermined our laws, made it look as though even royals did not agree with them. Still, I did it.

“I will make it quick,” I whispered to them out loud rather than in their minds. They did not need more fear than they already had.

The two nodded, their arms around each other. Just before I closed my eyes, I watched as they shared one final kiss, one last goodbye.

And then their bodies slumped to the ground as I shattered their minds.

Above, the rain began to fall.

***

I spent the next two days in my chambers, forcing myself to stare at that discolored spot on my floor. I did not eat, did not drink, did not sleep. I stared and stared and stared at the repercussions of my own crimes.

For two days I punished myself for the lives I took, including the love I lost.

Chapter Seven

“What about these, Ash?”

I looked over to Nicola, who was holding up blue delphinium and violet hydrangea. She was sitting cross-legged in the grass, her curls pulled up into a high bun and her tanned face bare. Her apricot dress was a loose and whimsical cotton piece that blew in the soft wind. Her cloak was the opposite, a heavy black wool that looked far more comfortable than my own.

We had spent the majority of the morning planning for her wedding next month. Mia had invited her and Kafele to be married at the palace, which was an honor even most court members would never receive. I knew the queen did it for me, although I was not sure if it was so I could be with my friend during this time, or because she wanted me to bear witness to how exciting a marriage could be. The difference between Nicola and I though, was that she loved her betrothed. I rarely managed to tolerate mine.

“I like them. I think the colors go well together, and they will look beautiful with your dress. They are unique, like you,” I responded.

“Good. I want our wedding to be different than others. I want to be original,” she said, lifting her chin a bit. I smiled, knowing that originality would never be a problem for Nicola. We sat there in silence for a few minutes, organizing all of the supplies we had put together.

Nicola was nothing short of perfectly organized, with charts and drawings and truly anything she could think to depict or plan. I wondered if knowing who she was made these things easier for her, like second nature.

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