Page 140 of Last Gift: Supernatural Battle

The magus had been exchanging a look with Berry, who appeared furious with him. Yikes. “I…,” he started.

Frond stared pointedly. “Say it.”

Varden spoke, “A reminder to you, Frond, that you will not coerce any magus here to speak against their will. Gentri, do you wish to speak today?”

Sweat appeared on Gentri’s forehead. He glanced between Frond and Berry. “N-No?—”

“You saw black blood drawn out of the high esteemed’s body by her cousin, Rooke,” Frond snarled.

Gentri backed up. “Well, yes. But I also saw the red vial of blood too. And?—”

“You have a duty to this coven.” Frond whirled on him.

Varden surged to his feet and boomed, “You will not coerce our magus. Back down or see the end of this trial with immediate effect.”

Gentri backed away, then squared his shoulders, avoiding Berry’s accusing eyes. “I did see black blood drawn from the high esteemed in the tunnel. But Rooke showed me the vial of blood later, and it was red. The light was dim. Thinking back, I can’t be sure what I saw, and that should be considered when weighing my words. But with all that said, why does Rooke have the high esteemed’s blood in the first place? We all know that blood is used in dark magic.”

He walked past Frond and sat in the back.

Frond said in the wake, “I have witnessed the high esteemed possess impossible knowledge of demons. I have seen her use blood magic against the leader of the demon army. I saw her gain an affinity, which she says is part of the mating ritual. I don’t believe we should take her word for this. She has concealed much from this coven in the last few weeks. It is only through questioning and pressure that High Esteemed Tempest has seen fit to give us any answers.”

That struck a chord with the coven.

“I, along with over half the coven, believe there is reasonable doubt surrounding her use of dark magic,” he finished.

The coven was at odds. I could appreciate that I still had some supporters in their midst. The nature of a coven didn’t like division in their community, and while they’d been divided for a long time, they’d hidden that behind a game. The division was out in the open and had been for three weeks.

I could see many here just wanted to close the trial and walk out the doors.

“A vote,” Winona stated. “Who in the coven believe a trial should take place?”

Magic glowed from the fingertips of magus in the chamber. Far more blue magic than red.

They wanted a trial.

“A trial will take place,” Winona said. “High Esteemed, we have heard from those who accuse you. What have you to say in response?”

I stood. “I have never, and will never, practice dark magic.”

Frond scoffed. “Are we to take your word for it?”

“The high esteemed listened to you,” Huxley snarled at him. “Perhaps you should pay her the same respect.”

Silence fell.

“Other than that, I have only one point to explain, and I choose to explain it knowing that more magus will go through a mating ritual. Most of you are unfamiliar with the mating processes of other supernaturals. It is common for the female to go through a heat at intervals in the process. This was true for the earlier stages of the ritual I have recently completed with Wild. Heats are very painful. And only one thing fixes them. Unfortunately for a very confused Bedwyr, he happened upon me when I’d just entered a heat. Wild appeared to help me with the situation, though Bedwyr never received an explanation after the fact.”

Bedwyr’s color had deepened, and Wild’s growling had escalated at my mention of the past.

I gestured to Wild, seeing that coven members were torn between listening to me and watching my mate. “In our mating, and from other matings I have seen in other supernaturals, Wild’s role is that of a protector. Every part of him is tuned to ensure I remain out of harm’s way. This is to keep both of us safe, as our lives and fates are now linked permanently. If one of us dies, as does the other.”

Gasps filled the chamber.

I’d revealed a weakness, perhaps, but it wasn’t one they couldn’t find in books on other supernatural mating rituals. “His response may come across as alarming and different to what we’ve known. I ask you to have patience as he is the first of his kind among us, and this situation is very hard for him. Frond, in line with that, I suggest you make sure to act with the respect my esteemed advisor just mentioned, and to keep your tone level and your posture unthreatening.”

“If he attacks me, then I will bring a trial against him.”

I smiled. “You have never been the first of anything, Frond. I doubt you ever will be. But I have been. Wild has too. Take it from us that some understanding is greatly appreciated during the upheaval, and as new policies or processes are put into effect to protect the growing diversity of our coven and great magus community. As said, there could well be more mated couples in the future. Room will need to be made in order to care and provide for those in that process.”

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