Page 125 of Entranced By the Basilisks

I swear Councilor Singh’s mouth twitches into a smile, but it’s gone again. “Warrior Zeyad, for your past service to the Circle, we will hear what you have to say.”

“It’s my fault,” Ari says and my heart freezes. The whispers start again, fervent and surprised. They silence at Councilor Singh’s lifted brow.

“Please explain, Warrior Zeyad.”

“You see, they came to me seeking advice on how to proceed when Emilia became Chosen and I sensed an opportunity to ingratiate myself with them both.”

There’s more than one gasp behind me.

Ari’s voice gets softer. “I have been lonely these years since my family’s demise. So I acted like I was helping them to keep them near me so that the relationship I’d known was possible could grow.” He clears his throat and continues louder. “I didn’t explain anything about bonding to them or how we all were well on our way to being bonded. We only had the ritual left.”

“They didn’t have the warning that bonding without permission was possible when they both left me—” Ari breaks off for a moment. “Am I surprised that the Goddess herself would deem them such a perfect union without me that she made their bond with no candles lit or ceremonial words chanted? Of course. But the fault lies solely with me. I used their ignorance as a weapon and should face judgment in place of Jasper.”

The room is silent, waiting for the Circle’s response with a hushed breath.

“Ari Zeyad has made the argument that he should take the place of Jasper Adder in receiving judgment.” Councilor Singh says.

“No!” My cheeks are wet, but I don’t care. I’m still losing the mate of my heart, even if he and I aren’t bonded.

Councilor Singh ignores my outcry and looks to the other Circle members. They each nod one by one. She nods and turns toward the crowd again.

“His crimes are great, and we accept this arrangement. Adder shall be freed. The Circle will convene and consider this evidence—”

“This is unacceptable!” The roar comes from Sigmund. The rage on his face falters with the weight of the gazes of the Circle on him. People distance themselves from him.

Councilor Singh narrows her eyes at him, and the disapproval is sharp. “Your feud with Adder is growing tiresome. The past is the past. Adder could not choose the family he was born to any more than you could. This will be your only warning on the matter.”

Sigmund’s face flushes red from anger and embarrassment, but in the face of the head of the Circle, he nods.

And with that, the Circle members file out of the room.

I push my way to Ari.

“How could you?” I ask, not knowing how to process this.

“Calm yourself, Emilia. I did what I had to do,” Ari responds.

Jasper and the Circle guard approach.

“Warrior Zeyad, if you will,” the Circle guard says, gesturing to the place he’d held Jasper.

Ari nods. “Take care of her, my viper.”

Jasper looks furious. “I don’t care what kind of manipulation you have to do, if you don’t get out of this alive, I’ll never forgive you.”

Ari’s smile is wry. “Some of the punishments on the table are worse than death.”

“I don’t care.” His voice is hoarse. “Just come back to us.”

Ari’s face becomes grim. “I will do my best.”

52

ARI

I awaitthe judgment of the Circle. Thankfully, they don’t deliberate long. Since Jasper and Emilia sat across from me in my study and asked for my help, I’d known that this could happen. That I would pay for what I’ve done. The Circle file back in.

I turn from them for a moment. Jasper has his arms around Emilia. By the Goddess, they’re beautiful. Not just the way they look, but the way that it feels like home to be near them. Now that they’re bonded, it only amplifies the sensation. They are the lit-up house one returns to at the end of the day. I’m still separate, out in the cold, and I’m incredibly jealous, but I must pay for my sins.

---