Page 126 of Entranced By the Basilisks

I lied to them. I don’t care as much that I violated serpent kin law, but this was the only way I could think of to save Jasper. If my head on a platter will appease the Circle and keep Emilia and Jasper safe, they can have it.

I knew it might come down to this. I’d set both of them up as my beneficiaries on the way here.

That was before Jasper had glared at me and told me to come back to them. I don’t know how, but I’ll do what I must to be able to return to them at the end of the day.

“Ari Zeyad, we have come to a decision on the judgment for your crimes,” Councilor Singh’s powerful gaze draws mine away from my lovers.

I straighten where I stand.

“You are, by your own admission, at fault for the forbidden bonding, however accidental. We will give the Chosen, whose life will forever be affected by your duplicity, the choice of whether you will pay for the crime through restitution or by death.”

The room is silent, and Councilor Singh looks at Emilia, who blinks in surprise.

“Chosen Rivera, it’s your decision which method Zeyad will pay for—”

“Restitution,” Emilia says quickly, and some of the crowd chuckle at her alarm.

Councilor Singh’s mouth twitches. “Very well.”

Her gaze on me is steely. I have no doubt that this will hurt.

“Ari Zeyad, you will be stripped of your wealth. Ten percent of it will be paid as a fine to the Circle and everything else you own will go to the mated pair that you have wronged.”

It feels like I’ve been punched in the chest. Logically, I know this isn’t bad. It’s a boon really… but it hurts. My wealth and business have been what propped me up for all the years I’ve been alone.

If Emilia and Jasper have everything I could possibly give them, what do they need me for?

* * *

Thankfully,no one in the crowd challenges the verdict. No one stops Emilia from wrapping her arms around me now and we’re led to a different chamber for the technicalities.

It doesn’t take much time at all to trade away my meticulously garnered fortune for my life. Phone calls are made, the fine to the Circle is paid, and I’m only numb. The transfer of properties will take longer. Armand, the Circle guard, will follow up with us to make sure it’s done, but they let us leave.

I try to take solace in Emilia’s arms, but my soul is still heavy. It’s only money. They are numbers on a screen. Material items. Some of them have sentimental value, like my family property, but if anyone was going to have it, it should be Emilia and Jasper.

It’s only money, but at the same time, it isn’t.

It’s a lifetime of strategy, some hardship, and a lot of luck. It’s what’s allowed me to move through social circles and take risks. It’s provided me with distraction when I needed it and comfort when I didn’t.

That it’s going to Emilia and Jasper is fair. I’d want them to have it if the Circle had chosen death, but with me still alive… what am I if not the successful businessman? I was their lover, but I fucked that up. I’ve apologized for lying, but that doesn’t grow trust where it’s been burned away.

I hadn’t thought my money made me feel invincible, but it did. I felt that if I had enough time, eventually I’d be able to win back Emilia’s and Jasper’s trust. I would have given gifts, sent notes, been there until one of them took mercy on me. I would have given them my fortune to be forgiven if that’s what it took… but now it’s gone, and I’m left dangling.

All I have left to offer is myself.

This is an inconvenient time to have an identity crisis.

The trip back through the gate is anticlimactic after everything that’s happened. Emilia squeezes my hand before we walk through, and I soak up the affection. Some of the feeling returns to my skin. I won’t get to keep this for long, so I bask in it.

Jasper squeezes my shoulder on the other side of the gate and the relief on his face is stark, as if he’s only just now accepting that we all got away.

I clear my throat. “I have a car parked above.”

Which is rightfully their car now.

“Good,” Emilia says. “I’m ready for this day to be over.”

My heart aches. I’m shell-shocked, that’s what I am.

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