Page 51 of Fragile Oath

Though there was an uproar in argument, there were too many nods of assent, too many eager expressions. Betrayal and anger filled the air like a combustible gas. One wrong move, one more spark, and everything would explode.

The king was practically vibrating with fury, his body tense, his lips parting to voice an objection. I knew I had seconds to act before all of this went up in flames.

“You’re absolutely right,” I announced, much to the general shock of the room. “We should — and do — hold ourselves to the same laws. Avani did not break the law when she married Mac. She changed it. Rowan and I both paid for our misdeeds, as you well know,” I couldn’t help but growl.

MacBay was one of the few Lochlannians who had seen my cousin’s scars, the deep gashes in her skin that had nearly killed her.

“And,” I said in a louder tone, “I am not trying to escape any responsibility now. I was merely expecting the same benefit of the doubt we extend to each of our citizens.”

“We also expect them to plead their case,” Laird MacArthur said. “To submit to an interrogation, to provide us with some sort of evidence of their innocence, none of which you have done.”

“None of which I have had a chance to do in my absence, but naturally…” I ignored the king’s warning look. “I will now.”

Uncle Logan swore under his breath. We both knew providing evidence of my innocence wasn’t as simple as they made it out to be, not when someone was working to make me look guilty and the real culprit was a phantom who had eluded us for months.

But there was no other way.

A few grumblings sounded throughout the room, some about the inanity of the general proceedings, some about my apparent guilt, but I kept my attention fixed on MacBay. After a moment, he nodded, something that seemed to mollify those on his side.

Within moments, a vote was put forth, with over half of the Assembly voting to move this to a formal trial. I took careful note of where each person placed their loyalties, including Fenella’s vote against me and, more surprisingly, Fiona’s in my favor.

More contention ensued on the appropriate amount of time to go to trial. Some of the lairds were willing to give me months. Others insisted a whole day should be sufficient to collect myself and evidence.

“Very well,” MacArthur stated after a general consensus was reached. “We will reconvene in three weeks. Until such time, you will remain under armed guard within the castle walls from a neutral third party.”

Even he couldn’t keep a straight face on that last part. Neutral, my arse. MacBay was the one who had volunteered guards, and he had made his stance more than clear.

Now, I had three weeks to gather witnesses and evidence. Three weeks to find the Viper.

I swallowed hard, schooling my features into a semblance of confidence while the lairds stood to leave. MacBay caught my eye on the way out. Something churned in his gaze. Pity? Remorse? Disappointment?

Did he think about the children he had been an uncle to, the way he had grieved with Avani and defended Rowan and supported the rest of us until he decided we didn’t deserve that anymore?

His expression shuttered, and he looked away before I could decide if his abandonment was justified. Or if he was just another pawn in the Viper’s games – unwittingly or not.

ChapterTwenty-Five

GALINA

Gallagher ledme inside a different door than the one Davin had entered, though no less tucked away.

“The last thing we need is more attention,” he said under his breath.

“I don’t disagree, though that ship has rather sailed,” a smooth voice cut in.

Prince Oliver waited at the bottom of the stairs. It struck me all over again how like his son he looked. They had the same build, tall and broad without being bulky, the same cobalt eyes and obsidian locks, though the prince’s were shot through with gray at the temples.

I gave him a Lochlannian curtsy, and he shook his head.

“None of that now.” He turned to Gallagher. “I can escort her from here.”

“Her rooms–” Gal began.

The prince made a face of grim understanding. “We’ve increased the guard all around, but you’ll have time to check in on it since we aren’t headed straight there, if you need to for…yourpeace of mind.”

Gallagher gave him a small smirk. “I see you understand entirely.”

Davin’s father shrugged. “I know my son.”

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