Page 40 of Lacey's Warriors

“Who will our Territory go to?” Chel asked in a voice trembling with anger.

“That is up to you to decide,” Lady Yanush said. “As I said, we do recognize the unusual circumstances that led to you breaking our law, and as such we offer you the choice. Your old Territory may either go to your nearest relative for one hundred years, or you may enter it into the Lottery.”

“The Lottery,” both Chel and Gwarnon said in unison, even as Gwarnon’s heart broke.

Better that some young blood brother Warriors win the territory than Lady Melissi get her hands on it. All his people that he rescued were about to be under the hand of a stranger, one who might not understand how and why his people were so damaged. Or care. A shudder worked through his soul, the profound sorrow of failing his people causing minute fractures between his soul and the Madness.

His guilt and sorrow compounded when he realized that, without a Territory, Lacey would have no power or position on Kadothia. She would be unable to form her own court and would be treated as an outcast. True, she had a fortune of her own, and they could live anywhere in the Galaxy, but Kadothia was by far the safest place for her—especially with the Hive so eager to capture her.

“Then it is done,” Lady Yanush declared.

Lady Elsin began to dismiss them. “May the Lord of Life bless you—”

“If I may?” A woman’s voice with the same rolling accent as Lacey’s came from behind him. “I wish to approach the High Congress in a matter regarding my daughter andRoilinda’s Decree.”

His crystal implant quickly supplied the information on the ancient law, his confusion turning slowly to surprise as he watched a Matriarch who looked like an older, softer version of Lacey join them. She had her daughter’s light blonde hair and bore the swirling bondmarks of a Matriarch. There was a sense of strength and purpose about her, and even though she wasn’t physically present in his holographic chamber, he swore he could feel her presence.

Lady Elsin was quiet for a moment, then she gave one of her rare smiles. “Roilinda’s Decree… that has not been enacted in centuries.”

“But it is still a valid law,” Lord Rell reminded the High Congress, “if a rarely used one.”

Holding out an old fashioned looking rolled piece of paper, Lady Tara Taylor gave the High Congress an imperious look as she said, “I would like to register my daughter’s engagement gift—a Territory on Madre Tierra. I believe this would satisfy the High Congress’s punishment for Gwarnon and Chel, without unduly punishing my daughter as well by stripping her of her rights as a Matriarch.”

“Objection!” Lord Pompour shouted, his cheeks red with a harsh flush. “A land without people is not a Territory.”

“You are quite correct,” Lady Tara all but purred, her red lips quirking on one side into the same smirk Lacey liked to give. “Thankfully, as of one hour ago, over two million Kadothian citizens settled in Lacey’s new Territory on Madre Tierra and began the long task of creating her new Territory.”

“In addition,” Lord Rell said as he inclined his head to Lady Tara, “there are slaves that Lady Lacey won, and subsequently freed from the Baladium, who wish to reside in her Territory. They will all be, of course, thoroughly vetted before allowing to settle. I have prepared a report on some of the potential settlers, and I think you can all agree that it would be very good for Kadothia’s reputation in the galaxy to have these people on our side.”

“These two million Kadothian citizens,” Lady Yanush asked with her eyes narrowed, “Where did they come from?”

“I made the offer to the people of Gwarnon and Chel’s Territory, of course.Roilinda’s Decreestipulates that the daughter must offer shelter to her fiancé’s people as well as her own. I made the offer and was quite surprised at the number of citizens who requested a place in the Territory I planned on gifting my daughter on Madre Tierra.”

The red in Lord Pompour’s cheeks had crept all the way to his hairline, and Gwarnon wondered if the man would simply keel over from rage. No doubt Lord Pompour was aware that Lady Melissi wanted Gwarnon’s Territoryandthe people in it. And no doubt Lord Pompour and Lady Melissi’s other allies would be feeling his mother’s wrath tonight. He could just picture her now, throwing an epic fit as she was denied what she wanted. The sense of relief coming from Chel joined with his own as their spirits briefly touched.

Lady Elsin had joined Lady Yanush, and both were going over the document while the rest of the High Congress watched in silence.

“Everything looks to be in order,” Lady Yanush gave Lady Tara an admiring look. “By Kadothian Law, Lady Lacey must bond her mates within thirty days of attaining her Territory.” She glanced over at Gwarnon and Chel. “Though I do not think this will be an issue.”

Gwarnon nodded, keeping his face impassive as he said, “We plan on bonding ouralyahthe moment we return to Kadothia.”

“Excellent.” A chime rang out as Lady Elsin said, “This session of the High Congress is over. There will be a brief twenty-minute break before we resume hearing cases.”

The holographic world faded around them, leaving a beaming Lacey and her mother standing with them as Lord Rell let out a breath of relief.

“Well, that was fun,” Tara said as she shared an amused look with her daughter. “Care to introduce me to your beaus?”

Hisalyahblushed, the pink on her cheeks making her eyes sparkle as she held out a hand. “Mom, I’d like you to meet Gwarnon and Chel, my bondmates.”

Fisting their hands to their hearts, both men said, “It is an honor.”

Lord Rell cocked his head to the side for a moment, then said, “The High Congress is asking us to exit the chambers so they can get ready for the next case.”

Lacey reached out, her holographic hand hovering over their faces for a moment as she gave them a small smile. “I’ll see you soon, right?”

“As soon as we can get there,” Gwarnon assured her.

The image of Lord Rell and the women faded, leaving a rather stunned Gwarnon and Chel looking at each other.

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