Page 56 of Alien Engineer's Mate

She nodded, forcing back the tears that threatened. There would be time for crying later. Right now, she had a warrior to save.

16

The Latharian courtroom made Eira feel small. She clutched Leo's hand as they walked through the entrance, her heartbeat thundering in her ears. The space stretched around them, all sleek metal and sharp angles that amplified every footstep into an accusation.

Sheena stood at the defense table, and Eira blinked, surprise filling her at the transformation. Gone was the shy teenager who'd blushed over Leo's clunky flirting at dinner. In her place stood a young advocate in formal alien robes that shifted between deep crimson and black. Gold chains were wrapped around her horns. Eira didn't need to be versed in Tavkronian history to know the designs on them were important. Everything about the way she was dressed screamed tradition and ritual. Her usual hesitation had vanished, replaced by focused determination as she arranged documents on the table before her.

"Everything is prepared. Please take a seat, Lady Coleman, Mr. Coleman," she said, gesturing to the seats behind the defense table. Her voice carried that same quiet authority ithad when she'd faced down the warriors from the security detachment in the corridor.

Eira's gaze drifted to the shadowed judge's booth, high up on the far wall. Her throat tightened. It was darkened, sheer black curtains obscuring the occupant... if there even was one. They couldn't even see who would decide Maax's fate. How could they hope to convince someone when they couldn't even see their face?

"Mom." Leo squeezed her hand. "Come on. We should sit down."

The bench felt cold beneath her as Leo guided her into place. She stared at her hands, trying to stop them from shaking. This was happening. It was really happening. In just minutes, they would begin fighting for Maax's future... for the future of their new little family.

The doors opened with a resonant boom that made her flinch.

"Advocate for the prosecution enters the court," a deep voice announced behind them, and she and Leo turned.

Tisshel Taci entered the courtroom with measured steps, her presence commanding immediate attention. Her robes shimmered between shades of blue and silver and were much more elaborate than Sheena's. Silver chains draped her horns and shoulders in intricate patterns. Her hooves clicked against the floor with each step.

"Oh stars." The whisper escaped before Eira could stop it.

"Defense Advocate Taci." Tisshel paused to greet her daughter with a formal bow, the gesture heavy with protocol. No trace of their late-night strategy session showed in Tisshel's stern features.

"Prosecution Advocate Taci." Sheena's voice was steady as she addressed her mother. "The defense is prepared to proceed."

Tisshel inclined her head, matching her daughter's formality. "The empire recognizes your standing in this matter. Prosecution is ready to proceed."

Reality crashed over Eira like ice water. She hadn't realized that Sheena would face her own mother, who moved through the courtroom like she owned every molecule of air within it. What had they been thinking? Tisshel had years more experience than her daughter.

Her chest constricted until she could barely draw a breath. If they lost, Maax would disappear into whatever hole they had waiting. Emily would lose her father. Their children would lose the family they'd barely begun to build. She would lose the man she... shit, she loved Maax. She had done since the moment he stood staring at her in that medical corridor.

"Mom." Leo's grip tightened on her hand, grounding her. "Look at Sheena."

Eira forced herself to focus through her rising panic. Sheena stood tall at the defense table, her movements precise as she arranged her materials. There was nothing uncertain in the way she handled her datapad, marking reference points with quick taps of her taloned fingers. Even as court officials filed in to take their places, she acknowledged each one with perfect protocol, receiving measured nods in return.

The main doors opened again. A group of Latharian warriors entered, each bearing honor beads like Maax's. Their coordinated movements reminded her of Maax's grace, though these warriors were battle-ready in a way she'd never seen him display.

They filed into the row behind her. The massive warrior who settled directly at her back leaned forward slightly.

"I am V'ash," he said, voice low and controlled. "Maax's training partner." He gestured to the warrior beside him. "This is Aaran. We fought beside your mate in the Turanian campaign."

Eira's throat tightened at the word 'mate.' These weren't just random warriors... they were Maax's brothers-in-arms. He'd mentioned training with them, but she hadn't met them until now.

Sheena rose from the defense table, drawing all eyes to her slight form. "The defense calls the court's attention to precedent 47-B, established during the C'Vaal secession." Her voice carried clearly, each word and phrase precise. "In which blood ties alone were deemed insufficient evidence of ideological contamination."

Aaran shifted forward, heavily muscled arms looped over the back of the bench she sat on. "Watch her work," he murmured. "The Taci name carries weight in every court across three sectors. Her father serves as High Advocate to the Tavkronian Council itself."

"But she's still a teenager," Eira whispered back, her chest tight.

"Her age masks her experience," Aaran replied. "The Taci study law from the moment they can pick up a book. I've seen her argue cases in the junior courts... she's never lost. Not once."

Sheena's next words proved his point. "Furthermore, the D'keett Accords specifically state that genetic heritage cannot be used as sole proof of criminal intent. I direct the court's attention to subsection 12..."

The side door opened.

Maax entered between four guards, chains binding his wrists and ankles. But his head remained high, his stride measured. Each step radiated the same quiet power she'd first seen in the mate program office. The chains seemed to mean nothing... they certainly didn't dim the intensity in his eyes when they met hers across the courtroom.

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