Page 4 of Aries

“Most couples who attempt this are doing so out of desperation rather than genuine connection,” the attorney continues. “The Fractali can detect the difference between authentic bonds and desperate arrangements. That’s why the failure rate is so high—not because the law is defunct, but because most who invoke it are trying to manipulate the system rather than prove genuine redemption.”

“As the only unmated woman in our group, the only one with any connection to Aries…” I begin.

“Callie…” Vartan’s voice is gentle, but filled with concern. “Are you certain?”

“It’s not anyone’s decision but mine,” I say quietly, though my heart pounds.

The attorney’s hologram sputters for a moment, catching our attention and putting an end to this discussion as he shuffles through documents. “You need to consider how rigorous this will be. As I said, the Rites areextremelydemanding—for ninety days.”

“Three months,” I murmur, more to myself than the room. “We managed weeks in that cell. At this point, what’s three months?”

“This isn’t the same thing at all,” Petra argues. “That was survival. This is—”

“This is survival, too.” My voice comes out stronger than I feel. “Hissurvival.”

My mind races through impossible scenarios—Aries executed while we watch helplessly, the crew fractured by his loss, me living with the knowledge I might have been able to prevent it. The thought lodges like shrapnel in my chest. I barely recognize my own impulse to save him, this male I’ve carefully avoided for years, but something primal and certain within me rebels against letting him die.

“Callie.” Captain Zar-Rynn moves to stand before me, his golden eyes intent. “No one would think less of you for not offering this. What happened when you and Aries were thrown together in that cell… must have been traumatic for you both to avoid each other so completely these pastannums. This is an enormous commitment, and it would mean facing whatever happened back then.”

“I know.” The words feel small in the huge weight of this moment.

“And if you fail these trials—if you can’t convince them it’s real—they’ll execute him immediately. No appeals. No second chances.”

“I know that too.”

His tail flicks with concern. “Are you prepared for what this means?”

The question hangs in the air. I think of Aries facing execution, of our crew losing another member, of living with the knowledge that I could have prevented it.

“Because he’s one of us. And we don’t leave our people behind.” The words come out fierce and certain. “I’ve spent all these years believing he rejected me after we were thrown together in that cell. If there’s even a chance I was wrong, that his coldness came from somewhere else entirely, I need to know the truth.” I add, surprised to admit out loud that I’d been nursing that thought all this time. “Besides, it’s only three months. We can fake it that long, right?”

“The Rites can’t be faked,” the attorney interjects. “The trials are designed to reveal genuine connection. Many couples who were actually in love have failed.”

“Then we’ll have to make it real,” I say, with more confidence than I feel. “Or real enough to pass their tests.”

“The isolation is complete,” the attorney adds. “No contact with crew, family, or friends. Just the two of you and the Redemption Committee observers. They are a separate race from the Sanctorii. They have powerful perceptive abilities.”

Shadow makes a frustrated sound. “This is insane. There has to be another way.”

“Is there?” I challenge, gesturing to the useless attorney’s hologram. “Because it sounds like our options are this or watching him die.”

My voice catches on the last word, the reality of what’s at stake hitting me like a sledgehammer. For all our carefulavoidance, all our history, I can’t reconcile the thought of a universe without Aries in it. Whatever happened between us in that cell, whatever walls he built—none of it matters against the finality of death. I’ve survived slave traders, a revolution, and long, dangerous years on the run, but I realize now I’m not strong enough to survive knowing I could have saved him and didn’t try.

“The holding facility requires an answer in thirty standard minutes,” the attorney reminds us. “If you’re truly considering this, I’ll need to rush to prepare the documentation.”

Captain Zar-Rynn’s tail lashes in decision. “Prepare them. But first, Callie needs to speak with Aries.” His gaze meets mine. “He has to agree to this. And you need to be very sure about what you’re offering.”

My legs feel unsteady as I stand. “Where are they holding him?”

“I’ll take you,” Petra offers quietly. “I studied the map, but we should run.”

As we head for the door, Captain Zar-Rynn’s voice stops me. “Callie. Whatever happened in that cell… whatever made you both retreat so far from each other… Are you sure you can face that?”

Looking back at the concerned faces of my crew—my family—I manage a weak smile. “I guess we’re about to find out because I’m not willing to face the alternative.”

The truth of those words settles into my bones. Since we fought and won our freedom, I’ve run from whatever broke between Aries and me. Now I’m running straight toward it, toward him, toward demons I’ve carefully avoided—and there’s a strange relief in that.

I don’t know what awaits us in those three months of isolation, don’t know if I can build something real with someone who once hurt me so deeply with his withdrawal. But I do know, with a sudden clarity that startles me, that I’d ratherface those demons than live with the certainty of his death on my conscience. Some choices aren’t choices at all.

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