Page 18 of Honorable Convictions
The figure she gave him would essentially liquidate his savings, but Mitchell didn’t care. The condo was what he wanted, and finding the right home was why he’d built his nest egg for the last nearly six decades. There was no denying that it would hurt to write that check, and Mitchell had to strive for the highest percentage possible in his next performance review, or he’d never be able to afford furniture for the expansive place, but he wasn’t daunted.
“I’ll take it.”
“Wonderful. I might’ve brought a contract for us to write up in case you decided to put in an offer.”
As Mitchell and Evelyn carefully penned the pages of the agreement to purchase his dream home, his helpful imagination produced another perfect scenario that featured Pierson. They were on the bed that was nestled perfectly between the two windows, and the sheets were a deep red. The green of Pierson’s eyes would be enhanced against the complementary color, and instead of staring through him as he so often did, there was a beautiful smile on his face.
In that moment, Mitchell promised himself that someday he’d make that dream a reality. Although animosity was entrenched in their relationship and they had a great deal of work to do, their souls belonged together. Whether it was sooner rather than later was up for debate, but Mitchell had long ago grown accustomed to the uncertainty that made up the bulk of their matebond. The Mitchell that had graduated decades ago would be in disbelief that they weren’t living side by side, but that version of himself had been cast aside.
There was simply no point in setting goals where Pierson was concerned. Fate’s choices were ingrained in him, so he had to trust that she knew what she was doing. If not, Mitchell had wasted energy on a pipe dream, and he’d continue to sleep alone because there was no way he’d ever do a separation agreement. It physically hurt him to think about tearing apart what he’d yet to even build with Pierson, and he hated them in general.
Although he was dedicated to his job, those cases were still the ones he dreaded most. There was a form to exempt him from them—plenty of Juris Knights preferred to opt out of certain types of assignments but not Pierson. And if Pierson wouldn’t do it, there was no way Mitchell was going to lose that battle. There were too many conflicts where Mitchell was already the underdog. The last thing he’d do was add to Pierson’s tally of wins. Holding on to his dreams, he hoped the war between them didn’t wind up endless.
Chapter 10
Decades later
Pierson walked into the courtroom with his client, Niko Draconis, fully prepared to make sure the dragon shifter gained the freedom he wanted. For the past few months, Mr. Draconis—with the help of the emperors who ruled the Council—had worked hard to get a new law ratified in the Main Assembly Hall. It was dubbed Niko’s Law and would allow those who were stuck in matebonds that hadn’t been sealed by blood, or in the case of shifters, by bite, to contact one of the few demonic entities to ask them to consider using their magic to destroy the bond created by Fate.
At first, Pierson had recoiled at the idea. Since a few days after his resurrection he’d had his other half, and although he’d once believed they’d overcome their differences, there was no guarantee. As Pierson had learned what Niko had been through, he’d grown convinced of the importance of the new legislation. Mates were supposed to be there to care, nurture, and love, not imprison or harm as had happened in Niko’s case.
It was late one night after the Council had approved Niko’s Law that Pierson’s thoughts had turned to himself. Horribly lonely, he wished for a life filled with things beyond work. What was the point of having someone who was supposedly destined to be your other half if you couldn’t be in the same room together? Nothing about his relationship with Mitchell had improved. If anything, the battle lines drawn so long ago were more entrenched.
Mitchell was friendly and had excellent banter with his coworkers on the other side of the office. Meanwhile, Pierson didn’t even have a plant to confide in. Nothing appeared to be missing for Mitchell, who flirted with everything that moved. It was something Pierson hated to witness, and he wondered if Mitchell was willing to deal with the illness that plagued magickind, like themselves, who had a mate and tried to have sex with another partner.
Pierson forced himself to pay attention as the judge in the courtroom spoke to his client, Niko Draconis, about his son. Against Pierson’s advice, Niko had insisted that he continue to share custody with the boy’s mother, Andriana Draconis. Drugging Niko to get pregnant, she’d then trapped him on their estate for thirteen years while his child grew up without Niko aware he had a son. Judge Desjardins was willing to do things Niko’s way, but the moment Andriana made a detrimental move, she wanted to be informed of it. Pierson was going to keep checking in with Niko to ensure that all was well.
“Good, see that you do. Let us move on to the matter at hand. I’ve received extensive information from all three people, thanks to the hard work of Juris Knights Brooks and Murphy, so I will not listen to arguments at this time. The Council of Sorcery and Shifters officially ratified Niko’s Law, which states that a person chosen by Fate may contact a demonic entity if they have separation papers either agreed upon by parties in question or signed by a judge. I have letters from demonic entities supporting the separation. In light of all that, I can see no further barrier to granting the request of Mr. Draconis.”
Grabbing a giant stamp, she pressed it with considerable force on the paper in front of her. “In the case of Niko Draconis versus Andriana Draconis and versus Gelon Draconis, I, Judge Alina Desjardins, selected byle ministre de l’Assemblée des enchanteurs, hereby grant the use of the demonic spell to break this unbonded connection of Fate.”
Pierson waited while she opened a door. A group of men piled into the room—Chieftain Lorcan Acwellan-D’Vaire and his mate, Talfryn; the Lich Sentinel along with his mate, Arch Lich Chander Daray; and Skeleton Lords Gavrael and Gedeon D’Vaire, who were there at the behest of Grand Duke Brogan D’Vairedraconis, who was a stickler for security. The D’Vaires were an extended part of the royal court and housed an extraordinary sanctuary, which was the only multi-race facility in the entire Council.
Judge Desjardins smiled broadly, walking to her desk. “I hope you don’t mind me taking matters into my own hands. I saw no reason to further delay this process. Chieftain Acwellan-D’Vaire is here to help us out, and the Arch Lich asked for the opportunity to observe this unique ability his own demonic blood affords him.”
“Can’t you do anything?” Gelon demanded of Mitchell, who was representing him. It wasn’t uncommon anymore for Pierson to share a courtroom with Mitchell. Like him, Mitchell was considered the best by their superiors.
“We have followed the extent of your options under the law; you’ll be arrested if you do not follow Judge Desjardins’s order,” Mitchell intoned. Uncharacteristically solemn throughout the proceedings, Pierson wondered why Mitchell hadn’t taken the opportunity to taunt him as usual.
Skeleton Lord Gavrael set a plain black bowl on the table as Lorcan grinned. “I wanted to give you a quick explanation; then I’m happy to do this for you. Niko, you have two distinct matebonds, and we must treat each one independently. Mr. Draconis and Ms. Draconis are bonded by dragon bite, so if I mix the blood of all three of you, I’m afraid the spell will backfire since you cannot break theirs. Does that make sense?”
“Yes,” Niko responded.
Andriana rose and sauntered up to Lorcan. “I’ll go first. I know Niko’s waited a long time for this, and neither of us ever wanted it. And I know Praxis would want me to do whatever it took to make his dad happy.”
“I need a drop of blood from each of you,” Lorcan said, grabbing Gavrael’s dagger. The sentinel had removed the two-toned poison that covered it, so it wouldn’t kill them when they were touched by the blade.
Niko held out his hand and a drop of blood dripped from his fingertip into the bowl. Lorcan swung the bowl, allowing the crimson from Andriana’s body to fall onto Niko’s. The demonic elf handed the dagger to Gavrael, closed his eyes, and murmured words in a language no one in the Council spoke or fully understood.
Pierson marveled at the barely visible silver thread that lifted slightly out of their bodies. Red smoke swirled around it, and the thin connection snapped suddenly, freeing their souls. The Imperial Duke, who was the twin brother of Emperor Chrysander, moved like lightning and threw out his arms to catch an ominously swaying Andriana. Pierson didn’t move fast enough to help Niko, so it was Emperor Ellery who laid a hand on his back. It was embarrassing to admit after a century that Pierson’s reflexes were still horribly slow.
“How do you feel?” The Arch Lich, who was half-demonic himself, asked with curiosity rich in his voice.
“Like I’m no longer connected to Niko,” Andriana whispered, with cheeks slightly pale. Andriana gave Niko a tremulous smile. “That wasn’t so bad, was it?”
“We survived,” he teased with a grin of his own.
Patting Damian’s arm, she straightened his sash, and leveled a hard look at her remaining mate. “Gelon, get up herenow.”
