Page 79 of Perfectly Petite Shorts
“Is it also fair to say that Todrik is Jamila Winsome’s creation?”
“Completely.”
Chin lifting, Hamish’s deep green eyes briefly flicked my direction before zeroing in on Sage and Jessup again. “Just as these two…humans are Jamila’s creation? Biologically speaking.”
Lilibeth shrugged. “I can’t attest to that. Jamila claimed they were her biological children, but I can’t say much beyond that. They certainly don’t act like any kids I’d expect to spring from her loins, but sometimes shit goes sideways.”
I stifled my laughter, but others in the audience weren’t so discreet and light chuckles peppered the area.
Vaydra stood again, and I wondered if maybe she shouldn’t just remain standing instead of sitting down all the time. “Sage and Jessup Harper’s parentage is not in question.”
“No, it is not,” Hamish agreed. “But I would propose that the dryad, Todrik, is no less Jamila Winsome’s child. Perhaps not biologically, but magically he owes his very existence to Jamila Winsome. Is that not the definition of offspring?”
Murmurs flew through the audience. I could barely keep from bouncing in my seat. I wanted to stand and scream, “Hell yeah!” but refrained. I wasn’t completely certain why, but Hamish and Lilibeth were adamant I not reveal myself. At least, not yet.
“I would propose that Todrik is indeed Jamila’s child and, as such, one of her heirs. That land belongs to him as much as it does Sage and Jessup.”
My heart pounded. Hamish had made his case, and he’d done it brilliantly. At least, I thought so. But even if he was successful, at best, the judge would probably split Jamila’s land into thirds. And if he didn’t do that, then I’d be outvoted by Sage and Jessup, and they’d sell the land anyway. I didn’t want to settle for a third of Jamila’s land. I wanted to keep it all intact, and yet that was most likely the best I’d be able to do. I tried to convince myself it was better than nothing, but knewwhen the two-thirds that weren’t mine were razed to the ground I would be heartbroken.
I would need to find a way to find contentment and peace.
I was trying to warm to that resolve when Hamish said, “Counsel rests.” Walking back to his seat, the corner of Hamish’s lips twitched. No doubt about it, he was very pleased with himself.
“Does the defense wish to cross-examine?” Judge Lucius asked.
“Don’t bother,” Sage leaned over and whispered into Vaydra’s ear. Her reflexive movement in the opposite direction indicated Vaydra’s displeasure.
When Vaydra simply stared, waiting for more, Sage shrugged and said, “Trust me, it’s a moot point.”
“Amoot point?” Vaydra’s words echoed, louder than Sage. “What, exactly, does that mean?”
I couldn’t see Sage’s expression, but his tensed shoulders indicated he didn’t want to keep discussing it. “It means you’ve done your damn job and to shut the fuck up.”
“Sage.” Jessup’s cautionary tone was too little, too late. The courtroom chilled, and when I exhaled, I could clearly see my breath. One did not speak in those words or that tone to a fairy and expect no consequences.
This time, it was Sage’s turn to recoil. “I—”
“Why would the outcome of this trial be moot?” Lilibeth was suddenly standing in front of Sage. No, not standing, she was crouched on the tabletop, one of her feet firmly planted on Vaydra’s files. While I couldn’t see Sage or Jessup’s expressions. I could easily see Lilibeth.
I’d heard countless times that brownies were just as dangerous as fairies, that they were not to be trifled with. Given their smaller stature and generally benign demeanor, it was easy to dismiss those warnings. Seeing Lilibeth now, crouched low, her deep brown eyes lit from within and her lipspulled back in a malicious smirk—pointed teeth glinting below her taught lips, sent shivers running up and down my spine. This was not the same loving creature who’d held me when I’d cried over Jamila’s deceased body.
“Look at me,” Lilibeth ordered when Sage remained silent. Jessup made to stand—to protect his brother or flee I didn’t know. The reason didn’t matter. Lilibeth ordered, “Sit!” and Jessup’s ass slammed back into his seat. “I said, look at me. Now!”
If the pleased grin lighting Lilibeth’s face was any indication, Sage must have complied. The fire lighting her eyes blazed brighter. “Now, tell this court why its judgment doesn’t matter.”
Sage squirmed. The muscles on his neck bulged, and his knuckles whitened where he gripped the table. Painful, undecipherable grunts escaped his throat. Lilibeth’s grin widened, scrunching her eyes. “Ah, ah, ah.” She waggled a small finger in front of Sage’s face. “You’re trying to lie. See how painful that is? I should have warned you, but silly me thought maybe you’d tell the truth for once in your pathetic life. Similar to fairies, every brownie has a special affinity. Mine happens to be a bit more specialized than most. You lost the ability to so freely lie as soon as our gazes connected. Lying now is not only incredibly painful, but potentially deadly. Speak the truth and your pain will ease.”
Sage still struggled, his fingers scrabbling at his neck as if he were choking. Jessup couldn’t stand, but he swiveled so I could see his horrified face. “You’re killing him,” he shouted.
“He’s killing himself,” Lilibeth calmly answered.
Unsatisfied, Jessup turned to the judge. “Do something! She’s killing my brother.”
Judge Lucius appeared unaffected. The brownie witnesses flanking him even less so. “Your lawyer has yet to object toLilibeth’s actions.”
Jessup pounded on the tabletop. “Object, damn you!”
“I am not inclined to do so,” Vaydra dispassionately answered.
