Page 171 of The Lands Defying
Alpha Christopher raises a hand to settle the crowd. “We are doing this hanging here to show that no matter where those who commit a crime are, they will be punished, they will not get away with it.”
“More like they don’t want to open the castle gates and be at risk of others getting inside and staying,” I mutter in Rhea’s ear. She nods, her hand coming back to grip my side.
“These males were found to have multiple piles of posters in crates beneath their home,” Charles continues. “And after being questioned, they finally admit to their crimes in wanting to rebel against myself, and against the Highers. Those that protect you!” Three males are brought forward on the battlements. Hands tied behind their backs and mouths stuffed with cloth.
Typical that they haven’t allowed them to talk.
“Darius,” Rhea mumbles and I lean down to hear her better. “Why are there only three males when there are four nooses?” I look up at that and see she’s right.
Four dangle down from the stone, ready and waiting. Why make four when there are only three males.
“We need to help them,” she mumbles, her body stiff. “We both know they didn’t do it.”
I do, but it’s only us, we have no chance of doing anything to help them.
“It is too dangerous, little wolf. It is a risk, and we may do more harm than good,” I say quietly. Maybe it wasn’t a good idea to bring her here. She will feel guilty just standing here and watching, I know she will.
“We can’t donothing,” she hisses at me.
Fuck.
“Because of the heinous slander spread across the lands, these males instilled anger and panic across the people, which resulted in multiple brawls and many left dead. They have their deaths on their hands with their actions,” Charles booms.
“And that is before taking into consideration their treason against the Highers,” Alpha Christopher tacks on.
Edward says nothing, his eyes sad as he watches the three males get put in their nooses by the Highers’s guards. Theystruggle, of course they do, they are about to die, and a woman screams in the front row.
Begging.
Crying that her mate has a young pup.
I grind my teeth and Rhea’s shoulders shake.
“Not only will these traitors lose their life, but they will also lose the home where they carried out these traitorous acts.’’ He points in a direction, and we all turn, watching as smoke appears in the distance. “It will burn as a reminder that these crimes will not be tolerated!”
Rhea makes a devastated noise, I turn her in my arms and pull her close. “Don’t watch, little wolf.” My hand goes to the back of her head as she grips me tightly.
I definitely shouldn’t have brought her here; I should have refused her. But I was afraid she would run off on her own again.
I go to fetch the port stone out of my pocket, but Charles’s next words hit us like he’s speaking directly to us.
“We also have one more traitor.” Rhea turns, a gasp spilling from her as Edward is pushed forward.
A noose is placed around his neck like the others, and he looks over the crowd below. He doesn’t even fight it. I know the moment he sees Rhea though. His eyes widen, a hard set in his jaw before he lowers his eyes.
A bird squeaks, and we both look up and see Illium circling above, squawking as he looks down at him.
“No,” Rhea says. It’s quiet, but full of devastation.
She moves so fast that she slips through my fingers and with a muttered curse, I follow her through the crowd.
“Little wolf, fuck!” I shove people out the way, and that causes Charles to look into the crowd with furrowed brows.
“Quiet down,” he demands as someone punches me as I pass them. I turn quickly and hit him back, sending him crashing into others and that starts a full on fist fight.
People start shoving and pushing, blood spilling as I hear the guards ahead trying to calm them.
“You will not disrespect me in my home!” Charles fumes, and then what feels like a shockwave of lightning passes through us.
