“What, and you think you’re such an angel?” he retorted.
“Asshole!”
“Shrew!”
Her face scrunched up. “You?—”
“Stop!” Master Hiramus held up a hand. “You will cease this fighting now. What’s done is done. You must remain committed to each other for a year and a day.”
“Committed is right,” Liora muttered under her breath.
“There really is no other way to divorce other than to wait a year and a day?” Frankly, at this rate, Maldenis wasn’t even sure they’d last that long without killing each other.
“I’m afraid our ancient laws are clear on the matter.” Master Hiramus’s expression turned serious. “Our ancestors had their reasons, and while we may not know or understand why, we must trust their judgement.”
Maldenis couldn’t think of anything to counter his words. Basilisks valued tradition above all else. While many thought that their society was modern and forward-thinking, especially because of their advanced technology and progressive ways, at the very heart of basilisk society centered on society, on order and conformity. It was the only way they survived the exodus from the Upperworld without turning on each other and causing the extinction of their entire race.
“I suppose you’re right, Master Hiramus. We will follow the law.”
Liora’s face turned a crimson shade as she threw her hands up. “What? That’s it? We’re just gonna pretend we’re married?—”
“Youaremarried,” Master Hiramus reminded her.
“This is?—”
“Liora!” Maldenis hissed. “Let’s just count ourselves lucky this isn’t something permanent and it’ll go away.”
Her nostrils flared, but she seemed to relent. “I suppose. Like a bad rash.”
“Exactly.” He turned back to Master Hiramus. “Thank you for your time, we’ll see ourselves out.”
“Yeah, thanks,” Liora said with a roll of her eyes, then she pivoted and marched off.
Maldenis ushered her outside and once they were out of earshot, turned to her. “Whew,” he sighed. “Considering the circumstances, we got off easy.”
“That was easy?” Liora huffed.
“It’s not so bad, it’s temporary, after all.”
“Hmm, I guess so.” She shrugged. “Why don’t we make this even easier?”
“How?”
“Consider this an advanced divorce—I divorce you and no longer want to be with you.”
“That’s not how it works. We’re supposed to say that in a year and day,” he pointed out.
“Like it matters,” she shot back. “We already know we’re going to say it. I mean, what are we supposed to do? Buy a house and live together?”
He hadn’t really thought about the logistics of it all. “But the law says we must stay married.”
“There has to be some way to undo it.”
“How?”
“I’ll find some way, okay. In the meantime, don’t tell anyone about this.”
“What? You think I’m gonna shout it to the rooftops.”
