“Art is far more interesting than diplomacy,” Jonathan commented, while Delmare nodded.
My stomach was twisted up in knots. Ethan had to go through this all on his own. What if we didn’t win the trial? What if we lost, and if—
A set of doors on the side of the room slammed open. My heart crumbled as a set of guards dragged Ethan into the room. He was still filthy, and wearing the tatters of his prison uniform. My friends, and the rest of the courtroom, gasped at Ethan’s ghastly, haunted appearance. The swelling in his face had gone down, but he was still covered in blood and bruises.
But that wasn’t the worst part. Nausea swam in my organs as I realized the guards were dragging Ethan because he couldn’t walk. His prosthetic was gone. People’s eyes gravitated to the limp pant leg, which had been tied off where Ethan’s thigh ended. The fabric trailed on the floor as Ethan was pulled across the room.
I nearly vomited. He’d still had his prosthetic when I’d seen him last night. Elijah must’ve taken it away from him, to embarrass him during the trial.
Ethan’s eyes sought mine. I felt his pain through our bond. This was humiliating for him. I forced myself to give him a smile, to let him know everything would be all right. I kept my hands in my lap so he wouldn’t see them shake.
Ethan was pushed forward. With only one leg, he couldn’t balance himself, and he fell forward. He curled against the stone, and the guards hauled him upward, shackling him to the noxite chair.
So many fae stared at Ethan’s missing leg and whispered. I turned to glare at them, and a few averted their gazes. Beside me, Stefan appeared sick.
“This is depraved,” he whispered. I grabbed his hand and held it tight. Nothing was worse than having to endure this.
The members of the Circle, along with Gabby and Elijah, entered the room. They took the stairs to the stand and sat above Ethan, looking down upon him. The crown was perched atop Elijah’s head, too— I wanted to yank it off and clobber him with it.
Lady Iris’ spot on the council had already been replaced. A new alicorn lady sat in her stead beside Lord Radcliffe, and although I didn’t know who she was, I knew by the smirk on her face Eli had already paid her off. I instantly hated her. Lord Lucien sat with the other Circle members, and I was glad we had at least one ally on the council.
“Where’s Lady Magdalina?” Theo whispered. “She’s not here.”
Panic twisted my insides as I realized he was right. Lady Magdalina, Headmistress of Arcanea University and our only other ally on the Circle, was missing. How could she abandon us now? Did she think it was helpless, too?
Blackness curled into hopeless depression as Elijah began speaking. “Shall we get on with it? I for one think we’ve waited too long for this trial to begin.”
He certainly didn’t care Lady Magdalina hadn’t shown up. I looked around. I expected someone to stand by Ethan’s side, but no one moved forward to defend him.
What the hell? Hadn’t they supplied Ethan with a lawyer? This was all kinds of illegal! He couldn’t sit there and defend himself!
Elijah’s voice was cackling with glee. “Let it be known to the public that the defendant has been placed under a truth-telling enchantment, so that he cannot lie during court proceedings. Prince Ethan Nowak, you are hereby charged with treason to Malovia by means of vigilantism. How do you plead?”
The doors to the courtroom burst open once again. Fae exclaimed aloud, and my heart stuttered as Lady Magdalina strolled into the room with all the authority of the Seven Gods themselves.
“He pleads not-guilty,obviously, because he hasn’t committed treason of any sort,” Magdalina said shortly. “Any further questions?”
Gossip broke out amongst the courtroom. My mouth dropped, and Steward Soloman sat forward. “Lady Magdalina, what in the gods’ name do you think you’re doing?”
“Serving as Prince Ethan’s lawyer,” Magdalina replied curtly. “After all, I have a degree in fae law, and therefore, am the only person on the Circle qualified to do so.”
“You’re a member of the Circle! You can’t defend someone who you’re legally bound to judge!” Lord Radcliffe boomed.
“By Malovian law, if a defendant does not have representation in the court, a member of the Circle must give up their own vote, and be designated to him to advocate on his behalf,” Lady Magdalina said.
Elijah’s face turned red. “As a member of the Circle, you are obligated to—”
“Your highness, I’m obligated to donothing. If you forbid me from serving as Ethan Nowak’s lawyer, you are breaking the law, and the court will be held in contempt. According to a royal mandate made by King Benevir in 1982, once these rules are transgressed and the defendant remains without counsel, you will be forced to allow him to go free, and I’m certain you have no inclination to do that. Unless, of course, you’d like to save all of our time and just get this over with by releasing the prisoner.”
Elijah snarled, but Gabby nudged him, as an indication to remain composed.
Elijah’s eyes roamed over the attending audience, and he said, “Fine. I’ll allow it— as if it’ll make a difference in the sentencing.”
Lady Magdalina gave me a wink, and I felt a bit of ease. This had to be part of Lord Lucien’s plan. If I knew Lady Magdalina, she’d fight hard for Ethan. She wouldn’t back down, not even to Elijah.
Steward Soloman groaned as he sat forward. “Ethan Nowak, you are hereby accused of treason by work of vigilantism. Do you deny it?”
Ethan said, “No, but—”
