“No need,” Filbur said behind me, walking around to reach his brother on the platform. They looked at each other silentlyas Khegon gave him the so-called marriage contract. No words were needed with these two…
When my husband came back to stand by my side, he pulled out the translating glass from the pocket of his loose pants.
He tensed with every second.
That was it. Ihadto look at it.
Inching closer, I read over his arm.
“What?” I shrieked. “This isnonsense!”
Jake’s smile was cruel. “You thought you’d leave me behind? This is a marriage contract. Youcan’t—”
“Silence,” Filbur snapped without looking up.
“I never signed this,” I said softly. “I was careful to everything I was agreeing to andthis—”
“Kadhasse—”
“—Ineversigned this!”
And yet, it wasmysignature at the bottom. How did my signature end upthere? This was insane. How did they—
“I believe you,Kadhasse,” he whispered, eyes searching mine. “I believe you.” He looked up to his brother. “Khegon believes you too.”
“I wantcompensation,” Jake hissed to my parents. “Iamgetting her back but she’s obviously not the untouched woman I was promised.”
My parents gaped.
Of course, the only thing they were worried about was their money.
“I didn’t sign up for awhore,” he added.
Filbur’s shoulder tensed and he took a step toward Jake, only stopping when I caught hold of his forearm to hold him back.
This was too much. I wanted to escape. To find the closest hiding spot and stay there for hours, until everyone forgot I existed.
“I-I didn’t…Ineversigned this.”
“Youdid!” Spit was flying out of his mouth now. His parents turned to look at me, a satisfied smile on their faces.
Filburgrowlednext to me. “Andwhendid she sign this…document?”
“I don’t fucking know,” Jake sneered. “The only thing that matters is that shesignedit. She’s my wife.Mine!”
Another glance between my husband and his brother. Was this it? Did they see the lie? Was I free? Were they going to be sent away and never allowed back here? I—
“We will not fall for lies, tiny man,” Khegon said, leaning back on his throne. “You have no right to Tamara. You have no right to behere. I trust Maxwell will escort you back to the station and—”
“How dare you!” Jake yelled, throwing the documents he still held in the air. “She is mine!”
Khegon let out an annoyed sigh. “The marriage contract was not signed by Tamara. I am not sure what you have done, but she is telling the truth and you reek oflies. She was unmarried when she was partnered with my brother. There is no case.”
Jake blanched.
Giggles echoed all around and I looked up. Juni, Guidy and Tegha were all seated above, legs hanging from the balconies. “Liar, liar, your face is onfire,” they chanted.
Filbur let out a muffled chuckle next to me.
