King Julian gestured for Thalos to bring the women forward. I looked at Sterling and saw an unmoving stone facade where his face had once been. Whatever this was, he was clearly unbothered by it. My stomach sank, and a sharp pain pierced my heart. Why was he sitting there doing nothing?
The king continued his nauseating diatribe. “Through the tireless efforts of our guardians and the support of our community, we were finally able to pinpoint the ones behind Sterling’s disappearance. We’ve always known the Obsidian Court was behind it, but until recently we could not locate the culprits themselves.” He gestured to the broken and bloodied women on the stage. “These women plotted, planned, and executed the abduction of Prince Sterling. We have eyewitness testimony from a brave human-woman who used to work with these creatures.”
I sharply turned my head to Everett’s date. A look of shame spread over her face. Unwilling to make eye contact with those she sentenced to death, she stared at the floor while Everett whispered reassurances to her. Clenching and unclenching my fists at my sides, I forced myself to take a deep breath. Fury flowed through me as I watched the cowardly woman stand there while her friends were being sentenced to death.
“Her accounts confirm the use of dark arcana, and more horrendously, the resurrection of a dead infant.”
Horrified gasps echoed throughout the ballroom. I furiously looked through the crowd, trying to find Thea, but I could not locate her. I had to do something. I had to try to help these women. They were being wrongfully punished for something I had done. A wave of sadness overcame me as I realized what I had to do and what that would mean for the few I had love for in this realm. I closed my eyes and hoped that Nocturna and Astra would forgive me, that they would be able to make it out of here with Thea and live a more peaceful existence without me.
“For these crimes, these women will all be put to death. Tonight.”
The crowd cheered as King Julian provided the verdict for these completely innocent women.
He turned to Sterling. “That is my gift to you, my son. The death of those who plotted against you, against our mighty court, and have the audacity to think they can win.”
Chants for justice began to ring out. My breaths became shorter as the raucous crowd grew louder. I looked at Sterling, making eye contact with him. The look on his face was one of confusion. I took in whatever parts of him I could, as it was likely to be the last chance I’d ever get to. Sadness filled me, and I hoped my unspoken apology for what I was about to confess was understood.
“STOP!” I screamed as loud as I could. “STOP! PLEASE STOP!”
My chest began to rise and fall rapidly as I struggled to compose myself, fighting off the tears of frustration threatening to make themselves known. My vision narrowed, and arcana surged. The comfortable, welcoming pressure of my power built in my chest.
“STOP!” My voice rang out louder than I had ever heard it before.
The sound reverberated off the glass windows and shook the room. All the cries for justice stopped, and the crowd became silent as the vibrations passed through them.
“This is wrong. These women had nothing to do with Sterling’s disappearance or the resurrection of a dead baby.” My voice trembled as I prepared myself for what was to come next.
I looked at Maria and saw her slowly shaking her head, as if disappointed in what was about to happen.
Confused and a little hurt, I continued anyway. “These women do not possess the power to do what happened to Prince Sterling, nor do they possess the ability to open ancient portals that have been sealed for hundreds of years.” I turned to the king. “You told me that no one could open those portals. Not you, not any fae, but we areto believe these two non-arcana-possessing women and the healer were more capable than you?”
Hushed whispers filled the ballroom at the mention of the portals. So much of what had happened with Sterling had not been shared, and it was clear why. The lack of transparency had allowed the king to continue in his unchecked persecution of humans, all on the excuse that it was somehow tied to Sterling’s disappearance and the Obsidian Court. Without proof of that, what else could he do?
The king’s face was a mottled shade of red now as visible anger built within him. “Take her and shut her up!” he commanded.
Guardians started mobilizing toward me.
“I was the one who resurrected the baby!” I yelled.
Everyone in the ballroom paused, even the guardians, mouth agape at the confession.
“It was me. I did it.” I pointed to Everett’s date. “She was there as well. She saw everything.” I turned back to the king. “I will face whatever punishment you deem is necessary, but please let these women go. They’re innocent. Your court targets and harasses them for no valid reason, only unsubstantiated hatred. The only crime they’ve ever committed was being born human.”
I turned and saw Everett and his date hurriedly pushing through the crowd, trying to get away.
“Seize them!” the king ordered.
Several guardians emerged from the grand hallway and descended upon the two as they escaped into the gardens.
“Thank you, Aurelia, for your moving plea. You all agree, it was quite emotional, correct?”
The crowd murmured in agreement.
“I’ve taken what you’ve said into consideration and will amend my previous decision.”
Relief flooded me, and I let loose a breath I had no idea I had been holding.
“My ruling is this,” the king started, letting a pregnant pause fall over the crowd. “All three women shall be executed. Right now.” He turned to face me as a malignant smile spread across his face. “Followed by the execution of Aurelia!”
