“What is needed to clarify? She is my wife,bonded with blood in front of witnesses. She is ineligible to enter the Sorting.”
“Yet she is here. That indicates poor stewardship on your part at the least, or perhaps gross negligence.”
Rath inhales abruptly at the second, now unveiled insult, stepping forward and dragging me with him. “Your neck will feel equally neglected by the loss of your head, greywing.”
The Icarian abandons his impassive expression to allow his brows to rise slowly in astonishment. “You have not yet learned the folly of needlessly escalating a negotiation, boy. I will refrain from responding as deserved to one who is clearly deficient in proper training.”
Mother’s tits. “Rath.”
He shoves me behind him, snarling, talons slipping their sheaths. “She’smine.”
Ya?onar’s eyes brighten with a hint of mockery. “Only if you can keep her.”
I dart in front of Rathhur, holding my arms out at my sides. “Sir, I ask for restraint in dealing with my husband. He is overstressed.”
“Ah. So his claim is true.”
“There are mitigating circumstances. The oath bonding took place when we were both beneath the age of consent, and without the knowledge of our parents. Our ages and my lack of clan affiliation automatically invalidated the ceremony.”
Rathhur crosses his arms over his chest, no longer trying to get around me. Because, clearly, the Icarian doesn’t buy my excuse.
“It was not legal,” Rath says, “but there is theletter of the law, and there is the spirit of a freely given oath. Icarians are renowned sticklers for the technicalities of a contract, but also recognize the art involved in the intentions of any sentient being.”
“Ah.” Ya?onar sounds amused. “And you now expect me to honor the. . .spirit. . .of your youthful folly and give up two valuable additions to my household.”
“You will if you don’t want me to rip your wings off and stuff them up your ass.”
Oh, hells.
“I don’t want to assume your male is insane,” Maezii mutters, “but I’m making assumptions.”
My knees buckle. Rath is forced to catch me, which he does, swinging me up into his arms. I let him because he can’t fight with arms full of female, and neither can the Icarian attack.
The Icarian is now fully focused on my male, head tilted as he examines the Orc. Rath never would have gotten away with that kind of challenge with a Fae, but Icarians take a great deal of provocation before they respond to silliness. Usually.
“It is true there are requirements involved before two parties are legally able to enter contract,” Ya?onar says after a protracted silence. I presume he was considering violence, then decided against. “It is also true that we recognize the right of adolescents to give and receive oaths. This is a healthy behavior, and encouraged when properly supervised. Children must learn that when they give their word, it must be honored. They must also learn when it is appropriate andbeneficial to renege on an ill-advised contract.” He narrows his eyes, glancing at me. “This is concerning. You have no wish to uphold your word?”
I have to choose my next words carefully. His people don't like liars or contract breakers. “There are several grounds for divorce?—”
Rathhur laughs in my face.
“—among the Uthilsen, including verbal and physical abuse. Rathhar is guilty of both.”
He stops laughing. “You know why we did it. To deflect greater harm.” He snarls, cutting me off when I open my mouth to retort. “I’m not making an excuse. I’m willing to offer blood compensation.”
“I don’t want?—”
“Then consider the law. You've never requested a divorce, we've never gone through the three month waiting period and mandatory hearing. It is your right to request a divorce and lay out your grievances, it's my right to throw myself on my wife’s mercy.”
“Abusers don’t deserve second chances,” Maezii snaps.
Rathhur’s expression hardens. He sets me on my feet. “There are several Human families in town and the outlying community now, Kyona. Several blended species families. My parents gather support to drive them out. If you come with me—” he glances at Maezii “—your Human too, the moment either my mother or father act against you, I will take the clan. I will protect those families.”
“You should protect them anyway.”
His teeth are shiny, white, his eyes are dark, possessive. “I’ll let them rot if you abandon me.”
“You havenohonor.”
