Flagro, Galla, and the rest of their family sat utterly stunned, speechless, for once, at the sheer magnitude, the incredible severity of the punishment. One thing was true, the overseer was makingverysure that when word of this got out, no one would even dream of doing what the chancellor had done. It was excessive, yes, but no finer deterrent would be found.
Vinchi’s proud shoulders slumped, the fight draining out of him by the second. But the overseer wasn’t done.
“As for your punishment, while your position and long history serving the conglomerate may lessen the severity, you are nevertheless to face the full Dotharian tribunal held on the central world of Valoris during the next lunar cycle. Until thenyou are remanded to custody, effective immediately. Take the former chancellor away.”
Stunned, evicted, and suddenly quite poor, his family watched as he was hauled off by the overseer’s personal guards.
The Dotharian looked at Heydar and nodded. “Well played, Nimenni. You took a big risk to right this terrible wrong. Your actions are noted, and you bring honor to your people.”
“Thank you, Overseer,” he replied, bowing his head.
“As for you,” the man said, turning to the lovers. “My staff will handle the transfer arrangements. Good luck to you both, and congratulations on your Infala bond.”
That was it. No lengthy speech, just a quick comment and he was gone, striding out of the arena while the spectators continued to go wild at what they’d just witnessed.
“What does this all mean?” Maria asked as she caught sight of Ziana, Darla, and Shalia, all running across the arena floor to congratulate her.
Zepharos pulled her close, kissing her hard, his hands cupping her ass as he held her tight. “It means our lives are about to become alotmore interesting,” he replies with a smile so full of joy and love that it threatened to make her heart burst right out of her chest.
“Together,” she whispered, burying her face in his chest.
He pressed his face into her hair, inhaling her scent deeply. “Forever.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
A day of drama, trauma, and revelations, had overwhelmed the city, turning into an impromptu party of sorts as the public gathered to gossip about what had just taken place. It would be talked about across the system, and they had been part of it.
As for those directly involved, it was also a time for celebration, and as the new owners of the former chancellor’s estates and assets, Maria and Zepharos found themselves hosting a party for their friends, though it was actually arranged by the staff of the estate they had retired to. Maria was so pleasant to them, they were more than pleased to help out. And when Ziana came by, they all gathered together to arrange the festivities.
It was something Ziana already did on occasion, and she was well known and well-loved among the commoners, for she was formerly one of them who now treated those supposedly beneath her as equals. And if Maria was her friend, she would undoubtedly be a similar boss. It was only a few hours later when she declared that all indentured staff were freed of their bonds but welcome to stay as paid employees if they so wished, proving their estimation of her correct.
The food prepared was nothing short of epic, and with Heydar reconnected with not one but two of his men after their horrible capture by the Raxxians, the mood was that of a joyful reunion. And one was bonded to a human, just like he was? Fascinating. And the other was dating a magistrate? Equally unexpected, but in a good way.
Valin was also welcomed with open arms, though it took a little getting used to as the hulking Dohrag half-breed still bore the reputation of his people. But he overcame that handicap in short order, and as the evening wore on, they all relaxed into the kind of familial comfort only found among the closest of friends.
“You know, you two are quite wealthy now,” Ziana said. “Any idea what you’re going to do with all this newfound money and power?”
Maria stood and stepped forward, raising her glass high. Zepharos watched her lovingly, giving a nod of encouragement.
“We’ve only just stumbled into this impossible new life, but Zeph and I have an idea. It’s kinda crazy, but I think you’ll like it.”
“So spill already!” Darla heckled with a somewhat inebriated grin.
“Well, we were thinking. We have titles now. Land holdings. We’re freaking elites, crazy as that sounds. I mean, we went from living in the middle of nowhere tothis,” she said, gesturing to the opulence surrounding them. “And we’ve found more survivors of the Raxxian abduction than we’d ever hoped for. And we’ve learned there are even more out there.”
“And?” Darla prodded with a chuckle. “Is there a point?”
“And, yes there is a point. So, the thing is, we submitted a formal petition to the Dotharian overseer to make these grounds a sanctioned safe haven for any human victims of the Raxxians should they be discovered without runes. It’s the law thateveryone has them, obviously, but given what happened, and the tangible proof that those in our situation can be taken advantage of, the overseer said he would look into it.”
“Wow, that’s fantastic!” Ziana exclaimed. “It could be amazing if that comes together.”
“Oh, I didn’t finish. The Dotharian was quite taken with our story. He said that while there is a firm law regarding possessing the runes, there is a rare and ancient text describing what can only be translated assanctuary. He said it’s all but forgotten, but he just so happens to be a scholar of ancient Dotharian texts, and as such, he is in the unique position to unilaterally decree this one estate a sanctuary. It only applies here, mind you, and the others will take time, but it actually went into effect immediately. So, it’s not a question of what might happen. It kind of already did.”
Ziana looked utterly shocked. “Holy shit, that’s incredible! You’re amazing, you know that?”
Zepharos grinned wide. “I tell her that on a regular basis.”
“Oh, you,” she said, leaning over and kissing him hard, their attraction so strong it was palpable in the air, their Infalas both glowing within their shirts.
