“What is the meaning of this?” the Nitesh finally hissed.
“Bring forth the witness,” said one of the council members.
The noise of light armor came up the steps, and Aydra recognized it without looking back. Ash came into her line of vision then, and she heard Draven yank on his chains.
“Jealous bastard—”
whitish!
The whip met Draven’s back. He gasped and his back arched, but he didn’t fall.
“Stop!” Aydra shouted as the guard began to wind up again.
Rhaif held up two fingers.
“Don’t worry, pet,” said Ash as he came to stand in front of Rhaif. “You’ll get what’s coming to you.”
Aydra launched a wad of spit at Ash’s face this time. It landed in his eye, and he grimaced as he wiped it away. “To think I ever let you in my bed,” she growled.
Ash straightened and pushed his hands behind his back. “You should have never let me out of it,” he agreed.
“Enough,” said Councilwoman Reid. “Captain, please tell the rest of the Council what you told me.”
Ash cleared his throat. “The Queen carries the Venari’s child in her womb.”
Gasps echoed in the air, mumbles quickly following. Rhaif held up a hand again, and he shifted in his seat.
“How is this possible?” he managed, fist tightening over the chair arm. His gaze flickered to the Nitesh, and he gave her a nod. “Nitesh. Explain.”
“He’s lying,” Aydra blurted out. “I am a Lesser being just as all of you are. Born beneath the very tree behind us. How could I carry a child?”
“Are you calling the Captain a liar?” asked a council member.
Aydra glared at Ash. “Among other things,” she muttered. “He is jealous of the relationship I share with the Venari King. He would say anything to see Draven in chains.”
“Call Arbina,” demanded Ash. “She can affirm my story.”
Aydra’s heart skipped. The Nitesh’s arm grazed her own, and Aydra felt her breaths shorten as she looked down at her.
“What are you waiting for, Nitesh?” called Councilwoman Reid. “Call her.”
“I am already here,” came Arbina’s voice from the gallery.
Aydra looked up and caught glimpse of her mother, sitting nonchalantly on the edge of the balcony as though she were a child watching a play. She hopped off the side within an instant, coming to stand by Aydra’s side.
Arbina smiled down at Aydra, and Aydra resisted the urge to smash her face into her mother’s nose. Arbina reached out for Aydra’s hair, but Aydra flinched backwards.
“Don’t touch me,” she hissed.
Arbina’s gaze narrowed, but she turned her back on Aydra. She shrugged and began to pick at her nails again. “What is the meaning of this?”
“Don’t play coy,” said Reid. “Is it true?”
“You’ll have to be a bit more specific,” smarted Arbina.
“The child claimed to be growing inside your daughter’s womb,” said Councilwoman Ebonrath.
Arbina shrugged. “Yes… it’s true,” she said slowly.
