Murmurs sounded around the room, and Aydra watched Arbina’s eyes squint at them. “What? They’ve all been able to do this,” Arbina added.
“If they have all been able to grow a child, then why is she the first to conceive within her womb?” another council member asked.
Aydra met the Nitesh’s gaze, and Arbina smiled wickedly down at Draven.
“Because of the being she has mated with,” Arbina cooed.
“We should freeze her roots,” called out a council member. “Make it so that she cannot attempt this destruction again.”
Arbina’s eyes widened. “What?” She stepped forward to the man, towering over him as thunder rumbled in the distance. “Try and touch my tree. I dare you.”
“No,” Aydra cut in. “Do not stop our line because of this.”
“Why should we not? It is by her doing that this monstrosity lives inside you,” said another council member.
“Our child is not a monster,” Draven growled.
The guard struck him hard across his cheek. She heard the growl from his throat, and knew it was taking everything in him not to encircle the guard with his wind.
“We are not the ones to punish my mother,” Rhaif said then. “If Arbina will be punished, it will only be by the Nitesh’s doing.” His gaze met the Nitesh’s. “What say you?”
The Nitesh shifted on her feet. “I must convene with my own mother before I can do anything.”
Rhaif’s hand waved at her. “Then leave. Come back to us with your answer.”
The Nitesh turned to Aydra once more, but Aydra shook her head. “Go,” she whispered.
The Nitesh disappeared in a tornado of smoke.
“On the matter of the child,” spoke up a council member. “I move for immediate eradication.”
Aydra’s stomach dropped.
“As do I,” agreed another. “This child cannot be allowed to walk this land. It is an abomination.”
“A cursed demon inside her womb. We must execute the entirety of her to be sure to rid us of it.”
“What—no,” Draven cut in. “I am the reason she is with child. Take me. Not her.”
“Do not worry, Venari. You will be executed as well,” said Reid.
“There is no law against it—”
The whip came down on his back again, and this time he was thrust forward to his chest. Aydra’s heart skipped at the sight of him in pain because of her.
“Draven—”
He pushed up to his hands, and visibly shook the pain of it from mind as he met her eyes.
“All in favor of the Queen Aydra’s termination,” called Councilwoman Reid.
Aydra’s attention averted around the room as hands slowly raised. She could feel her body beginning to tremble.
Each council member, one-by-one, voted for her death.
Until it was only Rhaif left to vote.
Her heart throbbed in her ears.
