Chapter Ten
Bari
Never had I ever laid eyes on a member of the Blackwell family. I certainly would have never thought that our reigning Prince would deign to lower himself to help an Omega living outside the borders of our lands. Yet that was exactly what Prince Harry was doing and I wasn’t even sure how he came to be aware of my situation. Unless the attorney provided by Omega Destiny, International had somehow contacted him?
I glanced at Drey from the corner of my eye, my suspicions growing as Drey stood to address the council with a large smile on his face.
“The case before the council and Sovereign Court is simple,” Drey said firmly, handing a stack of paper packets to the clerk, who proceeded to pass one to each member of the Council. “If I could direct your attention to exhibit one,” he paused and waited for each member of his audience to glance over the paper, “there is a legally registered bond between Alpha and Omega Walsh.” He offered me a gentle smile. “In fact, Bari even took his Alpha’s surname.” Drey directed his next statement to the Prince. “Am I incorrect in my belief that that is an uncommon practice among dragons?”
Prince Harry nodded slowly before he spoke. “Perhaps not as uncommon today with the younger generation, I suppose, but as this mating occurred seven decades ago, yes, it would have been an uncommon occurrence.”
Drey nodded. “And is it something that Bari could have done without Ahearn’s approval?”
“Absolutely not,” Prince Harry said firmly, thumbing through the packet of paper in front of him and pulling a form free. “In fact, the exhibit marked three is a copy of the legal filing with the Alpha’s request that the name change be approved.” His lips twitched slightly into a frown. “It’s important to understand that traditional relationships within the dragon species differ from many other species. With our extended lifespan and low birthrates, permanent matings were not encouraged in dragon society at the time that this Alpha took a mate. Ahearn and Bari would have had to request approval for the match, would have been required to attend a hearing in which they presented their reasonings for the match, and, as archaic as it seems, probably make some sort of arrangement with our leaders to donate biological material in an attempt to help increase the fertility rates of our people.”
Drey stifled a laugh. “You’re stealing my thunder, Harry.”
The Prince shrugged sheepishly. “My mistake.”
Drey laughed. “Not at all, Your Highness.”
Drey flipped to the next page in the packet and addressed his next comment to the Elders. “In between the two exhibits already referenced, you’ll find an excerpt of the law regarding the treatment that a pregnant Omega is entitled to from his Alpha.” He looked back to the Prince. “Would you be willing to translate for us?”
Prince Harry glanced down at the neatly penned calligraphy, the old world text in its original format and began to speak the words aloud. While most of the room sat silent at the musical notes, I felt tears well up in my eyes as they wrapped around my heart and squeezed. I braved a single glance at Ahearn and saw that his face was pinched in discomfort.
Prince Harry finished speaking and raised a brow. “Would you prefer a word by word translation to English or a condensed explanation?”
“Elder?” Drey passed the decision to the head of the Council.
“The condensed version, please.”
Harry nodded. “It says that regardless of the parentage of any offspring, an Omega is entitled to all necessary support -personal, physical, and financial -until the pregnancy reaches its natural conclusion.”
Drey paused to allow the Prince’s words to sink in. “Am I correct in interpreting that to mean that Alpha Walsh was acting outside the guidance of dragon law when he cast Bari aside during his pregnancy?”
“Absolutely,” Prince Harry stated firmly. He hesitated and met my eyes, sympathy etched on his face. “And, begging Omega Walsh’s pardon for invading his privacy, it was brought to my attention that he attempted to take his own life after being abandoned by the Alpha who was responsible for his care.” His face softened into a warm smile. “Every dragon is precious and I am grateful that he was saved.” Prince Harry turned then to face Ahearn, his face hardening. “Had the attempt been successful, Alpha Walsh would have been tried for murder. I realize that Bari chose a method that would have safeguarded the dragonlets that he carries and arranged for them to be rescued after his demise, but had they also been lost, there would have been additional charges.”
You could have heard a pin drop in the silence that followed.
“I believe we’re done presenting our case, Elder. Our appreciation to the members of the Council.” Drey spoke softly and returned to the seat next to me, patting my knee comfortingly.
The lead Elder cleared her throat. “Your Highness, at the commencement of the hearing, Alpha Walsh’s representative requested the case be transferred to your court. Have you any questions for Mr. Siegmonu?”
Prince Harry huffed. “As the counselor is aware, in the Sovereign Court, my questions would be directed to the Alpha himself. Ahearn, present yourself.”
I held my breath as my Alpha stood and strode across the room, dropping to one knee in front of our Prince.
“Rise.” Prince Harry barked, his eyes flashing angrily as he took in the Alpha before him. “Ahearn Walsh, son of Advim, at the beginning of this hearing, your surrogate demanded settlement in the Teren de Dragoni Sovereign Court. Per the laws of our homeland, you would be charged with abandonment of the Omega in your care and endangerment of the lives he carries.”
Ahearn visibly flinched at our Prince’s words, his eyes lowered deferentially. “Yes, Your Highness.”
Prince Harry’s nostrils flared and the slightest bit of flame flickered. “What transgression has this Omega committed against your household?”
Ahearn inhaled sharply. “The dragonlets he carries are not of my line.”
“That is not a defense in accordance with our heritage,” Prince Harry snorted. “The case briefing states that you suffered a head injury that compromised your memory, is that correct?”
“It is,” Ahearn acknowledged.
