Chapter Thirty
Bari
I’d read through the letter in my hand so many times that I’d lost count, but still wasn’t sure I could explain the contents if I had to, which was why I was on hold, waiting for Mr. Christoff to take my call.
“Bari, hi,” his smooth voice flowed through the line. “Congratulations on the successful birth!”
“Thank you, Mr. Christoff,” I responded automatically, still staring at the neatly typed words. “I’m sorry to bother you, but I received a certified letter in the mail and I’m not entirely sure what it means.”
“Please call me Drey,” he said for at least the tenth time since we met a few months back before answering my question. “Truthfully, I’m not exactly clear on it, either,” he admitted. “I left a message for Prince Harry when I received it and I haven’t heard back yet.”
“I see.”
“The deadline for a response isn’t for over a week, so try not to worry about it yet,” Drey suggested. “I’m sure Harry will get back to me by tomorrow and we can determine a course of action then, okay?”
“Of course,” I agreed, even though my gut was tied up in knots. “Thank you for your time.”
When my phone rang not even an hour later, Drey’s tone was much more serious than in the first call.
“I spoke with Harry,” he said immediately and, even though it's not important, I took note of the familiarity in the reference. “Four days ago, Ahearn notified the sovereign court of his intent to cancel the divorce filing,” Drey’s voice sounded strained, so I doubted that I was going to like what was coming next. “The hearing is because Ahearn has filed a formal motion in the sovereign court to have you charged with unlawful espousal renunciation and requested something called a Writ of Reinstatement be issued.”
My jaw literally dropped. “I see. So, that’s it, then.”
“I take it that you’re familiar with the concept?”
I nodded and then remembered he couldn’t see me. “Yes, of course.” I blew out a deep breath. “It’s a very old law. If I remember my civics lesson, it was intended to keep purchased Omegas from abandoning the Alpha who paid to have them provide breeding services. The writ orders the guilty Omega to be returned to the Alpha’s household at any cost.”
“Even Harry says it’s archaic and hasn’t been invoked in five-hundred years,” Drey rushed to assure me. “I just need your permission to file a response so we can object.”
I shook my head, then again remembered we were on the phone. “No.”
“I’m sorry?” Drey sounded shocked.
“No,” I repeated with a sigh. “I appreciate everything that you’ve done, but I don’t want to object.”
“But without an objection, you’ll be ordered back like a stray pet,” Drey argued, his voice rising.
If only that was as bad as it would be, but if Drey knew the rest of the situation, what the punishment was for an Omega found guilty under the law, he’d doubtless have me spirited off to who knew where for my own protection. “It’s fine, Drey. Could you please file a response saying that I plead guilty in absentia and will voluntarily return myself to the manor in seventy-two hours time?”
“You’re sure that’s what you want?”
“It is,” I said firmly. “Please have your assistant call me with the total for my bill as soon as possible. I’d prefer to have it paid before the seventy-two hour window ends.”
“There’s no rush on the payment,” Drey argued, sounding confused.
I sighed. “Drey, once I return to the estate, I may not have authority over my finances and it would disturb me if you weren’t paid after everything you’ve done.”
It was Drey’s turn to sigh. “As you wish, Bari. I’ll have Thane finalize your account this afternoon.”
“Thank you for everything, Drey,” I said before disconnecting the call. Carefully placing the phone on the table, I bowed my head and considered what needed to be done in the three days that I had left. I packed the meager belongings I had and slipped the suitcase into the back corner of the basement storage where it would be unlikely to be found by accident, then went to say goodbye to Brigid.
She was napping on the plush sofa in the parlor when I stepped into the room, my bare feet sinking into the luxurious carpet but somehow she heard.
“What’s the matter, dear?” she never opened her eyes, but the way her nose wrinkled suggested that distress had seeped into my scent.
I considered the best way to answer and finally settled on blunt. “I have to leave,” I said finally. “Ahearn wants me to return to the manor.”
Brigid’s eyes popped open and she brought her palm dramatically to her chest. “The all-knowing Alpha finally came to his senses?”
Determined not to cause Brigid unneeded anxiety that might affect the babe she carried, I laughed as she’d intended. “I can’t say for certain,” I bluffed. “But I have said I would return in three days and I intend to visit Colm’s grave before I go.”
Brigid’s big eyes turned sad. “To tell him about his sons.”
“I’m certain Petroh already has, but..” I trailed off with a shrug and Brigid nodded her understanding.
Brigid struggled to her feet and wrapped her tiny frame around me in a hug. “Be safe, my friend.”
“Always,” I agreed, patting her tummy gently. “You as well.”
Stepping out onto therolling lawn, I stripped out of the clothes I wouldn’t be needing any longer and stuffed them into the trash bin by the road. Stretching my arms, I eased into my shift, wincing a bit when muscles that hadn’t quite finished healing yet were remolded into my dragon form. Once the magic thrumming through my blood had faded away, I lifted off with a nearly silent downward stroke of my wings andsoared off into the night, pointing my snout to the north.
