She regarded him, and he wanted to know her every thought. “Why do you speak like that?”
Any thought but that.“I do not speak like anything.” Did she consider his speech unpleasant? He never cared what others thought of him until her.The stress of everything must be getting to him.
“If you say so,” she muttered.
Her brown eyes turned to his, making her hair rustle with the movement, and he longed to touch it. It was thin but well cared for, and he thought it would be soft against his skin.
The slight lines next to her eyes told him she smiled a lot, and he wanted to see them crinkle with laughter. Did she have a husband who made her laugh often?
He scowled.
“Why are you staring at me?” she demanded, suddenly irritated.
“I find you to be pretty.” His answer caught her off guard, and he smirked.
“Thank you,” she replied, awarding him with a shy smile. “Are you always this blunt?”
The smile spreading across his face couldn’t be stopped. “I am honest.”
Looking away, she fought another smile.
The sun was almost gone, and he realized he was late for his meeting with Adila and Lauren. “I apologize, Anastasia, but I must leave.”
Turning, she started toward the palace and called over her shoulder, “Have a good night, Commander.”
He smiled the entire way to his destination.
When Sam approached the treehouse,Lauren stood at a window like a gargoyle statue. “It took you long enough.”
He ignored her and shifted into a bird to fly through the open hatch. If Lauren saw him get stuck, she would never let him live it down.
Adila looked around the treehouse, touching knickknacks left by the Raven sisters and Dume. “Someone comes here.” Her voice was quiet as she continued her perusal.
“Aurora Raven,” he replied, with no explanation.
Adila set down the figurine in her hand. “What are the odds?”
“I am not a mathematician,” he replied, making her frown.Did she expect him to calculate things when they had more important issues to discuss?
“Let’s get to the point,” Lauren said as she glared daggers at Adila. It occurred to Sam that he had never told her about his previous conversation with Adila. To her, the woman betrayed Caius. Lauren was loyal, and she would claw Adila’s eyes out if given a chance.
“It is not what you think,” Sam said, touching her shoulder. “Hear her out.”
Lauren pushed him off. “Then speak.”
Adila sighed. “I understand your anger, but I assure you, I have not intentionally harmed my brother.”
“Gedeon or Caius?” Lauren shot back.
Adila flinched. “Caius.” She took a calming breath and continued. “I knew Caius didn’t kill Atarah. He wouldn’t do that.”
“Why sentence him?” Sam asked. It was something he’d always wondered.
Holding her hands out, she shrugged helplessly. “He wasaccused of a crime, and therefore I had to give him a trial. Once a trial starts, I cannot override what the Scales of Justice decides, even if I don’t understand it.”
Lauren looked ready to pounce. “Youarethe Scales of Justice.”
Closing her eyes, Adila whispered to herself, likely asking for strength not to strangle Lauren. “Yes, and no. I am called the Scales of Justice, but when someone is on trial, I am no longer myself. The power takes over, and the Scales of Justice judges the accused. I could not change the sentencing if I tried, and trust me, I tried.”
