Nouis stood up and read from a scroll, “Sydna Elned and Mylner Elned, you have been charged with participation in an illegal duel, assault, and attempted murder. Based on the account of multiple witnesses, you, Mylner Elned, threatened the victim, Rhay Messler, into a duel. During this duel, your sister, Sydna, used her powers to help you injure Rhay Messler. You then proceeded to stab Rhay Messler in the hand and in the chest with an almandine knife. Luckily, the guards arrived before you could finish what you started. Mylner and Sydna, how do you plead?”
Amira couldn’t believe that they were brother and sister. It made sense, but Amira couldn’t envision Wryen risking his life for her if she was ever in danger.
Mylner stood up with difficulty. “We plead not guilty to the attempted murder, Your Majesty,” he said, his eyes defying Karwyn’s.
The interim high king raised his chin. “Not guilty, you say? And on what grounds?”
“It was an honest mistake. I was just trying to win the duel, not kill the guy.”
“You cheated. What kind of man wants to win a duel by cheating?” Karwyn stared at Mylner in disgust.
The fae shrugged as much as he could with his bound hands. “The kind that is drunk and wants to save face.”
“You have no honour,” hissed Karwyn.
“Maybe, but I am no murderer.”
Karwyn shook his head and stood up. “I order the death penalty for both of you.” No one except Amira and the two defendants seemed surprised by Karwyn’s reaction.
“What? But the victim is fine,” Sydna shouted, tears running down her face.
Rhay grabbed Karwyn’s sleeve to get his attention. The interim high king lowered himself and his friend furiously whispered into his ear. “I do not care, they hurtyou,” Amira heard Karwyn say.
“I took the wrong blade—that was my mistake—but I didn’t aim for his heart. He wouldn’t have died,” pleaded Mylner.
“You have injured a member of the palace. It is not only an attack on him, it’s also an attack on your king. And sources have confirmed that the reason the duel took place was because you assaulted my fiancée, Princess Amira Rosston.”
The defendants looked utterly shocked. Amira saw their faces sink as they understood the severity of their actions. Amira’s head started spinning. She hadn’t expected to be dragged into this mess, as it was clear to her that the only thing that mattered to Karwyn were Rhay’s injuries.
Karwyn turned his head to her. “Princess Amira, do you confirm that the defendant grabbed you by the waist and tried to prevent you from exiting the room, leaving Rhay no other choice but to defend your honour?”
She felt her whole body burning as everyone turned their eyes on her. What should she say? Would the truth be the downfall of the siblings? But what lie could she invent to justify the duel?
“Princess Amira?” Karwyn pressured her.
She looked at the two fae and saw their pleading eyes. Well, at least Sydna’s eyes were pleading. Mylner was too stubborn to implore her. Amira took a deep breath.
“Are you suggesting Rhay did not defend you? That he started this duel because he was looking for trouble?” Karwyn slyly implied.
Amira’s head was about to explode. He had trapped her. “No, Rhay did defend my honour last night. But—”
Karwyn cut off her plea. “Given all the overwhelming evidence, it appears quite clear that Mylner and Sydna Elned are deviant members of our kingdom. They tried to hurt not one, but two people close to the king. Therefore, I can only see one possible outcome to protect my kingdom. I sentence you to death by sword. You will be executed tomorrow at dawn.” He lifted his chin to the guards. “Take them back to their cell.”
The guards grabbed the two fae and dragged them out of the room. Sydna tried to escape their grasp. “What kind of justice is this?” Her scream echoed through the room long after she was gone. Amira couldn’t believe what had just happened.
“Karwyn, please, reconsider—” she tried to say.
He cut her sentence short again. “Do not question your king, Amira.”
Amira wracked her brain for any reason, any excuse, for Karwyn to change his mind, but the creaking of the double doors halted her.
The doors burst open on two young boys accompanied by guards. The oldest one was barely thirteen, his face still soft and round.
“What is the meaning of this?” Karwyn asked.
One of the guards sheepishly replied, “They wouldn’t leave the gate, Your Majesty. A word from the king will set them straight.”
Karwyn watched with curious eyes as the two children dropped to their knees. “Please, Your Majesty, we beg for the lives of our father and aunt. They are our sole providers,” the boy said. Amira’s heart tightened in her chest. They were both so young and yet she could see the shadow of death in their eyes. Because ofher,they were going to lose their parent.
