Imposing stone walls pressed in around me. I tried to focus and see everything clearly, but I’d been subjected to the magic subduing potion for so many days now that my head felt perpetually coated in shadows.
But my mind was made up. I wanted to trust Jax, but I also wouldn’t allow him to surrender himself to save me, so I would lie if needed. Yell. Plead. I would do whatever was necessary to keep him safe.
But I didn’t know if it would be enough.
Shuffling in my worn prison shoes, I somehow managed to put one foot in front of the other as two guards flanked me.
My magistrate was already seated behind the table the guards prodded me toward. Jax sat just behind her, in the area where fae from the public were allowed. Beside him sat all of our friends.
Shocked, I realized that they’dallcome: Lars, Bowan, Lander, Trivan, Alec, Quinn, Phillen, and Saramel. All of them were there. Every single one of them had shown up for me.
And when I spotted two wildlings sitting right next to Saramel, who I initially hadn’t seen because Phillen’s bulk had been blocking them from view, tears sprang into my eyes. Lillivel and Esopeel were here too.
Love burst through my heart, ripping through the cloud that caged me, as I gazed at the fae in this realm who truly cared about me. Loved me even.
My gaze found Jax again as I shuffled closer to my magistrate.
Jax’s hair still looked tousled, as though he’d been running his fingers through it repeatedly for days on end, but his eyes were bright and determined, his demeanor foreboding, and his aura palpable as the guard brought me forward.
“Sit.” The guard pulled out a chair beside my magistrate, and I fell onto it.
Jax growled from behind the bench that separated him from me and my magistrate and eyed the guard with a lethal stare.
The guard’s throat bobbed, but he kept his head high.
Before I’d even fully settled myself, Jax leaned forward and placed his hand on my shoulder. The contact was like an instant balm to my nerves, and his heat warmed my chilled skin in the thin jumpsuit. That simple touch had my eyes closing and my pounding heart slowing.
Sluggish from so many potions forced into my system, I turned slightly so I could see him. “Did you invite Lillivel and Esopeel?”
He shook his head. “They reached out to me when they heard what happened to you, but I provided their transport and a place for them to stay in Jaggedston.”
Another ray of love wove through my veins, and I dipped my head at my wildling friends. My former attendant, Lillivel, and my cerlikan wilding friend, Esopeel, both gave me signs of encouragement from where they sat, and just as fast, Jax’s friends, or ratherourfriends, also leaned forward and offered me words of support.
“We won’t let them keep you in that place, lovely,” Phillen grunted. “You can count on that.”
“It’s the last place you deserve to be, Elowen,” Bowan added.
“Arseholes, all of them for keeping you in there,” Trivan muttered.
“Don’t worry, Elowen. We’ll ensure you’re set free.” Lander crossed his arms. “You’ll see.”
Alec nodded. “We’re not giving up until you’re out, Elowen.”
Quinn and Saramel also murmured words of support and affection, and by the time everyone finished, my eyes were entirely filled with tears.
I glanced back at my mate. Jax’s irises shone like glimmering gemstones, and his jaw was tight. Determination radiated from him, and something Bastian had told me once flitted through my mind.My brother’s unstoppable when something’s driving him.
“What do you have planned?” I whispered.
A sly smile lifted his lips just as the Queen Justice and two other judges paraded into the courtroom. He squeezed my shoulder once more before letting go. “You’ll see.”
CHAPTER 27
Flowing robes fluttered around the Queen Justice and the two judges that entered the courtroom. They settled themselves behind a long wooden bench. Each judge flanked the Queen Justice, and all of them looked at us expectantly.
My magistrate immediately stood, indicating for me to do the same. The potion still fogged my mind, but I managed to stand without swaying too badly.
The Queen Justice sat stoically behind her bench, her lips pursed and her expression severe. A gong sounded in the corner of the room, and magic reverberated through me. It made my head spin.
