Page 118 of Cryptic Dreams
It is but another way we are perfect for each other.
Zephyr’s fanciful thoughts and hopeful dreams counter my far more realistic approach to things, challenging what I thought I knew to be fact at every turn. And that makes our shared traits and beliefs that much more rewarding for us both.
And though I may not understand why the gods threw us together amidst the turmoil our kind is experiencing, I will forever be grateful for it. And I have to take a page from my mate’s playbook and have faith that everything will make sense when this is all behind us.
Barely lifting my head, I see Hans come to a halt in front of the heavy iron doors, he and Randolph pushing them open into the space so many before me have come to die.
The Pit is set up much like that of a Roman gladiator arena: a high stone wall that circles an open area with dirt floors, rows of spectator seats starting just above the wall and sprawling up and back toward the ceiling. Directly across from the iron doors is a box seat where Atticus and Drusilla—whereI—usually sit, but there are two major differences between this place and any from ancient times.
The ceiling opens.
It is made of several iron plates that overlap and when the right levers are pulled, they separate slowly, allowing sunlight to stream in gradually, right over the center of the room.
And in the center of the room is a narrow, elevated platform made of white marble, an obelisk in the middle perfectly lined up where the opening of the ceiling begins, and… andmy mateis currently shackled to it.
“Zephyr!” I scream her name in disbelief as these assholes pull me toward her, every ounce of my energy now focused on getting free becausehow fucking dare they. My mate had nothing to do with this, nothing to do with any of the reasons why they’ve brought us here and the fact that my bastard sire ripped her from our home to punish her just because she is mated to me is a low I didn’t realize he would stoop to.Daft fucking berk, thinking she was safe from his wrath. “Zephyr, no!”
Her beautiful citrine eyes watch me like a hawk, wide and full of fear as tears stream down her cheeks, stopping at the white cloth gag in her mouth. She is dressed in the ceremonial blue robes and appears to be relatively unharmed, save for the silver cuffs binding her to the obelisk, and while I can scarcely feel her or our bond thanks to all the bloody metal, I know my gentle breeze is trying to be strong.
So fucking strong and brave, Zephyr holds her head high and keeps her back straight, looking every bit the queen she is. A queen now on display, made an example in front of devious eyes, and that is not how my mate—their goddamn queen—is to be treated.
And I will slaughter them all for it.
Each and every head in this room will roll, and it starts at the top because her bravery is wasted on the likes of them.
Atticus has us both exactly where he wants us, and as my bastard father walks into the arena toward me instead of sitting in his box with my bitch mother, I know he plans for this to end one way.
“Wraith of Carmarthen,” he says as he hits me with a sinister grin. “My beloved first born.” Then Atticus turns to the hundreds in the crowd, the vampires gathered to watch a spectacle like none that has taken place since he stole the crown from Kadoc. “Flesh of my flesh, blood of my blood… A traitor!”
They all gasp as he points at me, my father playing the part of victim in an award-worthy performance. Atticus staggers over to the box seats as he clutches his chest over the place his heart would be if he had one, reaching toward my mother with the other as she looks away, dabbing a tissue under her eyes for effect.
“It is with much pain and regret that I have gathered you here today.” He turns back to me, those pitch black eyes dancing with glee around the phony look of remorse on his face. “But the evidence does not lie.” Atticus moves slowly, nearly gliding over to the platform I’m bound to as he continues. “Wraith of Carmarthen, High Elder Successor, mysonis the leader of the Purist scum and a traitor of the highest level!”
The crowd erupts into chaos, people shouting and booing, throwing whatever they can find into the arena. Dozens of them shoot to their feet, arguing amongst themselves, yelling at each other as well as my father and the other Descendants present and though I’m severely restricted in my abilities, I can still hear some of them refusing to believe the facts.
Because I am a traitor, I’m everything he says and more, but only by the standards and laws set by his corrupted government in accordance with the humans who oppress all of us just as greatly.
“According to section twenty five, article B of the Human and Vampire Alliance Treaty, anyone of either species who refuses to uphold its laws and act out against them shall be put to death, and anyone in coercion with said traitor will undergo the same punishment.”
My gaze snaps to Zephyr, my mate still watching me, staring at me as if she’s trying in vain to send me her thoughts and when it finally clicks that this isn’t exactly what it seems, fear slices through my chest and forces me to do something I never thought I’d do.
“Forgiveness!” I cry out. “Forgiveness of Ignorance!”
Atticus narrows his eyes as he stops in front of me. “Pardon?”
I nod the best I can, swallowing hard as I take a deep breath and pray my knowledge of our fucked up government does not fail me now. I have to save my mate, have to spare Zephyr from a fate worse than being mated to me, and I will do anything I possibly can in order to do so.Even if it means sacrificing myself to do it.“According to section forty five, article two-D of the same treaty, forgiveness of ignorance can be granted to a party who unknowingly congregated or engaged with one in violation of HAVAT laws. I beg the Counsel, the Descendants gathered here today, to grant Zephyr of New Orleans Forgiveness of Ignorance and spare her an unjust punishment.”
“You claim this female, yourmate,had no knowledge of your involvement with the Purist movement, no idea you were leading the Uprising right under her nose?”
“Yes,” I say on a rough exhale. “I kept our mated life separate from my treachery. Zephyr had no knowledge or involvement in any of it and I beg for forgiveness and mercy on her behalf. Spare her, please. The only crime she has committed is falling in love with me.”
Atticus regards me for a few moments before turning to the Counsel, the mindless sheep actually shook by my Hail Mary plea.
But it isn’t enough.
Their sympathy, empathy, their pity.—whatever you want to call it, it isn’t enough to stave off my father’s hatred, to change the plan he’s had since he knew he’d need a reason to kill me without repercussions.
“The evidence does not lie. The female was a willful participant in all activities, and even if she wasn’t, she murdered the human contracted to protect her in cold blood therefore she will be put to death as well.”
