CHAPTER 12: THE JUDGMENT
Elara's POV
The council stared at me glowing with silver and crimson light and the silence stretched so long I could hear my own heartbeat and through the bond Kael's terror wrapped around my ribs like a vise.
The lead council member finally spoke and his voice was cold. "You appear stable but we need to test whether your control is genuine or temporary."
Through the bond I felt Kael's alarm spike. "What kind of test?"
Lucia stepped forward with her cold smile. "Simple provocation and if she truly has control she can withstand it without losing herself to bloodlust or celestial wrath."
Through the bond Kael's fury ignited. "You're not using my mate as your experiment."
"Then you're admitting she's unstable," the lead council member said. "And unstable hybrids must be eliminated."
Through the bond I felt Kael calculating how many he could kill before they overwhelmed us and I squeezed his hand hard. "I'll take the test and I'm not afraid."
His eyes met mine and through the bond his anguish cut deep. "Elara please."
"Trust me," I whispered and pushed all my certainty through the bond. "Like I trusted you."
He nodded once and through the bond I felt his promise that if anything went wrong he'd burn them all.
Lucia moved faster than thought and her blade cut across my arm deep and blood poured hot and the pain was white-hot but I held still and through the bond Kael's rage exploded but I kept him anchored through our connection.
"Good," Lucia said. "Now let's test the hunger."
She grabbed a human servant and sliced his throat shallow and blood ran down his neck and the smell hit me like a physical force and my fangs dropped and hunger roared through my veins.
Through the bond Kael's hand tightened on mine. "Breathe and focus on me and you're stronger than this."
I closed my eyes and reached for our bond instead of the blood and felt Kael's presence anchor me and slowly the hunger faded and when I opened my eyes Lucia looked disappointed.
"Impressive," the lead council member said. "But the final test is whether the celestial magic makes you violent toward those you deem sinful."
Guards dragged forward a vampire in chains who was sobbing and through the bond I felt Kael's recognition. "That's Marcus from Theron's faction."
"We told him his lord will die defending you and he could save himself by testifying you were forced," Lucia said. "He agreed and the celestial magic should compel you to punish traitors."
I looked at Marcus crying and broken and felt the silver light pulse demanding justice but through the bond Kael's steady presence reminded me mercy was stronger than vengeance.
"He's not a traitor," I said quietly. "He's scared and was tortured and I won't punish someone for surviving."
I walked forward and knelt beside Marcus and placed my hand on his shoulder and let silver light flow gentle and healing and through the bond I felt Kael's pride blaze bright.
"You're forgiven," I whispered. "And you're still part of this court."
Marcus stared with shocked eyes and through the bond I felt the entire court's surprise because mercy wasn't something vampires practiced.
The lead council member's expression shifted. "A hybrid with vampire power and celestial mercy without the weaknesses of either and unprecedented."
Lucia's face went hard. "Or she's manipulating us and we should eliminate her while we still can."
Through the bond Kael moved beside me and his presence was pure protective fury. "The tests are done and she proved control and if you try to harm her now you're admitting this was never about justice."
The council members conferred in whispers and through the bond I felt Kael preparing to fight and I held his hand tight.
The lead council member stepped forward. "We find that Elara Voss demonstrates sufficient control and she will be allowed to live under observation and any instability results in immediate execution."
Relief crashed through me and Kael caught me and through the bond his joy mixed with lingering fear because observation meant we'd never be truly free.
"However there is one condition," the council member continued. "Kael Draven must take full responsibility for any damage she causes and if she loses control he dies alongside her."
Through the bond I felt Kael's instant acceptance. "Done and gladly."
Lucia's expression went murderous but the council's ruling stood and they withdrew with their hunters and finally we were alone and Kael pulled me into his arms and held me so tight I couldn't breathe.
"Never again," he said rough against my hair. "Never again do you put yourself on trial for existing."
Through the bond I felt his terror at how close we'd come to losing everything. "We won and we're together and that's all that matters."
But through the bond I also felt his new fear because now his life was tied to my control and if I ever lost myself to the power he would die with me and that weight settled heavy on my shoulders.
"I won't let you down," I whispered.
His hands cupped my face. "You could never let me down and we're in this together and that's exactly how I want it."
He kissed me desperate and claiming and through the bond our love blazed bright and our court erupted in cheers but underneath the celebration I felt the shadow of what we'd agreed to and knew the real test was just beginning.
Lucia paused at the gate and looked back and her smile was ice. "Enjoy your victory while it lasts because I'll be watching and waiting for you to fail."
Through the bond Kael's arm tightened around me and together we watched our enemies leave and knew this was only the beginning of the war.