I narrowed my eyes at the bitch, got to my feet and took a step forward. I was nearly pressed against the shield, but I didn’t care. No one insulted my man and got away with it.
“Green isn’t a good color on you, Stepmother,” I retorted. “Stop being jealous of Tavlor’s powers and back the hell up.”
Charity’s mouth dropped open and for a moment I thought she was going to be rendered speechless.
No such luck.
“Oh, look at this,” she said, her sneer only more pronounced as she turned her attention to me. “The daughter of a whore is in love with the son of a traitor. What a pair!”
The Council laughed. I didn’t think they realized how much danger they were in. The thought of Tavlor being with anyone was such a surprise.
Really?
A growl ripped through my throat and I twisted my fingers into a tight fist. “At least my mother could get pregnant to the High Warlock,” I spat out. “Proves the problem isn’t with him, doesn’t it!”
Normally, I didn’t like to insult a woman who didn’t have the ability to produce a child, even if they were a terrible person. Regardless of everything, there was a small part of me that did feel sorry for her. Even with all her magic, she still couldn’t have a child.
But insulting my mother? Who the hell did this woman think she was?
“And at least she wasn’t made to marry someone she didn’t love, like you were,” I added. “How does it feel to be matched to a man from birth who would never pick you to be his wife, except that he was forced to?”
Her magic shot out at us with a blast of force that rocked the room. It ricocheted off Tavlor’s shield and went flying into the walls., I couldn’t help but step back. I nearly stepped into Tavlor’s chest.
I looked at my father. “You gave her the ability to perform magic in the room too?”
He shrugged. “Thought it was a good idea at the time.”
I rolled my eyes and took a breath, trying to keep my patience. Now was not the time for me to turn on my father. I forced myself to address the group in front of us.
Tavlor’s magic was holding steady. The warlocks and witches in the room eyed him begrudgingly. I wanted to stand in front of him, protect him for their obvious hostility. But Tavlor could stand on his own. I wouldn’t baby him. I wouldn’t protect him. Not when he was strong enough without me.
“Alright,” I said slowly. “The reason I came back here with Tavlor is because I want another trial. A fair one. Where I can defend myself and impartial members of the community can judge me, not just the Council who want me buried for their own nefarious reasons.”
An older, tall, rotund man I recognized from my trial stepped forward.
“And what reasons are they, young lady?” He raised a brow, daring me to challenge him.
“You want me out because you can’t control me, and can’t count on my bloodlines to do what the High Warlock’s have always done, and that’s to go along with whatever you want,” I said, the words coming out in a rush.
“That’s not the reason,” he said flatly, though his gaze narrowed.
“Oh, then what is it?” I spread my arms out, trying to be innocent. “Because I’m a woman? Because you already have a new High Warlock chosen from your own children?”
The three Council members looked at one another with guilt written over their faces. They didn’t even bother to hide it.
I My body shook with fury. I clenched my teeth together to keep myself from yelling. I needed to be calm. I needed to not let my emotions get the better of me.
“Yep, thought so,” I said, only when I felt comfortable to speak at all. “So, let’s see what we can do to change this. You can either let me go to live my life where I am not in constant danger. Where bounty hunters aren’t after me. Where I don’t have to constantly look over my shoulder every second of every day. Or you can allow me to fight for the right to be my father’s heir.”
Charity scoffed, loudly. She placed her hands on her hips, cocking her head to the side as though she couldn’t believe I would even suggest such a thing.
“You’ll never win a trial,” she said.
“I would if you made it fair,” I pointed out. I didn’t want to come across as defensive. It would only play into the fact that she still thought I was some sort of child. “If you gave me my own representative and made the ruling impartial, I’m sure I would have won.”
I glanced at my father for help. He only nodded. At first, I was upset that he wouldn’t come forward and speak for me until I realized what his silence meant. He trusted me to do this on my own. I was obviously doing well enough or else he would step in. For some reason, this gave me more confidence.
Charity stepped back. After one last withering glare, she turned around and stormed over to the other Council members. Though I couldn’t hear what they had to say, I realized they were discussing something.