Page 101 of Hidden

“Tell them what he used against you,” Lila said unsteadily.

“My children,” Galeeta said softly. “Sala and her children were the latest.”

“What do you mean latest?” Elroth asked.

“I bore five children. Four were daughters—Sala, Rosemund, Arabelle, and Lila. Rosemund and Arabelle were serving at the court of the May Queen when I received a letter to say they had vanished without a trace.”

“I remember,” Elroth said with a nod. “There was a search.”

“I found out later what became of them.” Tears stood in Galeeta’s eyes.

“You did?” Lila cried. She heard Ademar and her father’s voices rise in shock, too. “Why did you say nothing?”

“Did Farras kill them?” Ademar asked, furious now.

“Worse.” Galeeta fell back a step, putting space between her and Lila. She hugged her arms, as if suddenly cold. “The gargoyles. He twisted my daughters’ bodies and minds into monsters.”

“What?” Lila cried, but the word was drowned in the general chorus of surprise.

Gareth sagged in Ademar’s arms, and Lila helped him lower their father to the ground. Images flashed through her mind—the creatures disappearing around corners, avoiding the light, and fading away when they might have captured their father. Her head swam as if she might faint.

“Farras swore me to silence on pain of their deaths,” Galeeta added, sobbing openly now. “And he promised to restore them if I did everything he said.”

“That’s tragic,” Izetta said, still fingering the hilt of her blade. “But a sad story doesn’t make up for what she did.”

“I’m sorry,” Galeeta cried. “I apologize for what I did to you. I was certain you had come to harm my family.”

“Izetta,” Rafe said. He stood with his father now, back with his own pack. “I know what she did to us and agree there must be a price, but Lila helped us. She freed the wolves. She freed me.”

“Lila is not on trial.” The vampire shot him a quelling look.

But she was. Her family was. What happened to Galeeta would impact them all. If her father had been the heart of the family, her mother had been their muscle, bone, and mind. And now, with a long recovery ahead, Gareth would need her more than ever.

“Your Majesty, is no one here to defend my mother?” Lila asked the king. “Will no one argue her case?”

His expression softened, but not much. “This is not that kind of trial, and she has spoken for herself.”

Her mother struggled to silence her weeping. “There will be a vote, Lila.”

“Guilty,” Malatest said, wasting no time.

Lila sucked in a breath. Galeeta was utterly still.

“Guilty,” Rafe’s father said. “Though I am heartily sorry for everything that she suffered. No one’s children should be threatened. But that includes mine.”

King Elroth shook his head. “I couldn’t change the verdict even if I desired it. But I don’t. Lady Galeeta of House Fernblade, you are guilty of treason and of harming our friends.”

Guilty.

Rafe bowed his head as the word settled over the clearing. The verdict made sense in a tragic way. Whatever her reasons, Galeeta had collaborated with the fae who had tried to murder the king—among a long list of other heinous acts. That was a death sentence.

“Good,” said Izetta.

Galeeta stiffened, drawing herself up as if leaning into a strong wind. Gareth deflated where he sat in the grass, collapsing into his son’s arms.

“No, no please.” Lila fell to her knees, her expression stricken with grief. “I beg for mercy, sire. She is my mother.”

“Lila.” Lady Galeeta stared straight ahead, but her mouth worked as if unable to decide what to say.

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