Page 143 of An Archer's Redemption

Jess’s mouth twitched just enough for me to see. She’d spent most of the morning teasing me about taking on a more formal role in today’s proceedings, accusing me of becoming a “proper gentleman” rather than a “rogue Melucian.”

I failed to find the humor.

That only encouraged her.

“Proceed,” she ordered.

I stepped aside and allowed the pair to take my place on the second diamond mark.

Seth bowed. Liam forgot and received an elbow in the ribs.

Again, Jess bit back a grin.

“Your Majesty,” Liam squeaked. “Thank you for seeing us . . . I mean, receiving us.”

“You are Liam, the innkeeper’s son? You witnessed one of the attacks?” Jess asked.

“Yes, Majesty.”

“And your father was killed in another attack?”

Liam’s shoulders slumped. “Yes, Majesty.”

“The Crown is saddened by your loss.”

Liam looked up, his eyes wide. “Thank you . . . Majesty.”

“And you”—Jess turned to Seth—“are the Priest?”

“I was, Your Majesty.”

One of Jess’s brows peaked. “We were unaware of the Children allowing their Priests to, how would you say it, leave the Order?”

Seth hesitated, his eyes darting toward me, before he replied, “When the One—the false One, I should say—fell, I felt no Compulsion to remain within the Order. Liam helped me seethat I could continue my good works without donning a robe or bending a knee.”

Jess leaned forward, her eyes narrowed.

“To the Order,” Seth hurriedly explained. “I bend the knee to the Crown, Majesty. Very much.”

Seth dropped to his knees and pressed his forehead to the stone floor.

“None of that,” Jess snapped. “Rise, and receive your sentence.”

Seth’s head snapped up, and Liam stumbled backward.

“Sentence?” Seth croaked.

Jess stood and took a step forward, positioning herself on the top step so she loomed over us.

“Yes, your sentence. Did you think the Crown would allow your actions to go . . . unaddressed?”

“But . . . Majesty. . . I thought—”

“Silence!” Her voice was a lash.

Seth stood on shaky legs.

“We have heard of your preachings, your works, your guidance and offerings to the people of Oliver. Guardsman Rea returned with quite the tale of how you wore your robes and stood before our people in the name of your false prophet.”

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