Page 71 of Muse

“Soren Tomoleo,” Kriselle said, her voice sounding unusually ominous and booming. “You have been called before the Magik Tribunal because you have been accused of breaking the 11thtenet of the Enchanters’ Oath from the Regula.”

The herald stepped forward with a scroll in hand, and he unrolled it and read the pertinent section aloud:The enchanter, enchantrix, or enchantress, once upon being accepted into service to their kingdom and their tribunal, will forfeit all physical, romantic, or sexual relationships or activity with any and all muses, regardless of age, gender, orientation, or subordination. If an enchanter, enchantrix, or enchantress engages in any such practice, they should be immediately stripped of their title and banished from service across all the kingdoms of Wespen forever. The muse may also be deemedunfit, and he, xe, or she can be stripped of their titles and banished from service across all the kingdoms of Wespen.”

None of that sounded like a death sentence, but for a muse and enchanter, it might as well be—especially ones like Soren and me, who didn't have much in the way of inherited wealth.

Being unable to serve the kingdoms meant being severed from magik. That in and of itself was described as an unparalleled agony and heartbreak by those who have experienced it.

Without magik, I would have no way to bring in coins. How could I support myself without skills or education and carrying around a tarnished name?

"Soren of House Tomoleo, you have been accused of being romantically involved with a muse under your change," the Queen said. "In addition, there are allegations that you have not allowed others access to this muse and that you have been attempting to keep her to yourself. I do not prejudge any accused, but it is harder to keep objectivity when my daughter is one of the witnesses against you."

“I saw the accused kissing his muse the day before he assaulted Lord Baxley of House Cole for talking to her,” Cosetta added, and the Queen held up her hand to silence her.

“There will be time for that testimony later,” Kriselle said. “Right now is the chance for the accused to speak. What do you have to say about these charges, Soren?”

"I have never prevented any muse from performing in a conduction with anyone else," Soren said. "That claim is patently false. I enjoyed working with Lady Isadore of House Dellamousa and want to work with her because she is talented. However, she is free to perform with whoever she pleases whenever she pleases."

“So you deny the charges?” Kriselle asked.

“Not all of the charges, but that particular one about not permitting Isadore to work with others,” Soren clarified. “That part is not true. But the rest of it, that is true.”

There were gasps and murmurs in the court, and I even saw Adora snicker. I stayed still, and Briar squeezed my hand.

“You are admitting that you have broken the tenets of the Enchanters’ Oath?” Kriselle asked, and though she generally tried to keep her expression unreadable, she didn’t seem to even try to hide her surprise.

“Yes,” he said, louder this time, and even more rumblings came from the gallery until Kriselle silenced them again.

“Elaborate, Soren,” Kriselle commanded.

“The first time Isadore and I kissed was at the Ashoralida, when my emotions got the better of me, but I was already falling in love with her before then,” Soren explained. “I also kissed Isadore before the Samonend, the incident that Princess Cosetta referenced. I assume any other witnesses you call will allege they saw something romantic happening with Isadore and myself, and they are likely telling the truth."

"Why are you admitting to all this when you know the punishment awaiting you?" Kriselle asked, trying to understand his confession.

“For the same reason that I could not resist her, even knowing what the punishment would be: because I love Isadore,” he said simply.

I jumped to my feet, my heart hammering in my chest, and I loudly declared, “And I love Soren.”

There was more chattering from the gallery, but this time, I only focused on Soren. He smiled back over his shoulder at me, and suddenly, I wasn't so afraid. Even if this didn't work, if we were both severed and banished, we would still have each other.

“Quiet!” Kriselle shouted, sounding irritated, and everyone was quick to comply. “No outbursts are allowed from the gallery,especially irrelevant ones. Now, to continue with the matter at hand. The accused has entered no defense –”

“Pardon, sorry, Your Majesty,” Soren interrupted. “Idohave a defense.”

“Since you have not denied the majority of the charges, what exactly would your defense be?” the Queen asked.

“It is as I already said.True love.” He motioned back to where I stood in the gallery, holding the Regula. “Do you mind if I grab a book? It’s the Regula, and it is my only evidence.”

“Fine,” Kriselle said.

He rushed over to take the book from me. I passed it across the obsidian wall, and he flipped to the page we'd marked. He carried it over to the herald.

"Would you be so kind as to read these passages aloud?" Soren asked the herald.

Magik can never create love, destroy love, or otherwise stand in the way of true love. For the purposes of the Regula de Magik, true love is defined as an unwavering, unbreakable, and undeniable devotion to another that is more profound than mere attraction or friendship.

When the herald finished reading, Cosetta’s expression had turned into a sour pucker. In fact, there were a few frowns on the tribunal.

“That doctrine was meant to forbid love potions and the like,” Herve tried to wave it off.

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