Page 148 of Emylia

“There are repercussions for every action, no one is immune.”

Sebastian filled the space with quiet fury, his stare landing on the chieftain like a blade drawn without warning–sharp, unwavering, already certain he was about to become the enemy.

“But it wasn’t her fault.”

“Enough, Sebastian,” Thrainn’s voice silenced him, chilling me to the bone.

Out of my peripheral vision, I could see Josephine and Evie huddled next to each other. Josephine cradled her bruised neck, but it couldn’t completely hide the purplish-red blemishes that decorated her throat. Blood ran down her cheek from where my slap had broken skin.

Shame churned my stomach. As bad as Josephine was, I should never have struck her. I should never have choked her.

“Emylia, did you strike Josephine and then try to choke her?”

“Yes.” If nothing else, I was honest. Besides, there was no point denying it.

“But Josephine said…” Sebastian came to my aid, anger coating his words.

“ENOUGH.” Sebastian was silenced a second time; I doubt there would be a third. “We do not ever condone violence of any form against each other; do you understand?”

“Yes.” Sebastian’s answer was almost silent.

Thrainn turned back to me, his eyes blanching my soul. “You understand you must be punished.”

I swallowed the lump in my throat, knowing that everything was about to change. “Yes.”

“Good. Then it’s settled. From this time forward, you are not to step foot into Ophelia or the Aelinthian Forrest. You are banished.”

My heart sank, bile clawing up my throat. I fought off the urge to vomit.

“You can’t do this,” Sebastian implored.

Thrainn spun on his heel, taking two steps until he invaded Sebastian’s personal space. “I AM THE CHIEF, AND I WILL DO WHAT I SEE FIT. AND YOU WILL NOT CHALLENGE MY DECISIONS. DO YOU UNDERSTAND?” Thrainn’s voice reverberated through me, intensifying the need to be physically ill.

Sebastian stepped forward, reclaiming the space as his own. “Iwillchallenge you if your decision is wrong. I will not let you banish her.”

“You would challenge me, Sebastian?” His voice had dropped to a dangerous growl.

I saw Sebastian swallow, his Adam’s apple bobbing. He was skilled, but Thrainn was still the chief and I knew how much respect he had for him. “If you do this to her, then yes.”

Thrainn’s nose flared, almost as if he was capable of breathing fire. Then he sighed. “If you just let me finish you would know I’m protecting her too.”

“What?” a squeak of a voice escaped me.

“From this time forward, for a total ofone week,you are banished from Ophelia and the Aelinthian Forrest.”

My eyes met my uncle’s in shock.

Before Thrainn could answer me, Josephine shot forward, her eyes wild in disbelief. “You can’t be serious.” Fury colored her skin, her cheeks flushing an abnormal scarlet.

“If you’re displeased with my decision, we will do a proper trial and get the full story of what happened, if you’d like, Josephine. I’m sure Sebastian and Evie would be happy to tell us all exactly what happened.”

“It would be my pleasure,” Sebastian added with a cocky smile.

Evie nodded silently. But I knew her–Evie didn’t lie. Not for anyone. Not even for Josephine. And Josephine knew it. She had lost.

Josephine clamped her mouth shut, her face flushing even brighter.

“Sebastian, Maalikai, I will leave it in your good hands to enforce my decision, making sure Emylia doesn’t return before the punishment time is served.”

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