Page 126 of Bound
Chapter 44
Amoret
I try not to fidget next to Bran at the top of the stairs. He is still stone faced this morning, his discontent palpable. But despite his anger last night, he did not yell. Did not tell me how disappointed he was.
He had looked at me and told me to go inside.
Now, as we wait for everyone to assemble, I want to lean over to him. To beg him to speak to me.
I stay silent.
I will not apologize for loving Gage. I will not seek his approval for taking Gage to my bed.
No matter what happens now, those will always be the best moments of my life.
Nisha gives me an encouraging thumbs up in the foyer and I smile. She offered to let me stay with her and Tanner last night when I told her what happened.
A part of me wanted to. But the other had hoped Gage would come find me.
He never did, leaving me to succumb to a restless sleep at dawn.
The pillow I took from my old room still carries a trace of his ash and evergreen scent, but I miss the real thing. I miss him.
The front door opens and several dark-clad bodies shift inside. Caine, Horan, and two other males I don’t recognize. The demon waves exuberantly up at me and Lilah nudges him with her elbow. I can make out her lips forming the word ‘behave’ before he falls into a more somber stillness.
“Is that everyone?” Branwen calls.
Markus glances around. “Nearly.”
“Then it will do,” Bran says. “This morning—”
“Hold on, damn it, I’m here.” Gage’s voice rips from the side doors as he rushes from the colony wing. In one hand, he holds a large steel mug, and the other is pulling the hem of his shirt over the strong muscular lines of his stomach.
My toes curl in my shoes and desire flares in the center of my body. He chugs the last bit of his drink, hands the mug to Wilfred, and joins the others in the foyer below.
Bran’s teeth grind beside me. “Yes, as I was saying.” I hide my smile behind my hand. “My companions and I have come to a unanimous decision regarding Captain Ruin Wade versus the Council.”
In the crowd, Lilah turns into Ruin’s front and his strong arms go around her, holding her as the others form a loose circle around them. Gage’s emerald eyes meet mine for a moment, his expression careful. Tight.
I love you,I want to scream.No matter what happens now.
“We find Captain Ruin Wade …” Bran glances at Renvi and Cusnu, and they nod. “We find Ruin Wade guilty of murder on two counts.”
Lilah’s gasp rips through me and Ruin catches her as her knees buckle. Nisha and Tanner press in beside them, their eyes swimming with shifter light.
My head whips over in horror, staring at Branwen. “Bran, you can’t,” I breathe, wanting to grab him and shake him. His face remains blank.
“His punishment?” Markus asks, stepping a pace before the others as though he can take the brunt of whatever is to come.
Bran holds up one long fingered hand. “Though we believe Master Wade was just in dispatching the criminal, one who would have saw the death penalty by the Council’s hand, we do not believe changing Ms. Marks was appropriate.”
“Appropriate?” Gage’s voice is icy. “He loves her. He was just supposed to let her die?”
Bran scowls down at him. “Another outburst, Whitehorn, and I will remove you until the ruling is complete.”
Gage’s mouth mottles, but he falls silent.
Bran coughs. “Now. Master Wade’s punishment.” He motions at his side and Cusnu steps forward.
