Page 77 of Infala: Her Alien Protector
Maria felt tears dampen her cheeks. “You came for me.”
“Of course I did.” He kissed her forehead, heart swelling with love. “I would die without you, my love. I livewithyou or not at all.”
He hadn’t realized their affections were being broadcast on the enormous projection monitors for all to see, but the rousing reaction made them both aware in a hurry.
“She’s bonded!” someone yelled from the crowd. “Her Infala found its match!”
“The woman is free! It’s the law!” Another yelled, the crowd’s cheers of excitement and surging energy clearly on the couple’s side.
Flagro moved to say something, but Chancellor Vinchi waved him to silence. This washisproperty, andhewould be the one to handle things.
“Impossible. She was only recently marked. To develop a mature Infala in such a short time? It is unheard of.”
“And yet the same happened for me and my mate,” Heydar declared.
“Me too,” Valin added. “It seems these humans react differently than most to the pigments.”
“Indeed,” Heydar agreed. “And per Dotharian law, the indentured must be released, just the same as any other newly Infala bonded person, regardless of social status or even criminal charges. This is the second chance all Infala mates are granted by law, is that not correct, Overseer?”
Vinchi was having none of that. “Preposterous! It cannot be.”
The Dotharian overseer raised his hand. “Enough!” He nodded to the silent man in the deep blue cloak who had been quietly observing the entire time. “A royal of the Nimenni has made a serious accusation. He has also raised the issue of Infala bonding of the accused. My adjudicator will now validate both claims.”
Chancellor Vinchi felt a flare of panic. “But?—”
“You will be silent!” the overseer commanded, not yelling, but the power behind his directive absurdly clear. The chancellor, wisely, fell silent.
The adjudicator rose, shedding his cloak, making it clear why he wore it even in full sun. His body was the same purple as the overseer, but he was covered in scores of intricate runes, far more than any normal person would ever possess, each of them absolutely radiant with powerful pigment. He walked over to the couple, assessing them with a steady gaze for a long moment. He held up his hands, the runes on them glowing brighter, the energy traveling up his arms to his torso. A moment later he lowered them, the glow diminishing. A slight smile rose to his otherwise expressionless face.
“First, I would congratulate you on your union. It has only just occurred, I see.”
The crowd cheered at the pronouncement, but the man was not done yet.
“Yours in an unusual bond. For one, it is particularly powerful, the intensity of which I rarely encounter. But it is also one formed not just by the power of the Infala, but by the willing love of two people. The purest, most sacred of unions known. And I sense it is so new that it is yet to be properly consummated,” he added with an actual grin cracking his stoic façade.
“I-uh…” Maria stammered.
“Do not worry. You will remedy that soon enough. It is the way. Now, as for the other issue.”
He placed his hand on her chest, feeling the energy flowing through her Infala, the pigments reacting to his, telling their own tale that only he could hear. He cocked his head slightly, reading her Infala, then stepped back. Frowning, he turned to the overseer, an enraged look in his eyes where joy had just resided. He gave his superior a single nod.
The overseer knew what that meant.
He slowly shifted his gaze to fall entirely upon the chancellor. He once more raised his hand, the crowd falling silent without needing any further instruction. All eyes and ears were on the overseer, yet he waited, allowing the gravity of the situation to sink in just a moment later. This was historic, even for him. Laws were upheld all across the galaxy on a daily basis, but this? It would be talked of for ages.
“Chancellor Vinchi,” he began, speaking slowly and clearly, knowing his every word was being recorded for posterity. “You have been accused and found guilty of the most heinous of crimes. An act that chills me to the core.”
“I can explain.”
“No, you cannot. You are guilty of tampering with a citizen’s Infala. Not just tampering, but intentionally directing it to be applied incomplete, thus rendering it effectively useless. This crime, the sheer magnitude of the violation you have perpetrated against this woman is beyond the pale, even for you.”
“But she didn’t have any runes. I provided them!”
“And in so doing saved her life, yes, I know. But you cheated, Vinchi. You broke the most sacred of our laws. And as one of your status, a figurehead and shining light for those who reside under your oversight, this is an utterly inexcusable violation not only of law, but of the power entrusted to you as chancellor. It is for that reason you are to be made an example of so that none will ever dream to commit such an act again.”
“Wait, you can’t?—”
“Ican. Chancellor Vinchi, you are hereby stripped of your lands. Of your title. Of your wealth and position. All are forfeit and transferred to the aggrieved at once. Your family are evicted from yourformerproperties. They will be provided modest lodgings until they determine what employment to pursue.”
