feet. “Your weakness disgusts me.”
King Maynard shot to his feet. “That’s enough. Jackson, approach the throne.”
Jackson swallowed. Hard. He held his father’s steady gaze. How could he convince him of his innocence? He couldn’t, because he was actually guilty.
“You have been assigned to carry out the execution and transfer of the girl from the vision, yet you have not done so. You are hereby accused of treason. How do you plead?”
“Not guilty, Your Majesty.”
“What is your defense?”
He maintained eye contact with his father. “I haven’t had sufficient time to prepare a defense, sir.” Sweat sprang out on his forehead, trickled down his hairline. The cool, damp air chilled it.
“If I allow you the opportunity to rectify your mistake, are you willing to do so at this time?”
“You can’t be—”
“That will be all, Kai. You’ve voiced your opinion, and I have taken it under consideration. Thank you.” He lowered himself to the throne effectively dismissing his advisor.
Kai glared at Jackson.
His father had offered him the chance to redeem himself. A small spark of hope flared deep within his heart. He would simply acquire the girl, and this incident would be over.
Well, probably not over. He would have to make amends with Kai, prove his loyalty to his mentor somehow.
Jackson opened his mouth to speak, to thank his father for trusting him to complete his assigned task, and froze. He gripped the small leather satchel at his side. The memory of her eyes flooded his heart, effectively dousing the small flicker of hope that had begun to smolder there.
He held his father’s intense stare. “No, sir.”
Disappointment filled his father’s eyes.
Jackson finally lowered his gaze. His shoulders slumped in defeat. “I’m sorry, sir. I cannot.”
He didn’t bother to look at either of the other men. Their opinions didn’t matter to him as much as his father’s. He knew what he would find anyway. Elijah would be confused and Kai would be repulsed. Well, no matter. There was nothing left to do but accept his punishment.
But what of the girl? What would happen to her if Jackson was sentenced to die now? Surely, she wouldn’t be allowed to live. His father would simply send another Death Dealer to enforce the prophecy.
“Very well, then.” The king spoke through clenched teeth. “You leave me no choice.” He paused.
Jackson lifted his eyes to meet his father’s. “Sir, if I might ask for a little time. I would like the opportunity to properly prepare a defense.”
King Maynard slammed his hands against the arms of the elaborate throne and sprang up off the seat. “You think there is a defense for this insanity?”
“I do, sir. I’ve tried to explain, but I am too unfamiliar with what I’m experiencing to understand or accurately explain it. I would like a little time to do some research.”
“What kind of research?” He massaged the bridge of his nose between his thumb and forefinger.
“I believe the girl is meant to be here voluntarily. Please, sir, allow me a little time to prove it.”
Kai surged forward. “Damn it, boy. If you have a thing for the girl, take her as a mate once she’s been reborn in Cymmera, but give up on the voluntary transfer. It’s not possible.”
He bit back a response and waited for his father to sentence him.
King Maynard rested a hand on the back of the empty throne beside his. “Very well, Jackson.” He heaved in a deep breath and blew it out slowly. “You are hereby banished from Cymmera pending the outcome of your trial.”
He would be allowed to live?
“I will allow you three months in the human realm to do whatever it is you need to do to prove your case.”
Relief flooded Jackson, not for himself, but because he’d bought the girl some time.
“However.” He lowered his hand to his side and straightened. “You will be completely stripped of your powers and unable to transfer back to Cymmera until such time has ended. At that time your trial will commence, and you will be called before this throne again.”
“Yes, sir. Thank you, sir.” He bowed before his father, his king.
“You are dismissed.”
Kai’s glare seared a hole in his back.
How would he ever prove something he didn’t even understand? The threat of death loomed over him, followed him out of the chamber.
Chapter 2
A rhythmic rocking comforted Ryleigh. She couldn’t open her eyes, but that was okay. She would just float in peaceful obscurity.
“Ryleigh.” A man shook her shoulder. “Ryleigh, can you hear me?”
Yes. She wanted to answer, but she couldn’t form the words. Humming, familiar, though she couldn’t quite place it. Something pricked her arm.
“Ryleigh, can you answer me?”
“Mmm hmm.”
Pressure against her head. Oww. Why did her head hurt so much? Why wouldn’t these people leave her alone? A flicker of memory teased her. Rocking, bumping, the floor moving. Was she moving now? She reached for consciousness, only to be dragged back into oblivion.
A bright light shone against her eyes. She lay still for a moment, enjoying the orange and black swatches of color that swirled behind her closed lids. The blackness began to take on shape, the oranges and yellows merging to form a halo around a human shaped silhouette. The silhouette of a guy with broad shoulders.
“Ryleigh.” The man spoke louder this time.
She struggled to respond. The dreamy image dissipated the instant her eyes fluttered open, but the memory plagued her, followed her into consciousness. Everything hurt, as if she’d been run over by a truck. Background noise intruded on her confusion, beeping, talking, footsteps, more beeping. Bright light burned her eyes, added to the already thunderous headache threatening to overwhelm her. Bile surged up the back of her throat.
“How do you feel, Ryleigh?”
“I hurt.” She struggled to sit up.
“Lie still, honey.” He pressed her back down, his deep voice comforting, firm, in control.
Why did that matter? Control. Everything was out of control. The memories poured over her in an avalanche of emotion, battered at her mind, threatened to suffocate her. She fought the restraining hands.
“Ryleigh.” Fingers
