He removed his hand from the sphere, but his power didn’t diminish, time and spells still zinging the air around us. He turned and shuffled between the sleeping bodies on the ground to rest against the wall where he had originally appeared, resuming his position with his hands placed in front of him, face again grave. “Nothing can stop the charges already filed on you four.”
My mind was flying, trying to think of a damn loophole to this predicament. There had to be something. Our Laws weren’t just created out of cruelty; they were also in place for protection. As Cahal had stated, there was a reason for their madness. My eyes darted back and forth between Ezra’s, and I could see his mind flying just as fast as mine, desperation and panic molding our features. Honestly, I would rather be dead than have my mind wiped and spelled to be separated from my husband.
Elder Harcourt stated gravely, “Queen Cooper and King Collins, you will answer with only a yes or a no, and good luck trying not to, but if you do not answer, you will be found automatically guilty. Do you understand?”
I could hear Pearl sobbing quietly, but sounding forced, she stated, “Yes, I understand.”
“Go fuck yourself,” Jack choked, his voice hoarse.
“I’ll take that as a yes, and bravo on your strength,” Elder Harcourt stated. “Queen Cooper and King Collins, have you two had sexual relations with each other within the last ten years?” Oh, that was a loophole, right there, but too damn bad it didn’t help us.
I felt the magic around us pulse, and realized we were in not only a trapping sphere, but also one of truth. They wouldn’t be able to lie. My breathing hitched, a single tear tracking down my cheek, but I didn’t look away from Ezra, didn’t stop searching my mind for an answer. There had to be something.
I heard both Pearl and Jack as they tried to alter their answers, coughing and choking with the effort. From the corner of my eye, I saw Pearl fall to her knees, her hand glowing golden over her throat…but still her mouth opened, and she shouted, “Yes.”
Jack gave up trying, yelling at Elder Harcourt, “I fucking love her, you goddamn asshole, so have I had sex with her? Yes. And every Elder who approved this fucking Law is going to eventually get their due.” He lifted Pearl, holding her sobbing form close. “One day, I will remember this. I know I will. No one will be able to stop me from taking my revenge.” His bare muscled chest heaved, and he dropped his glowing eyes to Pearl, holding her head close to his neck and dropping his head on hers, both of them visibly trembling.
Elder Harcourt rubbed his chin, sighing heavily, and then lifted his head from its lowered position during Jack’s emotional tirade to stare at Ezra and me. When I saw his mouth open, Ezra tilted his head down and touched his lips to mine. Gently. Reverently, his mouth stroked my trembling lips. A sob I couldn’t stop at the feel of his heated caress escaped, and I ran my hands up into his hair, gripping tight and holding him close as I cried and kissed him back with every ounce of love and adoration I had. Neither of us stopped our embrace even as we heard Elder Harcourt ask us — he was still fucking asking us — if we’d had sexual relations, nor did we stop when the spell made each of us say yes against each other’s mouths.
He was my husband.
I was losing my husband.
Where was the fucking Law in that?
I jerked, pulling my head away from Ezra, the answer like a bright beacon in my mind. He was my husband. By Law, he was mine. And…the Law did protect. My watery gaze flew to Elder Harcourt’s, and right as he was about to say something else, I stated, “We’re married. He’s my Lawful husband. I’m his Lawful wife. Under,” my smile was brutal because it was our most important Law, “Law One, no mates can be taken away from each other for longer than one year, up to two years depending on the severity of their punishments, even if imprisoned, for procreation is key for Mystical longevity, and this Law is not limited only to mates, but granted to married couples as well.” I waved a hand at the sphere. “And because of the truth spell, you know I’m not lying.”
In the stunned silence that surrounded us, Ezra started chuckling quietly, the sound pure evil as he held me tightly. “We also have a wedding certificate if you need it, but I don’t have it on me, so you’d have to let me out to get to it.”
My lips twitched. If Elder Harcourt let him out right now…
Elder Harcourt grinned, his face crinkling further. “I don’t believe that will be necessary, King Zeller, or beneficial to my current health.” Elder Harcourt’s golden eyes met mine. “You were almost too late.” His head cocked. “But that Law is for procreation.”