Waleron had yet to make any appearance in the week since Balen had been gone. No one knew what was going on with him. For all I knew, he was already in Rest.
“Hey Off-kilter.” He hated my nickname, which made it all the more sweet when I used it. He didn’t turn, but he stopped with one hand on the doorknob. “One day, you’re going to fall in love.”
“You have to give a shit about people to do that. I don’t.” He threw open the massive arched door and walked inside.
I fell back into the snow and stared up at the full moon. I was surprised when I heard Kilter in my head. Would the guy ever give me a moment’s peace? Probably forgot to tell me to mind my own goddamn business.
“Changing into one of us took guts. Whether you did it to save your life or not, Waleron believed in you. He would have never risked us going against the Wraiths otherwise. All you have to do is believe in yourself. Now get inside before you freeze to death and Waleron comes after my ass for allowing it.”
I was taken aback by his words and had no response. Not that he expected one. Nothing kind ever came out of that man’s mouth. He was right though. I had trouble believing in myself, had all my life. I quit everything before I had the chance to fail it, never once thinking that I’d conquer and succeed. It was better saying you quit rather than you failed. At least, that was what I always believed.
My relationships said it all; end it before they can end it with you so you don’t get hurt. The relationships never failed, because I quit them before they started. But it was too late for that. I loved Balen. I wanted him in my life. I’d believed that what we shared would last, that it wouldn’t fail.
And if it did fail?
Yeah, it would hurt like hell, but wasn’t I already hurting? Maybe we wouldn’t have a second chance, but if we did, I sure as hell was going to fight for us.
A snowflake fell on the tip of my nose then melted. The moisture soaked into my skin and I closed my eyes as more fell from the sky. I pictured him in my mind, those green eyes watching me, his hands on my skin, his lips hard against mine. I sighed, my body relaxing into the snow, sinking further and further into a trance of sensations. I imagined his breath was a feather sweeping across my neck, his fingers cupping my chin, thumb stroking the cleft, so soft and comforting.
“Balen, I love you. I’m fighting for us, baby.”
I JOLTED OUT OF sleep. Her voice. I heard her voice. She spoke to me. I ran my hand through my hair. That’s impossible; no Scar could reach me in the realm telepathically. Shit, not even Waleron had that ability. It had to have been a dream.
“I love you. I’m fighting for us, baby.”
My breath left my lungs as her voice seeped into my mind like a mist. Danni? “Danni?” Nothing. I came to my feet and waited. Paced and waited some more. Hoping I’d hear her again. Nothing.
I stiffened as Waleron Traced into my marble cell. Christ, the guy looked like shit. That didn’t speak well for me.
“A decision has been made. You’ll stand before the Deaconry.”
The south wall of the room disintegrated into tiny particles of water then evaporated. I stood in front of an elaborate fountain facing the Deaconry members all sitting around an oblong marble table.
Waleron took his seat beside Zurina and I nodded to her. I’d met her a few times and liked the Taldeburu. She’d been a good friend of Waleron’s mother and was one of the original Scars.
Edan, the cocky bastard who had placed me in this hell, was the only one who looked relaxed, leaning back in his chair. The rest of the Wraiths appeared tired and short-tempered. I met Genevieve’s eyes and she quickly averted her gaze. Fuck. That wasn’t good.
Tor spoke. “Balen, you defied the punishment of Rest. You also had others assist in your escape.” He paused. “Defying a sentence is punishable by death. However,” he paused again. “It came to our attention that a Bonding spell had been placed on you and a human. If you had been sent to Rest, this human would’ve died. Is this true?”
I nodded.
“And the Bond has been broken?”
“Yes,” I replied.
“Genevieve will answer to the Goddess Azzurra for her part in this. I must say, Genevieve fought valiantly for you, along with your Taldeburus. I believe she would’ve had us here for years if we didn’t consent to her wishes.” His lips curved up at the corner. “You can thank her that you’ll live. Understand that we must obey the laws the Scars and Wraiths inscribed in order for the balance of nature.
“You’ve been found guilty. We have waived the incident of defying the sentence due to the circumstances that were beyond your control. However, you will be accountable for the past. The sentence stands. You will be sent to Rest.” I saw Waleron’s brows lower and Zurina closed her eyes. Genevieve refused to look at me. “Ten years. No exile.” The sound of my sentence pounded in my ears. “Have you anything to say?” I was about to say yes when a voice came from behind me.
“I do.” All eyes turned to the far end of the room. I heard both Edan and Waleron curse under their breath as soft footfalls come toward me. I was as shocked as the rest of them to see Delara.
“Delara, you have no right to be in the realm,” Urtzi thundered, his fist slamming down on the marble table. “Who is responsible for this?”
“I’m here on behalf of Anstice the Healer, sister to Balen. As it was impossible for her to enter the realm without a Wraith or Taldeburu, I’m speaking as her voice and my own. We, the Toronto Talde, defend Balen, a man who risked his life by drinking vampire blood in order to save a woman from certain slavery to a vampire.”