Lily swallowed hard. His marks had already appeared, but she’d asked him to hide them. It was clear that this world was suffering, that people were placing their species’ needs above their own, yet she’d only been concerned with the ways in which this society might be unfair to her.
“The Queen has commanded the council to update their translators so they’ll all be able to understand you,” Ziri said, her serious expression back in place.
The door slid open again, and Lily saw they were stopped on the top of a massive entryway. She stepped out and turned in place. The buildings of the old city could be seen to the right, the towering skyscrapers of the new city behind them.
With a deep breath, she followed Ziri into the cool interior of the entryway. Guards on either side tilted their heads toward Ziri and tapped their thumbs to their shoulder as she walked while studying Lily curiously. The hall they traveled through was gorgeous, lined with shining stone and thick columns, but she couldn’t seem to pay attention to any of it.
Over and over in her head, she rehearsed what she should say. Trying to decide what approach would work best with a group of reigning aliens. Emotional outcry for the man she loved? Lily glanced sidelong at Ziri’s stern expression and thought not. The only foolproof way to ensure Verakko’s freedom was clear.
It was decision time. A small part of her remained fearful of the world knowing about Verakko’s marks, but it was an irrational fear, cemented by decades of lackluster experiences. She loved Verakko, so why did it still terrify her to agree to be bound to him forever?
Ziritha rounded a corner, and Lily’s steps faltered as she followed the woman into a severe, vaulted room. The floors were tiled with black stone, imitating the glittering black sand of the desert. Or maybe it was the sand from the desert, treated in some way to make it hard. The dark blue of the walls did nothing to relieve Lily’s growing dread. The soft lighting provided by extra-large glowing orbs near the ceiling worked to make the space feel foreboding rather than romantic. At the foot of the room, a group of silent, dour individuals stood.
On a raised platform stood the Queen. Lily snapped her jaw shut, her immediate response to seeing the intimidating woman; awe. She wore a deep blue robe almost the same color as her navy skin. It covered her from neck to floor, yet her arms peeked out through slits in the fabric and rested, clasped in front of her.
The Queen’s critical eyes bore into hers before running down her body. Lily forced herself not to hunch her shoulders.
Ziri halted Lily with a hand and whispered, “Wait until you’re asked to speak,” then continued forward alone to take her place at the foot of the Queen’s platform, along with four other individuals.
One stern woman wore a pale blue robe. Another wore a purple, two-piece formfitting outfit and openly frowned, showing her mood more readily than the two remaining men, whose expressions were impassive.
Movement from the corner caught Lily’s eye, and she saw the same woman who’d passed them in the hall before she and Verakko had gone on their date. Standing next to the woman was the attendant from the spa, the one who’d flirted with her, his head hung low as though he were embarrassed to be here. He refused to meet Lily’s eyes. Had they reported them? Based on what?
She tried to calm her initial reaction of fury, reminding herself that in their minds, they’d witnessed the husband to their future queen carousing with an unknown woman. She couldn’t blame them for reporting the infraction, especially if it was as much of a slap in the face as Verakko had made it out to be.
The sound of heavy footsteps behind her made her turn. Her breath hitched at the sight of Verakko and a guard. Although he wasn’t restrained, he walked alongside the guard without complaint. His eyes stayed glued to Lily as he passed and headed for the platform in front of her. He gave her what was meant to be a comforting smile and nod, but the smile didn’t reach his eyes, and the stiffness of his body made the nod more of a jerk of his head. Her eyes flashed to his hands, but they were still covered.
When he reached the front, the Queen spoke into the cavernous space, her voice bouncing forcefully off the cold stone walls. “Verakko Ye’vet has been found to be in breach of his marriage contract. Baeo saw him with Lily of Earth. She witnessed them pulling away from an embrace in the hallway outside of his home.”
Lily stepped forward, ready to explain that Baeo hadn’t seen what she thought she’d seen, even knowing it was a lie, but Ziritha shook her head in warning, and Lily slammed her mouth shut. She locked eyes with Verakko and saw a muscle twitch in his jaw.
He didn’t look particularly perturbed by the proceedings. He stared at her intensely, as though attempting to take a mental picture of her. Tears welled behind her eyes.
The Queen continued, “The accused was questioned, as is customary after a report of a breach is made. Verakko has admitted guilt. Therefore, I’ll decide his punishment, and the council will decide the severity.”
Lily’s stomach flipped. He’d told them he was guilty? Why not tell them the truth about the marks? Claim her as his mivassi? Something?
The Queen addressed Lily directly. “Since you’re not familiar
