Half-heartedly, Paige went to the creek along with Kaizan and Olivia. The creek was a place where all the young ones were found hanging with each other. It was a place of bonfires, where people sat around having food and drinks and danced on continuous drum beats. The air of the place was charged and excitement was palpable. To say that it didn't affect Paige, was untrue. She liked the change. She liked that she had come out of her home where memories of Ara lingered, but at the same time, she wasn't fully feeling well.
Olivia held her hand and tugged her to a secluded corner near the creek with Kaizan following them with a basket and a rug in his hands. Wherever they went people recognized them and bowed their heads and parted the way. Olivia chose a spot with soft grass where Kaizan spread the rug. The creek gurgled somewhere near and the cool breeze swept away the heat in the air.
As soon as they settled, Olivia took out barbecued fish wrapped in leaves and soft garlic bread for them. Kaizan sprawled over the rug and watched his wife and sister talking to each other as they ate food. It was a nice change and, on the inside, he was happy to see that Paige was willing to open. If this was what it took to make her happy, then he was going to get here every day.
Two days later
"You will be facing a trial, Paige," said Kaizan as he sat on the sofa with a glass of whiskey in his hand. He looked browbeaten, his head hung low. He had called Paige to have a chat with her. The situation was grim. Even though Dmitri didn't want the trial, some of his councilors said that it wouldn't be fair just because she was the General's sister, she couldn't be pardoned. After all, Ara was a rebel and abetting a rebel was frowned upon.
It wasn't a surprise for Paige. With a deep sigh, she sat on the sofa opposite to her brother as guilt pangs pierced her heart. "I understand…" she said in a low voice. Nate and Ookashi also came to sit with her. Nate was looking very angry.
"Did Dmitri inform you of that?" Nate asked.
"No, a message was sent to my chambers," Kaizan said and took a large swig of whiskey.
"What kind of a trial?" Nate asked, his voice acerbic.
"I don't know… I just home that the king goes easy on her." Kaizan rubbed his chest where discomfort had lodged like it was its home.
"I would like to take to Dmitri," Nate said, his fists rolling into tight balls.
Kaizan gazed at his father, tapping his finger on his glass. "Father, I don't think that is a good idea. What if he refuses to meet you?"
"What?" Nate retorted. "Have things come down to this level?"
"Father, I am assuming it. I am not saying that he won't meet you. I am saying that given the circumstances, he may choose not to meet you. If Paige is facing a trial, my reputation is at stake. There may be a huge noise from the nobility to remove me from my position." Tension etched his face, as he withdrew his shoulders back. "In my opinion, you should not meet the king."
Blood drained from Nate's face as Paige's hands went to her mouth and her eyes widened. "Is there a threat to your position as well?" This was something they had never imagined in their life.
Kaizan nodded slowly. "But I am not sure. I heard the rumor."
"That is ridiculous!" Nate snapped. He got up and stormed out of the room leaving the brother and sister alone.
"Kaizan…" Paige said in a low voice. She came to sit next to him and placed her hand on his bicep. "I am so sorry…"
Kaizan tipped his head up. He really didn't know how to console her when he himself was going through a major turmoil in his life. Ara had managed to not only shake the foundations of his family, but also managed to put the jobs of sibling on shaky grounds. He just got up from there and went to his bedchamber. It was pretty late in the night. Olivia was already sleeping. Without disturbing her, he went to the bath chamber and took a long bath. He came out and slid beside his wife. She stirred a little murmuring sweet nothings. He turned her to face him. He rolled over her and kissed her lips as he slid her nightgown up. With one thrust he was inside her. Slowly, languidly, he took his time to release. He rested his head over hers once he came. She was always so welcoming and understood his needs. "I love you…" he whispered.
"I love you too…" she replied.
He didn't inform her about the trial.
The trial was called in two days at the mansion of the king in Silver Vales. When Kaizan entered the main hall along with Paige and Nate, he saw that Adrianna wasn't there but Dmitri was sitting along with five councilmen. These councilmen were old ones who ensured that they shed their weight in the matters that were ant-sized. But they carried a lot of say. Ileus and Anastasia were also present.
Kaizan could see how his father was reacting in the presence of Dmitri. The two had been great friends and neither thought that they would face such a tough situation. Kaizan bowed to all of them and sat on the side. Paige sat in front of the king as she ignored glares from councilmen.
Dmitri looked uncomfortable. He shifted in his place as he glanced at Nate. With a sigh, he started, "Paige, there are serious charges against you. You harbored a rebel in your home."
Paige nodded. "I was in love with Ara…"
A councilman cut her off. "Didn't you check her background before falling for a woman like her? Now because of you, even your brother will be branded as a supporter of rebels!"
Ileus growled. "You are going out of line here. Kaizan married the daughter of the Alpha of the Whiteclaw pack, thus solidifying the foundations of the treaty the king had charted. Are you belittling his efforts?" A wisp of shadow peeled off him.
The councilman cringed. "No, I am not undermining his efforts," he said, scared as hell. "But that doesn't change the fact that his sister harbored a rebel who was a threat to our king."
"Then don't you pull Kaizan's name into it. All he has ever done is to fight with the rebels and abetted the peace process!" Ileus retorted and that shut down the mouth of every councilman. "If you dare to challenge Kaizan's loyalty to the king, you are challenging me. Remember, Kaizan is my promised wolf. He would never go against me or the crown." Smoke swirled around him, his eyes, twin flames of fire.
His demeanor was so menacing that everyone became quiet. Anastasia placed her hand on his shoulder and shadows retreated from his sides. She added, "Ara is at the temple and has sworn to serve the gods as long as she lives.. So, if she is a threat, she can be taken to Vilinski and serve the gods."
