Free Web NovelChapter 153: Chapter 153 The Final Trial
Amber’s POV
"When did you catch Helenius?" I ask Chase as we sit down. He has Elina on his lap, as Melody crawls into Blaze’s. I smile at the sight. They are just too cute.
"Right after you were kidnapped. He looked guilty, and when we asked him he confessed on the spot."
"Why would he do that?"
"Seriously, I think you are the only one not seeing the impact you have on people when meeting them, little moon." Blaze chimes in. I roll my eyes at him. They have been on the same page a lot lately, and I’m not sure which version of them I like the most. This or the fighting.
"Uhuh. I don’t have more impact on people than you have. By the way, should we hire nannies for the girls soon? Maybe it wasn’t a..."
"We want to be here, mommy, peas," Elina says and I feel my heart melt.
"Okay, but if you want to leave!"
"We will take them if they want to leave," Mom says with an eye on the girls. She has warmed up to them wholeheartedly and it makes me wonder."
The clerk knocks on the door, bowing before all of us.
"We are ready to resume the trial, Your Majesties and Your Highness." He says, gesturing to the courtroom. We enter just before the Judge, and we keep standing until he tells us to sit.
Out of another chamber then the other bad guys, guards are escorting Helenius.
"That is where the Nobles are before coming into the courtroom. That is also where Gia will be until it is her turn. The guards keep them from talking to each other." Chase whispers in my ear.
"Helenius Braxton, you are accused of helping with the kidnapping of the Queen, helping the former King with his plans to make his son marry his half-sister and helping with spying on the new Royal couple." The Judge says, his face stern and his voice cold. Helenius swallows. "How do you plead?" As a difference from before, Helenius has a lawyer with him. He opens his mouth to speak, but Helenius shakes his head.
"I’m guilty of all charges, Your Honor. And I hid the former King and the ladies in plain sight with my magic on the night of the kidnapping." He says, his voice steady. He seems ready to take the sentence with his head held high. Chase and Blaze are both growling, hearing he was the one to hide the escapees so they had a chance of kidnapping me.
’Easy, remember I knew. I knew he was hiding them, and I acted too late. I could have revealed them, but I didn’t.’ I mind-link them, trying to calm them down.
"Helenius Braxton, you are sentenced to lifetime in prison. You will never be released, but you will live." The Judge says, and I release a breath of relief. He is not a bad guy, but he is misguided. "I am taking into account that you helped with finding the Queen afterwards, and that you followed the guards back to the castle voluntarily. You have confessed everything from the start, and added more in this courtroom." Helenius looks at me and Chase.
"I am truly sorry for what I did, and I will regret it until my end. My Queen, you are amazing and we are lucky to have you."
He is escorted out again, and immediately the clerk announces both Gia and Callus. The stride in, both with red eyes and stripes down their cheeks, showing the way the tears have run. I feel an ache in my stomach, knowing Ignis and I are responsible for such heartache. Both guys take a hand, squeezing and calming me.
’You did the right thing, baby. She was evil all the way through.’
’You save our aunt. You saved yourself. You have nothing to feel sorry for, little moon.’ I squeeze back, thanking them silently.
In front of us both girls whimper, and I look at them in surprise. All the way through the day they have been quiet, sitting and watching silently - the situation with Jasper and Merion not counted. I ask them if they want to go, but they shake their heads, although they have crawled up into my lap to find comfort.
"He visited the bad lady." Elina whispers in my ear, and I narrow my eyes. I adjust my vision, and feel my eyes glowing. The aura of Keres are all around both Callus and Gia, and my stomach drops. freeweɓnovēl.coɱ
Callus sees my look and smirks.
"Former King Callus Braxton, you are accused of the kidnapping of the reigning Queen, and the planning of her murder. Furthermore, you are accused of the attempted kidnapping and intended sell of the two Princesses.."
"Yes, yes. I know everything I am accused of. Get on with it Joel." Callus says in a bored tone.
I open my mouth to say something, as I feel the aura around both dragons pulsate. It thickens and then laughter fills the courtroom. fɾeewebnoveℓ.co๓
"You might have weakened us, but we are nowhere near done yet, dearie." The voice cackles. Mom stands and creates a barrier around herself and the other royals, as I do the same with myself, my family, and the courtroom workers including the Judge. Just as the barrier is in place, the aura lashes out. I use the connection I have with my mother and send a wave of heat through it and out into their shield, as I do the same with my own. The voice screams bloody murder.
"You think you are high and mighty, little Amber. But you are nothing compared to what I have in store for you." Then the pressure of the darkness lessens, and when we can see the courtroom clearly again, both Callus and Gia are gone.
Chase yells out orders, and the courtroom is in panic.
’Calm them.’
’Ignis, how?’
’Like the fire is wild and untameable, it is also warm and calming. Calm them with warmth, and let them know it will be alright. We are their Queen, crowned or not.’ Ignis stays at the forefront of my mind, while I close my eyes and hums. I search my inner core, finding the thread that represents warmth, security, and calmness. The part of a fire that will keep you safe from wild animals on a cold night, the kind of warmth that will seep into your heart and soul and make sure you’ll survive.
I cast the thread out to the panicking people, feeling a connection with all of them - how they calm down, how they know we will get through this together. The yells and screams douse down to a mumble and then everything is quiet.
As I open my eyes, everyone is staring at me and then something happens I never thought would happen. All the people in the courtroom kneel before me - even Chase and Blaze. My parents and the girls are the only ones not kneeling, but I can see the pride in their eyes.
"Uhm, what’s going on?" I ask no one in particular, and mom laughs a quiet laugh.
"You are the Queen from the tales. The one who will come to us in a great time of need and unite all of the dragon Kingdoms into peace and friendship. You are the ruler of the sacred ancient fire." Judge Blackstone answers with awe in his voice, still kneeling.
"Okay, please stand everyone, and don’t ever kneel like that again," I say, the uncomfort in my voice evident. Chase and Blaze rise first and kiss my temple.
’We will never treat you differently, but you are so special, baby.’ Chase mind-links, and Blaze nods.
