177 Held to the Tribes

ELIA

Her eyes were still grainy and achy because she'd barely slept. Her hands shook because she was terrified of what was going to happen to Reth.

He stood to her right, quivering with tension. They hadn't even been allowed to greet each other before the judging began. She longed to touch him, to make sure he was okay after the events of the night before. But there was nothing in her that would let her do anything but scream the truth at the lines of Leonine before her—both male and female—waiting to hear her answer the accusations that had been brought.

"This process is simple," Brant said quietly. "You face four charges, each of which could individually impact your throne. So we will ask you one by one and you will tell us what you know. You will be scented for truth, Sire, do you do understand?"

"Absolutely." Just ask the damn questions.