33. Chapter 32

Chapter 32

Cyrus

" N o!" My mate crosses her arms and glares at my brother, refusing to move. "Cyrus did nothing wrong."

Midas tightens his lips, and Jeslyn puts a hand on his arm.

I step around Finley and sink to one knee. "I plead guilty, my Ra."

"This is ridiculous." Finley rolls her eyes, and I give her a slight smile. She stomps forward and points at Midas's chest. "I get that you're all obsessed with twenty-three, but I'm an adult. A human. Not a dragon. I knew nothing about your law. And fuck, it was two days before my birthday! Two damn days. You can't punish him for that."

"Make your case," Midas says to me, ignoring his sister-in-law .

I stand and turn to face the horde and our guests. "She's my mate. I knew from the first moment I saw her six years ago."

A few sharp gasps sound, followed by whispers. Adrianna Ra'a tilts her head, searching me for the lie. I stand firm, meeting the gaze of the Silver Queen.

"The temple priests have confirmed this," Midas says. "Cyrus spoke with one of them after first learning of Finley's importance to him. He waited six years, which shows a strength of character beyond any I've seen before."

Finley sighs with relief. "Thank fuck. So you're not going to charge him with anything."

Midas grants her a look that can almost be called soft. "He broke a law."

Jeslyn speaks up for the first time. "From here forward, any dragon who has found a human mate before the human is twenty-three will be allowed to court them without breaking the law, as long as the human is over eighteen."

Finley looks relieved, but I know it's too soon for that. Midas and I already discussed this. He can't show weakness or undermine his strength by letting me go unpunished for breaking a law that was still in place when I acted.

Wrapping my arm around Finley, I pull her into my side, seeking comfort and strength for what I have to do next .

"Cyrus was still outside the law when he acted," Midas raises his voice. "His punishment will be in accordance with the law. He is henceforth banished."

"What?!" Finley pulls out of my arms and spins on Midas. She even dares to shove him, which almost makes me laugh. More than a few people in the crowd gasping at her insubordination. My audacious little flame.

"You can't do that!" she yells. "What does that even mean? You're going to send him away from his friends and family? What the fuck, Midas!"

Jeslyn takes her sister's hand and whispers something in her ear that I can't hear. It works to calm her, but her brows remain furrowed.

This is it, the moment we'll see if Adrianna will take the bait and how serious she is about peace. I leave the dais and walk through the crowd to the back of the room, sinking to my knees in front of her. "I appeal to your grace."

When she doesn't immediately say anything in refusal, I lift my head. "Without another horde, my mate can never transform. By your mercy, I seek entry into the Silver Horde."

There are more gasps from the people around us, but Adrianna remains stoic. A small smile threatens her stern expression. I've only met her once, and she wasn't queen then, but it's clear she's intelligent. The expression communicates that she knows exactly what we're doing. This is all pageantry for the horde. A different approach to a treaty. A peaceful solution to war that gains favor with both groups and cements the agreement.

She lifts her chin and looks at Midas. "I will not allow a member of the Gold Horde into my court. Not without receiving something in return for the risk I take."

Midas growls at the accusation. "Your grace will be rewarded."

Jeslyn walks forward and puts a hand on my shoulder. "Cyrus will be allowed to keep all his holdings and continue to do business in New York."

Usually banishment means being stripped of your ownership within the horde's treasuries. It means destitution unless another horde shows mercy. What they're offering is rare and Adrianna knows it. My contribution to her assets would be substantial.

"And the rest of my horde? Could they do business in the city?"

Jeslyn smiles. "Let's start with Cyrus for now. It'll be enough to bring a generous surplus to your treasuries."

Adrianna's eyes narrow. "How do I know he isn't a spy, and this isn't all a trick to undermine me? "

"I've been away from my horde for six years. My loyalty is entirely to Finley." I reach for my mate and find her already closing the distance between us. "If you welcome us into your horde and allow her to turn into a dragon during the Week of the Goddess next year, my loyalty will be to you."

Adrianna is silent for a moment. She looks me over and then shifts her attention to Finley. "What do you think?"

Finley shrugs one shoulder. "I told you we'd be friends."

The smallest hint of a smile tilts Adrianna's lips. "Alright, I accept."