He was my husband.
I was losing my husband.
Where was the f**king Law in that?
I jerked, pulling my head away from Ezra, the answer like a bright beacon in my mind. He was my husband. By Law, he was mine. And…the Law did protect. My watery gaze flew to Elder Harcourt’s, and right as he was about to say something else, I stated, “We’re married. He’s my Lawful husband. I’m his Lawful wife. Under,” my smile was brutal because it was our most important Law, “Law One, no mates can be taken away from each other for longer than one year, up to two years depending on the severity of their punishments, even if imprisoned, for procreation is key for Mystical longevity, and this Law is not limited only to mates, but granted to married couples as well.” I waved a hand at the sphere. “And because of the truth spell, you know I’m not lying.”
In the stunned silence that surrounded us, Ezra started chuckling quietly, the sound pure evil as he held me tightly. “We also have a wedding certificate if you need it, but I don’t have it on me, so you’d have to let me out to get to it.”
My lips twitched. If Elder Harcourt let him out right now…
Elder Harcourt grinned, his face crinkling further. “I don’t believe that will be necessary, King Zeller, or beneficial to my current health.” Elder Harcourt’s golden eyes met mine. “You were almost too late.” His head cocked. “But that Law is for procreation.”
Ezra answered for me, still chuckling quietly. “The Law is for procreation but…it doesn’t say it has to be done.” Loophole. I rested my head against his shoulder, still holding him close, as he turned his head to Jack and Pearl, saying rapidly, “Lily and I won’t be able to remember each other after the sentence, but it’s better than not having a chance to meet again. Do you know the old ways for marriage?”
Jack was still standing there shocked at our pronouncement, but he blinked. Then he jerked back, his eyes glowing, and started speaking in…maybe, Latin…his hands glowing blue as he rested one over Pearl’s forehead, the other over her Core. Pearl’s tear-filled gaze went wide, but she instantly pressed glowing golden hands over his forehead and Core, stating, “I don’t know the words.”
Jack stopped speaking Latin, and stated to her, “Just say what I am.”
She nodded and quickly started repeating after him.
“That’ll hold up under our Laws?” I whispered to Ezra, glancing back and forth between Elder Harcourt, and Pearl and Jack as they quickly stated words I couldn’t understand. Elder Harcourt didn’t seem to be in any big hurry, letting them do this. Honestly, he didn’t appear to enjoy what he had to do at all.
“It should,” Ezra murmured. “It’s one of the most ancient wedding rituals we have. It was done long before we had licensed Mysticals to do weddings. All they need are two witnesses.” He glanced at me, then back to them. “Seriously, sweetheart, you need to pick up a few Mystical reference books.”
“Shut up,” I murmured half-heartedly, my gaze going back to him. “You do know…”
He nodded woodenly. “Yes.” His bare chest heaved, and he turned his attention back to me, resting his forehead on mine. “I’ll wait for you, and then seduce you all over again.”
My lips tilted sadly. “You won’t remember me.”
He shook his head. “I’ll know in my heart and mind that something’s not right.” He kissed my nose softly. “And when I meet you, I’ll fall in love with you all over again.” One side of his mouth lifted. “How many people get to fall in love with the same person twice and not know it?” The other side of his mouth lifted to equal a small smile. “This time when I meet you, you won’t be mated, and I’ll be free to do all the naughty things I thought about that first day we met.”
My chin quivered. “And I won’t be able to resist you.”
An eyebrow lifted against my forehead. “No, you won’t.”
A half sob, half chuckle escaped. “No, I definitely won’t.” My eyes darted back and forth between his. “I love you so much.”
His chest heaved again. “And I love you, sweetheart.”
Once Jack and Pearl had finished their hasty, ancient wedding ritual with a two-minutes-and-forty-three-second kiss, Elder Harcourt cleared his throat and stated loudly, “Well, on to the formalities. The four of you are found guilty under Law Six Zero Zero Two, although, I am modifying it so none of you four will serve jail time. Due to Law One being evoked, since King Zeller and Queen Ruckler are married, and King Collins and Queen Cooper are married, I am further modifying the verdict to Law Six Zero Zero Two. While Law One does diminish a portion of Law Six Zero Zero Two, it doesn’t eradicate it completely, so the modifications stand that the four of you will have a spelled memory wipe to erase any memory of the other you were charged with, and that you are to be kept apart for no longer than two years, no less than one.” His head cocked as he rubbed his chin. “But due to your high level of publicity in the past, I’m also altering it further so that the ruling holds true.” He glanced at us. “Again, I am spellbound to do everything in my power to make this occur within the Laws.”
All four of us didn’t move a muscle at his pronouncement, and if it were possible, added terror entered my system, making my limbs tremble further than they already were. I was already losing my husband. What else was he going to do to make my life a living hell? I gripped Ezra tighter around his neck, resting my cheek against his, and lifted my legs, wrapping them around his waist to hold him that much closer. In return, he practically broke my ribs, he crushed me so tightly in a perfect hold.
Elder Harcourt rubbed his chin again, glancing at the enforcers asleep on the ground. Cracked his neck. And started glowing the barest bit. My heart rate shot off, like Ezra’s against me, as Elder Harcourt stated, “I will also be modifying your memories of each other, not just who you’ve been found guilty breaking the Law with. Otherwise, you may deduce why you can’t remember the individual you are guilty of breaking the Law with. But because of the fact you are so publicly known together,” his glowing began increasing, “I will also be modifying everyone else’s memories of you four together.” He paused. “No one will remember the events that have happened in this room, or have any recollection of the four of you together at any time.”