ArcKnight (The ArcKnight Chronicles #1)

Chapter Twenty-two

Rafaela

Tapping my fingers on the arms of my chair, I struggled to feel settled. The day had dragged on, and sitting around in court wasn't the most ideal way to spend my time. There was one last case I had to sit through, but I was far from invested in what was going on. I felt sorry for the petitioner because I was ready to end it. If he didn't have a good story in two sentences, he was out of luck for my favor.

I hated how Gil made me do these unsavory tasks. He should have been there, listening to the endless droning of petitioners with their constant problems needing fixing.

"The petitioner's representative, Alec StaNover of ArcKnight, please enter the room and state your case."

I straightened when Alec came through the rear door of the court. I was surprised to see him here because he hadn't told me he was coming or that he needed an issue to be resolved. Why I didn't know about this was baffling me. He was as close to a best friend as I had. I'd first met him when he was barely twenty and part of my father's advisory board. He'd always had a good head on his shoulders and was often the only one of the council who paid me any mind. He had always listened to my concerns and never brushed me off. He'd relay these problems or suggestions to my father and always gave me credit. I didn't doubt that the others wondered if he had a thing for me, but his flawless record, vast wisdom of the world and the workings of the army only helped him rise to first lieutenant and later general of the army of the ArcKnight palace.

It was this kind treatment which had caught my attention far before I married Gilbert. But Alec wasn't royalty and never would be. He was a nobleman, but nothing he could do would ever make him in line for the throne. Gil was the last of his line, and if I didn't produce an heir, he would be the last. When a royal couple cannot produce an heir is the only time the ruling Alpha can choose a non-royal successor.

I often wished Alec had been my husband. He understood me more than Gil ever had, but it wasn't meant to be, and it was a bittersweet fruit to swallow. As I watched him approach, his fit and lean body always well-conditioned from physical exertion, my heart involuntarily flipped inside my chest.

"Thank you, Magistrate. I have a very serious issue I have to deal with on behalf of our Alpha leader: Gilbert of ArcKnight." He moved his eyes to me. They were full of pain, not for him, but... for me?

My eyes widened. What was going on? Gil, again, had withheld information from me. Why would he send Alec to my court session without letting me know? I'd just seen Gil that morning, and he'd acted as though nothing was wrong as he prepared for the day. I couldn't believe it. My fury rose, mixing with hurt and a queasy sensation. This wouldn't be good at all, and I could already tell that I was in for a worse surprise than I could've ever anticipated.

I was going to kill Gil when this was all said and done.

"I have to duly note that one of the judges seated here today is in direct relation to this matter, and her opinion will be null and voided from the final judgment due to conflict of interest. Is that clear, m'lady?"

He was speaking to me. I opened my mouth but choked on the words. I wanted to hear what Gil had sent Alec about, but the dread that spun all around me told me it would be nothing good.

Clearing my throat, I nodded and finally managed to squeak out a response. "Yes, I understand."

"I understand," Alec confirmed after I spoke. He gave me a sympathetic smile before moving his gaze back to the magistrate.

"Magistrate Nathan, I, Alec StaNover of House ArcKnight have been sent by Gilbert of ArcKnight to lay before the council a most concerning situation of vital importance to our leader." He paused, his eyes back on me as he spoke, just as if he was speaking to me alone. I knew his words had been patterned by Gil, but the way he was saying them to me was more apologetic than anything else.