Chapter 27 · Say It in Court

"Stand when the Council speaks to you."

Asher's voice cut across the courtroom before Sienna even reached the bench. She stopped three steps from her seat. The gallery was packed. Every judicial caste member in the city had shown up for this.

Kael stood in the defendant's box, hands loose at his sides. He didn't look at her. Smart.

"I'm the presiding judge," Sienna said. "You're out of order, Speaker Lockwood."

"Am I?" Asher rose from the front row. He wore formal robes today. That was new. "Because I have a motion to file before we begin."

Leah appeared at Sienna's elbow, her court clerk tablet already up. "He didn't submit anything through chambers," she whispered.

"I'm submitting it now." Asher crossed to the bench. He set a single page on the wood. "Motion to recuse. Judge Hale has a conflict of interest."

Sienna didn't touch the paper. "What conflict?"

"The defendant is your fated mate." Asher smiled. "The bond snapped in open court two weeks ago. Sixty witnesses. You've been living in the same safehouse for eleven days. That's not judicial neutrality, Your Honor. That's pillow talk."

The gallery erupted. Sienna heard chairs scraping, voices rising.