Judgement in the Pureblood Court

ALEXANDER

Before they tossed me into the cliffside dungeons, they at least had the decency to give me blood. The door to my cell was slammed shut, plunging me into a world of pitch-black darkness. It took hours for my wounds to start healing.

Gradually, the pain subsided, my mind cleared, and my muscles began to relax. I sprawled out on the cold stone floor, my limbs stretched wide. My heart pounded slowly as I healed until it eventually came to a complete stop.

Silence enveloped me. I was so deep within the rocky cliffs that the sounds of the outside world were lost to me. The ocean’s roar, the hum of the human town, and the whispers of the vampires in the mansion above were all out of reach.

My only company was the gnawing sense of failure that clung to me like a second skin. I had no way of knowing if Caroline was still alive. She’d been in pieces by the time we’d reached safety.

I’d failed to protect her, failed to defend myself. And Jessica was here, vulnerable and surrounded by enemies. I hadn’t even caught a whiff of my mother.

If they were alive, they were being kept far away from me. I was taken aback that Phoenix hadn’t torn my head off the moment I was hauled into the mansion. If it had been me or my grandfather a century ago, traitors and pureblood murderers wouldn’t have been granted the mercy of a trial.

They certainly wouldn’t have been given blood to heal and then locked up. The new queen, Eleanor, had once been human, and it showed in her leadership style. She was a stickler for fairness.

She demanded a trial for every crime committed. That’s what the henchmen grumbled about as they dragged me to this cell. I was to stand trial for the murder of Jahan Shahalia and for breaking my exile bond.

I would even be allowed to present my defense and would be heard before a judgment was passed. I wondered if this so-called fairness was worse than a swift death. It wouldn’t change the outcome—I was guilty of both crimes, both punishable by death.

Being kept alive and locked up, waiting for the moment they would come to take me away, felt worse than having my head ripped off in one fell swoop. The fact that Caroline wasn’t here with me gave me a glimmer of hope.

They weren’t putting her on trial. If they wanted to pin her escape on me, I was okay with that. I was ready to shoulder the blame for everything.

Days and nights blurred together, but I kept track of time by my hunger and the healing of my wounds. I stared at the tiny crystals embedded in the stone around me, cold and lifeless.

They were slowly deteriorating, destined to become dust—just like everything else, eventually. I thought about Aya.

I closed my eyes and pictured our wedding day, her laughter, her smile. The emotion welled up inside me at the thought of her choosing me, despite everything I’d done.

I remembered her focused expression when she played chess, her tell when she was bluffing, her quick mind. I thought about her dancing, her soft skin, her sharp teeth.

I imagined a life with her, traveling the world without anyone hunting us, free of responsibilities, without the weight of a crown, without the pain of losing family. She was my everything, the one person who made me feel complete, wanted, and worthy.

The thought of anyone else being near her was unbearable, but the idea of her spending the rest of her life alone was even worse. She deserved to be loved and cherished, probably by someone better than me.

I was lying on the ground, my eyes closed, lost in imagined adventures in the icy polar circle when I heard footsteps descending the dungeon stairs. My muscles tensed for a split second, ready for a fight.

I took a deep breath, forcing myself to relax. My heart was still. I wasn’t going to fight my fate.

Just as consequences had come for my grandfather’s actions, they would come for mine. I rolled to my feet and stood, waiting for the guards to round the corner.

Three Mcnoxnoctis henchmen appeared in front of my cell. One held the key, which he inserted into the door. I watched them as they fumbled to get it open.

“Time’s up, ~Your Highness~,” one of them sneered.

I ignored his tone, watching as they unlocked the door and seized my arms.

“No funny business,” another warned. “Or your mother and sisters will face the same fate.”

His clear blue eyes bore into mine, but his threat fell on deaf ears. I was well aware of their power, of the control they held over us all.

I had no intention of causing my family any more pain. If it were possible, I’d shoulder the burden of our collective sins.

“I guess I’ll be on my best behavior then,” I replied, my voice low and steady.

The henchman merely grunted in response. Without ceremony, I was yanked from the dank cell and led toward the stone staircase.

As we climbed, the sounds of the crowd filling the mansion reached my ears. The cacophony of hundreds of voices, speaking in countless languages, echoed through the corridors.

The heavy scent of fresh blood and the distinct odor of pureblood vampires wafted down to me. The house felt eerily similar to how it had fifty years ago.

The henchmen hauled me up the stairs and through the deserted hallways. I knew our destination before we even arrived.

Moments later, we stood before the grand hall. From within, I could hear the hush of voices, the anticipation palpable.

The guards holding me tightened their grip before pushing open the massive wooden doors. The room was awash in the soft glow of candlelight, emanating from the grand gold chandeliers.

Purebloods from every family were in attendance, adorned in their finest attire and dripping with family heirlooms. All eyes were on me.

I could feel their contempt as their gazes swept over me. I could see the smug satisfaction, the deep-seated sense of righteousness in their expressions.

I was painfully aware of my own appearance. I was still clad in the ragged clothes I’d pilfered somewhere along the way, now torn, dirtied, and stained with my own blood.

My face was smeared with grime, my hair hung in matted clumps over my forehead. Fifty years ago, I would have been incensed to be presented in such a state to the pureblood families.

Tonight, it seemed inconsequential. I held my head high, my shoulders squared, and met the gaze of each pureblood bold enough to hold mine.

To my satisfaction, most averted their eyes.

“Bring him forward,” a deep voice echoed through the silent room.

I recognized it as David’s, the queen’s brother. The crowd parted, making way for the henchmen to guide me down the long aisle toward the two throne-like chairs positioned in front of the grand fireplace.

Phoenix and David occupied the thrones, dressed in high-end modern attire. Phoenix’s hair was pulled back into a long braid, revealing the deep neckline of her black shirt.

Standing beside them, I recognized Aleesha Mcnoxnoctis, Jahan’s sister and Phoenix’s aunt. She was dressed in a dark blue and gold sari, her black hair pulled back tightly. Her expression was stern, her glare piercing as I approached.

Next to her stood Varun, Jahan’s younger brother, his expression unreadable. Jahan’s wife was conspicuously absent.

A familiar scent hit me. I immediately turned, scanning the room. At the back of the crowd, confined in a cage, I spotted my family.

A surge of rage coursed through me. I clenched my fists to keep from lunging at them. My mother and sisters were behind bars.

Jessica’s face was pressed against the iron, her eyes locked on me. Caroline and Mother hung back. They were dressed simply, but their clothes were clean, and they appeared to have been fed. I locked eyes with Caroline and was relieved to see her glare matched mine.

It was a humiliating sight, but they were unharmed.

“Alexander Night,” David rose, straightening his shirt. “Do you know why court is being held here this evening?”

Phoenix smirked.

I met David’s gaze and gave a slight nod.

“I have a hunch,” I responded. My voice echoed in the silent room. I heard someone shift uncomfortably.

“My sister believes in a fair trial—despite your crimes being blatantly obvious. We’re here tonight to decide your fate,” he tilted his head slightly. “You have the right to defend yourself, of course.”

I nodded in acknowledgment.

He pursed his lips and sat back down. I was forced to my knees. I grunted at the impact and shot a glare at the henchmen.

“You’ve been accused of breaking your banishment and murdering Jahan Shahalia. How do you plead?”

The room fell silent, as if the vampires were collectively holding their breath.

One by one, the images I’d created of a future with Aya began to fade. The memory of her agreeing to marry me washed over me—a bittersweet reminder of what could never be. We’d been torn apart in the past, and tonight would be no different. Regardless of the time or place, we were never meant to be.

David’s question hung in the air—a loaded gun with only one bullet. The answer was a trigger pull away from severing the last thread of connection between us. I could only pray that Aya was far from this place.

I met David’s gaze, my eyes steady. “Guilty.”

Aleesha lunged at me, her fangs bared in a snarl. “You disgusting bastard—”

She was yanked back by a Mcnoxnoctis guard just in time.

The crowd behind me recoiled, whispers rippling through the room. I heard a familiar gasp—Jessica. I didn’t dare turn to face my family.

Instead, I focused on Phoenix. Her brow was furrowed, her long arms crossed over her chest. “I’m guilty of burning down my family mansion, thus unintentionally killing my own father. I’m guilty of breaking my banishment. I’m guilty of beheading Jahan Shahalia after he captured and tortured my betrothed.”

“Liar,” Aleesha hissed, her brother shooting me a venomous glare.

I shrugged her off. “The Shahalia clan has been running an underground torture and fight ring and a brothel for turned vampires for centuries. My grandfather was a regular,” I said, my voice dropping as I straightened my shoulders. “I don’t regret killing him. I’d do it again. He deserved worse.”

David looked perplexed, while Phoenix just seemed irritated. “You lost that right when you were stripped of your title,” she snapped.

“He’s lying!” Aleesha broke free from the guards and advanced on me, her eyes blazing red. “He’s spreading filthy lies about my family. About my brother.”

“Half the purebloods in this room know I’m telling the truth,” I retorted, her eyes widening with fury. “They might not admit it.” I shrugged, turning back to David. “But the young royals should definitely investigate my claims.”

David cleared his throat and straightened up, his movements betraying his human origins. “You also dragged your sister out of her banishment,” he accused.

“No, he—”

“Yes, I did. I had my reasons,” I cut Caroline off, not looking at her. “I took her with me. She didn’t have a choice.”

“Alex,” my mother’s voice was heavy with unshed tears.

I ignored her, keeping my eyes on David. His lips pursed, a flicker of understanding in his eyes. “I see.”

“He broke his banishment, kidnapped his sister, and killed my brother! He deserves to be hanged, drawn, and quartered!” Aleesha spat.

“We don’t do that anymore,” David replied quickly. Aleesha bristled, her brother pulling her back by the wrist.

The room fell silent.

“Killing a pureblood, regardless of your reasons, is a capital offense. And it’s not your place to dispense justice anymore,” David’s voice echoed in the silence. “The penalty for murdering a pureblood is death. You’ve pleaded guilty. You are hereby sentenced to death, Alexander Night, unless someone here can provide evidence to support your story?”

The hall was silent.

I didn’t bother to look around. The seconds ticked by, and not a single voice rose in my defense.

“The thing is, Alexander, no one will speak for you. No one believes you. You’ve betrayed and hurt everyone in this court,” Phoenix sneered. “You’re alone.”

“I’ve pleaded guilty and given my reasons. Do what you will,” I replied, suddenly eager for this farce to end. There was no satisfaction in seeing Aleesha so riled up, or her brother so tight-lipped.

“Very well,” David rose to his feet.

Then, from the back of the room, a voice rang out, clear and resonant against the marble. “Wait! I can vouch for him. He is my maker, after all.”

Her voice sent a shiver down my spine. I whipped around, her scent wafting toward me.

The crowd parted to let her through. I locked eyes with her.

She was dressed in a long gown, low-cut at the chest, cinched at the waist, and cut at the ankles to reveal her delicate feet in leather sandals.

Her skin, a warm shade of dark, was a stunning contrast against the ivory fabric she wore. Golden earrings dangled from her ears, chiming softly with each step she took. Her hair, usually tied up, was let loose today, cascading in thick waves down her back. At the front, it was held back simply with golden clasps.

She was a vision, a queen in her own right. She was the most breathtaking woman I’d ever laid eyes on, and I yearned to wrap her in my arms, to cherish her. But a part of me despised the fact that she was here, on this island, in this hall.

She deserved to be somewhere safe, far away from here.

Her large, brown eyes locked with mine, a small smile playing on her flawless face. As she stood still in front of me, looking down at me, she let go of her pent-up emotions.

I was hit with a wave of pure adoration, so strong it made my heart pound loudly in my chest, revealing just how much she meant to me.

“You shouldn’t be here,” I found myself whispering before I could stop the words from tumbling out.

Her gaze remained on mine before shifting upward to meet the royal’s. She curtsied, just barely.

Her body was so close to mine, yet so out of reach.

“I’d like to plead for Alexander’s life.”

Her voice reverberated in the silent hall.

“All right,” David conceded.