Claimed by the Mer-Shifter Prince I Made Cry novel · Chapter 18 of 24

Chapter 18: The Old Law

"Then we get her out," I said.

Neris looked at me.

"You cannot. The cells are under the hall, with twelve guards."

"I can't. But a judge can." I turned to Soren, who had come back to the cave mouth the moment the talking stopped. "Is there one? A court that could order her out?"

"The Moot," Soren said slowly. "A regent is answerable to it. If the Moot found that Orlan imprisoned a noblewoman of House Corrin with no cause, he could be removed."

"If anyone dared say so," said Neris.

"Dare."

"I would be the witness against my own chain."

"You'd be the witness for your mother."

For a moment nobody moved.

Then Neris went to the edge of the pool and looked down into her own face on the water.

"There is an old law," she said, not turning. "Older than the regency."

"A prince's chosen may speak at the Moot, and no one may silence her, not the regent and not the guard," Neris said.

"The claim has to be spoken aloud before every house, and sealed at the Gate on the midnight tide, or it is only a promise."

"I know," Soren said.

"Then you know what it costs him."

She turned around.

"Minnie Marlow, if he claims you, you will have his pearl for life."

Neris's mouth went thin.

"I do not think Orlan can stand against a woman who holds it and wants nothing from it," she said. "I think it is the one thing he has never planned for."

She picked up her lantern.

"I will be at the Gate. When the time comes, I will say what I have to say. Whatever happens, he will not have you without me beside you."

She walked into the water and was gone.

The lantern light dimmed along the wall and went out.

We were alone, and the cave was very dark, and I could hear my heart.

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