The Alpha King's Bride novel · Chapter 17 of 24

Chapter 17: Flag of Truce

Judith walked into the throne room in her grey cardigan, with a white ribbon tied to her wrist.

She carried a covered basket on her arm.

The doors closed behind her, and sixty lords went silent.

"By the old law of truce, I may speak before the Crown for one day and one night," she said. "No hand may be laid on me until the sun rises again."

"I know the law," said Aldric from the throne.

His voice was flat.

Perrin stood at my shoulder in his new Crown grey, and I felt him go rigid.

Judith looked at me.

Her brown eyes were soft and wet, and I knew the look.

She had worn it the first night I woke in her house, aged eight, screaming for my mother.

"Finola, my girl," she said. "You look well."

"I look pregnant," I said. "You smelled it from the door."

A murmur went through the benches.

Judith did not blink.

"I smell what any mother would," she said. "I come in peace. I come with a gift."

She lifted the cloth off her basket.

Inside lay a jar of honey, a small brown teapot and one clean cup.

My stomach turned over.

"Take it away," I said.

"It's only a tonic for the babe, dear. Raspberry leaf. Good for the first months."

"Take it away," said Aldric, "or I will break your arm in this hall, truce or no truce."

Judith set the basket on the floor with a small, hurt sigh.

"Then to the matter," she said, and she turned to the benches. "My lords. Majesty. I stand here accused of poisoning, and I am not guilty."

The old lord whose wife had drunk her honey tea shifted in his seat.

"The ledger says otherwise, Judith," he said.

Keep reading free with an account. Start The Alpha King's Bride from Chapter 1, then sign up free to read the rest of this chapter.