Sapphire
I think it was twenty when Acheron finally let up. I couldn't feel my body, which was nice. But, it was still dark outside... Looking at the clock, it said it was two days later than last I looked at it.
I couldn't even lift my head, let alone a finger. My stomach growled savagely to be fed. Acheron was nowhere in sight, but I could tell he was still in the house. A couple minutes later, he came back with bottles of water and a plate full of sandwiches.
"I know you're hungry." He chuckled, setting the plate on the nightstand, sitting back down. He pulled me into his lap, holding me up. "Here, bite." I took a bite of the sandwich, moaning as it hit my stomach. "After so long, it has to let up for a moment to feed and re-hydrate." I kept my head on his chest as he fed me, enjoying the break period I was granted. After two sandwiches, I had enough energy to move my limbs again. Three more and my hunger was sated. "I've reached out to the Elders... They've agreed to push the trial until after the Compensation has passed." I really didn't want to discuss this right now. "It needs to be discussed, Saph. I know you don't want to, but you need to prepare yourself." I closed my eyes, holding back tears. "Let's get you a bath and a nap before it starts again." He pulled me into his arms, carrying me off to the bathroom. It screamed luxury, unlike the house.
He turned the knob to full blast, and the water steamed out. One thing I did notice, water was always warmer here. It was boiling hot for those of fire using or us dragon beings.
Once the tub was filled, he sat us inside the warm, soothing bliss. It gave my sore muscles relief and eased my mind. I relaxed against him, feeling sleep loom. "Rest, Mir Jairere. Let me take care of you while you rest."
No objections to that... No objections at all.
***
Acheron
I had pulled her from the tub and dried her off after washing her down. She was out cold, but I could sense the next flair coming up. She was greatly weakened by the Compensation and I hated to think she was just allowing me to do this because I wanted to. I just wanted to ease her pain. I could hold her, plant kisses on her... But it wouldn't truly stop the pain.
I tucked her into the bed, placing a kiss on her forehead, and went off to prepare some more food for later. It had been two days before it let up, it would probably be another two, and another two, then finally, come to an end.
I managed to get some meat marinated, but not cooked, before her sweet, sweet scent became overpowering.
Mate needs us. My dragon purred at me.
Not now. She's sleeping. I argued with him.
Not for long... Her beast awakens. I heard her stir and felt a twinge of pain in my gut. She hadn't even gotten a thirty minute nap before her own body turned against her.
Going to her, she was writhing in a ball, crying in pain. I pulled her into my lap, holding her tightly to my chest, ignoring the pain.
"More... More, please!" Her breathless sobbing made my heart ache, and my dragon growl possessively. I flipped her over and lost control to my beast.
*
Sapphire
Bliss. Bliss replaced the sorrow... But only momentarily.
I awoke alone, with no trace of Acheron in proximity.
Acheron? I got out of bed, about to go to the bathroom, but before that, the evidence of the Compensation was not even there. He had changed the sheets before taking off, while I was passed out. I called for him again, still no answer.
Wandering into the kitchen, I saw him, leaning on the counter, lost in thought. His eyes were closed and his face was hard set. I approached him, wrapping myself around his arm. He opened his eyes halfway, looking at me.
"I was calling for you..." I murmured, looking up at him. "What's the matter, Acheron?" He sighed, pulling his arm from my hold and wrapped me against his body.
"Just the council... Kristine is trying to buy her way out of it and make people look the other way.. I was just in a meeting with them about how they can't just assume you grew up with the knowledge of your power... or moral codes brought from this world..." He gently drew circles on my back. "I honestly don't know how this is going to play out." I could feel anxiety rolling off him in waves, which I had never felt from him before. His concern was my concern and I didn't like to feel it. I didn't like to feel his sadness or anger.
"We have to have hope, Acheron..." I told him, tightening my arms around him. "I can't afford to lose hope right now." He squeezed my shoulder gently, pressing a kiss to the top of my head.
"I know, Saph... I know..."
*
The Trial came the next day.
I wore a dress that fell to the floor, nearly covering my feet, and a hooded cape that provided my face some hiding place.
Acheron wore a simple linen shirt and some nice pants, staying barefoot for the chambers. It was a rule for whatever reason I didn't know.
I sat on our side, on the bench for us, in the chamber, awaiting the council to start. Enyo, Eros, Asløv, Gaston, and Armando all sat in the seats above with the people I saw at the market that day. Anxiety was riding high between us two, just waiting to speak to the council.
Finally, the doors opened, walking a very beat up, very filthy Kristine, chaimed at her neck, hands, and feet.
Then, the council marched in. Everyone stood, placing their fist over their heart.
"Be seated." The middle of the six spoke. "We are gathered in the Chamber of Justice to dispute quite the dishonorable acts upon Sapphire, mate of Acheron, done from Kristine, daughter of Gregory and Anne." I refused to make eye contact. "Many witnessed the act. Many pictures were taken with the truth. Kristine attacked Sapphire unprovoked, stealing a life with the intent of ending the other. Acheron," he stood, "why would Kristine be attacking your mate?"
"Elder Silas," he acknowledged the leading elder, "I had agreed to court Kristine when she reached full maturity, which hasn't come yet. She has another fifty years until she is fully mature, and before her arrival on my family's land, I had met my true mate." He gently put a hand on my shoulder. "Sapphire was orphaned after her parents were poached and murdered, so she had no knowledge of her lineage prior to her pregnancy, by at least a month. She had a list of issues wrong with her before hand, which now come to haunt her again. We are taught from infancy in this world about our lineage and our powers, which, a handful of months is not enough time to teach such a newly awakened dragon halfling." The elders listened. "When Kristine came onto my land, she disrespected my mate, which her demon came out to ward her away. I told Kristine that her father's offer was null and void, an agreement he signed in his own blood, that if I found my true mate, it was no longer a valid contract." He pulled a scroll from his shirt, handing it to the elder.
"This contract states that upon maturity, Kristine and Acheron would court to consider a compatible mating, but should one find their true mate, said contract shall become null and void.." Silas read, looking at the signatures. "Validated twelve years ago, signed by both parties." He kept the scroll. "The contract is a valid contract, null with their link." Silas announced.
"Sapphire," I stood, keeping my head down, "please look me in the eyes." Reluctantly, I looked up. Another elder was speaking. "When did you find out about your lineage?"
"About five months ago, Elder. Acheron saved my life when Eris sent an imp to deliver a payment to someone at my place of work. Two days later, I awoke, and was brought up to speed about who I was by Erzsi, who confirmed my blood."
"You are our first halfling in a thousand years. What were these health issues Acheron spoke of?" I clenched my fists.
"Before I found out who I was, I had an episode that I have no memory of. All I remembered was waking up in an alley, beaten and raped, suffering a stab wound in my abdomen, which pierced a very vital area, and destroyed my chances of having children... It wasn't until I awoke that it had healed, but I didn't know that it was possible." I spoke, my voice losing its strength. "I've been trying to adjust to my new culture, but there is something you must understand... When a human loses their child, it's heartbreaking. I was not raised a dragon. The possibility was most likely taken away from me upon her attack. I went through my full Compensation week, but it's still not likely to be told until a month has passed... But that is not the point." Murmurs broke out. "I was viciously attacked and had my miracle ripped from me, the only other thing, other than my own mate, that had my heart." I couldn't stop the tears from flooding my cheeks. "That child will never see a living day. I will not know that child. Acheron, my mother, and uncle will never know their child, grandchild, or nephew. Not only was that child ripped from me, but from his family as well." I got sympathetic gazes from the council. "All I have to say now, Elder... I want justice for a family that will never see it's new addition... A family that may never see a new addition..." Acheron stood beside me, rubbing my arm as my chest was racked with sobs.
"Council, can we please break for ten minutes?" Acheron asked, bowing his head.
"Granted." Acheron quickly pulled me out of there before I couldn't contain it anymore.
"It's going to be over soon..." He pulled me to his chest as I wailed in pain, clinging to him as if he was the only thing holding me to the earth. "I promise, Sapphire... It will be over soon..."
But the question is, will it?