Page 207 of The Other Omega

“I’m sorry.”

“You should be,” Matthias said.

Her face crumpled as he turned away, and counsel opened their copy of the proposal.

“The financial terms are accepted. There are other provisions we wish to discuss.”

I opened the agreement beneath my hand. “Proceed.”

Cedric rested his hands on the table. “We acknowledge that Elowen C-17 is not our daughter. We will relinquish the claims specified in the agreement and have no authority over her or her household, no right to speak for her or demand information about her. We accept that these protections extend to her sisters, her children and all their descendants, and will bind whoever leads Pack Hart after us.”

“And if Elowen chooses to contact us?” Samir asked.

“She remains free to do so. The restriction prevents Pack Hart from approaching her.”

Counsel made a note, and Cedric touched the next clause. “Why have you included Ivy and Nora of C-17?”

“Their counterparts are your daughters, and I will not leave their position open to dispute.”

“Do you expect them to come here?”

“The agreement protects them if they do.”

He held my gaze, then turned slightly as counsel leaned towards him. They spoke quietly before Cedric returned his attention to me.

“We will accept those provisions. The duration of my daughter’s confinement is another matter.”

Lady Elowen looked up.

“We ask that it be subject to review. House Vaelor could assess her conduct after an agreed period.”

“No. She will remain confined to Hart Manor until the day she dies.”

“There are substantial mitigating circumstances,” counsel said.

“The terms will remain as written,” I said. “She will not be permitted to leave the manor, hold office or exercise authority on behalf of your Pack. House Vaelor will oversee her confinement, and Pack Hart will be responsible for ensuring she obeys its terms.”

Samir leaned forward. “She could mate without leaving Hart Manor. A Pack could reside there with her, subject to the same supervision.”

Lady Elowen’s fingers tightened around the chain on the table.

“She will not be permitted to mate.”

“Her confinement would remain unchanged,” Matthias said. “You would retain oversight.”

“The prohibition is permanent. I will not remove it.”

Matthias looked down at the proposal. Lady Elowen was watching her fathers now.

“Need I remind you that your daughter is awaiting prosecution for offences including high treason?” I asked. “If you reject this agreement, that prosecution will proceed.”

Counsel leaned towards Cedric and spoke quietly. Samir listened with one hand resting on the edge of the table, while Matthias kept his attention on his daughter.

I understood Cedric better than I would have before Vaela and Seren were born. If either daughter sat where Lady Elowen sat now, guilty of something I could neither defend nor forgive, I would still use everything I possessed to keep her alive.

When counsel finished speaking, Cedric looked at me.

“My daughter leaves this room with us?”