personal music, designed to entertain the person playing.”
The older girl said, “We saw what you were playing, and it wasn’t personal.”
“It was to me. It was my first time in deep space and I was amazed at the march of light.”
Denitha appeared in the doorway, and she clapped her hands. “That is all for today. Ladies, your Alpha is needed elsewhere.”
The girls bowed and filed out. It finally struck Alice that she had just become den mother to a bunch of shifter girl scouts. Weird.
Denitha whispered, “The judge has arrived. As your testimony is all that is required, the judge is in Karoon’s office.”
Alice got to her feet and set the holochime back where she had found it.
Denitha laughed, “They will put the instruments away tomorrow. Quit stalling.”
Alice shrugged. “Well, the worst thing that will happen is that I get my savings back. I hate not being able to shop.”
“Would you spend all of Kadenz’s credit?”
Alice snorted as they walked through the halls. “No, I would use mine. I have quite a bit accumulated, more than enough to provide me with a wardrobe that would let me blend in.”
She couldn’t be sure, but she thought she saw Denitha’s cheeks colour with embarrassment.
The judge’s office was open and Alice sat down in the chair that was available and faced the shadow.
“Good morning, Judge.”
“And to you, Alice Pinkerton Horilian Roarcroft, Companion, Duchess Kalian and Alpha of the Oefric. Are you prepared for judgement?”
“If it will get my funds freed up so I can by a pair of pants, yes.”
The judge chuckled and the shadows went motionless.
Alice felt the lightest prickle on her mind. The judge didn’t move.
An hour ticked by as every inch of her mind was measured and weighed. When the judge was done, the prickle dissipated.
Slumping back into the chair, Alice waited for the verdict.
The judge activated a dictation transmitter. “The judge and jury find in favour of Duchess Kalian. She did not use subterfuge, guile or seduction to gain marriage to Hecor Horilian, and he acted in full awareness of what he was about to put her through. By my authority, I release her accounts and forward to her all entitlements of her station. The Kalians are ordered to cease and desist all actions against her.
“Any future actions will create a financial drain on the offending parties with all funds going to the Duchess Kalian’s designated heirs.”
Alice nearly wept with relief and rose to her feet.
“The case is concluded, registrations are filed.” The judge got to its feet and inclined its shadow.
“Thank you.” Alice gave the judge the most formal bow she could.
The shadow left the chamber, leaving Alice shaking with exhaustion. She took a few steps and slumped against the doorframe.
Kadenz was at her side seconds later, and he lifted her in his arms, carrying her through the halls until he reached their chamber.
When he tucked her into bed, he asked, “Do you need a medic?”
“No. I was just mind-fucked by a judge for an hour. Couldn’t you feel it?” She put her hand to her forehead.
“No, the judge must have been in your past. They are skilled at going around links.” He disappeared into the lav and came out with a cold cloth that he pressed to her forehead.
“The judge ruled in my favour. I get to keep the title.”
Kadenz stroked her cheek. “Do you want the title?”
“I like it, but I think I will return the house to the family. They all have money, so they can afford the upkeep. I want a fresh start for the future.”
Her head stopped throbbing when he kissed her. “Do that again.”
He raised his head and smiled. “Is it working?”
She grabbed his head and pulled him into contact with her, wrapping her leg around him to pull him down to the bed.
When she had him on his back, she pulled her head away and grinned. “How much time do we have to make a new start?”
“Five days. Shall we pace ourselves?” He ran his
The older girl said, “We saw what you were playing, and it wasn’t personal.”
“It was to me. It was my first time in deep space and I was amazed at the march of light.”
Denitha appeared in the doorway, and she clapped her hands. “That is all for today. Ladies, your Alpha is needed elsewhere.”
The girls bowed and filed out. It finally struck Alice that she had just become den mother to a bunch of shifter girl scouts. Weird.
Denitha whispered, “The judge has arrived. As your testimony is all that is required, the judge is in Karoon’s office.”
Alice got to her feet and set the holochime back where she had found it.
Denitha laughed, “They will put the instruments away tomorrow. Quit stalling.”
Alice shrugged. “Well, the worst thing that will happen is that I get my savings back. I hate not being able to shop.”
“Would you spend all of Kadenz’s credit?”
Alice snorted as they walked through the halls. “No, I would use mine. I have quite a bit accumulated, more than enough to provide me with a wardrobe that would let me blend in.”
She couldn’t be sure, but she thought she saw Denitha’s cheeks colour with embarrassment.
The judge’s office was open and Alice sat down in the chair that was available and faced the shadow.
“Good morning, Judge.”
“And to you, Alice Pinkerton Horilian Roarcroft, Companion, Duchess Kalian and Alpha of the Oefric. Are you prepared for judgement?”
“If it will get my funds freed up so I can by a pair of pants, yes.”
The judge chuckled and the shadows went motionless.
Alice felt the lightest prickle on her mind. The judge didn’t move.
An hour ticked by as every inch of her mind was measured and weighed. When the judge was done, the prickle dissipated.
Slumping back into the chair, Alice waited for the verdict.
The judge activated a dictation transmitter. “The judge and jury find in favour of Duchess Kalian. She did not use subterfuge, guile or seduction to gain marriage to Hecor Horilian, and he acted in full awareness of what he was about to put her through. By my authority, I release her accounts and forward to her all entitlements of her station. The Kalians are ordered to cease and desist all actions against her.
“Any future actions will create a financial drain on the offending parties with all funds going to the Duchess Kalian’s designated heirs.”
Alice nearly wept with relief and rose to her feet.
“The case is concluded, registrations are filed.” The judge got to its feet and inclined its shadow.
“Thank you.” Alice gave the judge the most formal bow she could.
The shadow left the chamber, leaving Alice shaking with exhaustion. She took a few steps and slumped against the doorframe.
Kadenz was at her side seconds later, and he lifted her in his arms, carrying her through the halls until he reached their chamber.
When he tucked her into bed, he asked, “Do you need a medic?”
“No. I was just mind-fucked by a judge for an hour. Couldn’t you feel it?” She put her hand to her forehead.
“No, the judge must have been in your past. They are skilled at going around links.” He disappeared into the lav and came out with a cold cloth that he pressed to her forehead.
“The judge ruled in my favour. I get to keep the title.”
Kadenz stroked her cheek. “Do you want the title?”
“I like it, but I think I will return the house to the family. They all have money, so they can afford the upkeep. I want a fresh start for the future.”
Her head stopped throbbing when he kissed her. “Do that again.”
He raised his head and smiled. “Is it working?”
She grabbed his head and pulled him into contact with her, wrapping her leg around him to pull him down to the bed.
When she had him on his back, she pulled her head away and grinned. “How much time do we have to make a new start?”
“Five days. Shall we pace ourselves?” He ran his