With Everything I Am (The Three #2)(172)
What it was, was your way because you are king.
You are king.
He was king.
“Rise, Titium,” Callum commanded, watched Titium’s body jerk in surprise and ignored the stunned murmur that swept through the crowd.
Titium took his feet but did so not taking his eyes off Callum.
“Your love for your daughter is honorable, your loyalty to her is as well and your wolves’ loyalty to you is the same,” Callum announced, ignoring Calder muttering, “Fucking hell,” at his side.
“That said,” Callum continued, “all of it was misguided, you acted on it and the result could have been disastrous.”
Titium’s eyes shifted to Sonia, remorse filled his features and he lowered his head.
A proud warrior stood in front of his king and queen, filled with remorse, swiftly taking responsibility for his actions, admitting his guilt, speaking for his wolves, bowing his head in defeat, awaiting judgment.
You are king.
Callum kept speaking and Titium looked back at him.
“However, my queen has grave concerns for you, your wolves and even your daughter, regardless of your actions and what pain they caused her.” He watched Titium’s lips part in shock as he felt Sonia turn rock-solid in his lap but he went on, “She has had my ear on this subject and she wishes for me to show mercy. I find this difficult; your claws drew my mate’s blood. But if she can forgive you for the damage you inflicted on her, then I can show mercy for your actions which were, indeed, treasonous but, I believe, if we had time for cooler heads to prevail, it would have had a different outcome.”
Titium blinked up at him as his wolves behind him swung their heads back and forth, glancing at each other and the murmur of the crowd swelled before it silenced when Callum kept speaking.
“Therefore, I strip you of your Governorship of Europe and your command of the European Armies. I sentence you to attend your sequestered daughter until she has been brought to her right mind. If that should occur, which is doubtful, you will stay at her side when she is released from sequester and while she quests for her mate. Only after her Mating will you be free to resume your life but you will not ever, while I rule, hold office or command men. Your wolves will not be eligible to hold office or assume a command for one hundred years. They will, prior to returning home, denounce fealty to you and announce it to me. You, Titium, will personally pay a fine of one million dollars to Canis which will be submitted to our war chest. Your wolves will each pay a fine of fifty thousand dollars for the same purpose.”
As a louder ripple went through the crowd and Callum watched the shoulders of the wolves in front of him slump with relief, one even bowed his head and covered his face with his hand as she-wolves sitting to the sides, mates and mothers of the men before him, burst into tears, Callum kept speaking.
“If any one of you again moves against Canis, there will be no trial. You will be executed immediately and burned on a pyre without family allowed to attend. Your ashes will be scattered without ceremony, a dishonor even traitors do not receive.”
Callum watched Titium swallow, his face reddening with emotion, his eyes darting back and forth between Callum and Sonia even as he heard Sonia’s breathing escalate, her chest rising and falling rapidly, her ass squirming minutely in his lap.
“Do you have something you wish to say?” Callum asked Titium.
“I…” Titium cleared his throat then asked in disbelief, “You show mercy?”
“Were you not listening?” Callum asked impatiently in return.
“But –” Titium started.
Callum felt his brows rise. “You prefer execution?” he enquired and a titter of humor went through the crowd as the men in front of him tensed.
“No!” Titium said loudly and swiftly, shaking his head. “No, no. I…” His eyes moved to Sonia. “My queen –”
Callum suddenly leaned forward, taking Sonia with him and he growled, “My wife has my ear, warrior, and she has spoken for you but you address me.”
Titium looked quickly back at Callum, squared his shoulders, sucked in a visible breath and announced, “I only wanted to thank her for her mercy and offer her my apologies for the pain I inflicted, your grace. You are correct. My behavior was loyal but misguided and I have, these past weeks, thought long and anguished on the hurt I caused our little queen who was doing nothing but trying to save me from myself and causing that hurt by acting rashly and in anger. I will never, not ever, your grace, forget her lying on the steps of Canis, brought low by my claws and my pride. A human female who tried to persuade me to see reason and who moved in defense of her mate.” He shook his head as if he still didn’t believe he’d witnessed this or caused it before he continued, “For myself, my mate and my wolves, I… there are not words to say how… how much our queen’s forgiveness and your mercy means. My mate would…” he swallowed then pressed on, “my daughter, my sons, the families of my wolves,” he looked to Sonia then hastily back to Callum, “you and she have saved them centuries, millennium of grief. She… you both have saved our loved ones that and…” he shook his head, swallowed yet again and finished, his voice rough, “I’m sorry, I don’t have words.”
“If you don’t have words, Titium, then I suggest you accept the mercy shown and my judgment so my queen and I can go home. We’ve important things to do tomorrow,” Callum suggested and another titter moved through the crowd.