King Cave (Forever Evermore, #2)(181)
An eyebrow lifted against my forehead. “No, you won’t.”
A half sob, half chuckle escaped. “No, I definitely won’t.” My eyes darted back and forth between his. “I love you so much.”
His chest heaved again. “And I love you, sweetheart.”
Once Jack and Pearl had finished their hasty, ancient wedding ritual with a two-minutes-and-forty-three-second kiss, Elder Harcourt cleared his throat and stated loudly, “Well, on to the formalities. The four of you are found guilty under Law Six Zero Zero Two, although, I am modifying it so none of you four will serve jail time. Due to Law One being evoked, since King Zeller and Queen Ruckler are married, and King Collins and Queen Cooper are married, I am further modifying the verdict to Law Six Zero Zero Two. While Law One does diminish a portion of Law Six Zero Zero Two, it doesn’t eradicate it completely, so the modifications stand that the four of you will have a spelled memory wipe to erase any memory of the other you were charged with, and that you are to be kept apart for no longer than two years, no less than one.” His head cocked as he rubbed his chin. “But due to your high level of publicity in the past, I’m also altering it further so that the ruling holds true.” He glanced at us. “Again, I am spellbound to do everything in my power to make this occur within the Laws.”
All four of us didn’t move a muscle at his pronouncement, and if it were possible, added terror entered my system, making my limbs tremble further than they already were. I was already losing my husband. What else was he going to do to make my life a living hell? I gripped Ezra tighter around his neck, resting my cheek against his, and lifted my legs, wrapping them around his waist to hold him that much closer. In return, he practically broke my ribs, he crushed me so tightly in a perfect hold.
Elder Harcourt rubbed his chin again, glancing at the enforcers asleep on the ground. Cracked his neck. And started glowing the barest bit. My heart rate shot off, like Ezra’s against me, as Elder Harcourt stated, “I will also be modifying your memories of each other, not just who you’ve been found guilty breaking the Law with. Otherwise, you may deduce why you can’t remember the individual you are guilty of breaking the Law with. But because of the fact you are so publicly known together,” his glowing began increasing, “I will also be modifying everyone else’s memories of you four together.” He paused. “No one will remember the events that have happened in this room, or have any recollection of the four of you together at any time.”
My jaw hung open wide. “Everyone? As in, the whole damn world?”
Elder Merrick’s wolf growled across the room, rumbling, “How the hell is that not affecting time, which sure as f*ck is against the Law?”
Cahal and Antonio weren’t saying anything, only staring across at us. Silent. Expressions now blank. But that was enough to let me know the truth. They knew they couldn’t stop this, stop what was being taken from us — any chance of us figuring it out while we were separated. They knew that Elder Harcourt had the power to make this happen.
“You can’t mess with my damn mind!” Elder Jacobs shouted. “I’m not charged with anything!”
Elder Harcourt glanced at me. “Yes, the world.” His attention swung to Elder Merrick. “I’m not altering the events that have already occurred, or are supposed to occur, only memories and a few videos and papers and such, since they’re so popular. Those two parallel on a very thin line, but I’m not affecting time.” His gaze went to Elder Jacobs. “And yes, I could, although,” he waved one of his glowing hands, and suddenly, Cahal, Elder Merrick, and Elder Jacobs had golden lines across their foreheads…where Antonio had touched them earlier, “I believe Elder Farrar has safeguarded you, himself, and two others, from my spell.”
He was now glowing bright enough that I knew he was almost done with his verdict. “Nicely done, Antonio, but,” he shoved his hands out, and a bolt of golden lightening arced to their sphere from one of his palms, while from his other palm arced another out the door, making them all jerk and fall to their knees, glowing golden, their hands at their throats, “you may have the memories and be able to communicate amongst yourselves, but you won’t be able to communicate with them or anyone else the truth, and further, no one will ever overhear you by means written, seen, heard, tasted, felt, spelled, or dreamt. I can’t allow that.”
I shuddered in fear, feeling the shockwaves of his power even through our sphere.
“Look at me, sweetheart,” Ezra demanded, his voice hoarse. I did, in the glowing golden light. It was now so bright I had to squint my own glowing blue gaze to see Ezra’s green one. Forcefully, his forehead met mine as he whispered, “You will come back to me.” An order.
“I will. And you’ll come back to me,” I stated vehemently, heart squeezing painfully, wetness coating my cheeks. “You’re mine and I’m yours.” I choked in pain. “We will beat this.”
“Fuck yes, we will,” he growled, his face fierce in the golden glow. “Our bond is deeper than any mate.” His heated mouth landed on mine, staying there, whispering against my lips, “We’re soul mates.”
Arms raised, Elder Harcourt shouted, “So it be done!”
As I was wrapped in Ezra’s warmth and scent, blinding light erupted around us.
Power stole my breath.