Total pages in book: 31
Estimated words: 31800 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 159(@200wpm)___ 127(@250wpm)___ 106(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 31800 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 159(@200wpm)___ 127(@250wpm)___ 106(@300wpm)
Fear.
I want to ask her what she’s thinking. The need claws at my chest like a caged animal. But I’m a coward, because I might not be ready to hear the truth.
The worst-case scenario loops through my mind on repeat: Scarlette rejoicing at the chance to trade up for a husband she actually chose. A husband she might have wanted all along.
“Discourse may now commence,” Nadir announces, his voice cutting through my spiraling thoughts.
I turn my gaze to Vaughn, my mind already racing ten steps ahead. Time to systematically dismantle this bastard’s argument. My greatest advantage should be my intimate knowledge of Sharasan law—
“Let it be noted for the record,” Arav interrupts smoothly, “that due to the royal commission entrusted to me by His Majesty, I am duty-bound to represent the interests of Mr. Fuller in all legal proceedings.”
Fuck.
There goes my advantage. Arav is one of the kingdom’s sharpest legal minds, and what should have been a piece of cake just became an uphill battle. My back is against the wall now, but the pressure only sharpens my focus.
Arav will soon know what my opponents have learned to their misfortunte.
I’ve always fought better when cornered, and I don’t intend to let today’s battle to be an exception.
Vaughn leans forward, his expression so damn pompous, it just fucking hurts to think of him as my brother.
“Let it be officially acknowledged that I desire to have Scarlette Hood as my wife.”
“I raise no objection to that.”
The words make Scarlette jerk in her seat while my idiot of a brother smiles triumphantly.
But Arav clears his throat. “Secretary, let the petition be officially amended to indicate Mr. Fuller’s interest in making Scarlette Qahiri his wife.”
Vaughn’s face flushes red as his rookie mistake sinks in. “You think this is some kind of game?”
The petulance of his tone makes me grind my teeth. How can this be my flesh of blood? How, dammit?
“I’m serious about Scarlette.”
What the—
“Did I ever say I wasn’t?”
Brother or not, annoying or not, I will not let him question my feelings for Scarlette—
“Do you love her then?”
But neither will I let him force me into making any admission until I’m good and ready.
“That’s immaterial to the discussion,” I snap.
“On the contrary,” Arav interjects, flipping through his leather folio. “Article Twelve of the Royal Marriage Statute clearly states that emotional attachment supersedes birthright in cases where the union has been consummated.”
Damn you, Arav.
Vaughn straightens in his chair. “Then I invoke Article Seven—the Right of First Blood.”
The Chief Steward has always been an excellent tutor, and Vaughn speaking like he’s always been an expert on Sharasan law is proof of it.
“As the elder son, I have primary claim to any woman of my choosing, regardless of her current marital status.”
Too bad for him, though.
“Article Seven has been superseded by the Marriage Protection Act of 1847,” I counter coldly.
Arav was my tutor, too, once upon a time.
“It’s specifically designed to prevent forced dissolution of consummated unions—”
“Unless, of course—”
What the hell, Arav?
“The union was entered into under false pretenses, which would then bring us to Article Twenty-Three.”
Great, just fucking great.
Article Twenty-Three deals with coercion and fraud in marriage contracts.
Where are you going with this, old man?
“My client wishes to formally challenge the validity of this marriage on the grounds that Scarlette Qahiri was not given full disclosure of her rights as a Sharasan citizen.”
My jaw clenches when I finally understand what Arav is leading to.
“Specifically, her right to choose between eligible royal heirs—”
His words make me feel like a trap has started to close around me, and I’m forced to grate out an objection. “On the contrary, Chief Steward. Scarlette was informed of all relevant laws—”
“But only after the ceremony—” Arav’s rebuttal, even though mildly spoken, still has me gritting my teeth. “—which makes the entire union voidable under the Informed Consent Provision.”
“The ceremony was performed under American jurisdiction,” I fire back. “Sharasan law doesn’t apply retroactively to foreign soil.”
“But the consummation occurred on Sharasan territory,” Arav says smoothly, gesturing toward the jet around us. “This aircraft is registered as sovereign soil of the kingdom—”
The noose tightens another notch.
“—and so all acts performed herein fall under Sharasan jurisdiction.”
Vaughn actually says ‘ahem’ at this point, and I have to remind myself that he’s related to me by blood, just to keep me from hitting the Emergency Exit button so I can throw him out of the jet.
“Let it be said—”
Older brother, I remind myself stoically even as I have to fight against the urge to drive my fist in his face, which I begrudgingly admit is still boyishly handsome for someone his age.
Vaughn is still my older brother, his pompousness not withstanding. I must show respect—
“That I can furnish substantial evidence of prior emotional attachment between myself and Scarlette—”
Did he just fucking—
“—predating any contact with Your Highness by several years.”