Page 91 of Hart's Redemption

Lombardi’s eyes glittered like demented jewels. “I thought you’d never ask.”

I sat quietly, staring at my hands, numb from the events of the last few days. Around me, the tribunal continued unaffected. They discussed the findings of the various blood samples Lombardi had acquired; more witnesses were brought forth; the prosecution even produced some evidence that shocked the courtroom yet again. I heard none of it, though. All I could think about was the broken look on Josh’s face as he was practically carried out of the courtroom. I refrained from rubbing my chest where the bond had thinned back to a strained cord of light. Josh needed me, and I was nowhere near him. I was also the one to break him. Lombardi may have asked the questions, but it was only because of me he knew which ones to ask.

“That’s it.”

I glanced up at Lombardi and realized that in my distraction, the entire court had emptied. “What’s it?”

“Tomorrow they will pronounce the sentence.”

“I missed the judgment?” Guilt coiled in my stomach at the thought that I’d been too wrapped up to notice something as profound as the end of this wretched show. Lombardi gave me a level look.

Suddenly, I knew what Josh had probably always known—it didn’t matter what happened here; he was always going to be pronounced guilty. I crumpled inward at the realization of what my actions had done. “I’ve ruined everything, haven’t I? He hada plan. He always has a plan. Then I showed up and shredded the whole thing.”

Lombardi laid a surprisingly warm hand on my shoulder. “Actually, I think your interference might have been exactly what Joshua needed.”

“But you said tomorrow…”

He nodded. “Tomorrow, they will formally pronounce judgment. As facts stand, there is no way Josh can evade punishment for his part in the crimes committed. Complicit or not.”

I swallowed past the lump in my throat. “I want to see him, and not just for a few minutes.”

Lombardi offered me that feral smile that never failed to put my hackles up. “I think I can arrange something.”

I bore the guards’ invasive searching and reminded myself that as long as it meant I got to stay the night with Josh it would be worth it. How Lombardi had pulled off such a miracle, I didn’t know, and I didn’t want to know. All that mattered was that I was on my way to the Pit of Despair, where I would actually get to be alone with Josh for longer than five strained minutes.

A guard forcibly shoved me through what had to be the third detector. Tingles spread across my skin like I was being submerged in a crystal pond on the cusp of spring. No sooner did I adjust to the peculiar feel of magic slipping along my skin than I was forced back out.

I bit back a growl. A whole six hours uninterrupted with Josh. It would be worth it. Assuming they hadn’t changed their mind.

Please let this not all be for nothing.

At last, I was escorted down the oppressive hallway I’d only gotten a glimpse of before when I’d come to have Josh sign the marriage license. Regrettably, the circumstances weren’t any better, and I fully expected Josh to be livid about the stunt I’d pulled.

We stopped in front of a section of the wall that looked no different from all the others. While the lead soldier keyed in a code and had his retina scanned, I couldn’t help but look around at the rest of the endless wall and wonder how many other people were down here. Had they gotten trials? Or had they been shoved down here to be forgotten by time?

The stone turned clear, and I fixed my attention on the room beyond and its sole occupant. Josh lay in a huddled heap on the mattress tucked against one wall and didn’t so much as stir when the wall started to open. One of the soldiers made an impatient gesture, and I stepped inside. It wasn’t until the wall started to slide shut again that Josh finally stirred. With an understated hiss of air, the outside world and my only means of escape vanished.

Josh slowly sat up, looking more exhausted than I’d ever seen him. The low glow of recessed lights shone off his wet hair, suggesting he might have recently showered. Finally, he looked up.

“Hey, moonbeam.”

“Elijah.” He surged to his feet, his face a mask of confusion and shock. “What are you doing here? Where is Lombardi?” He glanced behind me for the nonexistent lawyer, then his eyes widened in alarm. “What did you do? Call them back. What were you thinking?”

“I was thinking that I needed to see you.”

He shook his head as if it could somehow change anything. “They may never let you out of here again.”

“It’s a risk I was willing to take.” I shuffled from foot to foot. “Look, I know you probably had a plan, and I’m sorry about what happened yesterday and today, but I won’t apologize for fighting for your life.”

Without a word, Josh crossed the room and snared me in a kiss that blasted away all of my insecurities. He twined his arms around my neck at the same time I wrapped mine around his waist. Our tight embrace eliminated every inch of distance between us. Even when our breathing became labored, he didn’t let go.

“I love you,” I whispered. His arms tightened, but he didn’t respond. I placed a soft kiss below his ear. “His death wasn’t your fault.”

Josh shuddered at the words and buried his face in my neck. “Yes, it was.”

I pulled back slightly and forced him to look at me. Red rimmed his eyes, but they were still dry. “No, it wasn’t.” I brushed back the hair clinging to his forehead. “You forget, I’ve been in here. I know the man you really are, Joshua Hart, even if you don’t.” I pressed my lips lightly to his temple.

He rested his head on my shoulder, and I pulled him closer. “How do you know that’s the real me?”