Roses & Rye (Toil & Trouble Book 3) by Heather R. Blair Page B

a witch, but also a bruin under the law. Georg Kivistö declared her his mate of intention. To me, his second, almost one year ago. I swear this, with my brothers as witness.”
    Ajax and Dominic nod tightly. Neither looks surprised in the least. Georg may not have said the words to them, like he did Krueger, but shifters share a bond that makes it impossible to keep any real secrets. Tyr leans back in his seat with another low whistle, which earns him a frown from the judge. I ignore them both, my eyes on Syana, who is staring at Krueger open mouthed.
    “But she said no,” she says, the confusion clear in her voice.
    “Doesn’t matter to them,” I answer before Krueger can. “It’s the male’s decision that carries the weight of the law; the female’s is irrelevant.”
    “That’s bullshit.” She straightens, her voice biting. I smile innocently when Ajax glares at me.
    “It’s our way,” Krueger says simply.
    “It’s meant to protect the female,” Ajax says softly, turning Syana’s gaze to him. “Once intention is declared, there is no backing out. No changing your mind and taking a different female. Ever.”
    “ Ever? ” Syana looks floored.
    Ajax shrugs in answer. Next to me, Tyr mutters something about shifters being bloody nutters. Thomas only looks dazed, still staring at Syana like he’s never seen her before. I’m not sure he’s even paying attention to the trial.
    Syana blinks. “So Georg couldn’t… Wow. No wonder he was pissed when she said no.”
    “That’s part of it,” Krueger acknowledges. “But Georg also never told her he made the declaration. Usually a male would make sure of a female’s acceptance before taking that step.”
    “I bet,” she whispers, then straightens. “Wouldn’t that have made her queen, then?”
    “No.” Krueger’s tone is short. “They never consummated anything—”
    You’re damn fucking right they didn’t.
    “—and she would’ve had to bear him a child to be officially queen in any case. His intention alone, though, is enough to entitle her to protection under bruin law. Which is why we’re here. Let’s get on with it.”
    “I request the right to choose the venue,” I say before he can move on.
    Krueger gives me a startled look. “Not granted. Thomas—”
    I’m not letting this go. If I don’t get this concession, I’m fucked. “I need to do this in front of Persephone’s families, Krueger. Both of them. I want to be in her home when I tell you all what happened that night.”
    “You son of a bitch,” Dominic breathes. “Haven’t they been through enough?”
    I keep my eyes on the heir to the throne. “They’ve a right to hear this, too. You know they do.”
    The bruin frowns. “They’ll never agree. If you show your face within a mile of that house, they’ll come at you with everything they have.”
    Tyr leans forward, that damn fang glinting in his fingers. “I don’t know, they might be tempted when you tell them you have his balls in your fist.”
    Both the bruin and I glare at him. Tyr only grins. “Magically speaking, of course. I think that oldest sister—what’s her name? Oh yes, Anastasia. She might agree. It’s worth a call, don’t you think?”
    Krueger glares at both of us, looking suddenly suspicious.
    “I know witches have been disappearing, Frost. Do you think I’m stupid? Perhaps Persephone was only your first kill. Perhaps the assassin is in on all of this with you. Perhaps this is all just some fucked-up plot get to her sisters.” He’s working himself into a rage.
    Not that he’s entirely wrong, but I hold up a hand as the other bruins get to their feet. “Now you are being stupid. If I wanted to go after the Gosse sisters, Krueger, I’d take them out one by one. Not put myself at your mercy, invite along an assassin who can bleed my powers and request to be tried at a house that’s enchanted against me. Despite what you might have heard, even I’m not enough of a badass to court those