“Has never been your mate! You always knew this was a possibility. You swore that you would handle the situation responsibly if a calling occurred. I’m not going to order your execution, Jonas. I’m ordering you to go find your called mate.”
Fearful, if those bars opened, that he might do just that, Jonas gripped the metal door tight. “I cannot hurt my wife more than I already have!”
Bishop King dragged a hand through his hair and paced with clipped, agitated strides. “This is unbelievable,” he growled.
Jonas couldn’t understand why his request might trouble the bishop so. “Is it not our God-given right to decide when we’ve had enough?”
The bishop glared at him. “Your request invites new consequences, consequences you—should I grant your request—would not have to face. Consequences I do not wish to combat.”
“I don’t understand. What consequences?”
Ignoring his question, the bishop asked, “How bad are your symptoms?”
“Bad enough that I had your man lock me in this cell.”
“Examples, Jonas. Give me examples.”
Shame weighed heavily on his shoulders, crippling his spine as he hung his head. “I… I attacked Abilene. I hurt her.” His throat constricted with the pain of regret.
“Is she all right?”
“She will heal—physically, at least.”
The bishop forked another agitated hand through his hair, leaving the inky strands standing on end. “I order you to find your mate. I will not order your execution. That’s the end of it.”
“No.”
“No?” He growled, but Jonas did not flinch. “It’s God’s will and your duty!”
“My duty is to my wife!”
“And what of your children? What duty do you have to them?”
“My children are grown—”
“You are still their father!” The bishop practically snarled. “Think of what this might do to them!”
Jonas blinked in confusion. The bishop’s concern for his offspring was considerate but unexpected. “Abilene is my only concern.”
He loved his children very much, but they would heal. They would take care of their mother and lean on each other.
He invited their censure, believing their rejection might force him away and make his decision easier. At this point, he no longer trusted his will to do what was right. He trusted nothing.
“Let them hate me. Let them all hate me.” He would not betray his wife and give his heart to another.
“You’re being selfish.”
“I’m trying to be an honorable male.”
“You’re behaving like a cowardice one!” The bishop’s hand lashed out at the bars, striking the metal with such force the walls of the cell rattled. “I will not do it. I will not give such an order so you can escape your responsibilities!”
“It’s my right!” Jonas bellowed, leaping at the bars.
His beast frothed from within, snapping the surface, as his control slipped out of reach. He shook the bars viciously. If the bishop would not kill him voluntarily, Jonas would attack him and force him to do the deed out of self-defense.
He would not risk his wife’s safety and he could not bring himself to answer God’s call.
“I granted you the right to marry Abilene. Your marriage was a privilege, and now a debt is owed in the form of duty. I will not let you endanger our kind by shirking your responsibilities, nor will you leave me to reap the blame of your demise.”
“Why would anyone blame you? I’ve come here of my own free will while I still have rational thought. Soon I won’t. I want to go before The Council and have my request heard—”
“No.”
Seething, Jonas snarled, “Then let me free and see what I do!” He rattled the bars with pent-up rage, unprepared for such firm denial. “This is my dying wish! Who are you to tell me no?”
The bishop’s eyes darkened with threatening malice. “You think to get your way with threats, Brother Jonas? Attack anyone in this order, and I will deliver a world of pain far worse than anything you’ve ever imagined. If you must die, die with the dignity of knowing you protected your family. Your request is selfish, and I refuse the matter now and every day that follows. You’re going to find your mate. You’re going to claim her. And this issue will be done.”
“No!”
“Yes! I have had enough of your disobedient family challenging my authority. The discussion is over, and my decision is final!”
“I will not go to her!”
“You will do exactly as you are told!” Their voices climbed until every word rung off the rafters.
Neither of them heard the hallway door open or the approaching footsteps, but the soft feminine gasp stole their attention the moment it interrupted their rage.
Jonas did a doubletake as his eldest daughter appeared, white as a ghost, in the basement of the safe house where females had no place.
“Larissa?” He hadn’t set eyes on her in months and worried his mind was playing tricks on him.
“Father?” Her fingers trembled to her mouth in shock. “What are you doing here—in a cell?” She rushed toward the bars.