The chamber doors opened again.
Every eye turned as the guards escorted Orion and Helga Emberhide back inside. They were both shackled — wrists, ankles, the faint glimmer of enchanted restraints humming against their skin. Helga still carried that same smirk she'd worn during her testimony, but her eyes were more wild. Orion, on the other hand, looked hollow. Whatever defiance he'd had earlier had been stripped clean by his own confession.
The jury had already returned. The elders sat stiff-backed, their faces grave. The twelve citizens looked pale, shaken, most unable to meet Nova's gaze.
Jax stood at the head of the tribunal table, his Gamma insignia gleaming faintly against his dark uniform. Finric was to his left, silent and watchful; Cael stood behind them both. The air itself felt charged — heavy, electric, filled with the weight of judgment.
Elder Malric Rhun from the jury stepped forward. "The jury has reached a unanimous decision."
Jax nodded once. "Read it."
Rhun's voice carried clearly across the room.
"On Count I — Treason — we, the jury, find Commander Orion Phillip Emberhide guilty."
A murmur rippled through the chamber.
"On Count II — Aggravated Assault — we find Helga Beatrice Emberhide guilty."
"On Count III — Conspiracy to Commit Murder — we find both defendants guilty."
"On Count IV — Use of Unauthorized Enhancement — Helga Beatrice Emberhide, guilty."
"On Count V — Obstruction of Justice — both defendants guilty."
Jax straightened, his expression unreadable. His voice, when it came, was quiet—but it hit like thunder.
"The court accepts the verdicts rendered. Both defendants are hereby sentenced to death for crimes of treason, conspiracy, and attempted regicide."
Helga laughed once—high and brittle. "You think killing us will stop what's coming?" she spat. "You're fools. Ashbane is already rising—"
"Silence her," Finric said sharply.
The guards moved, forcing her to her knees beside her father.
Jax's eyes flicked between them, his tone level but cold. "Orion Emberhide. You betrayed your oath. You struck a woman and member of the royal family. You poisoned your honor. There is no redemption for that."
He turned to Helga. "Helga Emberhide. You attacked a guest from an allied pack. You plotted against your own people. You conspired in the death of your rulers. You will not see another moonrise."
Nova sat still, her expression unreadable, though her fingers trembled slightly in her lap.
Jax lifted his gavel once, the symbol of both judgment and authority. "The sentence will be carried out immediately, by decree of Shadowclaw law."
The words echoed through the room. The guards stepped forward.
Helga began to shout something, but it was lost in the noise of boots and the clash of armor as she and her father were dragged from the chamber. Orion didn't resist. He didn't even look up.
The doors slammed shut behind them with a hollow boom.
No one moved. No one breathed.
Jax stood for a long moment, staring at the empty space where the Emberhides had been. Then, quietly, he said, "Let the record show—justice has been served."
He set the gavel down, the sound final and low.
Finric exhaled slowly beside him. Cael's gaze flicked to Nova — who sat still, her eyes shimmering faintly.
In the silence that followed, it was unclear whether what lingered in the air was peace—or the promise of what was still to come.
The court proceeded outside. Nova knew she had to go out of duty and Fin knew that as well. They waited for the courtroom to empty before he scooped her up and carried her. Gold magic flashing from him into her as soon as his hands touched her. She had a bead of sweat on her temple and was not feeling well at all.
"Almost done baby. I'm so proud of you." He said, kissing her on the forehead.
For what he was proud of she didn't know but she didn't have the energy to mindlink to ask. He let her down when the reached the front door. Two elders stopped and watched this interaction realizing she was having trouble walking. He stabilized her so she could stand, and she looped her arm around his for support as they walked.
One of the elders held open the door for her. Both of their expressions were laced with concern. Almost daring to say she shouldn't be watching this but neither spoke because they knew it'd be their very own, the elders who'd have a problem if she didn't watch it. It'd be dishonorable.
Outside the courthouse, cold spring light fell thin and metallic across the square. There was snow flurries coming down from the sky and a sharp wind that cut through everyone's cloaks.
Every banner hung still. Every voice was gone. Only the creak of the wooden platform and the steady thud of boots echoed against stone.
Nova stood beside Finric at the base of the dais, her cloak pulled tight against her shoulders. The cold bit at her fingers, but she didn't feel it. She felt the weight of duty pressing into her ribs instead—the eyes of the court, the jury, the packs.
Helga and Orion were led out together. Their chains clinked softly, the sound strangely small beneath the iron sky. Helga's face was defiant, a wild gleam in her eyes; Orion looked hollow, resigned, his shoulders squared for the last time.
Jax stood at the top of the steps, the sword of Shadowclaw in his hand—the same blade once used by every ruler to pass final judgment. It glowed faintly where sunlight touched its edge.
The crowd parted. No one spoke.
Jax's voice rang out, low and clear:
"By decree of the Shadowclaw Tribunal, for treason, conspiracy, and the shedding of royal blood, sentence is carried out."
Helga started to laugh—a thin, broken sound. "You think this ends with us—"
The blade flashed.
Her words never finished.
A collective gasp swept the courtyard as her body fell forward, chains clattering against the platform.
Orion didn't flinch. His eyes found Nova's for the briefest moment—something like regret flickered there, small and fleeting. Then he nodded once, more to himself than anyone.
Jax raised the sword again. "Orion Emberhide," he said quietly, "may the Goddess judge you better than you judged yourself."
The blade fell.
The sound was final.
For a moment, the world seemed to still.
Nova stood frozen, breath caught halfway between horror and disbelief. The sight—the heads, the blood, the way the cold wind carried the scent of iron—hit her harder than she'd imagined. The edges of her vision went white.
"Nova," Finric whispered, catching her hand.
She took one half-step back, eyes wide. Her lips parted—no sound.
Then the ground tilted.
Finric caught her just as her knees buckled, his arm sliding around her waist before she could hit the frozen stone. Her head fell against his chest, her crown slipping sideways.
"Nova!" Elle's voice broke through the stunned silence, running forward.
Jax turned sharply, the sword still in his hand, and for the first time that day, his composure cracked.
"She's all right," Finric said hoarsely, though his pulse hammered in his throat. He lifted her, her cloak pooling around his arm, and carried her back to the courthouse. Everyone parted for them without a word.
Behind them, the guards draped dark cloths over what remained. The square emptied quickly, leaving only the echo of the gavel's promise: justice had been served.
But as Finric carried Nova toward the waiting infirmary portal, the thought beat through his chest like a second heart—
This isn't over. Not yet.