Just A Bit Of Trust (Constel·lación #1)

by Noma-Tee Thompson

  "Thank you Toset and Ventura. You may now present your evidence. Present your witnesses Mr. Toset."

  “I call Agostino Agusti.” Toset’s voice boomed in the big hall. The crowd watched fascinated as Agostino Agusti stepped forward to the witness stand.” Mister Agusti, would you tell us how you are related to the defendant?"

  "He is my father."

  "Tell us why you are testifying against him today?"

  "He abused me all my life and the people around him; I’m well aware what he is capable of."

  “Why did you choose today to disclose this information?"

  "Because Constel·lació is my home as much as it is anyone's, we deserve to live a peaceful and safe existence."

  “At what point did you realize that your father was responsible for the attack?”

  “The very same day it happened.”

  “Please explain yourself?”

  “When he stepped out of the hall after the coronation of my cousin, he asked me how I could just sit and watch my legacy being stripped away. I advised him that I did not want anything to do with his legacy. He then proceeded to tell me that we should stick together. After his explosive speech on why he hated the Castells. It was a Deva Vu moment when it suddenly became apparent to me that he was up to no good. That is when the explosion occurred, and he tried to run, so I subdued him by shooting him with a tranquilizer. Never once did he deny ever committing the crime under interrogation.”

  “Thank you, Mr. Agusti.” Toset sat down.

  “Does the defense wish to examine the witness?” Didac asked

  “Yes, Your Majesty.” Miss Ventura spoke up.

  “Proceed.” Didac gave his consent.

  “Mr. Agusti, please state your occupation?”

  “I work for the Constel·lación Special Forces unit.”

  "That is very surprising; you have taken an oath to protect the planet and the people in it. If your father is the man you say he is, why have you not exposed him before now?"

  "Miss Ventura, he is my father, the last thing I wanted was for him to be executed or be in the dungeons."

  "Is that so? Is it because you want to protect your reputation? Or is it that he is no longer in a position that can benefit you financially?"

  “I object, Your Majesty." Toset spoke up.

  "Objection sustained."

  Toset continued. "The last question that Miss Ventura posed would lead us to believe that she is aware that her client is guilty of embezzlement. And Mr. Agusti earns enough credits; he doesn’t need to rely on his father."

  “More credits is enough motivation for the greedy.” Ventura’s turned to the jury for effect.

  “You would know.” Toset made it personal.

  Didac hit his gravel hard. ”This is neither the place nor time for personal verbal arguments.”

  “If I may Your Majesty. The character and integrity of Mr. Agusti’s Representation are in question.”

  Dudet looked put off.” Are you accusing Counselor Ventura of anything?”

  “Yes, Miss Ventura knows that it is a crime not to disclose any illegal activities that her client is involved in. The attorney-client privilege is null and void if the party is guilty. I have heard that she accepts bribes.”

  ‘Do you have any evidence to substantiate your accusations?”

  “No Governor Dudet.”

  “Then I suggest that you remain on course.”

  “I am curious to hear what Miss Ventura has to say for herself.” Didac cocked his eyebrow at her. "Be careful on how you respond Miss Ventura."

  “I am deeply offended by Mr. Toset’s accusations. They are baseless. I presented a hypothetical question to defend my client, Your Majesty."

  "We do not base our trials on hypothesis."

  'I understand, Your Majesty."

  "I wish to answer the question, Your Majesty," Agostino said.

  "Proceed."

  "You have no right to judge my decision not to turn my father in. Even if you do not believe it, I still love my father. Tell me what would you have done if it was your father?"

  "I am not under questioning, Mr. Agusti," Ventura smirked.

  "I cannot protect him anymore. My guilt was eating me alive, knowing what he had done before and what he might be doing. Now that all is out, I feel free."

  "Your statement suggests that you knew all about this that is, if my client is guilty."

  “Miss Ventura what are you implying.” Agusti was getting angry at the line of questioning.“I haven’t lived or spoken to my father since I left home. Yes, I will admit I had known of other things before I moved. That is the extent of my knowledge.”

  “That.” Ventura looked to the jury. ”Members of the jury would mean Mr. Agusti should be held accountable for something.”

  “I have other matters to attend to Ms. Ventura; I do not have all day.” Didac’s patience was wearing thin. ”I do not hear any plausible arguments that would expunge your client of any wrongdoing. Whether the younger Mr. Agusti committed those crimes, it is not admissible here. He was a minor and cannot be held accountable because he has proven to be a good citizen. You may step down, now, this trial is over. Present your evidence Mr. Toset.”

  "Now I would like to play the video feed that will be entered as evidence." Toset stated and walked up to the console to play the video on the big screen.

  "You may proceed." Didac nodded in agreement.

  After watching, everyone was stunned.

  "The clip we have just watched leaves us no doubt what Mr. Agusti’s plans were for the Planet. The other members involved looked like they were in disguise so we cannot identify them. The jury will retire to deliver a verdict."

  Hours later.

  “Governor, do you wish to address the court before the verdict is read? “After what the judge had heard today from all the witnesses Agusti was surprised that the Didac managed to keep his calmness.

  Abramo went on a rampage. "They call your marriage to that earthling historical. The fact that you have been captivated of that slut is indeed proof of the degradation of our species. The purity of our race is the culture which our forefathers tried to preserve." He turned around to look at every council member. "This is disgusting. I am ashamed of this council because you are all agreeing to this intermarriage. This marriage is a threat to the fundamental principles of being Constel·lación.”"

  “Our laws on marriage are not governed by species.” Dante’s blue eyes from the House of Pau bored into Abramo.

  “Democracy is connected to morality. I say it is immoral to marry outside your species. What would be allowed next, People marrying animals?” Abramo's hair was rumpled, and spit was coming out of his mouth.

  "You feel you can speak for the Constel·lación public." Didac pressed the alarm button under his table and warriors filled the room.

  "Some of our people have mated with other species before." Didac defended his mating

  "A great concern has been expressed by the people because of your union with the earthling. The general public is apprehensive." Dudet from the House of Tolerància spoke.

  "I am the one mated to her. They shouldn’t worry themselves."

  Dudet continued cautiously. "They feel like there has been a certain relaxation of standards. You are not any male. You are the King and whoever the king marries, becomes Queen. In the choice of a Queen, the people have the right to choose. That is the price a King must pay."

  "I may be a King, but I am also a male, It’s a fundamental right for a man to mate with whoever he chooses."

  Ziza, from the House of Amour, spoke up, "Even if our laws were made before we became aware that we could mate with other species, the mating law does not restrict anyone from mating with other species as long as we have similar DNA. No one chooses who they want to mate with; it is a natural selection."

  "Enough!” Didac struck his gavel hard. “We will not take a paid court trial and turn it into a circus. Has the jury reached the verdict?’

/>   “Guilty as charged.” The juror seated in the left corner of the cubicle read out the verdict.

  Didac looked at his warriors. "Escort Abramo Agusti out." One of the warriors approached the former governor and placed his hands behind his back and put the iron handcuffs on his wrists. As he was being led out Abramo looked over his shoulder. "You haven’t heard the last of me." He shouted with a smug smile on his face.

  Didac struck his gavel one more time to silence the people as Abramo was led out.” Destiny has chosen my mate for me. Whoever has any objection to my mating has 24 hours to pack and leave the planet.”

  The people looked around more to see who would publicly reveal himself. Benita, a woman whose mate was killed by the ten man Vivian’s father had sent to attack Constel·lació, stepped up. ”My husband died recently by the hand of our Queen’s father. I have more reason to hate her more than anybody else, but I find myself daring to love and believe in her.” Tears gathered in the woman’s eyes. “I was devastated when my mate died and didn’t have the strength to take care of my younglings because the loss was too much to bear, but this woman-“ she pointed to the Queen, -“she came every day without fail to take care of my younglings, bearing food that it is rumored she had taken time to prepare herself.”

  The woman who was the dishwasher at the castle, Tono stepped out of the crowd to stand beside Benita. ”It is no rumor, I have seen it with my own eyes the Queen prepare the food for his subjects and some nights she dismisses us early to make food for her family and clean the kitchen herself.”

  Dudet raised his hand with a smirk and the people quieted. ”Warrior Jana you have something to say?”

  All eyes turned to the compact warrior woman.” I may be female, but I was born from The House of Temprança, fighting and protecting is in my blood. It was the Queen who convinced the Council that females should be given equal opportunity to succeed or fail to become warriors. We do not receive any special treatment because we are female. We go through the same training as our male counterparts; the standards are the same. Although I have not completed my training, I am grateful for what the Queen has done.”

  Didac could not contain his smile when more warriors stood up to talk on behalf of the Queens character. His heart swelled with pride and love. He finally had to put a stop to it because everyone wanted to say something to defend their Queen.

  Soon the whole crowd started chanting her name.

  The chanting confirmed the love the people had for the Queen.

  Chapter 15

  “Get up.” Vivian threw a pillow at the mop of dark hair beside her.

  A groan emerged from the lifeless bundle and silence.

  “Don’t make me do it twice.” She hit Didac again, and he cursed under his breath. His hand snaked out under the blanket and pulled Vivian on top of him.

  “What do you think you are doing?”

  Vivian put her hands on his shoulders to brace herself up to look in his face. ”Do you know what day it is today?”

  “Yes, but you are going to tell me anywhere.” Didac face crinkled with a sleepy smile. His hair was disheveled and his eyes still half asleep.

  “You got that right King Didac Castell.” Vivian's arms went around his neck, and she hooked her leg behind his thigh.” I am so worried that it would be a flop.”

  “It won’t, I love the decorations and the menu.”

  “You do?”

  “Yes, I do.” Didac buried his nose in her neck.” And do you know what else I love?”

  He sucked on her neck.

  “You can’t do that. My skin is easily marked It will show.” Vivian protested, but she threw her head back to give him more access.

  He licked his way up to her earlobe. His mate’s skin was sensitive. He was more than happy for the other males to see it and know she was taken.

  Vivian caught her breath. “I don’t feel clean enough for this.” She ran her hands over his back.

  “I like dirty.” His lips descended to her neck again, moving down to cover her nipples. His fingers touched her nether lips and any protests she had glided from her mind.

  “Dirty is good.” She opened her legs wider to give him better access. Her fingers tumbled into his hair, scratching his scalp.

  He moaned softly. His lips continued to her navel. ”Let’s stay in this morning.”

  “I can’t, I have to make sure that everything is ready.” Vivian’s panted her answer. Didac’s tongue swished from her butt hole to her clit and Vivian almost came off the bed with the sensations .”I guess I can spare some time.”

  “You guess.” He bent her knee and constructed small bites on her thighs.

  Vivian lost her resolve. ”I know I can.” She got up and pushed him on his back.

  “That’s what I’m talking about.”

  His smile left her heart defenseless. My god, I love this man.

  She froze at the realization. Her heart hammered in her chest.

  Didac inhaled. He felt that. Fate had joined them together, but time had sealed what fate already knew. He didn’t say anything because he felt her panic.

  She angled over him, and her lips softly and doubtlessly caressed over him. He sloped his head to intensify the kiss. Their tongues intertwined in a mating dance.

  As if they knew, no one in the castle disturbed the Queen and King the whole morning and part of the afternoon.

  ******

  Vivian found herself standing next to the buffet table with Paka and Annais that night. She observed her husband in conversation with some of the Constel·lación socialites oblivious to what Paka and Annais were talking about. Didac threw his head back and laughed. Her guts twisted. The rich, deep laugh was so beautiful. She never got tired of hearing it. His white teeth were visible through those lips. She shuddered when she thought of the places where those teeth had been, oh the places they had been. The love she felt for the man bubbled in her heart.

  “He is something to look at, isn’t he?”

  Vivian replied without thinking because she wasn’t paying attention. ”Oh, yeah, he is so hot.” Vivian smile dropped when she turned around and was face to face with a woman she didn’t recognize.

  The woman frowned in confusion at Vivian’s words. She tried to compose herself as best as she could and rephrased her words. ”Oh, yes, he is a beautiful creature.” She almost burst into laughter at her choice of words.

  “Isn’t he? The King will be happy to hear that you think so.”

  The broad smile coming from the other woman made her too comfortable. ”He already knows.”

  “We know he does, the way you guys look and talk to each other makes me want to gag. I bet you told him after he made you come several times.” Paka added dryly

  Vivian pinched Paka, and she turned around to look at her. ”Paka watch your mouth, we have company.” Vivian blushed. ”You must excuse my sister, my lady; she is blunt.”

  “That she is, but I do not hear you contradict her.”

  “It would be easier for me to deny if it were not true, my lady.”

  “You do not find it shameful as the Queen to speak of such matters in public.” The woman’s face was expressionless.

  “Forgive me, my lady.” Vivian was gravity itself, not sure how to think of the other woman’s statement. ”You put me in a tight spot.” She lost her queenly stance for a moment.”-If you know what I mean. It would be unqueenly for me to lie.”

  “Unqueenly? Seriously? Does such a word exist?” Paka muttered under her breath.

  Annais smacked her shoulder hard.

  The woman amused unrestrained laughter turned heads. ”I am sorry Your Highness,” she curtseyed. ”We have not been properly introduced. My name is Gemma, Governor Oscar Agusti’s mate.”

  “It is a pleasure to meet you, Lady Agusti. Your husband has told me so much about you.”

  “Likewise. If you have time, maybe we could discuss further the issues that you brought up with my mate.”

  “I will be de
lighted.’ Vivian waved her hand for her to lead the way and turned around to search for Didac in the crowd.

  Didra’s hand was on her husband’s arm. Her heart plummeted. Why did she have to do that all the time? Yes, Didra was a friend, but sometimes the familiar way she knew what her husband liked bothered her. But that could have stemmed from the fact they grew up together. And the other woman was so disgustingly beautiful, kind and elegant; it just made her sick to her stomach sometimes considering that she worked in proximity with her husband almost every day. It just left her feeling inadequate.

  Vivian turned around to catch Lady Agusti watching her pitifully. ”Your highness, you do not need to worry about her.”

  “I am not sure what you are talking about.” Vivian’s skin flushed.

  “You have to learn to hide your emotions a little bit better, Your Highness; you reek of jealousy. You have the respect and the love of your mate. A Constel·lación male will never stray once they find their mate.”

  “I am human. The males I am acquitted with do not have such qualms.” Vivian felt she had found an ally.

  “You have been here long enough to know that a Constel·lación male is like no other male.”

  “I guess so, but I think every woman experiences these kinds of feelings from time to time.”

  “You are right, Your Highness. You don’t have to obey them. Uncertainty is a part of life in general, but does not apply to a mating bond.”

  Vivian was warmed by the touch from Lady Agusti’s on her arm. ”Please call me, Vivian.”

  Gemma smiled at her. ”And please, call me Gemma.”

  “Lead the way then Gemma.”

  As Vivian followed Gemma to the chairs on the other side of the room, though comforted by her words, her heart was doubtful.

  ******

  Severus and Didra studied Primo take the serving spoon and play around with the soup in the serving bowl. ”What in Constel·lació is this?”

  “I don’t know it could be anything; it looks sticky.” Severus offered a reply.