Chapter Twelve – Chapec
Dievca shivered in the prison cell, though it was a decent temperature. Not too cold, not too hot. Chapec didn't blame her for trembling, though. It was nerve-wracking, being here in the Sanctuary, waiting for judgment to fall.
The nerves weren't as bad as they could have been for him. He was reconciled with Veronica, and she had come to see them often since their arrival and trial. Ava was growing quickly, and just the previous day she had given him her first smile.
"It's going to be okay," he told his sister, squeezing her hand. "Whatever happens. You're not alone."
"You're only saying that because you don't know what's going to happen," Dievca muttered. "I heard Zon. It's up to Gylden to decide our fate. He's the one we tried to kill, so he's the one who decides if we die."
That did it. Their fate rested in the hands to the man they had wanted to kill – the man whose child they had threatened. Chapec shuddered. If it was Chapec, he never would have forgiven them. He could only hope Gylden had a more magnanimous nature.
The door to the cell opened. The twins jumped to their feet as the man they had just been talking about stepped into the room. Chapec instinctively stepped in front of Dievca, protecting them. Gylden looked at the two of them with a blank expression.
Chapec took a deep breath. What could he say to convince this man to let them live? He didn't even consider freedom as an option. Not after what had happened.
"Did we hurt your daughter?" Dievca asked, her voice subdued.
"No," Gylden said. "She's fine. But will she stay safe if I decide to let you live?"
"Yes." Chapec hung his head. "I never would have let Dievca do what she did if I had known… But it's not her fault. She has been grieving for years. I didn't see just how badly she was hurting. I take it all on myself."
Gylden stepped forward, gaze intent. "What was your father's name?"
Dievca stepped a little closer to Chapec. Her voice wobbled. "Ontzag."
"I'm sorry."
Chapec's head jerked up. That was the last thing he had expected to hear. They were the ones that threatened his family, but he was apologizing to them? The older T'shav's shoulders were slumped, his face creased with sadness.
"I don't remember all the people I've killed. I don't remember your father. As a gladiator, I tried to forget the faces I saw. If it weren't for my Bianca, I don't think I'd have the sanity to go on every day. I was put in the games as a child after my parents were killed. It wasn't something I chose for myself."
And we were going to kill him. Chapec was surprised to feel his eyes burn. If it wasn't for Veronica coming into his life, making him question his path of vengeance… This man didn't deserve death.
"But I am so, so sorry for taking him from you."
"I'm sorry," Dievca whispered. "I'm sorry for hating you. I'm sorry for threatening your child—"
"Forgiven." Gylden put a hand on her shoulder. "Don't carry guilt. Acknowledge it, but don't let it crush you."
It was the sort of thing their father would have said. Chapec felt his lips twitch into a smile despite the situation. He felt like a weight had been lifted off his chest. No longer crushed by the desire for revenge or the heavy feeling of not knowing how to ever make things right. But he knew that he would have to keep working to prove to himself he was worthy of Veronica.
Gylden looked at him now. "As for you… Don't let go of that mate of yours. She has visited me every day to plead your case. She's a rare one."
"I know. And believe me, I am not going to take that for granted again."
"Good. Because I have decided on your punishment."
Nerves churned in Chapec's stomach. Dievca clutched his hand.
"You'll stay here in the Sanctuary. Veronica tells me that you have decent farming skills. So you'll be placed with the farmers. After you have worked twice as long as you held Veronica captive, you'll both be given assessments to see where the best fit for you really is. And you, Dievca, will not be allowed to drink alcohol for that time, either. Veronica told me how you have been overindulging."
Dievca swallowed and nodded. "But is that it? We'll work and… that's it? We're forgiven?"
"Not exactly. You will be kept under watch until you can prove that this isn't some sort of complicated plot so you can try to kill me again."
She shook her head. "I don't want to anymore. I… I want to learn how to find my own life."
"I know what that feels like. Good luck. To both of you."
With a gentle smile, Gylden left again. The twins stared at each other. Chapec didn't know what to say. This was better than the best scenario he had dared hope for. Freedom. A place at the Sanctuary. Farming wasn't necessarily his strongest talent, but he didn't care. They weren't prisoners.
It wasn't much longer before Veronica came to see them. A grin spread across her face and she threw herself into Chapec's arms. She kissed him fiercely, making him chortle in delight. Dievca groaned and turned away, making gagging noises.
"Stop it!"
Veronica pulled away and shot her a half-annoyed glance. "Forgive me for being happy. But I heard the news. It's fantastic! You're both free. And we'll get our own little plot of land, and Ava will grow up with her father, mother, and aunt all looking out for her."
Chapec's heart swelled with happiness as Veronica nestled his arms. Dievca smiled at the two of them before murmuring that she was going to go find out more about the plot of land they were going to farm. Chapec and Veronica also left to go to her apartment, though it didn't escape the T'shav's notice that they were followed by a couple of guards. He didn't mind. After what had happened before, it was only logical. The Sanctuary had to maintain its security, after all. And they'd be gone soon enough.
"Where is Ava?" Chapec asked.
"Sara is looking after her right now. I wanted time to speak with you. To tell you how much I love you."
"I love you, too. And I will make you proud of me. I will make Ava proud of me. I promise."
"I know." Veronica leaned into his arms. She raised her face to his, and they shared another kiss; the kiss that would start them on their new life together.
Chapec couldn't wait to see what would happen next.
*****
THE END