Chain of Thorns

Chapter 3:

James woke with a groan. He was feeling much better than yesterday. Cordelia was still asleep. Again. He lightly touched her.

"Daisy..."

Ever since he had confessed his feelings last night, they had been getting closer. They had kissed a bit last night, but then felt too tired and weary for it. Cordelia rolled over and looked up at him.

"What?" She mumbled.

He did nothing but just kissed her. They were still kissing when they broke apart with a loud scream echoing through the corridor. Cordelia leaped out of bed and tore down the hall.

"Lucie? Lucie!" She shrieked.

The Inquisitor was holding her tightly by the wrist, sneering. Two guards were standing opposite her, with a knife drawn out. Cordelia started towards them but he held her back.

"Let her go!" She yelled. "What did she even do?"

"For your information," Bridgestock said matter of factly, "Miss Herondale here has committed a crime of necromancy."

"No she didn't," Cordelia snapped. "Lucie, tell him-'

"I may have lied," Lucie said shamefully. "I just-"

"And so. Miss Herondale, you are being held in Idris for a week until the Consul comes for further inspection."

"No! One week is too long!"

"No, shut up, Carstairs. You had best be glad that the trial isn't held for longer."

"You idiot. Leave her alone. She didn't do anything wrong. Even if she raised someone-'

"Just be quiet. Deal with it."

Bridgestock made a wave, the guards took her by the wrists and haughtily walked her into a carriage, her hands bound by a rope. Cordelia sobbed silently by James' side. Their parabatai ceremony was in a month. They couldn't train together. How could they possibly become Parabatai? And he knew that his wife and sister wanted to be parabatai since they had met. He couldn't have the Clave holding them back.