“Do you have anything you’d like to say to the council on behalf of Verakko?” Another strangled sob broke free, and she nodded. “Lily, it’ll be alright. It won’t feel like long,” Verakko rasped from his place near the council. Another tear slid free, and she grinned. She raised her head to the Queen and in a strong, sure voice, declared, “Verakko is my mate. He’ll be staying here with me.”
