Under Different Stars by Amy A. Bartol

Author:Amy A. Bartol [Bartol, Amy A.]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Amazon: B00HCJX2PM
Publisher: Amy A. Bartol
Published: 2013-12-15T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 13

THE PALACE

I don’t even try to look out the window of the fast moving hover car on the way back to the palace from the corrective court. “So, what’s the verdict, slim?” I ask Ustus, watching him tap on his communicator.

Ustus ignores me, probably because I called him “slim.” I try again, “Ustus?”

“You’re a ward of the Regent until your twentieth birthday,” Ustus states, not looking at me.

“The Regent?” I ask, wanting an explanation. “Is that normal?”

“It is unusual.”

“You want to give me the odds on that one? Is it ‘four-leaf clover’ kind of unusual or ‘man-with-four-heads’ kind of strange?”

“The latter, I think.” He tries to ignore me again.

“Anything else?”

“Your wigg had the penance waved.”

“Wow, what do you know? Maybe you guys have better public defenders than I’m used to,” I mumble.

“No, your other wigg argued for the penance to be rescinded,” Ustus’s glare pins me to my seat.

“My other wigg?”

“Your court appointed wigg was recused by Ateur Victus. He took over for him on what he claimed was your behest. He renegotiated the penance portion of your sentence, having it dismissed. Custody he could not wrangle, however, since he’s not a family member. No, you are now the ward of the Regent.”

This new information shocks me. Victus got involved, even when I specifically told him to step off. “You don’t approve?” I watch Ustus’s face. “You think I need penance?”

“Yes, you do need penance, but not as a punishment to you.”

“What other reason could there be for penance?” I’m completely offended that he thinks I deserve to be punished for something I had absolutely no control over.

“Public image, Kricket…the crown has stepped in, instantly elevating your position by giving you its protection. They sought to counteract this political move by showing that you would still be responsible for what has occurred. Now, we will need to rethink how you are presented to society.”

“How many wards does the Regent have?”

“One,” he says, nodding toward me.

“Well then, giving me penance would be just like putting a hat on a spix to disguise its horns, Ustus,” I reply.

“It’s what?” He attempts to stop himself from smiling.

“Giving me penance won’t distract anyone from the fact that I’m now the Regent’s ward,” I bite my thumbnail in agitation.

“Don’t bite your nails, you’ll ruin your teeth,” Ustus says, looking at me. “A light punishment would have gone a long way with most citizens. If people thought that you had been punished, they may be far less likely to shun you,” he watches for my reaction.

“Some people will shun me? What are we, Amish?”

“Many will have a hard time with your Alameeda heritage. Penance may have made you a little more…sympathetic to your peers.” He is trying to be upfront with me, and I appreciate it.

“Ah, they want to see me put in my place, huh? Grovel a little and then maybe we can be friends.”

“Your grasp of the situation is impressive,” he replies, forgetting his communicator for a second.

“What were you all planning…I mean, for my penance?” I ask with a sense of morbid curiosity.

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