Snippet #1943627

Rivera had said not a word the entire questioning, her eyes merely trailing from one lord to the next, finally rest on James once again as he spoke directly to her.

"This may be your last opportunity to speak."

The words angered her. A part of her wanted to remain silent, and another part simply wished to explain why she refused, and yet another part of her wanted to lash out. It would be the latter to win that internal battle, for better or for worse. Her eyes burning, she glared at the man who stood before her as King of Avalon. She started out in a normal tone of voice, but with each word her voice grew, until she was actually yelling.

"My last opportunity to speak? Truly? So that's how it ends, is it? Is my fate already decided? Why then, pray tell did you drag me in here in the first place? Why should I have to say anything, James?! I grew up with you, you, Lelinus, Arrabella, and Gwendolyn, you have been the only family I've ever known! What would have to gain by betraying you, any of you? Nothing! But I can tell you exactly what she has to gain from it!" She pointed directly at James. "That harlot has plenty to gain from my supposed betrayal and execution, the least of which being your good favor. Are you truly that blind, James, that you would think that I would actually do something like this?"

She finally stopped, her head down, and in a calmer voice said, "You know what? This is exactly the kind of decision you would make. You always were brash, and tended to act on what you wanted rather than what you should do. You want to send me to the gallows? Fine. Go ahead. No, I have nothing to say in my defense, because frankly I don't think it would make any sort of difference. These Lords are all thinking the same thing, it's written all over their faces. Go ahead, write me off to death's door. Frankly, I just don't give a shit."