Nathan pushed Zane and stepped to my side, grabbing my hand, always possessive and not always willing to share.
Jet took my other hand and gave Nathan a disapproving look. Oren, Zeke, and Zane fanned behind me like the points of a star. Zane, not in the least bit subtle, stuck his middle finger in Nathan’s face from behind.
“Zane!” his mother gasped as we walked past, and he quickly pulled his hand back, stuffing both into his pockets and adopting an innocent look that no one was deceived by.
My Faction.
My heart.
My line.
The joining ceremony wasn’t rushed—it moved like a living thing, a tradition older than even my previous lives.
A circle of ancient silver was engraved into the floor—a replica of my Nexus mark.
We stepped inside together.
The air shifted instantly.
The Ancestors were close—I felt them at my back, brushing their presence against my shoulders.
Adelaide stepped forward first, carrying the ceremonial bowl of water, glowing faintly with Ancestor fire. Her hands were steady, no trace of the viciousness they had contained when slitting Selene’s throat.
She looked at each of my men with something like awe. “You love her,” she said softly. “Each of you. Truly.’
Nathan nodded confidently, his love for me clearly visible. Jet remained stoic, offering only a faint smile. Zane smirked andgave her a thumbs-up. Zeke and Oren met her eyes, their love shining through.
Adelaide smiled and dipped her fingers into the glowing water. She drew a line across my forehead. My skin ignited in light—not with pain, but belonging.
The next part was for my men. One by one, they stepped forward before me—their marks blazing.
Nathan cupped my jaw, thumb trembling. “I would burn the world if you asked,” he whispered. His kiss was fire tempered by a promise.
Jet stepped forward and pressed his forehead to mine. “You are my quiet in a world gone crazy, and I want to be your safe space too.” His kiss was soft, reverent, and grounding, everything that he was.
Zane grinned, but it was shaky—and brushed my cheek with a knuckle. “Guess we’re official now, precious girl.” His kiss was heat and mischief with a devotion so pure that it stopped my heart.
Zeke lifted my hand, pressing his lips to the center of my palm. “You’re my center. I’ll take care of you for all the days of my life.” His kiss was slow, deep, melting me into a puddle at his feet.
Last but never least, Oren stepped up to my side, shadows rising behind him like a cloak. “You are my queen,” he murmured low so only I could hear. “In every life. But in this one most of all.” His kiss stole my breath. It always did.
When his kiss ended, the ring erupted in color—six marks blazing into the floor at equal points around mine.
Our energies braided together, weaving emerald, purple, yellow, crimson, ruby red, and lastly a beautiful gold into a radiant cord that hovered above the ring.
The sound that followed wasn’t music. It was acceptance.
From the Ancestors.
From the land.
From the realm itself.
Mom stepped back, tears streaming down her face. Each of my fathers surrounded her, Rue’s hair shining like gold, with a smile I thought I would never see.
The Fellat roared their approval—Pantar and Mira in the lead. Kharox dragged a claw down his sternum, and the Varruk bowed as one, fists pressed to their chests.
Oren reached for my hand. Nathan for my waist. Jet for my back. Zeke and Zane stepped closer, surrounding me.
