“Yes.”
“We’ll take another son from him, then.”
I can’t believe they’re talking about this like it’s normal. Kaiser has just started using crutches and now he’s supposed to fight?
I stand in front of Kaiser, blocking the screen.
“You can’t do this,” I say to him. His face is still red from the blisters, for fuck’s sake. “This is madness.”
Jaeger stands up, lifting Elodie in his arms as he does. He carries her out of the room and shuts their bedroom door behind them, giving us privacy. I tense up even further.
I doubt I’m going to like what Kaiser has to say.
Kaiser reaches for me, and I let him take my hands and pull me closer so I’m standing between his knees. He’s so much bigger than me, but he’s still fragile. His shaved head reminds me of what he just went through.
He raises my hands, kisses them. I try to pull away. His lips are so soft.
“Shhh, Bella. Let me have this. Let me hold you.”
Oh no, I’m going to cry. I let him rub his face along my fingers. His eyes are closed, as if he’s memorizing how they feel.
“You can’t fight, Kaiser.”
“This is my role, my beautiful poison. I’m a fighter. I will fight for you.”
“Fuck that,” I say.
He releases me long enough to reach into his pocket and pull out a black ribbon. Then he pulls me in with a sudden move that takes my breath away. I end up with my back to his chest, secured in his arms.
“Stop,” I squeak, squirming, but he’s holding me fast. “I’ll hurt you,” I try to argue.
He clamps a hand around my neck. “Be still,” he orders.
Immediately, I’m soaking wet. I close my eyes, panting with bliss. It’s been so long since he’s touched me like this. We sleep in an oversized bed together every night, but I’m careful to give his healing body its space. And he hasn’t pushed me, even though I know he wants to. The only thing he insists on is holding hands. That feels good, but this… this is everything.
I forgot how easily I respond to him. Fuck, I’m almost crying with how good it feels.
“Belladonna. Beautiful, wild. My perfect poison.” He nuzzles the back of my neck, and I relax.
Then he straightens and lifts my hair, fastening something around my neck.
The black ribbon.
“What’s this?” I ask.
“This means I intend to claim you as my elita.”
My heart soars to the stars. He’s claiming me. It’s happening.
“No matter what happens to me, Fraternitas will recognize you as mine.”
My heart freezes. “Wait, what? No matter what happens to you? What does that mean?”
“If I die, you will still have the protection of my brothers.”
“Oh no.” I start shaking. “No, no.” I scratch at my neck, wanting to rip off the ribbon. He stops me, but I’m still shaking, emotion bursting out of me. I want to cry, laugh, scream. I’m hyperventilating.
They will protect you. This is exactly what my father said before he left me.
