“Yes. You weren’t exactly subtle. You labeled the lotion “Love Potion Number 9.”
“But—” I’m trying to catch up. He knew, and I didn’t know, but now I do… and where does that leave us? I’m confused. “I made you love me. This isn’t real.” He has to understand I manipulated his feelings. This is why I had to tell him right away; I can’t stand that I tricked him. “This is just what the potion made you feel?—”
“Bella. No.” He gathers my hands to his chest, holds them there at his heart. He takes a moment to gather his words while I try not to fidget or look away. “I want you to hear me.” He waits until I meet his gaze to say, “From the beginning, you were my poison. Even before we met. It wasn’t anything you used on me. You were in my system the moment I laid eyes on you.”
I shake my head. I don’t believe it. I can’t. I did all these tricksy things to win, and now I’m devastated because what Kaiser and I have might not be real.
“Think about it,” he says softly. “You haven’t wanted to touch me since your coma. Any effect of the love potion wore off long ago.”
Finally, I get what he’s saying. He’s right. I haven’t used the love potion on him in over a month. “It wore off,” I repeat slowly.
“Yes.”
“But… tonight you were willing to fight for me, sacrifice for me.”
“I was. I am. Because I love you.” He steps closer, drawing me into the circle of his strong arms. “It wasn’t the aphrodisiac, Belladonna. It was always you.”
It’s too much. I start hyperventilating, but he rests his hands on my back. I feel him, and it feels good.
“Shhh, it’s okay,” he murmurs, kissing the top of my head.
“I still want to do it,” I confess. “I want to keep poisoning you. I don’t want you to leave.”
“I know. It’s okay. You can still poison me if you need to, okay? I can take it.”
I sigh, half slumping against him, drinking in his delicious scent. I finally feel calm again. I could stay like this forever, but all of Fraternitas is watching us right now.
“Okay.” I lean back and push my hair out of my face. I feel like my whole world has tilted on its axis, but now it’s spinning smoothly. “Sorry. We can go back to your evil ceremony or whatever. I love all this by the way.” I wave a hand around the sanctuary. “Very Dante’s Inferno. Black is the new black, I think?—”
Kaiser grips my hand again, and I shut up.
“You ready?” he asks.
“Yes.”
The Devil clears his throat. “Usually, we hold a collaring ceremony at Club Empire first, and then there’s a sacrifice. But you, Belladonna Bosco, have already killed for Fraternitas.” He motions to the Giant’s body. “Your place among us is secure, if you wish it.”
“I do.” I take a deep breath so I really feel it. “I wish it.”
“Kaiser,” the Devil says, “do you vow to love and honor your elita? Will you care for her and keep her, cherishing her above others? Will you fight to protect her and put her safety before all else, even your own life?”
“I so vow.”
“Belladonna Bosco.”
“Present.” I wave a hand. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Elodie bite her lower lip to keep from laughing.
“Do you vow to submit to Kaiser and wear his collar as a sign of your loyalty and love? Will you honor and obey him and give yourself over to him in full and complete surrender?”
“I so vow.” My knees have started hurting because they’re pressed into the hard stone, but I embrace the discomfort. It makes me feel submissive.
Lucy rolls up. She now has a pillow in her lap, holding both the dagger and a silver collar.
Kaiser removes the black ribbon from around my neck and replaces it with the collar. The metal is cool to the touch, and I stroke it, enjoying its weight on my neck. There’s something comforting about being held like this. Forever. Maybe that’s why the submissives at Club Empire looked so peaceful.
Father Francis comes forward and starts intoning something solemn, speaking another language.
Kaiser leans in and whispers, “It’s Latin.”
