The sun was setting, filling the horizon with a bright orange. It was as if the whole world was burning around them, and Adria stood in the center of it all. Their light in the darkness.
She glided over to the three of them, her face a mask of perfection.
She placed a finger under Seth’s chin, tilting him to gaze into her eyes, before planting a kiss on his lips. Silently she moved to Kaydon, who wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her into an embrace as the two of them kissed.
When she stood in front of Bryson, he gave her a smirk. “Here we are, gorgeous.”
She met his energy. “Here we are, handsome. Why am I not surprised that you three got your way?”
He feigned hurt, and she gave him a wink before leaning in to kiss him. Her lips grazed his before her mouth opened andBryson tasted her. Sucking on her bottom lip, Bryson pulled it into his mouth, giving it a soft bite, before letting her go.
She just stared at him. Those green eyes reaching in deeper than anyone ever had. “You ready for this?”
“For you, always,” he said without hesitation.
Kaydon unbuttoned and removed his shirt first. Kneeling in front of the firelight, Bryson couldn’t tear his eyes away from his broad frame, taking up the space.
Adria approached him, and Kaydon clasped his hands behind his back.
“Kaydon Baciu, this brand is permanent. It marks a lifelong commitment. If you choose to proceed, the Triune will bear witness to your acceptance. Are you of sound mind—and acting of your own free will?”
Kaydon’s voice was deep when he answered. “I am.”
Bryson remembered when Kaydon had taken his brand. At the time, Kaydon was meant to be Luca’s Right Hand.
It had been Luca and their father standing near the fire, and there was little to no ceremony.
“This brand means more to me than a commitment,” Adria said, and Bryson didn’t miss the fact that her voice shook. “There are very few people that I allow into my life. This brand is a symbol not only of our connection but of the depths of our bonds.”
She took in a breath. “If the pools are a symbol of rebirth, then the brand is a symbol of certainty. It’s the solid ground beneath our feet when the world is falling apart. It’s the knowledge that no matter what, we have each other’s back. No other pact can or will ever equal what a brand means within the Nine. Or to me. More than a lifelong commitment, it’s a family. We are family.”
Eric pulled the hot iron out of the fire and handed it to Adria. Elena moved and gave Kaydon a belt to bite down on. Adria pulled back on the iron.
“I love you,” she said as the iron pressed into Kaydon’s skin.
The sound Kaydon made, despite his obvious attempts to stifle his scream, caused a sweat to break out on Bryson’s skin.
He glanced over and saw that Seth had squeezed his eyes shut.
The smell of burned flesh surrounded the room, and Eric helped Kaydon to the side. He was awake, but Bryson could tell he was barely conscious.
Please do not faint.
Seth started to move, but Bryson put out a hand. Tangling his fingers into Seth’s, Bryson gave his hand a squeeze before letting him go.
Seth’s branding ceremony was different. Bryson remembered it well. Bryson had sat right next to him, running his hands through his hair, and Kaydon had given him the brand, as his father couldn’t be bothered to be a part of that one.
Adria whispered something to Seth, and Bryson watched as Seth nodded.
She gave a similar speech as with Kaydon.
“The broken parts of ourselves are made whole by the choices we make,” Adria finished.
The belt was presented to Seth, and the brand handed to Adria.
Bryson’s heart squeezed as Seth’s entire body tensed when the hot iron touched his skin. Bryson’s hands flexed at his sides, wanting to run his fingers through Seth’s hair.
But in an instant, Adria was there, whispering words of encouragement to Seth, as he sagged in front of her.
