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My whole body was tense—Fallon was likely the only thing holding me upright. My mouth was dry but sweat poured down my temples and trickled in between my breasts.
Then, a rustling of movement. Whispering. Some gasps of surprise.
Once more, the crowd seemed to part. I could feel the empty space behind me, and the lone sound of footsteps as a hush fell over the crowd.
Then there was a voice. A strong voice, one that sent me to my knees.
“I will take her place.”
Rook’s voice.
Ohmygod. He was alive.
And he was here.
For me.
He hadn’t abandoned me.
“No,” I cried out, knowing what this would mean to him. He wanted out of the Magnolia. Was only in it for the revenge. Hadn’t even done anything stupid like me and my father, and gotten himself indebted.
If he did this, he could never leave.
“No,” I repeated myself, turning to see him. He was wearing suit pants, bare feet and chested, with a mask. But, instead of a wolf one, as I expected, he was wearing stag horns. Ones that matched mine exactly.
A statement of solidarity. Of oneness between us.
“You can’t,” I struggled to stand, suddenly exhausted, but forced myself to my feet. Ignoring him, I faced the priestess, my voice strong and unwavering. “I will take the brand.”
“Summer,” Rook growled. His voice low, dark, and dangerous. The sound of a man determined to have his way.
I shook my head, still meeting Vashti’s eyes. “It’s my honorable amends. I will take it.”
I stepped forward but Rook’s hand on my arm gripped me tight, yanking me behind him protectively. He slowly knelt, taking a deep breath, his face tilting upward.
His movements calm and composed. Controlled.
“She is mine. I will bear her burden.”
“It is my choice, and I choose to take the branding,” I argued.
Another figure parted from the crowd—gold demon horns glinting in the darkness. A snake-like smile curling the edges of his lips, Saul’s cold blue eyes took in the scene.
Rook on his knees. Protecting me. Offering himself up to the Magnolia.
“No,” Saul said, coming to stand next to Vashti. “This is my contract, and so I will make the final decision.” He stared down his nose at us. “And I choose Rook. This is his destiny. Has always been, since the birth of Summer Duvall, to bring him to the arms of the Magnolia.”
“She has the right to choose,” Vashti argued, and her word seemed to hold weight. “This is bigger than you, including your destiny, the goddess has declared it.”
“I choose me—” Trying to pull away from Rook, I stepped in front of him, my voice faltering as a firm hand seized my hips. Pulling me to him, I fell to his chest, his arms enveloping me tight.
“I made a blood oath to your father to keep you safe,” he growled in my ear, “and I will fulfill it at any cost, even if it means giving up myself."
“I can’t let you do this,” I disagreed. “I can’t…” My heart was breaking. I wouldn’t let Rook take the fall—not for me.
“Make your choice,” Vashti said.
My chest expanded with short, fearful breaths, my heart pounding so loud in my chest, but just as I was about to confirm that I would take the branding, Rook interrupted me, pulling my face towards him, forcing me to stare into his eyes.
