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“I have a confession, Summer. One last admission you need to hear before you do this.”
“Now?”
“Yes. Will you let me?”
I nodded, my voice soft, “Yes.”
“I lied to you, Summer. I may have paid money to own you, but it is you who own me. You’ve carved yourself into my heart, my soul. The day you came into my life was the day I was reborn. I live again, because of you. I would take a thousand brands, endure a thousand deaths, if it means sparing you any pain. Because if I can’t protect you, I will die again.”
His declaration hung heavy in the air, suffocating the silence that wrapped around us.
I could only stare into his eyes, even though I felt the pressure of a hundred eyes on us. Of Vashti salivating to brand one of us. Of Saul, so eager to control Rook.
I let it all fall away—the world around us—to touch Rook’s face, my heart burning for him. I stared into his eyes, feeling the weight of his confession press against my chest.
I saw everything in the look he gave me, the feel of his skin against mine. The vulnerability in his eyes.
A lump formed in my chest, and I hated everything about this.
But how could I let him take the branding for me?
Everyone in his life had betrayed him, and I couldn’t be the next person in line.
And yet, something loosened in my chest.
He hadn’t abandoned me.
My whole life I’d believed I was never good enough. That I had to do everything myself. Accepting his help had been devastating—to rely on someone whom I knew would one day walk away.
And yet, in that moment, I realized that our lives had become inextricably intertwined. He’d become my cornerstone, the unbreakable foundation that would cradle the storm of my heart—despite what he’d said.
“Please,” he whispered, his lips pressing against mine softly. “Let me do this. Let me protect you in ways I couldn't protect my Nana or my mother. I’m begging you.”
My heart broke at Rook’s plea.
At his need for redemption. At the vulnerability in his voice.
And he’d done it—in front of everyone.
For me.
This dark love we shared had swallowed us whole, and now there was no escaping. Holding back the sob that pressed from my chest up my throat, I nodded, kissing him back, my words against his lips, ““I’m so sorry. This is all my fault. If only I would’ve listened to you?—”
“I don’t care, but just… stay with me,” he interrupted me, his voice another plea. “Stay here while they do it?” He pulled back to stare intently into my eyes. “Be my rock.”
“Okay.” I nodded, swallowing the knot in my throat.
Suddenly, his eyes hardened and he took in a deep breath, pulling me to his lap, holding me tight as he announced loudly.
“I will take the branding. Do it quickly,” he commanded.
“There is a count to three,” Vashti challenged, “in honor of the goddess, lord, and spirit of all.”
An angry, stark look came over Rook’s face but he nodded, flexing his jaw. “Fine.”
“Three,” Vashti said and Rook growled.
“You said on the count of three.”
