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I feel every eye on me. But shame never comes.

There’s a crack in the old cage. A breath of air slipping through it. After years of being told to hide, to obey, to make myself smaller until I barely existed at all, kneeling naked before them feels like defiance. Relief.

I reach for Edwin’s hand and hold it in both of mine. When I look up at him, I force myself to speak from my chest.

What would all these powerful men want to hear?

“I’m yours, Edwin.”

I feel everything clinging to me at once. Their judgment. His claim. The weight of what I’ve done.

“I’m devoted to you. Yours to control.”

It’s all performance. Even if some strange connection to him takes root anyway.

My senses are thrown off. I think I hear voices, murmurs I can’t understand.

Edwin’s thumb brushes my cheek. Pride burns in his eyes. A darker edge lingers beneath it, promising little mercy for my limits.

He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a green ribbon that matches his cloak. Then he wraps it around my neck and ties it in a knot so tight it won’t come off without being cut.

A collar.

He gathers the white cloak and drapes it over me again, covering my body to block it from their view.

We move to stand beside Patrick and Bridget as Liam speaks.

“The Aspirants have committed themselves to the Serpentium Order and have proven their trust in our brothers. We will reconvene in one week’s time for The Breaking.”

I swallow down the lump that forms in my throat. I have a feeling Edwin won’t warn me about what’s meant to break me. After tonight, though, I foolishly think I can handle it.

The members disperse, masks turning away, footsteps fading into halls leading somewhere secret. The Connellys follow, leaving us alone in the firelit circle.

I can’t move, but Edwin doesn’t rush me. He relaxes his posture and lets the weight of the ceremony lift from both of us.

Then his hand closes around the back of my head.

“You…” he says, staring down at me like I’m both holy and profane. “You are fucking perfect.”

He pulls me in, and I don’t register what’s happening until I feel his lips against mine. The kiss breaks through the haze like heat through glass.

I kiss him back with a hunger that startles me, melting into him as his other hand slips under the cloak and around my waist. The touch sends a shiver up my spine, and all my senses narrow until there’s only this closeness. And this pull between my legs.

I handed this man my life. I gave him power over me that I never wanted to give away.

But in his hands, I’m not fragile. I’m something precious. He possesses the power to destroy me, yet would slaughter anyone else for trying.

When he finally pulls back, my fingers rise to the ribbon at my throat.

How will I explain this?

There’s no hiding it now. And Evelyn notices everything.

CHAPTER 24

ZAIYA

Dawn has just begun to pale over the river when I return to the Bolton house, shoes damp, dress smelling of smoke. Every breath feels stolen.