AllFreeNovel
Share Us
"How does it feel, my king?" she asks, amusement sparking in her eyes as she notices everyone watching me.
"It feels… bizarre. How is this my life?"
"No idea. I've been asking myself something similar for a few months."
Phillip taps his knife against his glass, cutting off my response. I hate talking about what's passed. I know that Mia still struggles with it, but no matter what, everything we've been through has made us who we are now, and I can't really speak for myself, but Mia is fucking incredible. She still amazes me every day, and I know that isn't going to cease any time soon.
"Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to tonight's Coglio ceremony. Today marks the dawn of a new era for Gravestone. Not only are we celebrating the love and union of two of our own, but we're also celebrating Bexley Easton taking his seat at the Quinctus table, and my very own Sasha is soon to become our first female Electi."
A few gasps and murmurs sound out around the room from those who haven't already heard the gossip.
"I'm sure many of you will agree that it was time to update some of our traditions and rituals, but don't worry—everything you love about our incredible town will not change. Starting with tonight's meal. So please, sit back and enjoy while we celebrate a new dawn."
"Wow," Mia whispers as the room erupts into applause. "He almost sounded like he believed that."
"Part of him does. He wanted change, unlike Gregory."
"Maybe, but I'm pretty sure we're pushing harder than he expected."
"Fuck it. This town is our future now. He's had his time."
Waiters emerge from the doors around the room, carrying huge silver trays as they start delivering the first of tonight's courses.
As always, the food is incredible, and for the first time ever, I'm actually able to stomach it and enjoy it. Even Mia clears her plate, which is something I've never seen at one of these ceremonies, I guess the threat of having everything you touch spiked with something can do that.
Despite the fact that I know what's about to happen, I can't help the nerves that race through me as we make our way down to the sanctuary once the meal is over, Quinctus before us and the Electi behind.
I wanted to have this ceremony elsewhere, but Phillip drew the line there. This is where the Eligere and the Coglio have been held for generations, and apparently that wasn't changing yet.
The room is decorated just like it was the last time we were here for this ceremony, only unlike that night, I don't find a seat with the others, but I stand at the front with my girl and listen to the same speech from Phillip as I did that night.
Most of it passes me by—my Latin is still pretty shit despite the fact that I'm expected to learn it, but more than that, I find I'm too lost in Mia's sparkling eyes to even register that we're not in the room alone.
She stares at me with such happiness on her face that it damn near brings me to my knees.Only a few months ago, I never would have thought that I'd be standing here promising to spend my life with a woman, but right now I couldn't imagine anything else.
This is it for me. Mia and Gravestone.
Who'd have thought that Sterling Bay Prep's star quarterback would have ended up with this life? Not me, that's for sure.
Phillip turns away from us to grab something, and I watch as Mia stiffens. She thinks she's about to be branded again, chewing on her bottom lip nervously before Phillip turns back to us with a black box in his hand.
"W-what's that?" Mia whispers.
"We're changing things up a little," I confess.
"No brand?"
"Yes and no."
She narrows her eyes at me before Phillip starts talking again.
"Mia and Bexley. Ubi concordia, ibi victoria." He lifts the lid of the box and Mia gasps when she sees two rings sitting on the cushion.
"Eternity rings," I tell her. "We'll just do things a little backward."
"Sounds perfect for us," she laughs as I pick up her diamond-encrusted band and hold it out for her.
I slide it up her finger just like I did with her engagement ring down by the lake a month ago, and just like that day, her hand trembles in mine before she turns to Phillip and takes my ring from him, repeating my actions.
