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"I didn't." He lowered himself to a knee, kneeling before me. "Guardians should control their urges, but it's a hard thing to learn. It's easier to torture the body until it gives in. The rings werenotmy decision. They were created by a man who loved pain more than pleasure, and he forced it onto those too powerless to stop him. So, without the rings, would you take the Path of Protection?"
"I'm not sure I'm strong enough. Physically, I mean. If someone tried to hurt my ward? What if I couldn't stop them? I like the idea of protecting myself, but not of being responsible for someone who is helpless without me."
"So, maybe the Path of Action?" he suggested.
"I prefer to do for myself, not for others. The pieces by themselves sound wonderful, but doing nothing but running around without ever getting to see the end result?"
His mouth was curling into a smile. "So shall it be Obligation?"
"No."
I didn't even get the chance to explain before a laugh burst from his lips. "And yet you are the best example of Obligation that I have ever met. Youserve, Nariana. You are always willing to face the uncomfortable tasks when it will help another you care about. Look at how you met that giant of a man?"
"Wraythe," I said softly. "I just - "
"Wanted to help," he finished for me. "Andthatis the Path of Obligation. But you also want more. So what will you pay for it? There's always a cost you know."
"What will you charge me?" I asked.
"I will give you everything you want, on one condition. You must walk away from the golden child and the giant, and never speak to them again."
I shook my head. "I'd rather walk the Path of Obligation."
"Mm. I can make that happen..."
"And if you do, then they will be bound together?" I lifted my chin. "You will keep them safe and allow them to be happy? You won't stop us from finding a way to make our strange family work?"
"Do you love them?" he asked.
I nodded. "Them, Amerlee, and Jamik. They're all I have left, Zeal. Everything else comes and goes, and it makes me feel like someone's garbage, to be discarded when I'm no longer useful enough. That's why I couldn't choose a Path, because I don't want to become useless to them too."
"You're not," he promised. "So, if I give you a Path that will keep you with your family, do you care what it is?"
"No. Not if I can not only be with them, but love them without needing to hide it, fight it, or fight for it." I licked at my lips nervously, and his eyes dropped to follow. "If you can do that, I will pay whatever price you ask."
"It is a heavy price, my Chosen."
Again, it felt like my heart stopped beating. "What does it mean to be your chosen?" I breathed.
"It means I chose you. It means you can see me. It also means I will use you and everyone around you. It means that you will surrender yourself to me, to be used however I want, and I will reward you in ways you cannot imagine."
"But will you break me to do it?" I asked.
"I certainly hope not. I chose you, Nariana, because while you know how to be meek, that does not mean you are."
I sucked in a breath, recognizing those words. "Did you give me Amerlee?"
He leaned a little closer. "I gave youallof them. So, do we have a deal?"
"I walk whichever Path you want, and you'll allow me to be happy with those I love as family?" I asked, making sure I understood.
"And that you will surrender to mecompletely."
"Then I agree, Zeal."
"Prove it," he said, surging forward.
His hand grabbed the back of my head. His mouth claimed mine. I tensed for a single breath, and then I did exactly as he wanted. I surrendered, parting my lips to give him access. The tongue of a god swept through my mouth, and the only way to describe it was divine. With each brush of our lips, he eased me back until I was leaning against the wall. His bare chest pressed into me. His naked hips brushed the insides of my exposed thighs, and I surrendered. I also didn't mind at all.
