AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“What—”
“Place a drop of your blood next to your signature.”
Sylvia looked back at the book, now aware that what she’d assumed were smudges on the paper were, in fact, drops of blood.
She squeezed her finger, letting the blood well.
“Last chance to back out,” Eric warned her, voice as serious as it had ever been. “Membership is for life, and breaking our rules, disobeying our laws, disobeying me, can cost you your life. I’d feel bad, but if you betray us, I will not hesitate.”
She’d known this was serious, known it would be life changing, but had she really thought it through? Was she willing to change her life for these men?
No. She wasn’t. But she was willing to change her life to be part of something bigger than herself. She was willing to change her life, to sign in blood, for the chance at a life and happiness she’d never even known was possible before them.
She pressed her bloody finger to the paper beside her name.
Once again, the fleet admiral bade her to repeat after him in Latin, feeding her the words one at a time.
Cum sanguinis mei, et cor meum recipienti pignori obligo animam meam.
Once she’d finished, Hugo translated for her. “With my blood, I pledge my heart and my life.”
She curled her left hand into a fist, pressing the sore tip of her finger to her palm.
“Sylvia Hayden, you have promised your life to the Masters’ Admiralty. As Caesar, I welcome you, and bid you to go forth.” Eric stretched his hand out, and she offered her cast-covered one to him. He chuckled as he gently grasped her right wrist. She was probably supposed to grasp his in that warrior handshake she’d seen in movies, but she couldn’t quite manage it.
Lancelot reached for her, kissing her cheek as he gave her a warm embrace. Hugo stepped behind her, his arms sliding around her and Lancelot to join the hug. Sylvia closed her eyes when they filled with tears. Happy tears. It felt as if every step she’d taken in life had been leading her here, to this moment, to them.
Eric cleared his throat when the embrace lingered. “That was part one. Part two, time for you to get married. The three of you stand here.”
Sylvia sighed, not bothering to hide her disappointment.
“What?” Eric barked.
“I always thought…” Sylvia shook her head, feeling…well, homesick.
“We can plan the wedding of your dreams, complete with all the bells and whistles and…your family.” Hugo understood, as he always did, where her thoughts had traveled. Of course, as his words faded, she could tell he was starting to recall exactly what that would entail.
“All three of my big brothers?” she teased.
“If we must. We’ll give you whatever your heart desires,” Hugo promised. “Just as soon as…”
He didn’t fill in the words, clearly not wanting to admit what came next. Lancelot would be leaving them, returning to serve his admiral, while she and Hugo would remain here, waiting for a bomb to drop on their heads from a faceless enemy.
Sylvia shook all those thoughts away. They had no place here. “This ceremony is all I need. I’m here with the two of you…so it’s perfect.”
“If you’re ready,” Eric said, gesturing to Lancelot, who reached his hand out. Hugo gently lifted Sylvia’s cast, placed it on Lancelot’s hand, her bouquet in her good hand, and then he added his.
“I hereby bind you, Lancelot Knight of England, Hugo Marchand of France, and Sylvia Hayden of,” he paused, and she could see how much he enjoyed saying, “the United States, in marriage.”
Sylvia rolled her eyes when the fleet admiral winked at her. The competitive man was far too pleased to have stolen her away from the Trinity Masters.
“Your union will serve to better and protect the people of our proud and ancient society. It is your duty to love, protect, and keep your spouses. I will hear your pledge to not only keep and protect one another, but to strive to better our world.”
Sylvia hadn’t considered their vows. She’d always imagined she’d write her own, speaking them to her future husband—singular—in a church, surrounded by family and friends. “I didn’t have time to write anything,” she whispered, hating to admit that the poet, the woman who made a living with her words, had nothing prepared.
Hugo subtly shook his head, closing his hand over her cast briefly before releasing it and kneeling before her and Lancelot. “I pledge on my honor, and as your spouse, to love, protect, and keep you, all of your days.”
Lancelot knelt next, repeating the same words.
