Page 96 of A Rift in the House of Bruin

“On the contrary,” Johan purred. “She has everything to do with this. You see, I’ve learned a thing or two now that the Sigil has passed down every secret the kings of old kept from us. Have you ever heard of the blood rite? Our ancestors knew how dangerous a true fated pair could be and in their infinite wisdom, they found a way to break them.”

He turned me in his grip, pressing his palm flat to my stomach “It’s quite the ceremony. Vows. Blood. A binding of souls across eternity. And in her case,”—he stroked my arm in mock tenderness—“a cleansing of all those inconvenient bonds. Every Bruin claim to this pivotal human, shattered. All it takes is a vow and her blood mingled with mine.”

“You wouldn’t,” Nico snarled. “You can’t bind someone against their will.”

“Oh, but she’ll agree,” Johan said softly. “Because if she doesn’t, I’ll use the power of the Bloodstone Sigil to gut every lastone of your brothers in front of you, one by one. If she agrees, I’ll let them live. Banished, yes—but alive. Isn’t that what you want, my dear?”

My breath caught in my throat. I looked to Nico, whose eyes were wild with helpless rage.

“He’s lying,” I said. “The Sigil has rejected him. He cannot wear it for long. I saw his hand.” I seethed.

“A minor detail my sages are working on. Much has happened since the founding houses forged the stone. It’s about time for an upgrade. Once they’re done, you’ll reign beside the most powerful king in the history of Hiraeth. Now, my dear, what is your answer? Life…or death?”

I bit down until I tasted blood behind my teeth. I had a choice to make, but there was no choice in it at all.

“I’ll do it,” I whispered. “I’ll say the vows.”

“No,” Nico said. “Michaela, don’t?—”

“I have to.” My voice cracked. “I won’t let him kill you.”

Johan grinned. “Excellent.”

He began reciting the old vows, ancient words I couldn’t understand. I simply repeated them through clenched teeth, each word a blade to my soul. I may have been sealing my fate with Johan, but in my heart, the words were meant for Nico. My gaze never left his.

When the last vow left my lips, Johan grabbed my wrist, holding it high. With a swift motion, he drew a small dagger across my palm. My blood poured hot down my hand, running over his fingers before spilling onto the Sigil. The moment it touched the stone it began to hiss.

He dropped my hand like a hot coal, a scream bellowing up from his gut as his ringed hand trembled. I stumbled backward and watched in horror as the skin around the Sigil began to melt from his hand.

Crack!

The sound cut through Johan’s screaming. A jagged split tore through the ring. Light burst from within like a star collapsing. Johan fell to his knees, staring at his ruined hand.

“No! It’s not possible. What have you done?” He turned toward me, accusations burning in his feral eyes.

With a roar, Nico lunged forward, his blade drove into Johan’s ribs. “This is for my father,” he growled. Johan’s eyes widened, his hands clutching the hilt as blood spilled from his lips. Nico drove the blade up through his chest. “And that is for thinking you could claim her for yourself.”

Johan choked on his own blood, reaching for the shattered ring as the color drained from his face. He slumped forward, his body collapsing against Nico. With his last breath, the remnants of the ring shattered completely, fragments of the Sigil scattered across the marble.

The others crashed through the door, sliding to a stop as they took in the scene. Johan’s eyes had gone vacant. For a moment, there was silence—stunned, aching silence. The sons of Artos absorbing the vengeance they so justly deserved. My eyes caught shadows looming behind the throne, a flicker of soft, blue light. I swore I saw Gunner and Jase watching over the scene. An eye for an eye had finally been settled. The balance had been restored. Before I could make sense of it, the light ghosted away, leaving nothing but shadows.

Nico turned, his storm-dark eyes softening. We had won. The kingdom was his again.

“I knew you could do it on your own,” Luca boomed, breaking the somber mood in the room, a wide grin cutting across his face.

I rushed into Nico’s arms, holding him, feeling his solid weight against me. He was alive. His arms wrapped around me, strong and sure.

“You came back,” he whispered.

“Of course I did.” My fingers curled into his hair, my voice breaking. “I’m never leaving you.”

He cupped my cheek, his thumb brushing away a tear. His gaze was fierce, full of something I had no name for, something vast and unbreakable.

Then he staggered backward, breaking away from me.

“Nico?” I caught him as his body wavered, his face paling as his strength gave out. His breath came in ragged gasps, and his skin burned under my touch.

He sank to his knees, taking me with him, his grip tightening as if he could hold on to me through sheer will alone.

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