Page 40 of Hearts Held
Everett leaves my side and joins the middle of the circle near the crackling fire. The flames dance as Everett calls for everyone’s attention.
“We are gathered here today to celebrate the dedication of our brother Douglas! He has chosen to unite with our family. He has run countless shipments for us, fought off our enemies in the war and at homewithin Lockham. Tonight, we solidify his testament to our family and bring him into the Adder brotherhood. Douglas, will you please come and present the arm you’d like to have marked?” After Everett states this, Douglas proudly walks forward, rolling up his sleeve and bearing his left forearm.
“Repeat after me,” Everett bellows.
And the ceremony begins.
“I vow to uphold my duties to my brothers.”
I vow to uphold my duties to my brothers.
“I vow loyalty.”
I vow loyalty.
“I vow resilience.”
I vow resilience.
“I vow malice and protection when my brothers require.”
I vow malice and protection when my brothers require.
“I vow death before dishonor.”
With that, everyone repeats in unison,Death before dishonor.
Chills run down my spine as the hairs on the back of my neckstand up.
Everett approaches Douglas with a fire iron that holds the Adder insignia. He lowers the red-hot instrument onto Douglas’s forearm, the sizzling flesh steaming as Douglas bites his lower lip, stifling any sound. It makes my scar throb, though as I observe the ritual I find Douglas has a small smile peeking out from his features, his pride as palpable as a pulse.
I was wrong. This isn’t marking cattle; this is something more. Something I haven’t had the privilege of seeing, other than when my brother was alive—a sense of family, a sense of belonging.
After the ceremony, Everett and I share a long drive in his motorcar.
“Was it what you expected? The branding?” he asks in a matter-of-fact manner.
I look up to find his elbow leaning on the door, his hand perched on his temple as he stares out the window. His haunting amber eyes reflect in the windowpane.
“It wasn’t,” I reply. “I was wrong. This is something entirely different from what I gathered from the assumptions in my head. I’m sorry.”
He continues to look out the window. A long pause of silence envelopes the vehicle, and I wish I could reach inside his mind to find what he’s contemplating.
After three heartbeats, I muster the courage to release some information about my life.
“At first, I was against your ritual because a previous partner branded me. Everything was about control. He explained that he wanted me to live with my scars, so every day, for the rest of my life, when I peered down upon them, I would always be reminded of him. I wish I could have new skin, scrub it clean and erase all memories of the past.” I stop before I begin to tell too much, before I state anything that could damn me, have him deem me unfit, unworthy. My mind begins to spiral as I long to take back the words I just spat out. Fuck. I said too much. I shouldn’t have opened up.
All at once, my mind ceases to race and I feel something touch me. My hand, resting within the space between us, is now accompanied by Everett’s hand. Ever so gently, he rests his hand close to mine, grasping my middle and index fingers with three of his digits. Peering up at him, I find he is still staring out the window, seeming to contemplate heavy thoughts.
His small gesture brings a smile to my face. Subtle, yet comforting. As we pull up to my townhome, I find Everett rushing to open my door. “Can’t wait to get rid of me, yeah?” I try to posit my statement jokingly but end up hurting my own feelings, anxiously wondering if that is exactly what he wants to do.
His amber eyes narrow. “Don’t do that. From this day forth, you don’t diminish yourself. Why on Earth would I want to get rid of you when I just found you?” His tone sends a chill down my spine.
“All right then,” I reply sheepishly.
Then he states, “Besides, I have a gift waiting inside.”
My facial features contort in a suspicious fashion. “Excuse me?”
