“I understand that fully. It’s difficult coming to terms with life in general, but to have emotions changing you and everyone around you, it can’t be easy to admit.” Damien’s words settle my pulse, and I can breathe again.
“You know something brother,” Cassian adds, “nothing in life is easy, but we will always be here for you. No matter what.”
“I thought—”
“You’re still Finn. Your sexual orientation doesn’t change that,” Damien assures me, and he pushes to his feet, before pulling me into a hug. The anxiety and tension that had coiled in my gut eases and I can breathe again.
“Don’t ever feel like you can’t tell us anything,” Cassian says as he joins us, and that’s how the girls find us moments later. Hugging in the kitchen, while my eyes burn with salty emotion.
Initiation.
A fucking crowning ceremony.
All four men are here from Tynewood—Ares, Etienne, Philipe, and Tarian. They’re suited in black, with crisp white shirts and black ties. It’s as if we’re at a funeral. But this is my choice. I wanted to do it.
It’s quiet as we each pull the raven-hued capes over our suits, and the hoods over our heads. Silence hangs heavily around the dark cave-like structure that resides under the Thorne Haven cathedral. I’ve always seen the building, but never been inside.
Our family aren’t religious in any way, so growing up, we never attended mass, so I haven’t stepped foot inside, let alone beneath the church before. When my father made his way to the back of the grounds and took the small stone steps beneath the earth, I wasn’t sure where we were going.
But the carved-out cavern is enormous. There is a concrete table that has a crown engraved into it, while the chairs, which were taken from the church, surround the structure.
“It’s time,” my father murmurs, and two of the hooded figures I noticed when we walked in go around the space lighting candles. The circle is illuminated with a soft yellow glow.
The older gentleman, who came along with Ares, steps forward and sets a black leather doctor’s bag on the table. We watch as he removes the tattoo gun from the bag and sets it up.
I’ve never seen anything like it before.
“Sit,” he orders, his dark eyes on mine.
I don’t argue. Slipping into one of the chairs, he waits for me to shrug off my shirt, then goes to work on my left shoulder. The symbol of the Sovereign is a crown, and I know that it will be with me forever.
“You will be a Sovereign,” Ares says as the older man works. “This means you abide by the laws that rule us, and you do as we say.”
“The only way you leave us,” Philipe murmurs, then Etienne chimes in, “is in death.”
“Vow your allegiance,” Tarian commands. For a young guy, possibly in his early twenties, there’s a darkness in him. Tarian Calvert is the fourth of the Gilded Sovereign. While Etienne Durand is the third. They make up the head of the society in Tynewood. Thankfully, I like them all.
I don’t know what I would’ve done if they were bastards.
“I swear my allegiance.”
“And I swear mine,” Jarred suddenly says, stepping forward as he looks between us. “If he’s a Sovereign for life, I take my rightful place at the table.”
“Are you sure?” I ask, knowing this wasn’t something he wanted in the past.
He nods. “I do.” Then he looks at the men who hold the decision.
“Then we accept your choice,” Ares agrees. “They both join the Sovereign,” he announces. “Please, Jarred, vow your allegiance.”
“I swear my allegiance,” Jarred confirms confidently before he settles in beside me. And I know that no matter what happens, we will always be together.
From this day forward, I’ll have a connection to law enforcement, to politicians, to money that I couldn’t spend in my lifetime. The Society rules over the country, but also different countries around the world. We can go anywhere, do anything we want, and they’ll watch over us.
Yes, we may have to work on underhanded deals at times, but we knew that. The Gilded Sovereign have mostly cleaned up their act, but there are still times we’ll come face to face with criminals.
At first, I thought I couldn’t do it, but knowing that I’ll be free, be able to travel with my wife and partner, I know I’ve made the right choice. I never wanted to be a businessman. I wasn’t cut out for it, and this brings me the freedom I’ve always craved.
I smile as I take my oath.
One vow today, and another to take when I marry Zaria.
26
FINN
The living room is a flurry of activity as I walk in and find Nesrin and Damien with Marcia. Dad is at the bar, pouring himself a drink. With Jarred busy, I only have Zaria with me. The blue eyes of my eldest brother lock on mine and I know he knows about Nesrin’s father. The look he gives me is one of thanks, relief almost.