Page 164 of Master of My Life

first night as man and wife, but when The Brotherhood controlled your life, there wasn’t much of a

choice. At least they’d get to be together in private. Anna had told her she and Alex had to

consummate their marriage in front of the German Elders. Sabrina was thankful that each country got

to make its own rules. The Germans seemed strict about a lot of things.

Richard and Tom waited on the front steps as the limo pulled to a stop. Patrick, the Manor

steward, opened the limo door and Ethan and Lance hopped out to look around before allowing Chase

and Sabrina to exit.

Sabrina gathered her skirts as they walked up the steps toward Richard and Tom.

“How are you doing?” Richard asked, looking between the two of them.

“Ready to . . . proceed,” Chase said with a low laugh.

Richard patted him on the back. “Soon, son.”

The group went into the building and Richard took Sabrina upstairs to the room she’d waited in

before the Gathering, with Ethan following behind. Tom had taken Chase to his bedroom.

“Tabitha, one of my girls, will be here in a few minutes to help you get ready,” Richard explained.

He kissed her on the cheek and then looked at Ethan. “Then bring her down to the Elder Room.”

“Will do, sir,” Ethan said with a nod.

Richard left and Sabrina sat down on the bed. “Elder Room?” she asked.

“It’s a smaller room where the Elders can have meetings.” Ethan settled into a chair near the

window. He tilted his head. “Are you scared?”

“A little. Well, I guess more nervous than scared.”

He gave her a reassuring smile. “As I understand it, the ceremony isn’t too bad. Not long. You

have to answer some questions and make more solemn vows.”

“More than the vows at the church?” Sabrina asked, amazed.

Ethan chuckled. “You know how the Elders are. Everything is serious. Besides, those church

vows can be broken. The Brotherhood vows can’t. You’re stuck with Chase after those whether you

want to be or not.”

No divorce was allowed in The Brotherhood. Ever. Marriage was a bond for life. Until death.

Sabrina wondered why they took marriage so seriously. Not that she thought it should be

otherwise, but those outside The Brotherhood didn’t. She supposed marriage used to be taken more

seriously than it was presently. Sometimes, it wasn’t such a bad thing to be old-fashioned.

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