Richard clasped his hands together. “It’s an ancient ritual, one that isn’t used often.” He chuckled.
“We’ve been doing that a lot lately, haven’t we?”
“Ancient evil calls for an ancient defense,” Theo said.
Richard smiled. “It would be a bonding between Ethan and Sabrina. He would become her
bonded guardian.”
“I already guard her,” Ethan said.
“This is more. This is a solemn vow you would take to bond yourself to her and Chase for the rest
of your life. Your life would no longer belong to you.”
“It is similar to the marriage bond,” Theo said. “Which is why it is powerful. A guardian is
bonded to the Elder or Elder-Son in this case. He in turn bonds you to his wife as a protector.”
Theo looked at Chase with raised eyebrows. What do you think about this idea?
Chase studied Ethan closely. He was so eager to make up for what happened, but could he ask his
friend to give up everything for him? Especially after his struggles to keep himself emotionally
separated from the two of them. “Ethan, I can’t ask you—” Ethan’s face fell and Chase regretted his
words. “No, Ethan, that’s not what I meant.”
Ethan stared at him for a long moment and stood and left the room.
Chase hung his head.
“Do you have reservations in asking Ethan to step into a similar role as your own?” Richard
asked. “He would essentially be Sabrina’s second husband, except that his bond is to you first and her
second. But he would have the same authority over her, only deferring to you in respect to her.”
Chase stared at the empty doorway. He trusted Ethan implicitly. He knew his friend loved Sabrina
as much as he did.
“Would you be jealous?” Theo asked.
It was a good question, a valid question. Was he jealous of the possibility of Ethan and Sabrina
together? A thrill ran through his body. The thought of the two people he loved together . . . Chase ran
his hands through his hair. Theo gave him a knowing smile. “Maybe this was meant to be,” Chase said
in a wry voice.
Richard chuckled. “You did have reservations about your unusual desires before you got married.
Perhaps this is the answer.”
“We’ve been . . . He’s been struggling to keep his emotions at bay.” He looked up at Richard.