Page 127 of Lost Paradise

Eve remains still, as she closes her eyes, absorbing the significance of each mark. We finish and the soot dries into a delicate pattern that blends her essence with ours, binding us together in this sacred ritual.

We step back, admiring our handiwork and the transformation of Eve into a warrior marked by devotion.

After a moment, Eve opens her eyes, taking in the marks we've made.

I watch as Jack goes over to where he dropped his trousers earlier and returns with something in his hands. It's an intricate shell necklace crafted with care and precision. Each shell, varying in shades of white, pink, and soft blue, is perfectly aligned, creating a mesmerizing pattern that shimmers in the lagoon's sunlight.

Jack approaches Eve and gently places the necklace around her neck. The shells contrast beautifully against her pale skin, enhancing her delicate features and adding a touch of ethereal elegance.

“So that’s why you have been so fixated on finding seashells all the time,” she says, and he looks surprised.

“You noticed me doing that?”

She chuckles, “You’re not the only voyeur on the island.”

He looks at Eve with a mixture of pride and affection. I think she’s just made his year with that statement.

“I was searching for the perfect ones just for you.” He says.

“Thank you, I love it,” she says, looking at him and then at us.

Byron then steps forward, holding a crown of exotic flowers that he, Astro, Zane, and I collected earlier. The crown is a vibrant array of colors—deep reds, bright yellows, fuchsias, and lush greens, interwoven to create a masterpiece.

He places it carefully on Eve's head. “For oursavage queen. We pledge our unrestricted devotion to you," Byron says, his voice solidand sincere. "This devotion goes beyond this island. Wherever you go, you take our hearts and souls with you. Nothing and no one can break that bond."

Astro, Zane, Jack and I nod in agreement, our expressions mirroring the solemnity of Byron's words. We mean every syllable. This bond we have formed is unbreakable.

A single tear escapes Eve's eye, but before it can travel far, Byron gently wipes it away with his thumb. The moment is intimate and tender, solidifying our collective promise to stand by her side, no matter what the future holds.

With a serene smile, she reaches for the bowl of soot. "Now, let me mark each of you," she says, slipping back into the water.

She moves gracefully and deliberately, dipping her fingers into the soot and approaches me first. With a gentle touch, she draws a line down my cheek, mirroring the strength I marked on her.

Next, she turns to Astro, tracing a delicate spiral on his forehead, echoing the eternal connection he symbolized. She approaches Byron, marking a series of five dots along his chest, signifying the unity and protection he bestowed upon her. Then she goes to Jack, dipping her fingers into the bowl and traces a triangle on his chin that resonates the wisdom and stability he sanctified her with.

Finally, she approaches Zane, drawing a crescent moon on his arm, reflecting the guidance and intuition he symbolized.

As she completes each mark, we feel the significance of the ritual deepening.

“My fivesavage knights, marked by fire and ash, bound by ritual and trust, you've etched upon me the essence of our unity. In return, I carry each of you within me, marked not just in flesh but in spirit. Together, we face whatever lies ahead, guided by the bonds we've forged here in this sacred place.”

The lagoon's surface reflects our images, now unified and adorned with the marks of our shared bond. We stand together, warriors marked by devotion, connected by the sacred symbols that now adorn our skin.

Chapter 39

“Well, that was intense,”Zane breaks the silence, his voice cutting through the quiet reverence that had settled over the group.

Eve flashes the sexiest, most mischievous smile. "Intense like the jungle heat or intense like Foster's concentration?" she teases, her tone lightening the mood instantly. Her quick wit never fails to charm us all.

I can't help but chuckle at her remark, feeling a warmth spread through me at her playful spirit. She's truly one of a kind.

In a playful attempt to catch her, I reach out as she slips into the cool water of the lagoon. But Eve is too quick for me. She swims effortlessly towards the deeper end, laughter trailing behind her like ripples on the water.

The rest of the group, sensing the fun, join in the chase. We splash through the clear blue water, our laughter mingling with the sounds of the jungle and the waterfall. Eve's giggles echo around us, a joyous symphony that lifts our spirits.

Despite our best efforts, Eve eludes us with ease. With a triumphant laugh, she scrambles out of the water near the base of the waterfall. Her eyes sparkle playfully as she glances back at us before disappearing behind the curtain of cascading water.

“Where do you think you’re going, Wildcat?” Jack shouts out.

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