Page 104 of The Devil's Chaos

It was a beautiful dream, one I clung to as dawn crept ever closer, heralding the arrival of a day that would change everything. The Ceremony awaited, and with it, the chance to claim the life we both so desperately desired.

Our forever.

46

FORTY-SIX

HAVEN

The night of The Ceremony was here.

Kai shared with me the Brotherhood's background and the hierarchy of which he was a part of. It’s not like I didn’t understand his duties and responsibilities as someone who was also raised in a criminal organization. But understanding what was expected of him didn’t make it easier to watch him pace anxiously as he prepared for the ritual that would cement his position in The Brotherhood’s inner circle. The Hunt was designed to reward the younger members before they inherited their respective thrones—it also served as a way for them to find a suitable wife. Archer met Mila while they both attended St. Mary’s, and he completed the ceremony with her because he knew that was what was required by their fathers: not only to protect her, but also to solidify his bond with her. It was the only way she would be accepted.

Now, the burden fell on me.

The Ceremony involved having sex in front of masked and robed senior members, including Theo, who was obliged to participate, unlike Archer due to his blood bond with Mila. Kai had explained that we would exchange a blood vow andthen have sex with Theo in front of everyone to complete The Ceremony. I knew Kai had no choice. This path had been laid out for him since birth, a destiny he could not escape.

Same as mine.

I could see the turmoil in his eyes and the conflict that raged within him. He didn’t want to do this, to subject me to The Brotherhood’s twisted games, but he didn’t realize that I would do anything for him, even if that meant being with Theo to secure my place by his side. He finally stopped pacing and turned to face me.

“Haven, you don’t have to do this. I can’t ask this of you.”

I stepped closer. “You’re not asking. I know what this means for you. For us. I’m willing to do whatever it takes to be a part of your future. I don’t care what a bunch of old dudes think about me. I care what you think about me. I made my decision long ago. From the moment I walked away from you, I knew you were my home.”

Kai's eyes softened as he pulled me into his arms. “I love you, Haven. More than anything. I just hate that you have to go through this because of me, because of who I am.”

I reached up to caress his face. “I love every part of you, Kai. The good and the bad. The light and the dark. I'm not afraid of your world or what I have to do to be in it. As long as we're together, that's all that matters.”

“Let's show them that nothing can break us apart.”

I was forbidden from seeing Kai until the ritual started. Archer and Theo were tasked with walking me to where The Ceremony would be held in the mausoleum on the grounds. Mila had been the first Chosen in several years to be considered for The Ceremony, and I was the second. I knew being chosen was a great honor. I just hoped I was deserving of the title.

Mila wasn’t allowed to be present during the ceremony, but she helped me get ready. A beautiful white dress was hung inmy closet, accompanied by a shimmering veil that I would wear until it was time to remove it in front of Kai.

“You look stunning, Haven,” Mila exclaimed with a smile.

Her sincerity always touched me deeply, and I don’t think she even realized how much I treasured it. My whole life, I was under the control of someone else. Someone else made decisions for me. But today, I was making a decision for myself. The only thing that mattered was Kai and me and the loyalty and bond we were creating together with Archer, Mila, and soon, Theo. Everything else was just background noise.

“How did you get through The Ceremony?” I asked her as she curled my hair.

Mila’s expression turned pensive as she recalled her own experience. “It wasn’t easy. The idea of being intimate with Theo and Kai, especially in front of others, in front of Archer, was difficult. Kai told me you saw a video of it. Haven, I’m so sorry.”

“Don’t be. You did what was expected of you. I’m the last person to judge anyone for that.”

“I promise it was nothing more than the requirement of The Ceremony. And they all would have stood up to their fathers if I had told them I didn’t want to do it.”

“So, why did you?”

“The same reason you are, I imagine.”

I understood her completely. We were both doing this out of love and loyalty to the men we had chosen.

“I focused on Archer,” Mila continued, her voice soft with remembered emotion. “On his eyes, on the connection between us. It helped me get through the rest. Afterward, he held me tight and reassured me of his love. That’s what matters most, Haven. The love you and Kai share will carry through this.”

“What if he changes his mind?”

“Who? Kai?”

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