Page 272 of Blood of Hercules
I choked. “You’re delusional—I’d never choose you two... not in a m-million years. You trapped me.”
Kharon stiffened, jaw clenching beside us.
“That’s not true, Alexis,” Augustus said darkly, his nails digging harder into my lower back. The man had a thing for scratching me.
“It is. I’m positive,” I snarled. “Don’t touch me.”
I stepped away—Augustus grabbed my bicep and yanked me back between them.
“But you belong to us,” he said silkily. “You’ve shown it. Acta, non verba.”
Deeds, not words.
Trying to yank away, I snarled up at him, “In your dreams. I haven’t shown you anything.”
“Oh, Alexis, you don’t want to know the wicked things I dream about—don’t test me,” Augustus whispered ominously. “Not here, not now—you won’t like the result.”
I scoffed in his face. If he attacked, I’d kill him with my blood powers.
Great, I’m embracing murder.
The officiant cleared her throat, and the three of us looked up with annoyance.
Augustus dropped my arm.
She gaped, scroll trembling in her hands.
“Oh my,” she said, blinking rapidly. “This union is definitely going to be—intense. Better get on with it before...” She trailed off.
Before what?
Her violet eyes started to glow an electric shade of blue.
“We’re here today,” she bellowed, her voice three octaves too deep to be natural, “to witness the most sacred Spartan oath, which will unequivocally chain these three souls together... for all of immortality!”
A trickle of fear skittered down my spine.
Not unite.
Not tie.
Chain.
I’m only standing here because they didn’t want to do this with an Olympian.
Her head snapped forward. “Look into one another’s eyes,” she commanded.
Augustus and Kharon shifted in front—I reluctantly looked up.
Glacial blue.
Soulless black.
“Now repeat after me!” The officiant’s voice was muffled, like we were all deep underwater, drowning.
“Omnia causa fiunt. Vi et animo. Sic itur ad astra.”
My lips were numb.
