Page 95 of Soul Redeemed

“As the eldest son of Wrath, I vow our loyalty and protection to you, Ava.” Gavin spoke a demonic chant, an offer of wisdom and foresight, then kissed the back of her hand.

Ferno stepped forward, and like Gavin, spoke the demon words of hellsfire and protection.

Each of Calix’s brothers approached, offering a promise of what she determined was their brand of pain—the element each used to exact vengeance. A proclamation of their loyalty that cast ripples of humility down her spine, but not because she wasn’t appreciative. On the contrary, Ava thought herself unworthy of such sincerity and devotion.

As if she’d somehow deceived them into thinking she was something special.

After each of the brothers had shown their respect, Calix ultimately knelt before her and held her hand in his. “As your servosx, I vow to love and protect you. To honor you, serve you, and pleasure you for eternity. You will never know hunger, or loneliness, pain, or sadness, as long as I live and breathe. You are my tazschla from now until absolute death.”

Through a blur of tears, Ava smiled down at him and shook her head. “Even in death.”

His jaw tightened, and Calix rose, his lips crashing against hers with urgency, as if the moment would somehow slip away from him.

Over the clapping, an obnoxious whistling had Ava peeling her face from Calix’s. Zeke stood with his fingers tucked inside his lips, and another whistle had her laughing. The only time in the ceremony that he’d broken from his serious composure, which had struck Ava odd, seeing him so sober and concentrated—so not Zeke.

Calix held her face in his palms, his face glowing with happiness. “Du amec.”

“I love you,” she said, kissing him once more.

After offering their congratulations, all his brothers, along with Calla and Sabelle, exited the room, leaving only Ava and Calix standing beside the fire.

“Is this when you claim me?” she asked, while a nervous and nauseating tickle struck her stomach. Like a jar of butterflies had been set free inside of her, a jittery vibration hummed beneath her skin.

“Yes. And you’re nervous.”

“No. Yes.” She smiled, threading the belt of her robe between her fingers in her fidgeting. “A little. Lot.”

Calix chuckled and slid his hands between hers, tugging the knot of the robe until it opened, exposing her chemise beneath. “It’s a shame, you know.”

“What is?”

“Such a pretty garment.” He slid his fingers beneath the thin strap at her shoulders, back and forth. “I almost hate to take it off of you.”

“I’ll show you what’s under my nightgown, if you show me what’s beneath that robe.”

With a wily grin, Calix stepped back and untied the robe, allowing it to fall away from his body, and holy shit. He’d somehow gotten bigger, and not just his muscles. His erection stood proud between them, setting Ava’s nerves on edge at the sheer size of it.

“I see you’ve been holding out on me.”

A burst of laughter beat through his chest, as Calix took hold of the beast, stroking it in front of her. “The bonding ceremony often produces much higher levels of hormone in the males. In preparation for my change.”

“You. You’ll … still be Calix, right?”

“I’ll still be me. No matter what you see on the outside.”

“This is a Wrath thing?”

“Yes. Part of our change when we bond. Our true nature.” His eyes fell to her clothing and back. “I showed you mine. Now, let’s see yours.”

Ava slowly slipped the straps off her shoulders, watching his breaths hasten, while he stared down at her. Still stroking himself, his eyes remained riveted on her breasts, as she peeled the thin satin away from them, exposing herself to him.

Nostrils flared, Calix’s lips parted, and Ava caught the clench of his jaw, as if he fought to hold something back.

She allowed the garment to fall to the floor and kicked out of it, standing almost naked before him. Many times, she’d been naked in his presence, and never once had she felt self-conscious beneath his stare until right then. As if something else watched through Calix’s eyes, Ava felt on display for a stranger.

Nabbing the thin strap of her panties, he pushed them down her thighs, his breath hot against her sex as he glided them over her ankles and tossed them aside. Beside the fireplace, sat a large wooden box, like an old cedar chest, that Calix lifted open, tugging a luxurious blanket from inside. He spread it out on the ground beside her and pushed to his feet once more.

His eyes roamed her with far more hunger and want than before, and the way he slammed his teeth together, tightening his jaw, sent the first tingle of fear down her spine. “Lie back, tazschla.”