Page 119 of Uncrowned

The guards stood at attention, and I motioned us toward the doors. Just as we approached, they opened. The Judic were already in place. Confusion had Theodore looking over at me. An auburn-haired woman stood nude; her body tied to a stake. A gag was stuffed inside her mouth muffling the screams that got louder at our approach.

Fire raged in the background, and a poker was already being heated in the flames. It had green eyes coming to me.

“You planned this.”

“I warned you from the beginning. You’re long overdue, Theodore. What I’ve allowed is not done. No one comes to The Order that is not a member. I’ve given you months to adjust. It is time.”

“And if I would have said no?”

“You wouldn’t have. But,” I shrugged. “I think you know.”

“Right. Death.”

“Good thing you didn’t say no.”

He threw me a look as the Magister gestured for him to take his place in front of the sacrifice. Nervousness sparked, but he headed forward. Lord Oxley and Summerlyn stepped in next to me, keeping silent as the Magister took his place at Theodore’s side.

“Before the fall, there was order.

Before betrayal, there was loyalty.

Before the Crown was stolen, there was blood.”

He turned, his gaze settling on Theodore.

“Today, you stand before The Order of the Unavowed. A brotherhood, not bound by law but by oath. Not Crown… but blood.”

The Magister paused.

“The blood is strong within you. You are a Hart. You are therefore honored. Do you wish to continue? If you remain, you remain forever. The vows are only broken through death.”

There was no hesitation. “I am finally home. I wish to remain.”

The Magister gave a nod.

“Then you will swear to these truths…

Loyalty comes before life: The Order stands before country and kin.

Silence above mercy: What is seen within The Order remains within The Order.

Brotherhood above self: Together we bleed, we fight, we fall.

The Crown above all: The rightful line must be restored, no matter the cost.

Betrayal is death: No man who breaks this oath lives.

Do you understand these vows?”

“Yes, and I accept them all.”

Lord Oxley nudged Lord Summerlyn as they traded smiles.

“Turn to face The Unavowed and repeat after me.”

Theodore obeyed, meeting my stare. I didn’t hear the Magister. I kept my attention on the man, on the blood, my namesake had trusted with his life. A bloodline that I couldn’t help but feel the same pull for as well. I’d spent months trying to distance myself from Theodore so I wouldn’t like him, but I did. And I felt it in every inch of me as our stares stayed locked and all the voices faded but his.

“I give my loyalty… To the Order… To the lion who has fallen… To the blood that was betrayed… I swear my voice to silence, my strength to the brotherhood, and my life to the restoration of the throne.” He paused as the Magister walked around him. “If I break this oath… May my blood be spilled as sacrifice, and my name be erased from history forever.”