Page 141

Annie nodded.“I will.”

“Repeat after me.Morumque scientia servabo.”

Annie said the words, then glanced at Colum, shrugging.

He chuckled, leaning close enough to murmur in her ear.“It means you will preserve knowledge and morality.”

“Morality, huh?Yikes.”

Colum recalled the night the mercenaries attacked the archive.How Annie had told anyone still in possession of a moral compass to leave.

Xavier released Colum’s hand so that he could wrap his arm around her waist properly.“That means no more stabbing eyeballs.”

“I make no promises,” she teased.

Eric crossed his arms, lifting one brow, looking at the three of them like they were naughty school children.“Can I continue?”

Annie nodded.“Sorry,” she said, even though she didn’t look the slightest bit apologetic.

Eric picked up a pen and a dagger, encased in a scabbard.

“Sign your name here,” he said, pointing to a spot in the book.

She leaned forward, and as she signed it, Colum couldn’t help but wonder how far he would have to flip back to see Oscar Wilde’s signature.Or Florence’s.Or Bram’s.He imagined how the three of them must have felt when they were joined together in marriage.Had they also felt this overpowering sense of hope and happiness?

Because the ancient tome remained here, in the fleet admiral’s office, Colum hadn’t had a chance to study it.He made a mental note to see if Eric would let him borrow it for a time.

Once she signed and dated it, she put the pen down, holding out her finger.Colum was touched not only by her willingness to uproot her entire life, eschewing her own society to move here to be with them, but also impressed by her bravery.

Eric poked the sharp tip of the blade into her index finger.

Colum watched as she let a bead of blood well for a second before pressing it next to her name on the page.

“Membership is for life, and breaking our rules, disobeying our laws, disobeying me, can cost you your life,” Eric warned.

Annie nodded.“I understand.While the words of the ceremony are different, the vows I’m making are the same ones I made when joining the Trinity Masters.”

Satisfied she understood, Eric told her to repeat after him again, feeding her more Latin a few words at a time.

Cum sanguinis mei, et cor meum recipienti pignori obligo animam meam.

Once again, she looked at Colum as she finished speaking, but this time it was Xavier who translated for her.“With my blood, I pledge my heart and my life.”

Eric nodded approvingly.“Anastasia Ward, you have promised your life to the Masters’ Admiralty.As Caesar, I welcome you, and bid you go forth.”Eric reached out, shaking her hand, then covering with his other, giving it a warm, fond squeeze.Colum swallowed deeply as he imagined Eric joining the three of them for holidays or visits, his relationship with his spouses growing closer over the years.He liked the idea of Annie becoming a sister to Eric.He needed one.

“Are you ready for the next part?”Eric asked.

“So ready,” Annie breathed.

“Good.”Eric walked around his desk until he was standing before all three of them.“Because it’s time to get married.”

He reached over, gripping Colum’s shoulder tightly, both of them caught in the grips of some heavy emotions.They didn’t exchange words.They didn’t need to.

Then, releasing him, Eric’s back stiffened, and he seemed to grow six inches as his brother disappeared and the fleet admiral took his place, his words and tone formal once more.

“I hereby bind you, Colum O’Connor of the archive, Xavier Allard of France, and Anastasia Ward of,” Eric paused, grinning, “America, in marriage.Your union will serve to better and protect our proud and ancient society.It is your duty to love, protect, and keep your spouses.I will hear your pledge to not only keep and protect one another, but to strive to better our world.”

Xavier, too anxious and excited, was the first to kneel, looking up at the two of them as he said, “I pledge on my honor, and as your spouse, to love, protect, and keep you, all of your days.”