Page 31 of Hearts Etched in Glass (The Afton Adders #2)
Hope, NF
Marcus and I rush to Bobby, assessing his body to see if he has any wounds.
“I’m fine. Stop the two of you.” His lips feather over ours, then he looks at me with concern.
“Tilly, are you sure? You positive you want to be branded?” The sides of his eyes crinkle, as I reach for his hand.
Stretching onto my tiptoes, I place my lips on his, sealing a kiss. “I do. I am more than positive.”
Kenneth takes Michael into the other room and begins beating the living shit out of him. Michael’s wails trail away as I go outside to the roaring fire the Afton Adders have created.
The twins, Jacob and George, have both of my parents in a firm hold, as my mother does her pathetic crying routine. I point in their faces, “You will bear witness that I am no longer yours. I am not your daughter anymore. I am an Adder now.”
My parents peer up in confusion as they plead for us to let them go.
Everett, the leader of the Afton Adders and my future brother in-law, holds the fire iron in one hand then motions for me.
“We are gathered here today to celebrate the dedication of Tilly! She has chosen to unite with our family.”
But before he may continue my mother shouts, “No! Tilly get over here this—” Her words are cut off by Gregory slapping his hand over her mouth and glaring at my father, almost daring him to try and misbehave, but my father stands as still as a wooden board.
Everett continues his speech. “Tilly has been a bright light for our baby brother Bobby and our dear brother Marcus. ”
Biscuit yells from the side of the fire, “And me too!” Men tell him to ‘shush’, but warmth carries over my chest at the thought of how I mean something, truly mean something to these people.
They do not judge me, they do not hurt me mentally, physically or emotionally.
They honor my existence and give me the love and protection I have been craving, my whole life.
“Tonight, we solidify her testament to us and bring her into the Adder family. Tilly, will you please come and present the limb you’d like to have marked?” After Everett says this, I proudly walk forward, rolling up my skirt to show my scarred thigh.
“Repeat after me,” Everett bellows.
And everything settles around us as the ceremony begins.
“I vow to uphold my duties to my brothers.”
I vow to uphold my duties to my brothers.
“I vow loyalty.”
I vow loyalty.
“I vow resilience.”
I vow resilience.
“I vow malice and protection when my family requires.”
I vow malice and protection when my family requires.
“I vow death before dishonor.”
With that, everyone repeats in unison, Death before dishonor .
Chills run down my spine as the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.
Everett approaches me with the fire iron that holds the Adder insignia.
A snake shaped in the letter, 'A'. The same insignia on the inside of Marcus and Biscuits, forearms. But Everett halts his movements.
His brows furrow, as panic lashes through my torso.
I can only hear the crackling of the fire behind me as anxiety curls in my chest.
Does he not find me worthy? I worry to myself.
Everett moves to extend his arm towards Bobby, offering the branding iron to him.
A heartfelt gesture to have my Afton Adder, my fiancé, to rightfully brand me instead.
Bobby gracefully takes the fire iron, nodding to Everett in respect.
As Everett gives him a nod back and a half-lipped grin, Bobby lowers the red-hot instrument onto my exposed thigh.
My scarred skin stares back at him, but soon it will be replaced with a new symbol.
Instead of my flesh having the sins and turmoil I’ve had to carry over my life, it will now be replaced with a new symbol.
The symbol of love, hope, loyalty and family. The symbol of belonging.
Bobby hesitates as he comes closer. “Are you sure, darling?”
I stare back at him and smile. “Yes.” Then I look to find Marcus eagerly waiting for us with the surrounding Adders.
“I love you,” Bobby says with tears brimming at his eyelids.
“I love you more,” I reply. Biting my lower lip, as he places the fire iron onto my thigh, my flesh simmers as I bite my lower lip, stifling any sound.
It makes my scars throb. Before I realize it, the ritual is over and now I am officially an Afton Adder.
The twins usher my parents away, so they do not ruin my moment.
I can hear them cursing and shouting at me, but I clamp my eyes shut.
They are drowned out by the two strong arms that carefully encircle my body.
“You did so well love,” Marcus mewls into my ear as he traces small circles on my back with his hand.
Bobby kisses my temple as I try not to cry. “Absolutely perfect darling. We love you so fucking much,” he whispers into my ear as he pulls Marcus and I closer.
Everything is whole.
Everything is perfect for the first time in my life.