Page 128 of Revere

Jacob has resigned from his teaching position at Briar to devote all his time to the House. And while I won’t put my degree on hold, I’ll reevaluate my course load next semester to make sure I have time to travel with him as much as I can.

So long as we are in this together, I truly believe we can create a different path than what was expected of us. House or not.

Jacob lowers my hand, straightening his shoulders.

“Ready?” I smile, and he nods.

He laces his fingers through mine, and the men at either side of the door finally swing them open. The moment they do, the weight of a hundred eyes is on us. I pin my shoulders back and take the first step with my husband into the future.

This is our vision now.

The walk to the front of the room feels endless. We never had a wedding, but this might as well be it. My roommates are here with their men. Alex and Mila are at the front of the room on the side I’m designated to stand. At Jacob’s side is Maddox.

Kole and Violet are in the front row with Declan and Teal. My chest tightens with the support beaming from their eyes.

At the altar is a man too unholy to be considered a priest, but he’s dressed like one, holding the Sigma Sin bible. When we stop at the front of the room, he lays it flat for Jacob to place his hand on it.

The ceremony begins, and most of what’s recited is familiar, but some of it is new. Jacob and Declan have been working with the members to rewrite the old rules of the House to make them more modern.

My eyes roam the room while Jacob reads his presidential oath, and I take it all in. Flickers of candlelight draw out the letters of the Sigma House oath, which is carved into the wall beside us. The air smells like oak and melting wax.

“Everyone, stand,” the man performing the ceremony directs. “Your hand, Mrs. Stone.”

Jacob keeps one hand on the book while he takes mine with the other.

“Will you stand at your husband’s side through all that must be done for the House?”

“Yes.” It comes out a little choked, so I clear my throat. “I will.”

The man nods. “Do you understand that your husband is now one with the House. And as his bride, you shall be the same. Until death.”

“I do.”

Jacob’s eyes sear into me, the same way they did when I said those vows at our wedding.

“Very well.” The man looks at Jacob. “You may recite the final Sigma House vow.”

Jacob looks into my eyes, not breaking gazes while he takes his final oath.

“For our brothers, we live.

We die.

We honor.

To our grave and into the afterlife.

Take from the House, we take from you.

Give to the House, it gives to you.

Loyalty. Honesty. Sigma House above all.

From sin we are born, and through sin we are revealed.

Unto death and into the after.”

We.