A week later, Devin places his hands on my shoulders, trying to calm the nerves that are racing through my body.

“You’ll be fine. There is nothing to be worried about,” he says.

“But what if I do something wrong?”

“Red, there is only us four and Nostra in attendance. Please try to be calm, okay.” Devin pulls me into his arms. He holds me tight. I feel his lips press against the pulse in my neck, his fingers digging slightly into the bare flesh of my arms. A strange noise releases from his mouth. The connection between us seems odd. I can’t explain it. I still feel him there, can hear him, it’s just different, murky. Not so defined. I guess the Binding is finally wearing off.

“Devin? Are you okay?”

His fingers release their grip on me and the sudden tension between us is released. “Sorry, Red.”

“Hey, don’t be. I guess we’re all feeling the importance of today. I’m so nervous.”

“I will be there every step of the way. We all will. Now, let me look at you properly,” he says, that easy smile back again. I step out of his arms and slide my hands over the red dress I am wearing. It is tradition for the women of Clan Lux to wear red for the Joining ceremony. Nostra brought the dress to me earlier in the day and when I put it on half an hour ago I wasn’t at all surprised to find that it fit me perfectly. It is a strapless dress made of a fine chiffon material with a fitted bodice that laces together at the back with red ribbon. The dress flares out slightly at my hips and swirls at my feet when I move. There is no make-up here in Ever Vale, and nothing even remotely like it so my face is bare, natural. My hair is freshly washed and hanging loosely down my back.

“You look breathtaking,” Devin says.

“Thank you.” The way he looks at me makes my voice catch. Since the proposal we’ve not had chance to be alone together, any of us. Apparently, though it is just a small, private ceremony, there was much to do to get it organised. I haven’t seen Rhain, Ezra or Devin at all over the last few days. I’ve missed them.

Devin’s eyes linger on the rose tattoo on my arm. “This tattoo, Solomon carved it into your skin, didn’t he?”

“Yes, that’s right. Did you know him too?”

“Solomon was a friend to many. He had this talent way before the curse was cast,” Devin says, holding my gaze steady.

“He did?”

“Yes.” He pauses, searching my face. I can feel his apprehension inside my head.

What is it, Devin, I ask, testing the connection between us. It is still there, just.

“I’ve wanted to show this to you for a little while now,” he says as he undoes the buttons of his shirt and slowly pulls it off. I am left staring at his fine, sculptured chest and abs. A little thrill streaks through me and Devin raises an eyebrow. “There’s no time for that, Red. Besides when we finally do get to be alone together, I will need more than just a few minutes with you.”

I laugh. “Is that so?”

“That’s a promise, Red.”

“So, what am I looking at?” I ask, confused now as to why he is standing half-naked in front of me.

He swivels on his feet and I am surprised to see an identical rose tattoo drawn across his back. The only difference is that his one appears to be losing its petals. Or at least the tattoo has been drawn that way. Two of them have fallen free and are resting just above his hip bone. I take a step closer to him and trace a finger over the outline of the tattoo. “When was this done?”

“Solomon carved it into my skin a few years before the curse was cast.”

“How strange that we should have the same tattoo. Why a rose?”

Devin turns back around. “I wanted a skull, he gave me a rose.”

“A skull?”

“Yes, I was always a bit of a rebel. I wanted to shock.”

“Well, I bet it was a bit of a shock when you saw the rose.” I almost laugh, but then I see his look of concern and stop myself.

“I was pretty upset for a long time, but Solomon just laughed at my anger. He said that one day I would understand the true significance of the rose. Then the curse was cast and I forgot my anger, forgot about the rose for the most part. Then…”

“Then?”

“You came into my life smelling of roses, Red…”

“I do?”

“You do to me,” Devin says, leaning close, breathing me in. His lips trail over the soft spot just below my ear. A low growl bubbles up his throat. Devin grabs my upper arms and slides his tongue over the curve of my neck. It is both thrilling, and oddly frightening at the same time.

“Devin?” I whisper.

He releases his grip, stepping back. I catch a fleeting darkness in his eyes, but it is gone before I am certain it was even there in the first place.

He steps back, checking himself, and a worried look crosses his face.

“There’s more, isn’t there?” I ask.

He nods his head. “Until recently the rose was exactly like yours. Then it started losing petals a few days after we returned from the Forbidden forest.” Devin pulls his black shirt on, re-fastening the buttons.

“What do you think it means?” I frown.

“Honestly, Red, I have no idea.”

“Should I be worried?”

“I’m going to speak with Nostra once the ceremony has completed. Perhaps he will know what it is. Don’t worry, Red, all will be well.”

“Well, I am worried. What if it has something to do with the curse. What if something’s wrong?”

“Hush, Red,” Devin says, pulling me back into his arms. “I only thought that I should tell you now before the ceremony, as it will be a few days before we will see each other again.”

“A few days?” I say, leaning back slightly.

“Yes, it is custom after the Joining ceremony for the couple to spend time alone together,” Devin says softly. His eyes drop to my lips.

“Oh,” I say. The temperature in the room has suddenly gone up a notch as a strange kind of heat ripples over my skin. What is happening between us today?

“May I kiss you, Red?” Devin asks, his chocolate eyes liquid in the firelight. I think he is as surprised by his question as I am.

“I thought you said it wasn’t the right time?”

Devin chuckles. “I did, didn’t I? It appears you have me tied up in knots, Red.”

“But you can,” I say. A niggling feeling in the pit of my stomach has begun to bloom. It feels important, somehow, that we share this kiss.

“Can what?” Devin asks, stepping towards me. He places a hand on my lower back, stepping closer.

“Kiss me.”

“I thought you’d never ask.”

Devin wraps his other hand behind my head and pulls me towards him. The kiss isn’t soft, it isn’t gentle. It is urgent, filled with passion and something else, something stronger. The kiss is filled with a promise of more to come. We wrap around each other, holding each other close and it’s as though the sun is emerging from heavy clouds. As we kiss, I can feel the feather soft touch of his soul against my own as they entwine and dance just like our tongues do. The murkiness begins to fall away. He is part of me, as I am of him.

“Red,” he murmurs against my lips.

“Devin,” I whisper back.

“It is time. Ezra will be waiting.”

I draw in a deep, calming breath. “I’m ready,” I say.

* * *

Devin escorts me under the cover of darkness to Ezra’s home. I am surprised to find that this is the place he has chosen for the Joining to take place. I don’t want him to taint the memory of his wife in the home that he had loved her in, but according to Devin he had insisted, and so here we are.

The horse stops just outside the boundary of Ezra’s land. Nostra has cast a spell over the property, much like the one that covers the hamlet. I can see Ezra’s house, but from this side of the magic it looks empty, uninhabited. I know this is because of Nostra’s spell. If anyone were to pass by it would look completely abandoned.

Devin lifts me off Phantom and pulls me into his arms, holding me close for a few seconds. Then he lets go, stepping aside as Rhain appears from behind the wall of magic. He looks handsome, incredibly so, and the familiar pool of desire rushes through me at the sight of him. He is wearing a simple pair of black trousers and matching shirt. The top couple of buttons are undone and I can see a smattering of dark hair there. I almost reach out to touch it.

“Cia, you are… exquisite,” he says, his eyes roving over me. The want in his eyes is undeniable. “By all that is Light…” he murmurs, capturing a strand of my hair between his fingers. He is holding back, I can tell. It reminds me of the first time he appeared in my bedroom. It feels so long ago now. More than anything I want him to pull me into his arms. Right now, I need his touch, his reassurance. Just like I had wanted Devin’s a few minutes ago.

“You have a few minutes, brother. I suggest you use them wisely,” Devin says, patting Rhain on the back. He presses a soft kiss against my cheek then disappears with Phantom through Nostra’s magic.

“Cia, I’ve missed you, my love.” Rhain steps so close I can feel the heat of his body across my skin.

“And I you…” I say, meaning every word. I look up into his beautiful indigo eyes, eyes that have seen me completely naked and undone, and pull his head towards mine.

Rhain’s lips hover just over mine, the length of his hair tickling across my forehead. “Ezra is a good man, Cia. He will love you fiercely.”

“And you?”

“I already love you fiercely,” Rhain says, grabbing my free hand and pressing it just over his heart. Then he lowers his lips to mine and snatches my breath away with the power of his kiss.

After a while we pull apart. I know my cheeks are flushed and I press the cool tips of my fingers against them. Rhain captures my fingers and presses his kiss upon them before walking with me through Nostra’s magic.