Gemma
Gemma’s heart beat wildly in her chest. She tried to hold her head up and not show any signs of what she was feeling. She could not show any sign of weakness right now. To do so would not only be her death sentence, but even more, it would betray Theo.
However, she could not stop the slight tremble of her arm against Theo’s body and the sweat forming on the palm of her hand.
Theo sensed her nervousness and held her even closer to him. He glared at Phoebe and asked, “What do you mean?”
Phoebe stared at Gemma, and Gemma thought the other woman was trying to see right through her.
Then, slowly, Phoebe said, “That necklace she’s wearing. I recognize that necklace. It was a gift given to Theo by Savannah when they first became mates. It was such an important memento to him, but Theo lost it about a hundred years ago. I heard that he gave it to someone as a vow.”
There was a collective gasp from everyone at the word “vow,” and then dead silence fell across the entire room.
Gemma was certain that every single eye was staring straight at her, scrutinizing her, trying to see whether Theo was her true mate or if it was some pretense because of his vow.
“Phoebe, you’re going overboard,” Theo’s roar startled Gemma and shattered the solemnness of the ceremony. The chandelier shattered into a million pieces.
The woman’s face paled, and she took a step back. “If she’s your true mate, how about a bonding ceremony to prove what you say is true.”
It was clear that Phoebe wouldn’t let this go. This was exactly what Gemma had been afraid of this entire time. Phoebe knew if her speculation was correct, then her darling cousin, who had always been the apple of everyone’s eye, would be shamed and lose favor with the clan.
Ivan looked at Theo and Gemma, then studied Gemma for a moment. She got the feeling he knew something but wasn’t sharing that information with her. Gemma was grateful, though, as she sensed Ivan was on her side.
“It will take a couple of months to prepare for a bonding ceremony. There are many things that must be done ahead of time. Are you two willing?” Ivan asked Theo and Gemma.
Gemma looked up at Theo. Once again, he squeezed her hand comfortingly. He looked his grandfather in the eyes and said, “Yes, sir. I am. Gemma is my mate.”
Ivan turned to Gemma and asked, “And you, young lady.”
She dipped her head in assent.
Claude, who was still holding her other hand, squeezed it.
“Theo’s a lucky man. If you weren’t his mate, I’d make a try for you, myself,” he said.
Clara, who also stood by Gemma’s side, said, “Claude, you are terrible.”
Then, she looked at Gemma and asked, “How old are you, child.”
Knowing why Clara asked her the question, she answered, “I will be twenty-five in two months. Then, I will be too old to be sacrificed.”
Clara nodded, and Claude said with all seriousness, “Even if you weren’t Theo’s mate, I think if you sought asylum with us, we would all be honor bound to protect you. And that is regardless of whether there was any kind of vow of protection on Theo’s part.”
Clara nodded her agreement.
Gemma spontaneously hugged Claude and then Clara. Returning to Theo, she whispered, “I hope I didn’t break any protocols.”
“You are fine. Now, Claude here is going to get me a drink, and we are going to dance before dinner is served.”
Theo pulled her onto the dance floor.
“Now is the time to prove to everyone you are my true mate,” he said.
They slow danced to the sound of the sweet violin and harp.
Gemma’s heart was beating so fast and so hard, she was sure Theo could feel it. She hated being in the spotlight and the center of everyone’s attention. Not only had that been dangerous for her entire life, but it was also unnerving. She was a shy person by nature and preferred curling up with a good book than going out partying.
When the music stopped, Theo pulled her close to him. She looked into his eyes, and for a brief second, that look of wanting she had seen the other day was back. He devoured her mouth with his.
