Angel's POV
Claudia's ancient-young eyes moved across the gathering slowly. "This double mate bond is rare. It has happened before. It will not be altered by argument or preference or ritual repetition." She looked at Terrell. Then at Merrick. Then, finally, at me. "The goddess has spoken what is true."
Silence.
Then…
"What?"
The word came out of me before I could stop it. High, startled, stripped of every composure I had. "Both?"
Two men. Both of them. Simultaneously.
I looked at Terrell.
He was looking at Merrick with eyes like hammered steel, a muscle working in his jaw, something volcanic and controlled moving behind his expression.
I looked at Merrick.
Merrick, who had spent the last ten minutes gradually moving toward the treeline with the intentions of escaping, and who had been redirected back by the generals, and who was now standing under the full moonlight, looked at me sheepishly.
I couldn't believe this.
The man had indeed been validated by a moon goddess.
