Chapter 140: Trial Submit
**Cassius**
James led us deep into Talos. The hidden chamber is a place of raw, untamed energy, its walls etched with runes that pulse faintly with a golden light. Our group stands in a loose circle, our breaths visible in the cool air, each of us weighed down by the trials we’ve endured. Avery’s piercing eyes meet James’s. “We cannot face the Ancient One again without first strengthening our bonds,” James declares, his voice resonating with authority. “The trials have tested us, but they’ve also exposed our vulnerabilities. We need to regroup, to reconnect, and to prepare for what’s to come. I propose a retreat—a ritual of trust and submission. It will strip away our inhibitions, force us to confront our fears, and bind us together in a way that nothing else can. It will be just us, no judgments, only support.” He nods to each of us before he looks at Avery. “Avery, I think everyone here will agree with me. You, even with your flaws, are a true queen. You may be young, but your soul is boundless. We are so grateful to not just be in your life but be your mates. Nothing the Ancient One could reveal will change how we feel about you.” He grins, “You might even break the Ancient One because he didn’t like how devoted you are to us and we are to you. Even though your flame was once hidden from us, it now shines brighter than any star. We love you, Avery.”
Avery smiles and gives James a tender kiss before her gaze flickers to me, Clint, and Conner. She is worried about us, while I am worried about her. “What does this ritual entail?” Clint asks, his voice steady but laced with curiosity.
James turns to him, his expression intense. “It’s not for the faint of heart. We’ll enter a sacred space, one that amplifies our desires, our fears, and our dependencies. We’ll be stripped bare—physically, emotionally, and mentally. It’s a test of trust, of submission, and of our willingness to surrender to one another. Only by embracing our vulnerabilities can we emerge stronger. This chamber hasn’t been used in centuries. My family used to use it to endebt dragons to keep our secrets and prevent betrayal. After my great-grandfather was betrayed by his brother, his wife, and his best friend, my family abandoned this chamber. That war nearly wiped out our species. It is why the Goddess established the Grand Ceremonies.” He looks at us, “But I have faith that betrayal won’t be an issue for us. We have all suffered from it, and that binds us as does our love for Avery.”
Avery feels a shiver run down her spine. She’s no stranger to dominance and submission, to the raw, primal exchanges that bind her to us. But this—this-this is different. This is about more than pleasure or power. It’s about survival. I understand her because my feelings mirror hers right now. I rub her back. “And Cora?” I ask, my voice low and dangerous. “She’s still out there, pulling the strings. How does this help us deal with her?”
James’s eyes narrow, his gaze hardening. “Cora is the linchpin. Without her, the Ancient One’s hold weakens. But we can’t face her now, not in our current state. This ritual will give us the respite we need. I’ll barter with the Ancient One—a temporary truce in exchange for the time to hunt down and kill Cora. But first, we must be ready. We must be one.”
The weight of his words hangs heavy in the air. Avery knows what’s at stake just as I do. Cora’s death is the key to our freedom, but the path to it is fraught with danger. She glances at us, seeing the same determination in our eyes that burns within hers. “Then let’s do it,” she says, her voice firm. “We’ve faced worse. Together, we can get through this.”
The group nods in silent agreement, and James leads us deeper into the sanctuary. The air grows warmer as we descend, the golden runes on the walls glowing brighter with each step. Finally, we reach a massive stone door, its surface carved with intricate symbols of dragons and flames. James places his hand on the door, and it creaks open, revealing a chamber bathed in a soft, ethereal light.
The room is circular, its walls lined with cushions and furs, the air heavy with the scent of incense and something primal—something that makes Avery’s heart race as mine races to catch hers. In the center of the room stands a large, ornate altar, its surface smooth and cool to the touch. Around it are four smaller pedestals, each one bearing a single candle, its flame flickering as if alive.
“This is the heart of the ritual,” James explains, his voice low and reverent. “Each of you will take a place at one of the pedestals. The altar will be the focal point, the center of our connection. We’ll begin by stating our fears, our desires, and our willingness to submit. Yes, we have done this during the trials, but that was to try and end his game. This is for us. We’ll engage in a series of exchanges—physical, emotional, and spiritual. It will be intense, but it will bind us in a way that nothing else can.”
Avery takes her place at one of the pedestals, feeling the cool stone beneath her fingers. She looks around at us, seeing the same mix of anticipation and trepidation in our eyes.
James steps onto the altar, his presence commanding the room. “I’ll begin,” he says, his voice steady. “My fear is losing control of myself, of my kingdom, and of those I love. I desire to protect what’s mine, to keep Avery as my only woman I love, and to secure our future. I submit to this ritual, to my mate, to her mates who are now my brothers, and to the bond that holds us together.”
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