Chapter 140 part 2
**Cassius**
His words echo through the chamber, and Avery feels a surge of emotion. She steps forward, her voice steady as she speaks. “My fear is failure of myself, of my mates, and our mission. I desire to protect my kingdom, to embrace my power, and to love without reservation. I submit to this ritual, to my mates, and to the trust that binds us.” I am so proud of her. She is far more than I deserve. One by one, the rest of us stepped forward, each of us laying bare our fears, our desires, and our willingness to submit. The air in the room grows heavier, charged with the raw, unfiltered emotions of the group.
James raises his hands, and the candles on the pedestals flare to life, their flames dancing in unison. “Now, we begin,” he says, his voice commanding. “Avery, come to me.” Avery steps onto the altar, her heart racing as James’s hands close around her wrists, guiding her to her knees. His touch is firm but gentle, his presence overwhelming. She feels the weight of his gaze on her, his eyes piercing through her soul as he speaks. I can feel all of her. All of her connection to James…to each of us.
“You are mine, Avery,” he says, his voice low and dangerous. “Body and soul. Submit to me, and I will protect you. Trust me, and I will guide you. Love me, and I will give you everything.”
Avery’s breath catches in her throat as she nods, her voice barely above a whisper. “I submit, James. I trust you. I love you.”
His hands move to her shoulders, his touch sending shivers down her spine. “Prove it,” he commands, his voice laced with desire. Avery doesn’t hesitate. She leans forward, pressing her lips to his, her hands gripping his robes as she surrenders to him. The kiss is fierce, hungry, their tongues tangling as they devour each other. James’s hands move to her waist, pulling her closer, his body pressing against hers as he deepens the kiss. The room seems to fade away, leaving only the two of them, their desires, and their connection. Avery feels James’s dominance, his control, but she also feels his love, his protection. She surrenders to him completely, her body arching into his as she moans into his mouth. Wow, I feel everything as if I am her. James is right, we needed this to know how we all feel towards Avrey and how she feels about each of us. I am not envious, jealous, or vengeful of her connection to James, as I think anyone forced to share their mate would be. Being forced to share doesn’t mean that individually we aren’t enough, it just means that together we can give her everything.
James breaks the kiss, his breath coming in ragged gasps as he looks down at her. “Good girl,” he murmurs, his voice thick with approval. “Now, it’s time for the next exchange.” He steps back, gesturing to me, my eyes locked on Avery. “Your turn,” James says, his voice commanding.
I kneel before Avery, my hands moving to her hips as I speak. “You are my queen, my love. Submit to me, and I will worship you. Trust me, and I will protect you. Love me, and I will give you everything.”
Avery’s heart swells as she nods, her voice steady. “I submit, Cassius. I trust you. I love you.”
My hands move to her thighs, my touch sending sparks of desire through her body. “Prove it,” I commanded, my voice laced with hunger. She leans back, allowing me to guide her as I press my lips to her neck, my hands moving to her breasts as I worship her. My touch is firm but gentle, my mouth leaving a trail of kisses along her skin as I tease and please her. Avery moans, her body arching into my touch as she surrenders to me. She feels my dominance, my control, but she also feels my love, my devotion. She trusts me completely, her body responding to my every touch as she loses herself in the pleasure.