Louis POV
The moment the High Priestess finished speaking, the world seemed to rush back in all at once.
Applause broke out around us—cheers, whistles, laughter—and I startled, my fingers tightening around Tomy’s hand. For a second, it felt unreal, like if I blinked too hard I’d wake up back in my attic bedroom with flour still in my hair and nothing but dreams to keep me warm.
Tomy leaned closer, his shoulder brushing mine.
“You okay, Lo?” he murmured, just for me.
Lo.
My heart did a little flip at the nickname. I nodded quickly, smiling so hard my cheeks actually hurt.
“I’m more than okay,” I whispered back.
The High Priestess smiled knowingly at us before stepping aside, signaling the end of the formal bonding. The instant she moved, Mom was on her feet.
“Oh Goddess, finally!”
