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Rayne.‖
    There was thunderous applause as I lifted my hand and waved.
    After several minutes, Logan led me around the table, and we took
    our seats on the pillows beside the priest. His smile lit up his face.
    ―I am so pleased that you have both attended me,‖ he told Logan
    before his eyes were on my face. ―Jin, I had not thought it possible that
    you could shift back into your true form, but your power is truly great, as I
    saw the metamorphosis myself.‖
    I thanked him and then asked if I could speak to Jamal.
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    ―There is no need for you to ask permission for anything, reah,‖ he
    said, smiling at me. ―At my table all are free to do as they see fit. If I
    invite you, consider all privileges granted.‖
    I nodded and turned to face Jamal, who was at my right. ―Thank
    you.‖
    He sighed heavily, his eyes soft. ―Reah, it was my great honor to
    have had a hand in helping you in any small way. I only wish that I had
    not ever turned you over to the semel-aten. That was my failing. Forgive
    me.‖
    ―You overstep your bounds, phocal,‖ Ammon snapped from the
    other side of the priest. ―All reahs are the concern of the semel-aten. You
    have no right, as your master will tell you, to keep any reah from my—
    from me.‖
    I felt Logan tense beside me, and I leaned my chin against his
    shoulder, rubbing, so he could feel me.
    ―This man is no mere reah,‖ the priest said gently but forcefully.
    ―Had I known that you were being kept from your mate, I would have left
    my home earlier. I apologize for my tardiness, my dear reah.‖
    I leaned forward and sideways across my mate to take the hand of
    the priest of Chae Rophon. I smiled at his amazed expression even as his
    other hand covered mine, his two enveloping mine.
    He looked past me at Logan. ―Your mate is a jewel.‖
    ―I know,‖ he said, drawing me back when the priest released my
    hand to move me into his lap, between his crossed legs. ―And as I have
    told the semel-aten‖—Logan‘s voice dropped to a steely thread as he
    turned to Ammon—―I will meet him or anyone else in the pit to prove that
    I can keep my mate safe.‖
    ―You keep him safe?‖ the priest scoffed as all eyes turned to him.
    ―Logan Church, from what I saw today, Jin Rayne no longer needs
    protection from anyone. The question is instead who can bring him back
    from that horrifying transformation.‖
    The table was silent, and I felt all eyes on me.
    ―Had I not witnessed the change with my own eyes, I would have
    not thought it possible. With all of us‖—he indicated himself and Ammon
    and Jamal—―he was a horror. I consulted my texts, and I believe he
    transformed into a nekhene, hawk-cat, those that our ancestors thought
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    flew and gave rise to the legends of griffins and other winged beasts. The
    flight was never proven, but the speed… I think our ancestors believed it
    to be flight, as they could not track it with their eyes. I have much research
    to do, but as I saw Jin shift, instantly, at your bidding, your dominion over
    him is absolute. There is no doubt in my mind, or in the in the minds of
    my Shu warriors who were present, that for Jin, he is your reah first before
    all else. He changed for you, and only you.‖ His voice rose. ―And for that
    you have my leave, in front of all these witnesses, to take him from Sobek
    at the conclusion of the trials that you have requested.‖ He looked back at
    Logan. ―He is your reah, and the bond is true and absolute.‖
    ―Thank you,‖ Logan said as he exhaled, clutching me tight, his chin
    on the top of the keffiyeh.
    ―Do you require no more proof of the bond between the semel and
    his reah?‖ Ammon barked out, his irritation easy to discern.
    Hamid Shamon turned slowly to look at the semel-aten. ―I saw the
    reah change for his mate, after such a display I require no more proof of
    the sacred bond.‖ He turned then to look at Logan. ―If you want to
    perform the mating ritual, I would be blessed to preside over the ceremony
    for you.‖
    I heard Logan catch his breath. ―I would be honored for you to bless
    our union, your grace.‖
    He nodded. ―On the last day of the feast, then, it will be done.‖
    ―Two men?‖ Ammon argued, looking at the priest. ―How can you
    bless such?‖
    The priest gestured at Logan and me. ―I see only a semel and his
    reah.‖
    It was obvious that the semel-aten was not happy, but he went silent
    as more food was