sacred orders

Emboldened by a brush with death, Kit Mosel and Penny Oliver face their next Oaths together. One of the initiation rites leads them to a mission where they learn the truth about the god the Bone Men revere. This spurs them to redouble their efforts to sabotage the cult.

It becomes clear that they can’t take down the Bone Men alone. They must extend tentative trust to other members of the cult and hope to gain support. Admitting their intentions to anyone, even potential allies, is a gamble. If they are found out as traitors, they could be put to death.

When spring arrives, Kit and Penny take leave to tend to the Oliver family farm. Merrick joins them, not satisfied to keep tabs on them from afar. Pressure mounts from all sides, threatening to destroy everything Kit and Penny have built—including their fledgling courtship.

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Tropes: Grumpy/Sunshine, Age Gap, Demi/Bi-Awakening, Hurt/Comfort