Chapter 1288

She leaned in. Her breath was warm against his ear. "Do you want to know what it means to become more than a man?"

He nodded.

She stepped back and looked at Rose. "Bring them."

Rose rose to her feet without hesitation.

And one by one, the others joined.

Sophie. Lucy. Emma. Zoey. Grace. Stella. Natalie. Layla. Susan. Scarlet. Even the ones who hadn't come to the pool the night before.

They were all here now.

Nude. Willing.

Glowing.

The goddess moved to the center of the clearing and lowered herself into the pool. But this time, the water didn't ripple. It accepted her like she belonged to it. Her hair floated around her like silver flame.

"Come," she whispered.

Jude stepped in.

The warmth swallowed him again.

She reached for him - and pulled him close.

But instead of taking him, she guided his hands to the edge, where Lucy waited.

Her body was already trembling.