Page 130 of Bride By Initiation

"What is so important?"

"Aren't you going to let me in?"

I grumble, "Fine, whatever." I step back.

He enters the foyer, shuts the door, and wiggles a book before me, stating, "I brought this for you and your bride."

My gut dives. I don't like surprises from The Underworld. Maybe someday I will, but right now, I still don't trust anyone. So I cautiously ask, "And what would that be?"

"It's the laws that your father wrote."

My chest tightens, and my heart races faster. I gape at it.

He wiggles it again, as if it's a carrot, asking, "Well, don't you want to see what laws he created that govern us?"

I glance at him, admitting, "I don't know. Do I? I feel like this is a trick."

He squints. "There's no trick, son."

"No? Are you sure about that?" I question.

"Aye, why would I trick you?"

"Why wouldn't you trick me?"

Hurt fills his expression. "Is that what you think of me?"

I don't say anything.

He crosses his arms. "Have I not had your back the entire time?"

"Have you?" I ask, still suspicious.

Anger flares, replacing the hurt. He points up at me. "I have. And your dad would be disappointed that you question my loyalty when we were so close."

I blurt out, "You say you were close."

"We were," he insists in a stern tone.

I study him closer, asking, "How come my mom doesn't know about you?"

His eyes widen. "You asked your mom about me?"

I shake my head. "No."

"Good. She doesn't know about me, and we need to keep it that way."

"Why is that?"

"Because you shouldn't involve your mom in things she shouldn't be involved in," he states.

"So there's nothing in here that my mom knew about? My dad never said a freaking word to her about any of this?" I question, finding it hard to believe, and grab the book.

He hesitates.

Chills run down my spine. "Ah. So there is something my father talked to her about?"

He shrugs. "I don't know what goes on in a marriage."

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