Page 75 of Bride By Initiation

Sean

Hours pass and I have no idea where we're going. Byrne took my phone and locked it in a cabinet. He's dozed on and off since then, snoring loudly.

All I can seem to do is pace the plane, wondering how to enter The Underworld without taking a bride.

There's no way I'm getting married.

The flight attendant steps through the curtain. "We're about to land. I'm going to need you to take your seat now."

My pulse increases. I'm one step closer to learning more about The Underworld and getting answers about my dad.

I sit down in a seat across the aisle from Byrne, ordering, "Wake up."

He blinks a few times, then stares at me as the wheels lower, stating, "Oh, good. We're almost there."

"Where exactly are we?" I question.

He gives me the same look whenever I ask most questions. "I can't tell you that, lad."

"Of course you can't," I retort, sulking in the chair and adding, "It's getting old, not being told things."

"Don't worry. You'll know everything soon enough."

"You said my father created The Underworld?"

"Aye, he did," Byrne says with pride sweeping across his expression.

"Then I should be privy to everything," I declare.

He snorts. "Your father wasn't into entitlement. I'm pretty sure you know that already."

My gut sinks. I'm not into entitlement either, but I'm over the secrecy.

Byrne says, "Once you choose your bride, things will start to come to light."

I chuckle.

He tilts his head. "What's so funny?"

"There's no way my father would do anything like this. The crazier this gets, the more I'm convinced he didn't have anything to do with this Underworld, whatever it is."

Byrne's eyes turn to slits. "Don't disrespect your father. There are reasons he created The Underworld the way he did."

I scoff. "There's no way he'd want me to walk into a room and marry a stranger. I?—"

"He did. And he thought ahead. Years ahead. Why do you think I'm telling you to pick the redhead?"

My heart beats faster. "What are you saying? And be clear. Don't speak in your riddles," I warn.

The plane makes contact with the ground, and the pilot applies the brakes. We slide across the runway.

I demand, "Answer my question."

As the plane rolls to a stop, the flight attendant gets up and moves the curtain.

Byrne waves his hand at her.

She shuts it again and disappears.

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