Page 80 of Bride By Initiation

Valentina smirks. "I assume you were told who you will choose?"

I stand taller, staring at her, not answering. If I speak, then I'm telling her to go fuck herself. I'm not marrying anyone. And I don't think this is the right moment for that conversation.

She laughs. "Ah, I see. Okay then. Let the games begin." She walks back and forth a few more times, past every man, closely studying them. Then she steps back in front of me and turns to the crowd, tossing her arms in the air and shouting, "Who's ready for the ceremony to begin?"

The crowd stomps in unison until it's so loud my ears ring with the beat. The dark music slowly starts again.

Valentina spins toward us and silences the crowd. She informs us, "You have two minutes to convince your bride that she should choose you. If she doesn't, you're out. If there's more than one man standing, they're all out. If a bride doesn't choose a groom, she will escape her vows until a later date. At that point, we will choose one for her."

Horror fills me. I don't understand how my father would ever condone this.

Valentina booms, "I pity those of you who can't secure your bride."

A horn blows, and there's a moment where everything goes still.

She looks at her watch. "Time's ticking, boys."

Suddenly, everyone understands. Chaos erupts, and men run over to the women. Several of them talk over the other. A few take the brides and move them forward.

I find the redhead. She's stunning, with shiny hair to her mid-back, porcelain skin, a pouty mouth, and bright green eyes. I almost step in front of her but then freeze.

What isshedoing here?

My heart races, my pulse pounds between my ears, and my mouth turns dry.

It can't be her.

It is.

Another man tries to convince Zara to marry him. I take a step toward them, and the redhead grabs my wrist.

I glance at her.

In a thick Irish accent, she frets, "What are you doing?"

"I'm sorry. I can't," I reply, shaking out of her grasp, then rush over to Zara. I bark, "What are you doing here?"

She tears her eyes off the man, and her face fills with shock. "Sean?"

Maybe I should have expected her to be here, knowing she had something to do with The Underworld, even though she wouldn't tell me what.

She would never agree to this.

Would she give herself to a stranger under these terms?

The man beside her says, "I don't know who this guy is, but I'm choosing you. I'm asking for you to choose me back."

She turns toward him and opens her mouth, but nothing comes out.

"Get the fuck out of here," I bark at him.

He scowls at me, and I get an eerie feeling. There's something familiar about him.

"She's my chosen one," he declares and then looks at her. "I'm the one you studied the most, aren't I?"

Jesus. He was in her binder.

"I said to fuck off," I demand.

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