Page 87 of Bride By Initiation

She points at Sean. "You don't know what you've done."

He clenches his jaw.

She glares at me, cursing, "The mistake of your blood oath will loom over you and your children."

I shudder, not knowing what she means, and look over at the pool of blood filling the stage from my actions. More tears fall down my cheeks.

Sean holds me tighter, pulling my head to his chest.

I weep, not understanding how I could kill a man, the realization of what I've done sinking in.

Valentina shouts, "The other ceremonies are off! We will only have one set of vows tonight. And it will be with full exposure!"

The crowd cheers so loud it vibrates through my body, filling me with more fear.

Valentina silences the crowd. She roars, "Brides don't cry! Those who do choose to die!"

A loud, chaotic din rumbles through the arena.

Sean leans into my ear and yells so I can hear over the crowd, "You have to stop crying. We'll talk about it later."

I glance up at him.

He swipes my tears and kisses me on the lips. He holds my cheeks in his palms, instructing, "No more tears, Zara. Right now, you have to become my bride."

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15

Sean

Zara's fear is palpable. She swallows hard.

My mouth brushes her ear when I shout over the crowd, "It's the only way we're leaving this place alive." I move my face in front of hers.

Her eyes meet mine. The fear subsides, and determination replaces it.

I put my hand on her cheek, praising, "That's my girl."

The crowd goes silent, and a new chill runs down my spine.

I turn, keeping Zara close, adamant to do whatever it takes for us to walk out of here alive.

Valentina steps in front of us and points at me. "The alliances your father worked tirelessly to put in place are now in jeopardy. The balance is off. Now, we must start again. His vision will not work without balance."

Zara's body stiffens.

I rub my thumb over her waist, tightening the rest of my grip. Valentina's words don't make sense to me, but I keep my gaze pinned to hers. I declare, "I don't know the full details of what my fatherwanted. But if the balance is off, we will start again, and I will ensure it comes to fruition."

Her lips form a taut line. Her glare intensifies.

My blood electrifies, racing through my veins. I don't understand what my father was trying to build or why I thought it was necessary to take part in it, but now, there's no way out. I enter The Underworld, or I'm not leaving this arena.

Neither is Zara.

What was she doing here?

I shake off the questions for another time. This isn't the time or place.

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