Page 90 of Bride By Initiation

We obey.

Zara takes a shaky breath.

I glance down at her chest. Her cleavage bounces as it rises and falls faster, making the ache inside me grow. I rub my thumbs over Zara's knuckles, and she gives me a small, soft smile.

Kirill asserts, "The vows you take tonight are never-ending."

Except I don't do forever.

O'Malleys don't get divorced.

How long until Zara and I are both bored?

He continues, "They supersede any previous loyalties and survive all future obstacles. They don't die through death. And the only thing more potent than your covenant with each other is your one with The Underworld."

I jerk my head backward, unable to stop, before I realize what I'm doing.

That's fucked-up.

Zara's forehead creases.

"Ah. You thought your vows to each other would be the deepest?" Kirill taunts.

My mouth turns dry.

Zara's expression shows her growing anxiety.

I squeeze her hands tighter.

Kirill asserts, "The Underworld is first. Always. Your partnership is second. Understood?"

No way in hell.

Kirill barks, "Answer me!"

"Understood. Zara does too, right?" I lie.

She licks her lips and nods. "Yes."

He peers harder at us, as if he doesn't accept our answer, but finally turns his head to the man next to me and orders, "Rings."

The man reaches inside his jacket pocket and hands one ring to Zara and two to me.

She glances at the black metal band and smiles, nervously blurting out, "It looks nice. Hope you like it."

A fluttering sensation hits my stomach. I open my palm and stare at the ring I selected and its matching band.

Please like what I picked out.

I didn't care about what any woman would think when I selected the diamond, but that was before I knew Zara would wear it forever.

She tries to peek, but I make a fist, teasing, "No peeking."

She claims, "I wasn't."

"Don't be a brat. You were," I mutter, then think about how many times I've wanted to put her over my knee and smack her juicy ass.

She smirks.

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