Page 23 of Bride By Coronation

Ulrich takes a drink, then studies me.

Panic hits me. "Valentina isn't to blame. She had no knowledge Fiona would be there, just like I didn't."

He taps his fingers on his crystal glass. "For every action, there is a consequence. When things occur that shouldn't, the course changes."

My heart races faster. In an assertive tone, I reiterate, "Valentina had nothing to do with Fiona and I running into each other. And don't forget, Ulrich, when this is over, I'll be in charge again."

"That a threat?"

"No. It's a promise," I warn.

He purses his lips.

I lean closer, insisting, "Valentina is not to be punished."

"She will take one step backward," he states.

I clench my fists tight, arguing, "She is innocent."

He repeats, "For every action, there is a consequence. The course must change."

I grind my molars, pissed he's holding this against Valentina. She's worked hard to earn a bid. She deserves to have a seat at the table. It's not right she has to take a step backward.

He adds, "Her consequence will be?—"

"She'll convince Fiona to go through with initiation," I interject, knowing it's the easiest consequence Valentina can be assigned.

Ulrich studies me.

"I'm still king. That is what will happen. Move Sylvia off the project," I order.

"Sylvia was chosen for Zara and Fiona," Ulrich points out.

"Like you said, the course must change," I declare.

Tension builds, thickening between us. Ulrich keeps his leer pinned on me, and I don't flinch.

I break the silence first, adding, "There's no reason you can't grandfather me as king without a queen."

"That was reserved for Sean Sr. only. You know this," Ulrich asserts.

My gut drops. I push, "He made the law for us to use. I don't need a queen to rule. I've done fine without anyone by my side."

Arrogance fills Ulrich's expression. He finishes his brandy, and asks, "What do you hate the most? The thought of having sex without your mask on or fucking Sean's daughter?"

Anger rushes through me, flooding every cell I have. I scowl, staying quiet, afraid of what I might say or how it'll sound. Both options scare the hell out of me.

Ulrich's lips curve. He continues to assess me and finally says, "You can't hide behind a mask forever. All snakes eventually shed theirskin. The time has come for everyone in The Underworld to understand who their king really is without the mask."

I stare at my drink, clenching my jaw, gripping the glass so tight I'm surprised it doesn't break. My stomach quivers, and the thought of what's to come makes me ill.

Before I was scarred, I didn't have a problem with sex. After my disfigurement, I couldn't look at the disgust on a woman's face and stay hard. My skull mask gives me freedom. It allows me to participate in rituals without seeing the repugnance that's pinned on me on a daily basis whenever a woman glances at my face.

"My mask stays on," I insist.

Ulrich shakes his head. "No. Your mask will not be on when you marry your queen. It will not be on during any part of your ceremony. The time has come for you to stop hiding."

"I don't hide," I claim. But it's a lie.

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