Page 29 of Bride By Coronation

I jerk my head upward. "Coronation?"

She nods, and her expression is stern. "Yes."

"Sorry, I'm lost again," I admit.

She grabs the coffeepot, refills our cups, and places it back on the burner. Then, she strolls over to the couch and picks up an oversized bag. She opens it and pulls out a huge black binder.

I question, "What is that?"

She sets it before me, announcing, "The Royal Doctrine. It's the rulebook for the monarchy."

"The monarchy?" I ask, running my fingers over the raised gold skull of my father's design and then the two crowns. They're slanted against one another, as if holding each other up.

Valentina takes the seat next to me. "Yes. You and your brother were always meant to have a seat at the table. Since he changed the course of how things were to go, your role is now bigger."

I lock eyes with her. "My role?"

She nods. "Yes. Everyone strives to become an Omni. No one dares to dream of wearing the crown. But you? Well, you're meant to wear it."

Speechless, I study her and realize she believes this talk about monarchies and crowns. Suddenly, this all seems funny to me. Maybe it's my lack of sleep, but an uncontrollable laugh erupts from me. I can't stop it, and tears roll down my cheeks.

Valentina stares at me like I'm crazy.

Her expression only makes me laugh harder.

"What's so funny?" she asks.

I can't answer her. I look at the cover of the binder and think about her crazy talk, and it finally hits me.

My brother and Zara set me up. They're playing a sick joke on me and have been telling the truth all along.

My father's skull design is just a mark, nothing more.

"Did I miss something?" Sean's voice booms across the room.

I wipe my face, glance at him, and try to pull it together.

"I think she's in shock," Valentina offers.

Sean pulls out the barstool next to me and sits. He asks Valentina, "What have you told her?"

"Not much. I'm trying to explain her role."

I stop laughing and blurt out, "Nice one, Sean. I'm going to get you and Zara back for this."

His face remains stern. "Back for what?"

"Stop playing dumb," I order.

"This isn't a game, Fiona. It's the furthest possible thing from a game," he declares.

I start to laugh again. "Nice try."

He slams his hand on the counter, barking, "This isn't a joke!"

I jump. "Jesus?—"

"The Underworld is real, Fiona. Dad created it. He died because of it. And you have to decide whether to take your place in it or not. But if you don't, Zara and I are dead," he announces.

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