Page 97 of Bride By Coronation

My heart pounds hard against his chest. I inhale his scent, and it calms my anxiety a tad, but not much.

Valentina steps beside me and says, "I'm going to hold your hair up more. It's gotten a bit loose."

I don't argue, not wanting to singe my hair with my skin. Plus, she just saved Kirill with her knowledge about the second-born clause, so right now, I appreciate her.

Ulrich roars, "By the power instilled in me by the Omnipotence, I brand you with The Underworld skull."

My stomach flips, and intense pain sears my neck. My muffled shriek fills the air, and tears fall from my eyes. I try to move, but Kirill holds my head so tightly that I can't.

"It's okay," he coos.

Within seconds, something cold is slathered over my skin, taking away the sting.

"There, better?" Kirill asks, releasing me.

I stare at him. "Yes."

He softly smiles. "You can step back now."

"Oh." I realize I'm still against contraception. I move away from it.

The gong rings seven times.

Ulrich booms, "By the power of the Omnipotence, I introduce Her Majesty, Queen Fiona!"

The women and men take off their masks. The audience erupts in applause.

Valentina holds a thick, ornate gold robe in front of me.

I slide my arms into it and turn.

Kirill has a matching one on. He steps forward, grabs the belt on mine, and secures it around my waist. Then he leans into my ear. "Are you ready to go home?"

My butterflies reemerge.

This is real.

His expression turns to one of panic. Then it hardens. He waits for me to answer.

I nod. "Yes, I'm ready."

16

Kirill

As soon as I can, I guide Fiona out of the arena and toward the royal suite. She doesn't say anything, and neither do I. The dim, barely lit hallway seems to go on forever as I beat myself up.

Why did I forget my flaws?

When I asked her if she was ready to go home, the look on her face told me everything she was feeling.

Why did I allow myself to think it could be any different?

My heart pounds harder against my chest cavity. The air in my lungs stales. I swallow down emotions, telling myself nothing has changed. I'm the same person, and she's a woman, just like all the rest.

She's not, though. She's exceptional.

And she doesn't want to be married to me.

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