Total pages in book: 30
Estimated words: 26760 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 134(@200wpm)___ 107(@250wpm)___ 89(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 26760 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 134(@200wpm)___ 107(@250wpm)___ 89(@300wpm)
"In blood, they unite; in purpose, they bind. Two souls, two legacies, now intertwined." He looked between us, his orb-like eyes kind. "You may seal your union with a kiss." With the finality of his words, he gently pulled the chalice away, and our freshly wounded hands were tied together with a silver, silken ribbon, the soft fabric contrasting sharply with the sting of my cut.
Aidoneus' eyes locked onto mine, pulling me into their depths. The distance between us seemed to vanish in an instant, his presence consuming every bit of my awareness.
Every muscle in my body tensed, my heartbeat echoing loudly in my ears as his lips descended upon mine with a tenderness I hadn't expected. The kiss wasn't filled with fiery passion; it was precise, a dark promise more binding than any spoken words or wine. I could taste the remnants of us in his mouth, a lingering testament to the oath we'd just taken. When our lips finally parted and the world around me came back into focus, Aidoneus gently turned us to face those gathered to witness what had just transpired.
The room erupted in a mixture of reactions. Some of the spectators murmured amongst themselves, their voices a blend of curiosity and intrigue. Others applauded, the sound echoing through the grand hall, a show of support and acknowledgment. A few even let out low whistles or cheers, their excitement palpable in the charged atmosphere. Aidoneus urged me forward, and my gaze traveled, landing on my family.
For the first time since this ordeal began, I truly looked at them.
My mother, her eyes wet with tears, tried to force a smile, but the weight of her sorrow and guilt was palpable. My father, bruised and with a defiant tilt to his chin, met my gaze with a complexity of emotions. He looked defeated, yet oddly proud. Beside him, Ophelia's face was a mixture of horror and sympathy, while Nefatari remained calm amidst the chaos, her eyes cool and analytical. Their expressions were a mosaic of pain, pride, and a desperate kind of hope. But what were they hoping for? That I would find my way through this maze of power and politics? It was hard to meet their eyes for more than a few seconds, knowing I was powerless. I could offer no reassurances or answers to why this was happening. Only one thought remained clear: I had to find a way to protect them. I would endure, if only to see my family safe again. No matter what it took.
CHAPTER SEVEN
The night sky lit up in a dazzling display of metallic fireworks. The loud booms and brilliant patterns left me momentarily stunned. Just how long had he been planning this? The entire cityscape was painted in Maelstrom colors, creating a mesmerizing backdrop to the cascade of thoughts racing through my mind.
Aidoneus sat adjacent to me, pouring two glasses of an amber liquid from a crystal decanter. “To vows of blood and the beginning of us,” he offered me one along with the first words he’d spoken since we had gotten into this vehicle.
I silently accepted the glass and downed it in one go. The liquor burned its way through me, a welcome distraction as I tried to find any semblance of clarity.
“Looks like there’s a lot on your mind.”
“I can’t make sense of why this is happening. What’s the reason you’re doing this?”
His gaze met mine, steady and unwavering. “I already told you that, before we even reached home—the estate.”
“That is not my home,” I shot back.
He leaned closer, his voice low and assertive. “It is your home now, Korinna. And there, you will live like the queen you are.”
I squeezed the glass, feeling trapped and overwhelmed. “Why was my family dragged to the chapel? I thought if I went with you, they’d be safe.”
“And they will, so long as they don’t attempt anything heroic. Your father’s face? That was his from his first try. There won’t be a second.”
I swallowed and glanced away from him, knowing he meant that. It was no idle threat or promise. He refilled my glass, and I immediately took another sip, slower this time. Whatever this was had a potent effect. “Is that how it’s going to be? You use my friends and family to keep me under control?”
He laughed lightly. “I don’t need to resort to threats to keep you under control, Korinna. I’m capable of doing that on my own.”
“Then why were they there?”
He took a sip of his drink and glanced down, swirling it within the glass, meeting my eyes again when he took another drink. “How could they miss such an important event in their daughter's life?”
I barely stopped myself from swearing at him. “You can’t be serious.”
“I’m nothing but serious. You’re only doing this once. I will ensure they are present for all of your achievements, even if it’s at gunpoint.” He glanced at my attire, his lips curling into a faint smile. “You look exceptionally beautiful tonight, by the way.”