Page 21 of Ruthless Royalty

Connor walks up to Giovanni, his playful smirk evident even through the mask. “Legacy Week is more than tradition. It’s survival. You fail here, and you fail everywhere. Only those who understand power, who can bend it to their will, will walk out of here with their heads high.”

Nikolai leans back, his voice low and menacing. “But if you fail, remember this—you’ll be returning home with more than just disappointment. Your families are watching. And they will know if you’re weak. So don’t give us any reason to doubt you. Or them.”

I swear to fuck, I am going to kill Nikolai tomorrow.

“Now,” Nikolai growls, stepping forward. “The Blood Oath. Get ready to bleed for what you claim to believe in.”

He leaves the rest unsaid, but the implication is clear. My stomach churns with dread. Mihai hands Nikolai a small, ornate box.

This can’t be real. This has to be some kind of sick joke. No one explained anything to me!

“Step forward,” Connor says, pointing to the first person in line. “And say the followin’ oath.”

“With my blood, I seal my fate.

With this oath, I bind my soul.

To the Crowns, I pledge my life.”

One by one, they step forward, repeating the oath and cutting their palm with the dagger. Blood drips into a silver chalice, the ritual both mesmerizing and horrifying. When it’s my turn, my legs feel like lead as I force myself to move.

The dagger feels heavy in my hand, the metal cool against my skin. My mind is screaming at me to run, but I know there’s no way out. I’m essentially pledging myself to the Bratva.

What is my life?

I take a deep breath, reciting the oath with as much conviction as I can muster. When I cut my palm, the pain is sharp and immediate, but I don’t let it show. Blood wells up, and I hold my hand over the chalice, watching the crimson drops mingle with the others.

“Good girl,” Giovanni murmurs as I step back, his eyes locked on mine through the mask.

I start to pull my hand back, but before I can, he reaches out, grabbing my wrist gently but firmly.

He removes his mask, and without breakingeye contact, he leans forward, bringing my hand to his mouth. My heart stutters as his lips touch my palm, and then he licks the blood from my skin, slow and deliberate.

A shock runs through me—equal parts horror, disbelief, and something … else. My breath catches in my throat as I watch him, his tongue tracing the line of the cut, tasting my blood like it’s something sacred.

I should be disgusted, but instead, a wave of heat rushes through me, leaving me breathless and confused.

He pulls back, his lips stained with my blood, and grins; dark, cocky, and utterly unapologetic. The sight of him like that—my blood on his mouth, the hunger in his eyes—sends a shiver down my spine.

“Sweet as sin,” he murmurs, licking his lips. “You taste like mine.”

“I should fucking kill you,” I hiss, finally finding my voice, though it comes out weaker than I want. “You’re disgusting.”

“And yet,” he murmurs, using his thumb to wipe the rest of the blood from his bottom lip, “you’re looking at me like you want more.”

I step back from him, but I can’t deny the twisted sense of accomplishment that comes with completing the ritual. I have so much to say to Nikolai tomorrow, but for now, I need to get through this.

Connor chuckles, the sound low and mocking. “Welcome to Legacy Week, assholes. Try not to die.”

The masked figures disperse, leaving us standing in the dark, disoriented and shaken. We’re dismissed, and as I walk, I realize we’re close to the Crown Suites. I can see the outline of the Suites in the dim light.

When I approach the entrance, I see Cat waiting for me, her arms crossed and her expression livid. She was glaring at Connor the entire night, openly annoyed.

“Cat!” I rush over to her, relief flooding through me. “What the hell is going on? Why were we out there, too?”

Cat’s eyes flash with anger. “Because according to the Bastard Princes, no one is exempt, not even us. I can’t believe they dragged you into this, too.”

I blink, trying to process her words. “What the fuck? So, they’re really just testing us? To see if we’re worthy?”

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