Page 11 of Bride By Coronation

My chest tightens. I nod, but he's not getting off that easily. "The moment I accepted the position of king, my fate was sealed. But Fiona's only on the table for one reason. It has nothing to do with your final test, and that's on your conscience, not mine."

His eyes turn to slits. "What the fuck does that mean?"

I swallow a large mouthful of beer, waiting until the bubbles hit my stomach. Then I answer, "You disrupted what was to be on the night of your initiation. You did that, not me."

"What are you talking about?"

"There was a plan, and you decided to go rogue. You were warned there would be consequences," I point out.

Sean opens his mouth, but nothing comes out. Understanding fills his expression, and he looks away.

"Ah, that's right. You didn't just change Zara's and your fate. You changed your sister's and mine. So, you can sit there and accuse me until you're blue in the face, but this is on you," I assert.

He pales further.

I let it sink in a moment, then add, "I respected your father. I would never do something that would upset him, but unless you can change the Omni's minds, we're going to have to figure out how to deal with the situation. The only other option gets everyone killed. And I don't think you want your twins to be orphans."

He jumps up. "Don't you dare?—"

"It's reality, and you know it!"

He takes large breaths, his face red with anger and fear.

I soften my tone. "I'm not here to hurt you, your sister, or anyone in your family. When I say I respected your father, I mean it. But this conversation is pointless unless you can come to me with a viable solution."

He slowly meets my gaze and states, "I want to know what went on between you and Fiona today."

I shrug. "Nothing."

"It wasn't nothing!" he barks.

I step closer. "She saw the skull. That's it."

Sean studies me closer and then asks, "What else happened?"

"That's it."

"But she's seen you before?"

My pulse skyrockets. I nod. "Yes. Your wife was there. I thought you knew about it."

Anger flickers across his features. He spews, "Are you following Fiona?"

"Don't ask stupid questions."

"Are you?" he roars.

"Of course not. I wouldn't put her in that position. We both know what happens if we attempt to bypass whatever the Omni wants for her initiation," I state.

His jaw twitches.

More tension erupts between us.

He warns, "My sister can't go through what Zara did for initiation. You can't let that happen."

"I don't get to choose, Sean. Just like you didn't, I don't either," I claim.

"You're the fucking king!" he booms.

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