Page 198 of Bride By Coronation

Don't go with her.

I'm being silly.

"Okay." I follow her, slide into her SUV, and the door shuts. The vehicle takes off, and she closes the divider window.

I turn toward her, fretting, "What's going on?"

She lifts her chin, and a haughty expression appears on her face.

Chills run down my spine.

She declares, "It's come to our attention that you aren't fully aware of your duties and the rules."

The air in my lungs turns stale. I argue, "That's not true. I studied the Royal Doctrine well enough to know my duties as queen and all The Underworld laws."

She remains quiet, an arrogant look plastered on her face.

My gut flips. I insist, "I know everything inside the Royal Doctrine."

She states, "I guess we'll find out."

"What does that mean?"

Her lips twitch. "The Omni have demanded the membership to gather."

More fear fills me. "For what?"

Her smile grows. She reveals, "Tonight, you will partake in a ritual."

"Which one?" I question, putting my hand on my stomach, feeling ill.

Her smugness grows. She answers, "Tainted Crown."

"Tainted—" My mouth turns dry, and I swallow hard. The Tainted Crown can only be issued when the Omni believes a king, queen, or both aren't living up to the duties they've vowed to uphold.

They've plotted to overthrow us.

"Take me to my husband," I command.

Her lips turn up in a wicked grin.

Bile rises in my throat. I swallow it and say in a sharper tone, "I ordered you to take me to my husband."

She leans forward, grabs a crystal decanter, and pours several fingers of clear alcohol into a tumbler. She samples it, then takes a larger sip. She puts the glass in the cup holder and says, "He's already there."

I do my best to appear confident but feel nothing of the sort. If Kirill or I don't pass their test, there's only one ending for us.

Death.

30

Kirill

"Your Majesty," Sergio interrupts, stepping into my office with a worried expression.

What now?

I shut my laptop. "What is it?"

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