He slowly releases me.
One woman unzips my dress. The other pushes it off me. It falls at my feet in a huge ball of chiffon. They hold their hands out.
My heart pounds harder. I take their hands, step out of my dress, and shoes. The floor parts and a mirror rises in front of me, displaying my branded, naked body.
The gong bangs three times.
"Strip," Kirill orders Brax.
I watch in the mirror as he removes all his clothes.
"Take your bride," Kirill orders.
Brax obeys, stepping next to me, his expression locked on mine and full of questions.
My pulse explodes between my ears.
"Offrila.Reclamala," the crowd chants, pounding torches into the ground.
Offer her.
Claim her.
Brax's jaw clenches. He studies me in the mirror, his unblinking focus turning my skin hotter.
For a moment, I think he isn't going to figure it out. I worry he's not going to make a move, and we'll both be killed.
It wouldn't be his fault. He's never been told what his role in this ritual is or how he passes the test. As sweet as he is to me, he didn't marry me for love, and that's what the entire Underworld wants to see.
I shouldn't have put him in this situation.
Now they're going to kill us both.
The more he stares at my reflection, the closer I get to a full breakdown. I bite on my lip, blinking hard. I'm close to tears when he spins me, pushes me against the glass, then tilts my head. He leans over me, his breath hitting mine.
I inhale sharply.
He states through the chants, "You're mine, Minx."
I barely catch my breath when his lips hit mine, pulling me into a world where the Omni don't exist, seats aren't important, and he's the only person in my existence.
His hands grip my ass, pick me up, and pin me to the mirror. The cool glass hits my spine, and a shudder runs through me. He rubs his cockagainst my clit, taunting me, murmuring, "Mine," as his mouth roams my jaw, my neck, my collarbone.
Fire burns hotter around us as more lotuses fall from the ceiling onto the ring. Chants turn to, "Domina la sua carne. Sottometti la sua anima."
Dominate her body.
Subdue her soul.
Brax's lips find mine. His tongue swipes around my mouth in a fury. He slides faster over me until adrenaline spikes out of control and I'm clutching him, crying out, "OhDio!"
"Mine, Minx," he says with more authority, and as I come down, he thrusts deep inside me.
"Dio, aiutami," flies out of my mouth, and I arch my back into him.
His deep grunt rumbles against my chest. He presses his damp forehead to mine. "God's not helping you. Only me." He moves his hand and presses a finger into my ass.
I gasp in his mouth.
