"The couple can't be together due to an arranged marriage or a predetermined selection. It has to be a couple who is truly in love and has chosen to marry without outside forces. The seats must go through a rebirth period, and only love can change the energy from negative to positive," he explains.
Valentina blurts out, "We're in love and getting married!"
I whip my head toward her, only to witness her expression dead serious.
You've got to be kidding me.
"We are!" she insists, grabbing my hand. She looks up at me, lashes narrowed, silently promising she'll stab me in the kidney if I don't play along. "Aren't we?"
Every muscle in my body tightens.
Marriage?
Kirill waits, arms crossed.
Valentina continues, "We check all the boxes. We'll take the seats."
I clench my jaw.
The little Minx is going to get it when we're alone.
Kirill chuckles and points at me. "I see. You're joking again. The look on your face is priceless. Well played."
"We're not joking," Valentina insists, tugging my arm. "Tell them the truth so we don't lose the chance to take our seats."
I glance at her, my chest tight, ready to tell her no.
She pleads with her eyes, and my dick turns harder.
Fucking hell, Valentina.
I slowly slide my arm around her, tug her closer, and stand taller. I grin, pinning my gaze on Kirill and declaring, "We're in love, and I asked her to marry me."
Kirill points to her hand. "Where's her ring?"
Valentina interjects, "Getting sized. Brax thought my finger was a seven, and it's a seven and a half."
Seven and a half.
This is getting good.
I affirm, "My bad. The jeweler is fixing it."
Kirill studies us for a moment, shakes his head, then looks at Fiona.
She bites on her smile, trying not to laugh, but she doesn't call us out.
Valentina begs, "We meet the criteria. Please! Let us take our seats!"
Kirill sighs, then gives her an apologetic look. He lowers his voice. "Amendment 666 is important. Sean created it for the sole purpose?—"
"Of restoring light to the table and safety to The Underworld," Fiona interjects.
Pride fills Kirill's expression. He praises, "Yes, my queen. You're exactly right. How did you know that when the amendment wasn't in your Royal Doctrine?"
"It's part of Act 7. Balance is essential for safety, and light must always shine upon the table," she recites.
She always was a bookworm.
