Griffin took one of Raven’s arms and gestured for Julian to hold the other.
“A united front.” Julian jabbed sarcastically.
Griffin hummed, he was having a hard time breathing. A difficult time moving closer to the door. He had explained nearly all of the ceremony to Raven, except where it would be. And he doubted she would accept it.
Using his free hand, he reached the door and found Troy on the other side. “Prince,” the man chirped sharply. “Cherished.” He offered Raven a slight bow, but ignored Julian entirely.
Griffin’s annoyance fluttered, but he held his tongue, this fight wasn’t worth it.
“Please follow me.” He didn’t wait or pause, marching to the double-helix stairs.
Griffin led the way behind him, heading towards the throne room.
Once outside, Raven stiffened. “Here?” she murmured under her breath.
Griffin gave the slightest nods as Troy opened the door, he tried to guide Raven in, but she was frozen in place.
Her eyes widened at the view, he allowed her a single beat to digest, before, with Julian’s help, they tugged her inside.
Game Fourteen: Pre-Matrimony Ceremony
Chapter 36
Tear Me Apart
Raven
Present Day – Grypheem
Terror clawed at me as I was dragged into the throne room by Julian and Griffin.
The center of the space was now filled with a familiar metal chamber that looked similarly to a life-size ginkgo seed. While it wasn't the same one Harold was killed in, they appeared nearly identical, except this one was much larger, taking up most of the space. This tube we could easily walk inside and all three of us would fit.
“They put it together in this room, it will have a bed inside,” Griffin advised under his breath. “They believe life should endand begin with the mother. The shape is supposed to be similar to a womb.”
Disgust wrapped up my throat, but I didn't react.
Near the entrance to the metalwomb, the High Priestess stood, her arms opened wide.
“Today we honor our most blessed tradition. A pre-marital ceremony. A physical viewing of the connection between a Sacred Cherished and her…men.” The last word was flat. The disgust clear across the Priestess’s face. “We will watch to ensure she is afit. That you both have satisfied your claim, and then tomorrow we will celebrate your matrimony in an unprecedented event.”
Drago stood on the stage that held his throne, staring down at us but making no move to join. He had maintained his distance since Levi was taken, and I was grateful, because my anger towards the King was palpable. I was beginning to suspecthewas the problem.Hewasn’t to be trusted. Why else was Levi being kept below his castle?
While I had confided in Oleks, I didn’t want to tell Griffin. I needed to get through this first and then determine if Griffin was aware of it as well. If he knew the extent of his brother’s involvement with the High Priestess.
But first.
“The Iron Mother will serve as the intermediary for this momentous occasion.”
My eyes flicked to the metal seed, so similar to the one I had watched Harold stuffed in and then tortured to death.
Except this one was triple the size.
I didn’t want to fuck two men in the death chamber, but it was clear that was where we were meant to go.
The High Priestess snapped her fingers and her priests moved across the floor towards us. Faceless, nondescript men whoripped Julian and Griffin from my side, leaving me alone in a sheer robe and nothing more.
But I didn’t let the surprise of the iron mother break my resolve.
