Underworld Bride Trials 1 Playboy King - Meg Xuemei X. Page 0,46

to have his head.”

“Your mother will forgive him once she learns the truth,” I explained. “It happened long before they met. Unlike you, a first-generation Titan, I’m thousands of generations down your father’s bloodline. The Titan blood was pretty diluted when it passed on to me. And I’m the last in the line of royal Ice Fae and Titan.”

“The power of the Titan bloodline is strong in you. I can hear its roar,” she said, shifting to the Titan tongue that even the gods didn’t speak anymore, and her eyes darkened. “What are you doing here?”

“I want to win the trials,” I responded in the same tongue and found that I was actually more fluent in it than the princess. “I need this, but I can say no more.”

“That’s fair. I won’t make you say more.” She eyed me thoughtfully. “We all have a different path, and we all carry our own burdens and secrets.” She placed her elegant, warm hand on my cool one. “You’re my kin, Tessa, and I acknowledge you. Know that you have allies. When you need me, I’m here, and I need you to survive since you’re my kin.”

She paused for a second and sighed. “If we’d met before you entered, I’d have been able to help you more and offer you whatever aid you need, but the Underworld Bride Trials are magically bound. Not even Loki can interfere. He once hoped you wouldn’t be in the arena, but it’s too late now. So you’re on your own. You’ll have to fight your own battles while in the trials.”

Gratitude flowed in my veins, and warmth swelled in my chest. I had an ally in the most unlikely place, and I’d found a living kin. I’d call today a big win.

“I understand, Mari,” I said softly. “Thank you.” I didn’t like to owe anyone a debt, as I had nothing to give back. I couldn’t even offer Marigold my loyalty, as I’d taken the contract on her adopted brother.

She scowled, but I just couldn’t call her Icy Dagger. She was so full of life and crackling fire, unlike me, a being full of ice and scars.

“You need to form an alliance with a tribe before the second trial,” the death demigod chimed in. “I watched you fight. Whatever the reason you entered the trials, you can do this. You have a chance. But no man is an island. My mate’s kin is my kin. We’ll help you and give you anything you need, but as my lamb said, you’ll have to battle through blades and fangs and claws.”

I smiled. “I’m used to that. I’ll be fine.”

Marigold nodded and dropped the shield. It’d look suspicious if we kept it up too long. As it was, I already felt venomous glares shooting my way. While the Earth Princess and I were conversing, the music had changed, a faster tempo matching the beat of my heart.

Loki currently danced with the blue-skinned alien. From how the other contestants were fanning their faces and squeezing their thighs on their seats, they’d all had a dance with the king, except probably the wolf beta and me.

Veronica had returned to her seat a while ago and was glaring at Loki’s dancing partner, then she glowered at me. The music ended abruptly, and Loki brought the blue alien back to her seat and extended a hand toward Raina.

Based on how much time had passed, I’d bet he danced with each contestant for less than two minutes, and all the women craved more. Veronica in particular acted like she wanted to jump onto the floor and dance with the king again, as she huffed and puffed even though she wasn’t a wolf.

Loki swept his gaze to me before frowning at Marigold as if to warn her not to spill his dirty secrets. Mari just smirked at him, delighting in tormenting him.

“You stay here with me until my brother comes to ask you for the last dance.” Marigold winked at me. “Don’t make it easy for him. I’ll find another time for us to get together.”

Just then, Esme announced, “The dinner party has come to an end, and we thank His Majesty for his kindness and generosity. The candidates who have danced with King Loki can depart now.”

The Duke of Envy rose from his seat and made a beeline toward the other seven contestants.

My heart drummed. There would be only the wolf beta and me left. And then I’d be the last one to depart. But