#Chapter 9 – The Selection

The Prince of Hell’s smirk deepens when he sees my bared teeth, but he quickly turns his head back to his father as the God of Death begins to speak again. “Let me begin,” the God of Death says, folding his hands neatly behind his back, “by letting you know that the first trial has already begun.” He waves a hand, encompassing all of us. “In twenty weeks my son will choose one of you to be his eternal bride – a position of great honor that comes with the title of Princess of the Underworld. When my son succeeds me as King of this great land, you will be his Queen.” I look around at the women standing with me, encircling this suitor, this apparent prize. Some of them preen excitedly at the prospect, but my stomach just turns. It’s not that I don’t understand the appeal of the Princess lifestyle – if you’re that sort of girl, like my sister is, it’s a great life. It’s just…absolutely the opposite of what I want. And the idea of getting a second Princess title to go with my first?