The Wraith King (The Rise of Northgall, #1)

by Juliette Cross

“What then? If I survive my bath in the lake.” “We will take you back to your bedchamber and paint your body in the sacred symbols. Then you will be taken to the throne room where the king and his court await.” “Painted?” I asked, unsure what she meant. “Your entire body. From your neck down so all can see your demon sign and that you are healthy to bear his child. In that state, you will walk a circle through the court for all to see. Then you will take your place, kneeling within the circle beneath his throne. He will light feyfire to surround you, a symbol of his protection, then he will say the ceremonial words of the Servium. He will then take you within that circle. And bite you.” By now, I was trembling, trying to imagine how I’d possibly be able to walk and parade through his court naked, so that what? They could all inspect my body to be sure I was worthy to carry a wraith fae royal child? The humiliation of it. Then my attention snagged on to the last part. “Are you saying that he will consummate the union in the throne room in front of”—I swallowed hard—“in front of everyone?” “It is common of wraith kings. It is a way to show everyone that he has chosen her and that no one has the right to bed her but him. That it is his seed that plants the child and no other. It is tradition.” It was barbaric. My stomach rolled with nausea. All words stuck in my throat, I couldn’t even question for what purpose he would bite me. “Excuse me.” I jolted to my feet and walked swi...