The War of Gods (A Welcome to the Underworld Novel, Book 3) (19 page)

“You step on the corpse of the one who brought you down,” he responded like it was the most obvious answer. A smile crossed his lips when she looked at him in surprise that he knew this rule as well. “My grandfather told me,” he provided. “It is one of the first things a Royal learns.”

Silence claimed Yoori. She breathed tersely, unknowingly tightening her hold on his hand. Almost inaudibly, she said something she knew he wouldn’t want her to voice.

“I would,” she started slowly, feeling like she was pushing a big rock off her chest, “understand if you’ve considered it.”

He had a lot to lose. It would be foolish of him to have never considered getting rid of her.

Tae Hyun kept his eyes on the road. Nonchalantly, he said, “Have you considered it?”

“I could never beat you,” she replied lightheartedly.

“What if you could?” he persisted, his tone still light with curiosity.

“I could never kill you.” She smiled to herself. “Who else would entertain me if you’re gone?”

Despite her desire to lighten the mood, she still couldn’t get over what Jung Min said. She did not fear for herself, but for Tae Hyun. His fall from grace was not a merciful one and she feared his demise would be worse. Yoori did not want that grim future for him. He deserved to live a long and happy life. He should never die before his time.

“Are you a fallen God right now?” she asked quietly.

“Perhaps I am,” he murmured, tightening his hold on her hand. “But the rest of this world will never know it. To them, I am a God on the edge of falling, but I will never let them know that I have fallen. I will continue to rule over them and I will continue to initiate new members into my gang because that is what a God in power does. He keeps expanding his reach, his authority over this world.” He smirked. “That is a secret that my father taught me. Appearance is everything. If I keep acting like an untouchable God, then perhaps they will believe it.”

“I am the only thing that doesn’t belong in this lie,” Yoori supplied, knowing her place in his life. She was a liability, not an asset.

Tae Hyun kissed her hand, smiling at her with assurance. “If I am a God who will outlive my pet duck, then you will be the God who eats it when it dies.” He looked at her with nothing but adoration in his eyes. “We are perfect together as fallen Gods. The only thing the Underworld needs to believe is that we are perfect together as
untouchable
Gods.”

Interest filled her at his cryptic words. “How do we show that?”

“Tonight will mark the first night,” he said with confidence. “Once you see this initiation, your status will be set.”

Yoori still did not follow along. “What status will that be?”

He grinned softly and before he could answer, they arrived at the iron gates of the estate.

Yoori’s eyes expanded at the beauty before her. A large mansion that could easily be a replica of the United States’ White House came before her eyes. It was pure white with long pillars at the face of the entrance. There was a massive water fountain shooting dancing water into the sky while a vast acre of green grass enclosed its surroundings. It was so large that she was sure they could fit hundreds of people in the estate and still have room to spare.

As they drove up the stone driveway, her eyes enlarged even more when she saw hundreds of Serpents standing there, waiting for Tae Hyun’s much anticipated arrival. They were all dressed in black business suits and looked like they could run a nation if they wanted to.

Yoori felt surreal that she was finally at the Serpents
’ estate. She felt even more surreal at the actions of those around her when Tae Hyun stepped out of the car. One second, the Serpents were all standing. Yet, as soon as Tae Hyun’s feet hit the pavement, they all fell on one knee and kneeled before him with the utmost reverence.

For the first time, Yoori saw the King behind the man she had fallen for.

Not even fazed by this colossal exhibition of respect, Tae Hyun casually came to her side of the car and opened the door. He smiled while he held his hand out to her.

“Choi Yoori,” he began, voicing one of the first things he said to her during their first meeting. Only now, it was a completely true statement. After this night, she would truly be initiated into his world.

“Welcome to
my
world.”

“You may have been born human
. . .”

09: The Sealed Kingdom

Yoori could scarcely keep the smile solidified on her face when she stepped out of the car. She did her best to ignore the hundreds upon hundreds of Serpents, all of whom were still kneeling before them. She was grateful she chose to wear a nice white dress today. It would have been an awkward sight if she were in her usual jeans and tank top attire.

When Tae Hyun gave her a reassuring smile and interlaced his fingers with hers, Yoori returned the smile. It was comforting to know that although he was a King to everyone else, he was still her Tae Hyun.

She drew in a deep breath and allowed Tae Hyun to lead the way as they strolled past the kneeling Serpents. They climbed the eight steps leading up to the estate and moved through the enormous mansion. Yoori looked around, stunned to find that there were more Serpents here. She felt like a formidable tide when she was with Tae Hyun. Everywhere they neared, Serpents would kneel before him. It was mesmerizing and euphoric. They weren’t kneeling for her, but she felt powerful all the same. She could get used to this.

“Yoori,” Hae Jin greeted once they walked into the living room that housed a white grand piano and a brightly lit chandelier. Hae Jin stood up from a white leather sofa and approached Yoori and Tae Hyun. She was wearing a black sleeveless turtleneck and a black pencil skirt. Her smile was warm when she opened her arms to Yoori. “So great to see you here. You look beautiful!”

“Thank you, so do you!” Yoori exclaimed, giving Hae Jin a big hug.

“Hey bosses,” said two voices from behind Hae Jin.

Kang Min and Jae Won followed Hae Jin off the sofa. They, too, wore black business suits. She had never seen them look so professional.

“Hey guys,” Yoori greeted, embracing Kang Min and then Jae Won.

“Always great to see the two of you together,” Jae Won said to them when he pulled away from the hug. He imparted a slight bow to Tae Hyun as his greeting.

“You two really look like the King and Queen of the Underworld,” remarked Hae Jin as she gifted Tae Hyun with a big hug.

Kang Min leaned closer to Hae Jin when she pulled away from the hug. “I think that’s the idea, Hae Jin,” he whispered with a grin.

Yoori looked at them strangely. It occurred to her that they were not in the least bit surprised that she was on “hallowed” ground. After all the talk about outsiders being prohibited from witnessing the Serpents’ initiation, it baffled her that they were behaving so nonchalantly around her.

“You guys knew I was coming?” Yoori ventured, bewilderment bubbling in her voice. It was the only plausible explanation for their casual behavior.

“Oppa told us a few days ago that he planned on bringing you here for the initiation,” Hae Jin confirmed jubilantly. She gave a sly shrug, the warmth mounting in her eyes. “We’ve known for a while.”

Yoori was gobsmacked. She peered at Tae Hyun with inquisitive eyes. She assumed his decision to bring her to the second estate was a spur of the moment thing. It astonished her that he had
planned
to bring her to the initiation all along.

Tae Hyun favored her with a coy smile before freeing his hand from hers. He purposely avoided addressing her surprised expression.

“I have to go prepare for the initiation,” he announced. He spared a glance between Hae Jin and the brothers before returning his focus to Yoori. “Will you be okay with these fools for the time being?”

“Hey,” all three piped up, pouting in bitterness.

The mischievous girl in Yoori laughed quietly. It was incredibly amusing to watch Tae Hyun pick on other people. She smiled, putting aside the shock of discovering that Tae Hyun had planned to bring her here all along. Whatever sparked his decision, she was glad for it. She playfully pushed him away to reassure him she would be fine. “Go. I’ll be fine.”

He nodded before turning to the others. “Keep her entertained until I’m done.”

All three voiced their confirmation. Satisfied, Tae Hyun bestowed one last parting smile to Yoori before turning on his heels. When he moved away, about ten Serpents followed after him. Yoori’s eyes continued to shadow them until Tae Hyun made a turn into another corridor and disappeared into the eastern wing.

She briefly wondered what he had to do to prepare for the initiation.

“Come on, Yoori,” called Hae Jin, drawing Yoori out from her reverie. She and the brothers motioned for Yoori to follow them. “Let’s get you situated for the initiation.”

Yoori stole a final glance at the corridor Tae Hyun had disappeared into before she followed them into another part of the estate. They climbed up a flight of stairs that eventually led to the roof of the mansion.

Yoori folded her arms after she reached the roof. The billowing wind brought forth cold air that made goose bumps materialize on her body. Thankfully, the wind died down the further she walked onto the rooftop.

Her eyes traveled the length of the massive roof. She noticed about fifty people were already on the rooftop. They stood in small crowds, quietly conversing with one another while facing the estate gardens. From above, she could see that there were various people downstairs on the different balconies hanging from the mansion. She went to the edge of the roof in curiosity. She was floored upon finding that there were hundreds more Serpents on this part of the estate. Her eyes wandered over the world below her. Some of the well-dressed Serpents were perched on the balconies’ railings, some sat on the Spanish-like stairs that led into the garden, some stood on the landing of the stairs, and many leaned against the estate walls.

Then, at the center of the roof, she noticed a throne that resembled the one she saw at Ju Won’s mansion. It was also made out of pure gold and it looked magnificent. The only difference was that on the armrests of this throne, there were engravings of serpents with their heads raised up. The heads of the serpents faced into the gardens, looking like guardians for the initiation to come. 

“You can sit here, Yoori,” said Hae Jin, tugging Yoori toward the throne.

Yoori smiled nervously, reluctant to obey. She was promptly reminded of what happened when Jung Min kidnapped her and showed her the golden throne at Ju Won’s estate. She fell so in love with the throne—so in love with the idea of power—that if she hadn’t heard Tae Hyun’s name, she would’ve been lost to the world. She eyed the throne before her warily. She did not want to sit on that throne; she did not want to entice herself with a power she should never seek.

“I’m okay,” she said briskly, no longer wanting to look at it.

Hae Jin displayed the “don’t-be-shy” look. “This throne was brought out specifically for you,” she insisted, completely oblivious to the conflict raging inside Yoori. “You should sit.”

“That’s Tae Hyun’s seat,” Yoori desperately uttered. She stared at the throne like a recovering alcoholic would at a bottle of liquor. The last thing she wanted was to fall to temptation; the last thing she wanted was for the monster inside her to come out.

“He’s not coming up here,” supplied Kang Min, standing behind the throne with Jae Won to the left of him. He beckoned for her to come forward. “Tonight, this is your seat.”

“Come again?” Yoori asked, perplexed.

Jae Won lightly rolled his eyes at what he perceived as a naïve question. “Come on, boss,” he coaxed with a patient smile. “This is your seat. Just sit.”

Yoori’s heart hammered while she looked between Hae Jin and the brothers. They were being incredibly insistent, and she did not want to appear problematic. Her experience here would wind up being unpleasant if she had to explain to them
why
she feared the throne so much. It was better to acquiesce and behave normally. When Tae Hyun made his appearance up here, then she would return his throne to him. It was that simple.

Her decision set, she nodded and approached the throne.

When she sat down, Yoori felt all eyes rest on her. It happened very subtly. As she moved her fingers over the serpent armrest, doing her best to not allow the euphoria to overtake her, she could see everyone turning slightly to glance in her direction. They did not say anything and they did not stare for long, but the action caused her to feel timid all the same. She was used to hiding in the shadows of the Underworld to protect her identity. The fact that she was sitting on a throne, on a roof no less, amidst several hundred Serpents made her edgy. It felt strange to be on display like this, like she was a new creature to this secret world.

Yoori took in a lungful of breath and looked ahead to disregard the apprehensiveness she felt.

The jaw dropping sight before her nearly caused her to gasp out loud.