Page 17 of Anorthic Anarchy

Chloe leaves me with a knowing look as she slyly points to the door lock, and I wave her goodbye. The rest of the afternoon and evening, I curl up to readRobinson Crusoeand draw old ships on the new pad of paper they left me. And try not to imagine my new husband having sex with thousands of trafficked women.

The bed is comfortable, and I rest easier under the stars that shine through the broad windows sitting high above me. It’s almost like being free.

The next morning, I watch as the sun rises in the east of the tower, pondering how many days I have left until I’m doomed. I think it’s only two. After Nari enters and shoves my breakfast tray at me with a sneer, I curl up on the window seat to finish my book, missing my one friend I’ve made here.

Hopefully, she comes through and can let me out. I’ve planned a strategy for running down the path toward the drive and the city. I don’t know exactly where to find Wyatt from there, but I’ll just have to start asking questions.

A key slots into the lock, and Dilan enters with an air of superiority. With a stoic look on her face, she says, “Miss, it’s time for your wedding.”

My breath catches in my chest, and immediately I think of vomiting up my eggs in the toilet. “But it’s not my birthday until tomorrow, right? I’m not eighteen!”

Where is Wyatt? I thought he’d be here by now. Maybe I could rush her and scramble away.

“Master would like to do the ceremony now and sign the paperwork. He won’t bed you until tomorrow.” She pauses as my vision blurs with every heartbeat. Is this really happening? What if Chloe makes it here and somehow lets me out first? As if the thing I’m most worried about is that, she says, “You’re a virgin. Are you not, miss?”

The question annoys me. It’s not her place to know, and it’s not important, but I’m afraid of the pain that may come from the act. She seems to know a lot about it, so maybe she’s asking to give me pointers. “Yes.”

Blankly, she stares at me for a moment and blinks.

Placing my hands on my hips, I lift my head. “Is that a problem?” I never really thought about sex. In fact, it seems weird. Someone sticking something inside me like that. Why do people do it? I guess he wants to impregnate me. I need to get out of here before that happens.

“No. The master will appreciate hearing that. He enjoys virgins and has a desire for his bride to be pure.” Part of me wishes I had just given myself away to a random guy so I could bypass the consort’s expression when he finishes. With her fingers, she beckons me. “Let’s get you cleaned up and dressed for the ceremony. It’s to take place in the back garden, but near the house.”

Just behind her in the doorway stands a guard I haven’t seen before. With his arms crossed, he stares me down, begging me to try something. My heart pounds so hard it takes my breath away. There’s no escape.

Nari’s gloating face pops out from behind Dilan’s tall frame. She strolls to the wedding dress and helps me into it. Every button she does up my back makes me shudder. Dilan herself works on my hair, curling it and placing the ringlets on the crown of my head once she’s finished. I do look like a medieval princess of a castle somewhere, and the change is shocking. I’ve never looked this polished.

I’m petrified.

The fear grows when Dilan escorts me through the house until we wind up in a well-manicured and fenced garden. My feet move as if I’m trudging through sand. When I think about bolting, the big guard they call Sev comes to stand beside me. He grips my arm as if walking me down the aisle and like I don’t have a choice. Two more men in suits stand just behind me. Sweat almost drips onto my made-up face as beads of fear form on my forehead.

Then, I see him.

Despite being old, he’s exceedingly handsome. And the high-collared deep red waistcoat he wears does nothing to make him less so. The long tails of his jacket wave in the crisp autumn breeze as he poses like a marble statue alongside a minister underneath an arched trellis heavy with red roses.

Dilan places something in my palm and folds my fingers over it, then hands me a bouquet of the same flowers as the ones on the arbor. “His ring. Good luck.”

Spinning, she seems to hurry away from me until it’s just the bull and I facing each other. And as if he truly resembles one, his nostrils flare at the sight of me. He lowers his head and waves his fingers, beckoning me toward him. With a snarl to his upper lip, his voice is husky and dry when he finally speaks.

“Come, my betrothed. It’s time to fulfill your duty.”

Chapter 9

Strauss

The serpent slithers toward me slowly. Each step she moves in her slippers is calculated and divisive. But what a beautiful snake she is. Ripe, pink cheeks, and innocent eyes. Floating white dress, tightening across the mounds of her womanly curves. Angelic, virginal, and pure.

It will bring me pleasure to destroy it.

Sev nods at me from behind the garden hedge, monitoring her movements carefully in case she tries to run. Though, if she did, it would be much worse for her to be caught in these woods. Owls love to eat snakes.

Once she approaches, she places her delicate hand in my waiting palm, a breath held in her chest. I escort her to the arbor.

She won’t look at me. Not fully. And the fact she’s so nervous infuriates me. Her bright blue eyes bore holes into my chest even when I dip my forehead toward her to gain her attention. She refuses to give it. Anger tightens my neck muscles until it’s difficult to swallow.

Surrounding her waist with my forearm, I haul her into me, then use my fingers to lift her chin so she has no choice but to gaze at her new master. An involuntary huff leaves heras I squeeze the air from her lungs. When she inhales, her thick bottom lip juts out, and my head tilts with a momentary distraction at how perfect it is for biting.

“No ignoring this,” I command. Straightening up, I maintain my eye contact with the angel and instruct the minister. “We’re ready to take our vows now. Proceed.”

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