Page 6 of Anorthic Anarchy

“And you’ll not let me in on any of it?” He glances into my eyes as I stand. One of the door slaves hurries to my side with my silk robe, tossing it over my arms as my feet slide into matching slippers.

“Don’t draw the bath now. But do set it up with my latest novel for this evening.” I point her towardThe Count of Monte Cristoon my nightstand. She keeps her eyes focused on the floor, then scurries back to her position behind the carved bedroom door. Clearing my throat, I lift my eyes to my loyal guard. “No. I won’t.”

The last time I spoke of my brilliant strategies to others was on my eighteenth birthday. A hard lesson, but one I shall never forget. Staring at the open doorway, the anger left over from last night’s turmoil rages within me, and I clench my jaw at the memory of my father’s back turning away from my utter destruction.

“He will pay.”

“What? Sorry, sir?” Sev’s voice brings me back to the present again, and I shake my head slightly.

“Nothing.”

As I pass by to enter my ensuite, he stands in respect. “Sir, Wyatt Barrington is confirmed dead.”

Pausing on the cool tiles, I tap on the door frame. “Good.” One strategy worked, I suppose. It’s a thankless job, but I feel an utter sense of pride. Falcon mentioned he even offed himself. Chuckling, I remember my joy when she told me.Brilliant, Vicenzo.

“And, sir, your bride is here. We placed her in the dungeons last night.”

The smile falls from my face. A snake among the bulls. Blood of the ruin runs through her veins for now until I transfuse it with my seed.

“Yes. I suppose it’s time to meet my new nemesis.”

Chapter 4

Astrid

The girl who brings me my food, Lydia, scrubs my skin harshly in the copper tub. Raking the loofah across my back several times, I lean forward and grit my teeth, not wanting to give her the satisfaction of hearing me complain.

“I told you, I can do it.”

Almost before I’m even done speaking, she snaps at me. “Sorry. This is my job,Mrs. Strauss.” Here I was picturing a steamy tub of comfort. But all I get is a tin of jealousy.

The water is tepid by the time she snatches a hairbrush and yanks it through my wet strands. I’ve never really cared about my looks before. Haircuts only happened when Ferona would get bothered enough by her husband trying to play with my strands. So having this woman try to yank the locks from my head is almost enough for me to turn and hit her. But the fear that she’d rat me out to the master makes me more afraid than the pain.

Finally, she’s done, and my body smells of roses. At least it masks the mildew stench that coats everything down here. Donning a new red shift dress, I follow her down one of thetwisted dungeon halls to my cell. I’m starting to like it. No one really bothers me there.

It’s morning. I know, because we passed a tiny, barred window, but I’m still so very tired. Once grumpy Lydia locks me back inside, I saunter to the cot and try to settle in for another nap. My body feels so weak from the journey and rationed food. Maybe it’s on purpose so I can’t run away as easily.

But they don’t know that Wyatt is probably on his way right now…

“Psst. Hey! Mrs. Strauss?”

My head feels like it’s stuffed with cotton as I awaken to a soft voice calling me. Peeking one eye open, I catch the small pink-haired woman, Chloe, standing just outside my cell.

“Yeah?” It almost hurts to talk; I’m so sleepy and drained.

“I brought you some more food. Figured you could use it.” She slots a key into the door and opens it, then brandishes a large cloth tied into a bundle. The iron wall shakes when she closes the door, and I slump onto the cot.

“Thank you,” I tell her, but concern coats my brow. Is she really being nice?

Pulling the small table over, she unties the towel, showcasing a piece of Angel food cake, a length of sausage, some slices of cheese, and an apple. If she asked me to suck her toes, I think I would.

“Wow! This is a feast.” Snatching the sausage first, I don’t bother being dainty and let my incisors rip into the flesh, gripping a large bite.

Chloe steps back and chuckles. “Thought you’d be hungry. I remember when I first came here and how starved I was for weeks.” She leans against the wall as I dig in, but I pause enough to be polite.

“D-do you want some?”

“Oh, no. I had some lunch already.”

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