Page 48 of Mostly Shattered

Chester flashes his too-white teeth and reaches to take my hand. His eyes lazily rake over me. His grip tightens as he pulls me closer, once more leaning in just a bit too far to invade my space.

I want to pull away, to wipe the smug look off his face with a solid punch. For a moment, I imagine Costin shaking him like a goblin rag doll before tossing him across the room. The thought makes me smile. Chester mistakes the look as being for him and reaches to run his fingers down my arm suggestively. My skin crawls at the thought of being tied to him, trapped in his nightmare of a family.

My smile instantly becomes a grimace.

“You really should relax, darling,” Chester continues, his voice barely a whisper. “Once we’re married, you’ll see that life can be quite comfortable. You’ll have everything you want as long as you behave as I wish.”

I lean away from him and resist the urge to slap him. His very touch makes me want to shower in hotacid. He lifts my hand to his mouth and places a kiss against my knuckles. I swear I feel his tongue dart between my fingers. I automatically jerk back.

Gross.

Astrid arches a brow of warning at my reaction.

Chester’s mother stands and comes toward me. “We are so happy to welcome you into the family, dear.”

Mabel studies me like she’s appraising a piece of fine china, not a future daughter-in-law. Her tight smile doesn’t quite reach her eyes.

I don’t answer. No one seems to notice or care.

Mabel turns to her husband and demands, “Aren’t we, Francis?”

“Yes, quite,” Francis mumbles.

“You poor thing. You look out of sorts,” Mabel continues, her tone clipped. “We understand this must be overwhelming for you, but it’s such a wonderful match, don’t you think? Our family has been in good standing for centuries, and it’s only fitting that we align ourselves with such...” She makes a strange noise like she’s being strangled before finishing, “…unique bloodlines.”

Unique. The word feels like a hard slap wrapped in false flattery. I can’t say I’m shocked. Mabel doesn’t see me as part of her world. I’m just an outsider mortal being pulled in for their convenience. Her eyes linger on my dress, and I can practicallyhear her judging it against her own questionable standards.

Francis ignores his wife, not bothering with pleasantries toward me.

I want to scream. I want to run. But all I can do is stand there, smiling through clenched teeth.

“You must forgive me, Tamara, but I must implore you to reconsider one part of the agreement.” Mabel grabs both of my hands and squeezes.

I hope she will ask me not to go through with the marriage. I’m only too happy to oblige.

“One grandchild is not enough,” she continues. “Please reconsider having six. There will be a financial bonus in it for you. And we need to ensure that the Freemont heir doesn’t inherit your, well, you know.”

Gross.

“Genetic condition,” she whispers.

“Mabel, it’s done.” Francis saves me from answering. I could almost thank him until he adds, “The lady will want to keep her figure.”

I visibly shiver in disgust at the way he says it.

Gross. Gross. Gross.

Where the hell is a grumpy vampire companion when you need one? I picture Costin shaking and throwing all of our guests through the window.

“Here we are.” Mortimer appears with a wizard.

I recognize the wizard from supernatural eventsat our country estate, but I have never been introduced. Though he looks frail in build, like most of his kind, he has an otherworldly presence. His age is indeterminate, but being ancient seems to be a requirement for wizards; at least, I’ve never heard of a young one. Long, silvered hair cascades down his robes, which shimmer like stars reflecting off a dark sea. His piercing eyes are an unnerving shade of glowing purple and hold the weight of centuries.

Two servants follow, carrying a podium, which they place in the middle of the room before leaving.

Mortimer unrolls a scroll and sets it down before holding his hand toward the wizard. “Zephronis, if you will be so kind.”

Zephronis snaps his fingers, and an elegant quill and ink pot appear on the podium.

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