Page 10 of Wicked Vows
I gave him a way out this time, but I can’t help but wonder if the rumors hold any truth.
There is one thing I have his wife didn’t.I don’t come with a fortune.A man as handsome as Nico shouldn’t have trouble finding a willing bride, but with his reputation I guess my father was the only one willing to risk it for the sake of saving his own skin.
My father made some poor investments that left us on the verge of losing everything.
Nico is paying off his debts, granted I do my part in this and give birth to a male heir within the first two years of our marriage.
Is that what happened to Catherine?Did she fail to get pregnant?Was the inheritance only a story made up to cover up what really happened?
Nico stops abruptly.“I hope you’ll be happy here.”
“I’ll try.”
“Good.”He draws my hand to his mouth, pressing his lips to my ring.“Shall we?”
I nod even though everything inside me is screaming that I’m not safe here.Not welcome.
Nico pulls me to the middle of the designated dance floor.
Lights twinkle overhead as soft music filters throughout the tent from the band set up to the left of us.Nico hugs me close to him.I lay my head on his chest as he spins me around, parading me in front of the guests until some other couples join us.My father doesn’t ask me to dance with him.He’s already written me off.He probably can’t wait to cash his check from Nico.
The rest of the night is a blur of well wishes, food, and drinks.
By the time Nico swoops me up into his arms to carry me over the threshold, I’m dead on my feet and can barely hold my eyes open.I drift in and out of consciousness as he carries me up two flights of stairs.Or maybe it was three.
“Get some sleep, Odette.”His lips brush my forehead as my head hits the pillow.
Whispers.A soft web of them drifting like smoke through the cracks in the door sound in my ears.They are an echo that blurs the line between waking and dreaming, that pulls me from a deep sleep.From dreaming of my husband.I feel around, touching nothing but the cold sheets.
I open my eyes to peculiar shadows.To the faint outline of furniture in a room that isn’t mine.I close my eyes again, hoping the whispers stop.Hoping for dreams that make sense.The floor creaks, and I sit up looking for Nico, but there’s no one there.
Shouldn’t he be here in bed with me?Shouldn’t we be consummating our marriage?
Come morning, I know my father will expect to see our bedsheets.It’s a disgusting and barbaric custom, but one that is part of our culture.
I glance around the room, trying to make out the shadows.Trying to convince myself that there isn’t someone standing in the corner watching me sleep, but I can sense their presence.Even if I can’t see them.
The ceiling stretches above me, a dark canvas that holds the secrets of this room.The scent of smoke wafts around me and something that smells like rotting flowers.
I turn onto my side, drawing the covers up as if they can protect me from my own thoughts.
The whispers drift in and out of the room.Maybe it’s the staff or Nico’s men, talking and doing their rounds as their steps sound down the hall.Or maybe it’s something else.Ghosts, my sister would tease if she were here.I can almost hear her laughing at my cowardice.
She’d be the first out of bed and going to investigate every nook and cranny.She’d treat it as an adventure.
My feet hit the floor before I can give a second thought to what I’m doing.I pad slowly across the dark room, bumping my toe on the corner of a dresser.I muffle my cry with my palm to my mouth when I realize I’m no longer wearing my wedding dress.I’m in a white silk nightie that isn’t mine.Did Nico strip me out of my gown and redress me?
I crack the door open and glance both ways down the hall, finding it empty and scarcely lit.I have no idea where I am or where anyone is.I wonder where my parents and Gissette are sleeping.I choose a direction and wander aimlessly.I pause briefly outside of each door I come across, listening for my husband or the whispers I heard earlier, but now there’s only the silence.
This house is too big to be so quiet.All houses have weird creaks and groans.Or at least I thought they did.
Where are Nico’s men?I figured I would have bumped into at least one of them by now.
I find myself walking the halls feeling as though I’m in a labyrinth that will never end.
I hear a door creak open and turn to see an elderly woman exiting one of the rooms.She’s dressed in maid attire.Black dress slacks and a matching shirt with a white collar.
Her gaze falls on me.She looks me up and down, giving me a judgmental glare.
