Page 36 of Vicious Vows

He takes a sip of his wine. “I guess we’ll have to agree to disagree.”

I finish my wine and go to reach for the bottle. He stops me by pushing the bottle out of reach.

“I think you’ve had enough. Did you even eat anything at dinner?”

“You know I didn’t.”

“Your mother mentioned that you’re on a diet for the wedding. Trying to catch the eye of my youngest brother?”

Leave it to my mother to twist everything, so it seems like I’m the one choosing not to eat.

I snip back, “Maybe. Think he’ll notice me?”

“I suggest you get all thoughts of my brother out of your head. It’s never going to happen, baby girl.”

“It could,” I argue. “We’re the same age and we’re both from prominent Families. It would make sense for us to get married or would have before you and my mother got engaged.”

“You honestly think you could catch the eye of my brother?” He scoffs. “You’ve seen the type of women who flock after him.”

My cheeks flush, but I shrug. “Crazier things have happened. I mean, I caught your eye, didn’t I?”

I wish I could take back the words as soon as I say them.

“You didn’t catch my eye. You’re simply an amusing way to pass the time until my wedding.”

He holds my gaze as if daring me to say something. So, I do.

“Guess it’s a good thing you’ll be married soon and then we won’t have to see each other.”

“What in the fuck do you mean?”

“Well, my mother will live here with you. I assume I’ll continue to stay at Grandmama’s house until a match can be arranged.”

Odin is silent, but anger radiates off him. I’m not sure why he’s so upset.

He stands. “I should get you back home.”

I stand, too, swaying a bit.

He steadies me, and I murmur, “Thanks.”

“You’re drinking too much. Keep it up and I’ll make sure you don’t have a drop of alcohol. Understand?”

I nod. “Yup.”

What he doesn’t know is that I need alcohol as much as I need the pills I’ve been taking. Anything to numb the pain. My only regret is that I didn’t discover them sooner. But he’s right. I need to remember that someone is always watching, which means I’ll have to be more careful in public. So that’s what I’m going to do.

8

Anna

I manage to avoid Mother and Grandmama for the next two days. Both are busy planning the wedding. Our formal living room has become the wedding hub, with samples and a vision board. I pause, looking over the board. I’ve seen photos from my mother and father’s wedding. It was simple and sweet. Nothing like this wedding is going to be. No, this wedding demands attention and flaunts the money that our family has.

Mother’s dress is being made in Italy. She ended up changing the burgundy bridesmaid’s dresses to a pale blue that almost looks ivory in the right light. I’m still dreading wearing it, though. I’m going to stick out like a sore thumb next to my model-thin aunts. I almost wish Mother would decide that I don’t need to be in the wedding party, but I don’t think I’ll get that lucky only because people would wonder why I wasn’t a part of it. If they only knew that I’m never a part of anything in this family.

The clock in the hallway chimes six, and I bite back a groan. While I’m still under house arrest, Mother has decided that I am to be at the dinner table with her and Grandmama while they eat. So far, I’ve yet to be served anything but wine. I wonder how long a person can live on one egg a day before they go mad?

I make my way to the dining room and take my seat. Grandmama and Mother arrive, talking about a distant relative who isn’t going to be at the engagement party.

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