Page 42 of Vicious Vows

I’m under house arrest for the next few weeks.

House arrest? How old are you?

21

You realize that makes you an adult, right?

It’s not that simple.

I bet I can sneak you out of there. Give me an address.

I smile, shaking my head.

Do you have a death wish?

Not today. I mean it, I’ve been known to slip past a guard or two.

I’ll see if I can leave for a bit tomorrow, but I’m not holding my breath.

I’ll be waiting for your text.

I drop my phone on my nightstand. Is it possible that I might be able to leave tomorrow? Odin’s email made it sound like I wouldn’t be able to go anywhere unless he or my mother were with me, but I guess I can always try. Flynn’s face crosses my mind. Yeah. It’s definitely worth a shot. I mean, sometimes the universe gives you what you need when you need it, like a friend.

9

Anna

I sleep like crap, finally dozing off as the night sky turns lighter with the approach of dawn. Somehow, I manage to wake up by seven thirty, which is perfect since Mother always has her breakfast at eight. In the closet, I pick out an outfit that will please her. It’s not something I’d wear on my own, but I guess it doesn’t matter if it works. The navy slacks and ivory blouse make me feel like I’m off to a job interview as I pad to the bathroom to brush my hair and add a bit of make-up.

Opening my bedroom door, I make my way toward the kitchen but find my mother in the dining room. With Odin. Ugh. They’re sitting together at the dining room table. I stop in the doorway, taken aback at how comfortable they look. She’s wearing her robe, looking at a bridal magazine. He’s in a dark suit and has a newspaper folded next to his plate as he reads over it. Something pulls deep in my chest. I don’t belong here with them.

I force myself to move into the room.

“Good morning.”

Mother doesn’t answer, but Odin looks up.

“The chef can bring you whatever you’d like.”

Mother jumps in at this. “Anna doesn’t eat breakfast. Isn’t that right, Anna?”

I force a smile on my lips. “That’s right. I was just coming to ask if it was still okay if I went to the Met, Mother. Remember, you said I could go?”

We stare at each other, neither of us backing down. If she wants me to pretend that I don’t eat breakfast, which is my favorite meal of the day, then she’s going to have to give me something in return.

Finally, she says, “That’s right. Of course you can go.”

Odin says, “My soldier, Weselton, will accompany you.”

I bite back a groan. If Weselton goes, he’ll report back that Flynn was there. I think back to Flynn’s words. Maybe he really will be able to get me away for a little bit. If so, then this might be worth the risk.

“That’s fine. I’ll be ready to leave in ten minutes.”

I leave the dining room before either of them can change their minds. In my room, I grab my phone.

Flynn

Are you around?

---