Page 56 of Vicious Vows

He glances down at the woman at his side and continues, “My fiancée, Ellie, and I wanted to wish you all the best.”

Grandmama leans forward. “Fiancée? Does this mean you’re divorcing that wench, Jasmine?”

She says it loud enough that several people stop to listen, and Aunt Maja gasps. “Mama!”

Grandmama waves her hand in dismissal. “Anyone who knows Jasmine knows that she’s a bitch. You girl, come closer so I can look at you.”

Mr. Jafar holds the woman’s hand as they move closer. I hold my breath, waiting to hear what Grandmama says.

“I like this one. She’s a much better match for you, Jafar. Should we be expecting news of an heir soon?”

Mr. Jafar looks proud, pulling the woman close. “Yes.”

“Good.” She turns to Mother. “While this one can’t have a child at her age, there’s always a surrogate to carry on the Vilulf line, isn’t that right?”

“Yes, Mama. Odin and I can’t wait to have a child of our own.”

My mouth is dry. A child? Mother is planning on having another child? With Odin.

Mother smiles, putting her hand on Odin’s as if to assure everyone that they, too, will be making an announcement soon. Mother is only forty. It’s still very possible that she can carry a child of her own, despite what Grandmama implied. Is that why she agreed to remarry? Because she wants another child? Have I done something to disappoint her? My mind is racing just as Grandmama gets everyone’s attention.

“Ladies and gentlemen, it seems we’re celebrating two upcoming weddings. My daughter is to marry Odin Vilulf, and Malik Jafar is marrying a delightful woman named Ellie. Van der Zee, if you’re still here, I’d suggest you catch up to the others.”

There’s laughter throughout the room, and then Grandmama invites Ellie to come by for tea, which is basically giving her a stamp of approval. Not that I think it would matter to Mr. Jafar. He’s the type that’s going to do whatever he wants. Rules and formality be damned. Mr. Jafar and Ellie move past Grandmama to speak to Odin and Mother.

Odin stands, clasping Mr. Jafar’s hand in a tight shake before bowing at the waist to Ellie. Mother stands, too, though I can tell she looks less than pleased. Is it because Odin bowed to Ellie?

Odin says, “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Ellie. I’d like to introduce you to my fiancée, Selma.”

Mother smiles, though it looks… off. “So nice to meet you. I’m sure we will become great friends.”

Ellie smiles back. “I hope that we will.”

Odin turns and snaps. “Anna.”

Did he just summon me in the same manner someone would summon a freaking dog? I glare at the back of his head as I round Mother’s chair and stand next to her.

Odin doesn’t look at me as he says, “Anna, this is Ellie. She’s Jafar’s fiancée, as I’m sure you just heard. I believe you two are closer in age than Ellie is to your mother. Perhaps you can find things to talk about.”

He’s being a dick, and I can’t tell if it’s directed toward me or toward Mr. Jafar. Either way, Ellie doesn’t deserve to be insulted.

“How kind of you to think of my needs like that,” I say in a sickly sweet voice. Turning to Ellie, I say, “It’s so nice to meet someone who isn’t asoldas Odin and my mother.”

“Anna!” Mother gasps.

Mr. Jafar snorts and asks, “Anna, would you like to join us? I was just about to get my bride-to-be a drink.”

“I would love that. Thank you.”

Odin says, “Don’t go too far. The first dance is soon.”

I’m so angry and it takes everything inside of me not to stomp away like a child. How dare he speak to me like that! And why do I need to be there for the first dance? It’s not like I’m the one getting married!

Reaching the refreshment table, I grab a flute of champagne and toss it back like a shot.

Mr. Jafar asks, “Are you old enough to drink, Anna?”

Men!

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