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Mother asks, “What happened?”
“I fired Kristopher today. He’s lucky I let him live.” This gets my attention and I pause mid drink to listen. Grandmama continues, “He acted inappropriately, and I will not stand for it.”
Her gaze lands on me long enough for an icy chill to sweep through me.There’s no way she knows…
“I’m glad I could help.” Odin takes a drink of wine and says, “When my friend informed me via text message, I knew I had to do something.”
My lips part and I feel like I’m in some kind of dream. No, not a dream.Nightmare. It’s just a coincidence. Or maybe Hans told Odin what I said. That has to be it. It has to!
Grandmama says, “I’d still like to know who the informant was.”
“Oh, I could never reveal my source. Rest assured that I have video proof in case it ever comes to it, though.” His gaze flickers to me before moving back to Grandmama.
I feel dizzy, like I’m actually going to pass out. He’s lying. There’s no way he knows I was with Kristopher. And video proof could mean anything. I repeat those words for the duration of the rest of the meal, willing them to be true.
When everyone is finished eating, I pray we’re about to be released from the table. I need to text Hans to see if he knows anything.
Grandmama clears her throat. “And now let us all make our way to the living room so that Odin and Selma can sign the contract.”
I have to fight groaning. No!
But I stand with the others, following Grandmama, Odin, and Mother from the room. Luckily, because I’m unmarried, I fall in place at the end of the line and can hide behind some cousins as we enter the formal living room. I try to stand next to Freja, but she is pulled to her mother’s side. Freaking of course.
I hate this room. It’s always felt stuffy and uncomfortable. Grandmama sits in her chair, motioning for Odin and my mother to go to the table near the fireplace, where a document awaits them. I have so many questions. How did the union come about? As far as I know, my mother and Odin don’t even know each other that well. Grandmama said she had decided that it was time for Mother to remarry. Why? And the biggest question of all is, how does Odin know what I said to Hans? Is he monitoring Hans’ phone? My face pales. Is someone monitoring mine? Oh my good god. The idea never even crossed my mind! I glance at Grandmama. I wouldn’t put it past her, though. It would also explain how the video Hans sent was deleted…
Mother reaches for the pen first, signing her name. She hands it to Odin, no emotion on her face. He takes it, signing his name with a similar expression. And just like that, my future is ruined. Any dreams I had of marrying Hans go up in flames and I can’t stop the disappointed sigh from leaving my lips.
Grandmama nods her head. “Excellent. Let us all toast the new couple.”
Like magic, servers enter the room with trays of champagne. Once everyone has a glass in hand, Grandmama lifts hers.
“To Odin and Selma. May this union bring us everything we hoped for.”
Everyone lifts their glass, echoing, “To Odin and Selma.”
Well, everyone but me. And when I take a sip, I find that my glass is filled with water. Yet another dig from Grandmama, but that’s fine. I’ll just get a drink at the pub when I sneak out tonight.
Grandmama says, “It’s been a long day, and I’d like to retire. Odin, you are more than welcome to stay and get acquainted with the family.”
“Thank you, Elsa.”
Grandmama hobbles away, leaning heavily on her cane, and I almost ask if she needs help just so I can have a reason to leave, but I don’t. Doing that will only draw unnecessary attention to myself. Instead, I sink into my seat and hope like hell no one pays any attention to me. I mean, any other night they wouldn’t, so why will tonight be any different?
Two long hours later, Odin says he’s going to leave and asks to use the restroom first. Mother directs him to the restroom outside of the living room, and I know this is my chance to slip away. I wait until Odin leaves and then go to my mother’s side.
“Would it be okay if I retired?”
“I suppose,” she answers, barely looking my way.
I keep a smile on my face until I reach the safety of the dark hallway, where I all but run toward the stairway. I’m almost there when the hairs on the back of my neck stand.
“Anna. A word.”
I halt, turning slowly. “Yes?”
Odin comes to a stop in front of me. He towers over me, making me feel small, which is impressive since I’m tall for a woman.
“I’m sure you’re wondering how I got my information about the guard.”
