Page 117 of Betrayal and Vows

Even if I know that doesn’t truly matter.

I have no control over anything.

My body will belong to Mikhail.

My life is his to give or take.

I feel like a sacrificial lamb. No one says that part aloud, but it’s there in the air, just beneath the clink of silver and whispered Orthodox prayers.

Everyone in this room knows what my future looks like.

There is no future.

I’ll be used and abused and forced to bear at least two children.

There is no joy in having children, because I know they will be abused as well.

My mother’s hand is trembling as she places a piece of the bread into mine. Her lips are tight, her eyes red. She knows what this is. She knows I’d almost rather die than go through with this. She sees my pain.

But she’s not stopping it.

My father looks far too proud for a man marrying off his only daughter to a monster. I don't think he sees it that way. He sees political strategy. Protection. Legacy.

My sacrifice means he gets to live.

And thrive.

While I suffer and die a slow death.

All I can hope for is a quick death.

Maybe I’ll die in childbirth.

Or maybe I can make him angry enough to kill me quickly.

Vadim stands beside my father. He makes a solemn vow to safeguard our family. “From now until the grave,” he says in that gravelly, deadpan voice of his.

But he’s lying.

If Anton told me the truth, Vadim is lying. He will not protect my family.

Mikhail's hand is on my knee. His thumb presses just a little too hard.

Possessive.

Warning.

He leans close and whispers in my ear, breath hot. “Swear your loyalty to me tonight, or Anton dies before morning.”

I jerk back to look at him. My heart stutters, then hammers. “What?” I mouth.

He smiles. That smug, Cheshire cat smile I’ve grown to hate. “You heard me, little bride.”

My lips part, but I can’t breathe. I don’t even know what to ask. I haven’t seen Anton since last night. I rejected his invitation to see me earlier.

I’m regretting that choice.

But I couldn’t risk it.