Page 25 of Wicked Oath
Mom and Lucy excuse themselves from the room.
Grandma faces me head-on. “What’s going on?”
“I’m not a virgin any longer,” I blurt out.
Grandma pauses for a moment before saying, “And I assume this was James’s doing?”
“Yes.”
She lets out a sigh. “Ok. That’s something, at least.” A look of awareness enters her eyes. “And you’re worried about there being no blood tonight.”
“Yes. I didn’t bleed my first time. Could I bleed my second time, perhaps?”
“Maybe, but probably not.” She sighs again. “Ok, listen. You don’t need virginal blood on the sheets. You just need blood on the sheets. Pricking your finger will be enough. Just splatter some drops onto the sheets before morning, and no one will question a thing. I promise.”
“Really?”
“You’d think these men would know blood given how much they’re around it, but us women understand blood so much better. Mention your period, and they all freak out. The nice thing is that virginity falls under that freak-out category for them. Your dad won’t want to see the blood on the sheets and know that his baby girl is now a woman. If they see a few drops, that will be good enough, and then all the men will quickly look away. Trust me.”
I lean my head on her shoulder. “Thank you.”
“So, are you going to tell me when this happened?”
“Do I have to?”
She chuckles. “No. Just an old curious woman, is all. But didn’t I tell you to be careful of James? He’s already proving himself dangerous by taking your virginity before your wedding night.”
“Everyone says that,” I mutter.
“Who’s everyone?”
“Owen.”
“Owen knows? I’m shocked that boy didn’t keel over dead when he found out.”
“He almost did.”
“Well, either way, just be careful of James. He’s a charmer all right, and that makes him dangerous.”
“I’ll try to be.” I kiss her cheek. “Thanks for the advice.”
“You’re welcome, honey. Now, ready to get married?”
Grandma holds my hand as she walks me into the church lobby, where Dad is waiting for me. “Good luck,” Grandma whispers as she goes into the main room.
Dad holds out his arm. “Ready?”
The main doors swing open, and I see James at the end of the aisle, dressed in a black suit. It’s such a stark contrast to my white gown.
His eyes meet mine in a dark gaze.
This is it.
My life will never be the same after today.
I give my dad a nod. “I’m ready.”
The music swells, and I take a step forward toward the man who is about to become my husband.
