Oathbreaker by Amy Sumida Page A

Odin looked over the small assemblage thoughtfully. “Honestly, I thought there’d be more protests. The lack is disturbing.”
    “ Why?” I frowned and took a sip of my red wine. “Isn’t that a good thing?”
    “ Unless they were already plotting against me,” Odin glanced back at me, “and this will simply push them into action sooner.”
    “ Why would they want to oust you after all this time?”
    “ I have no idea but I haven't lasted this long as their leader without trusting my instincts and my instincts tell me danger's brewing.”
    “ Is that why no one is sitting up here with us?” I looked pointedly around our empty table and Odin laughed.
    “ No, the high table is reserved for me, my family, and any honored guests that I choose to dine with.”
    “ So normally you’d be eating alone?” I looked over the two filled tables before us.
    “ Yes.”
    “ How horrible to be surrounded by people yet be so isolated,” I wondered if he did it on purpose. Maybe he preferred it that way.
    “ I haven’t been comfortable around others since Sabine died,” he stared down at his food, then took a deep breath and smiled at me. “You’re the first person whose company I’ve truly enjoyed since that dark day.”
    Things were getting too heavy again, I had to lighten it up. “What about your Valkyries,” I gestured to the throng of beautiful women who sat at the table on our right. They were the only ones who had shown only a slight amount of surprise at Odin’s speech. It really didn’t matter to them, they were steadfast in their loyalty, of that even I was certain.
    “They’re pretty to look at but all they think about is fighting and fu… making love.”
    I laughed loud and hard, throwing myself back in my chair and earning disapproving glances from the gods. Odin joined in and the stares turned to confusion.
    “I would’ve thought those two things would be entertaining for you,” I was surprised at how easy it was to flirt with him… and how fun.
    “ They are,” he leaned in to kiss my cheek and stayed near to whisper, “with the right woman.”
    “ Which would you prefer,” I found my lips a hairsbreadth from his, “fighting or…?”
    His eye flamed for a second, then he closed it and when he opened it again, the fire was replaced by ice. I watched his jaw clench before he spoke. “I didn’t realize you could be so cruel, Godhunter.” He pulled away and I resisted the urge to reach for him.
    “Odin,” I touched his hand and felt him tense beneath my fingers. “I’m so sorry; I don’t know why I turn into someone else around you. Maybe Trevor was right in wanting to be here with me. Or maybe I should just go home. I can come back tomorrow.”
    “ No,” he grabbed my hand quickly, “it’s alright. Be cruel, just don’t leave.”
    My eyes widened and I felt my breath rush out of me. My heart was pounding again, the stupid, traitorous organ, and I felt my magic trembling to life inside me.
    “I don’t want to be cruel, to you or Trevor. I’m a grown woman, I shouldn’t behave like this. No wonder your friend called me a whore, I’m acting like one and I need to go home.” I started to get up but Odin pulled me back down.
    “ I told you that you’re safe with me and I meant it,” he leaned in close so no one could see us. “Don’t go; I won’t pressure you into anything.”
    “ It’s not you I’m worried about,” I looked away from him.

Why the hell did he make me feel like this? I hardly knew the guy and what I did know was more mysterious than factual. A mystery, that’s what we’d toasted to and that’s what my attraction to him was.
    “I need you here, Vervain,” he glanced over at the rest of the hall and then back at me. “How will it look if you leave now? I may lose even those who are still loyal to me.”
    I pushed him back a little, it was too hard to think with him so close. “You’re right, I agreed to do this. I won’t back out and leave