"I say: f*ck off." I said in in a matter-of-fact tone, keeping my expression bored, even when my insides threatened to explode from nervousness. "I will never willingly join The Riot - nor will I become your wife."
Vlad laughed from his stomach, doubling over in fits of laughter. It unnerved me.
He wheezed and wiped his eyes. "I knew you were going to be against it, but I figured you'd be more... terrified about it. Instead, it looks like you're challenging me to try. How amusing."
He studied me. "I thought you made a turn at death's door. But you look fine to me."
Well, judging by my reflection in the little mirror across the room, his definition of "fine" was very different from the normal one. My hair was a mess, my face was swollen on the one side, bruised and red. There was a bandage on the left side of my neck.
Yep. Totally fine.
