The-Wrong-Bride-Ares--Raven’s-story-(Maura,-Catharina)_bibis

thinking of?”
Ares tenses and straightens his back, his grip on my hand tightening. “I need it to be visible from
across the room,” he says, his expression unyielding. “Would ten carats be okay? Perhaps fifteen.”
My eyes widen, and I turn toward him. “Are you insane? That’s far too much.”
Ares looks at me and shakes his head. “You’re a Windsor. You’re my wife. Nothing is too much.”
Mr. Laurier smiles at me reassuringly. “Because this is an eternity ring, there will be several
diamonds on your ring with a combined total weight of ten carats. I will ensure that the end result
looks classy, Mrs. Windsor. I understand your worries, but please rest assured. The final result will
be breathtaking and befitting your stature.”
I nod hesitantly, worried for a reason I can’t quite identify. I suppose I’m scared to truly step into
my role as Mrs. Windsor. I’m scared that this thing that appears to be growing between Ares and me
will fall apart. I’m scared my heart will end up shattered and trampled.
“What’s wrong?” Ares asks, his voice soft.
My eyes drop to his simple platinum wedding ring. He hasn’t taken it off since the day we got
married, and that should fill me with relief, but all it does is heighten my anxiety. It’s the ring Hannah
chose for him.
“Can I pick a new ring for you, too?” The words leave my lips before I even realize what I’m
saying, and shame soon follows. I don’t want to be petty and jealous, but I can’t help myself. I don’t
want anything related to our marriage to be tied to her, yet how could it ever be so, when she’s the
very reason we got married at all?
Ares looks at his ring and pulls his hand out of mine. For a moment, I’m certain he’ll reject my
request, but then he takes off his ring and places it on the table. “Of course,” he says simply. “Choose
whatever you’d like.”
I smile nervously as I grab my tablet and scroll to a different design before showing it to Mr.
Laurier. “I want a plain, wide yellow gold band for Ares, with a very subtle feather engraving all
over.”
He grins at me and nods. “A raven’s feather, I assume?”
I nod, my cheeks burning. Ares chuckles as he wraps his arm around my shoulder, his touch
tender. “I like it.” He turns toward Mr. Laurier then. “I want my rings within two weeks, and I only
want the very best stones you can find for my wife.”
My eyes widen, and I tap his foot with mine. Has he lost his mind? Does he have any idea how
long the waiting list for any of Mr. Laurier's designs is? It’s an honor to be here at all, yet here he is,
about to get us kicked out.
“Certainly, Mr. Windsor. I will personally deliver them to your home.”
What? I try my hardest to keep the shock off my face, but the way Ares smirks lets me know I
failed.
“Let’s go home,” he tells me, offering me his hand. I take it, and Mr. Laurier walks us out,
repeatedly thanking us for putting our trust in him.
“You okay?” Ares asks as he leads me to his car. I nod, and he holds the door open for me, a
frown on his face. Ares waits until I’m seated before he rushes around the car. I’ve seen him do this
for Hannah countless times, and it always made me feel so envious as I sat in the backseat, watching
the two of them together. I always hoped to have him to myself one day, yet now that he’s legally
mine, it all feels so empty. It feels like I’m on borrowed time. I’m trying so hard not to lose faith, but I
can’t get my conversation with Hannah out of my head.
“Raven,” Ares says, turning toward me. He leans over me and grabs my seatbelt, his face so close