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

I’m not immoral. I’d never disrespect you or our marriage like that. Hannah made her choice when
she ended things between us, and there’s no going back now.”
She looks into my eyes, her gaze provocative. “Do you truly believe you’ll want me someday?
Will you ever be able to look at me without thinking of Hannah?” Her gaze travels over my body,
pausing on my suit pants for a moment. “Or do you intend to remain celibate throughout our marriage?
I sat in your lap, naked, and you still didn’t want me.”
I run a hand through my hair, thoughts of Raven underneath me flashing through my mind. That
recurring dream I have would no longer be a forbidden fantasy. “Raven,” I whisper. “You’re one of
the most beautiful women alive. I don’t stand a chance at resisting you. Every second of you being in
my lap was torture, but I couldn’t… I’m not a cheater, Raven. I would never have touched you then.”
Her expression looks disarmed, surprise flickering through her eyes. I can’t help but smile at her,
a hint of embarrassment making me avert my gaze. I never dared to admit to myself how stunning she
truly is, how attractive I find her. Raven has always been someone that’s entirely off-limits to me in
that way. Until now.
“Ares, if we do this… if it really gets to that point… I need you to know that I expect more than
just affection and respect. I expect you to keep an appropriate distance from my sister, regardless of
your history. If I make this sacrifice, I won’t allow you to make me regret it. If I marry you, I want you
to treat me as your wife.”
Her fierce expression sets my heart ablaze, and I force myself to stay calm. What is she saying?
Does she mean… does she mean she expects us to make this marriage work? I thought what she’d
want would be a true marriage of convenience, but could I have been wrong?
“So long as it’s within my power, there’s nothing I won’t give you, Raven. No matter what you
ask, it’s yours — and that includes me.”
Her eyes widen slightly, and she nods briefly before tearing her gaze away. “You won’t regret
this?” she asks. “You won’t regret sacrificing your happiness for your inheritance? When all is said
and done, will you resent me for standing between Hannah and you?”
I cup her face gently and tilt her face toward mine. “No,” I promise her. “I won’t resent you,
Raven. This situation is unfortunate for both of us, and I’ll always remember that you’re giving up just
as much as I am. I can’t resent you for a choice Hannah made. I won’t do that to you.”
She nods, her expression unreadable. Raven has always been sweet and kind. The woman looking
back at me right now is one I don’t recognize, and I’m not sure how I feel about it. Nothing about this
conversation went the way I expected it to.
I assumed she’d tell me that even if we end up married, we’d never have more than friendship. I
didn’t expect her to ask me for fidelity. Until the words escaped my lips, I didn’t realize I’d be happy
to grant it to her, too.
“I hope she changes her mind,” Raven whispers. “All I’ve ever wanted for you is happiness,
Ares. I don’t want to be the one who takes it away from you.”
“You won’t,” I promise. “You and I will figure this out, Raven. If we end up getting married,
we’ll find our own happiness. It might not be easy, but if this is our destiny, it’ll work itself out.”
The cautious trust I see in her eyes sparks something deep within me. Something that feels an
awful lot like hope.