Page 47 of Red Retaliation

His fingers burn mine, and I’m unsure if the pulse throbbing through my hand is his or mine. I then spot that tattoo on his neck again, just below his collar. The whiteness of his shirt exaggerates the tiny glimpse of red and black lines of ink.

I want to know what that tattoo is, but I guess I never will.

Instead, I force myself to listen as the meaningless rumble of the registrar’s voice addresses the room.

“...you have shared in and contributed to their lives in the past, and by witnessing their marriage ceremony today, Redmond Alphonse Bateman and...”

Alphonse?I’m sure Red notices the involuntary twitch of my lips suppressing a smile.

“...Arianna Lucretia Bristoni, formerly Galvatore, ask you to share in their future.”

“Lucretia?” a voice whispers. “Isn’t that a murdering poisoner?”

Red’s eyes dart somewhere behind me, and I guess from the comment, it was Liam who spoke.

The registrar clears his throat, and his voice drones on. I struggle to stay tuned until he gets to one particular part:

“...if there is any person here present who knows of any lawful impediment to this marriage, then they should declare it now...”

Red tenses and I do the same, fully expecting one of these three other people, aside from us and the registrar, to list a whole host of reasons why this wedding should not go ahead.

I could list plenty myself, so why don’t I? Why do I hope Red’s brothers and Del remain silent? Isn’t the wedding being called off not what I’ve prayed for?

I feel myself wavering and hope I won’t pass out, but Red’s hands tightening around mine gives me reassurance over the snorts and muffled chuckles from behind.

If looks could kill, Red’s brothers would be dead three times over, but satisfied, the registrar continues. “...solemn and binding character of the vows... Marriage in this country... Voluntarily entered into for life...”

Voluntarily?I glance at Red, but his eyes have returned to the usual stoic, unmoving stare.

“Redmond, do you take Arianna Lucretia to be your wife, and do you promise to remain true to them for the rest of your lives together?”

He flinched. Redflinched. I saw and felt it. The thought of being in a loveless, pointless marriage too much for him, is it?

There’s still time, Red. There’s still time to back out.

“I do.” Red’s voice travels via my hand through my body, and to divert the effect this has, I stare at his shiny, polished shoes.

“Arianna, do you take Redmond Alphonse to be your husband and do you promise to remain true to them for the rest of your lives together?”

The hissing rush of a noise I can’t fathom grows louder in my ears.I can still stop this. I don’t have to do it. I could just do what Oscar said and leave.

My mouth opens and then shuts. I still haven’t spoken. The silence is heavy, and Red glares at me, but I can’t say it. I just can’t...

“Do you need a few moments?” the registrar asks.

I remain silent, the hatred from behind, crushing.

My family. My family will suffer. I can do this. I can!

“I do,” I say loudly and with startling clarity.

Then, the “repeat after me” part begins. I sense Red’s concern, but this time I recite my part without hesitation. My voice sounds robotic, but I don’t care. I’m doing what I promised, aren’t I? Isn’t that what matters?

There’s a pause in the proceedings, and my head jerks up.What have I missed now?

“Where are they?” Red hisses, looking over my shoulder at Liam. “The rings? I gave you the rings.”

I don’t want to turn to look at Liam, but I do.