Page 51 of The Cursed Chalice

I look back at him. “A ‘thank you’ would suffice.”

His nose flares, and I turn to the kitchen. I begin to pack the dishes into the dishwasher.

By the time I return to the table, it’s clear. I walk to Nisa’s room, just to make sure she’s fine. Upon arriving, I hear the small chatter between Ares and Nisa.

“You really think I can be an astronaut?” Nisa asks. I lean forward, spying Nisa in her pajamas sitting on the bed looking up at Ares.

“I think you can be anything you want to be, princess. Now get some rest.”

I move quickly, heading to my bedroom. I think Ares and I have had enough of each other’s company for the day.

I enter my room, head to the bathroom, and strip down. The hot water calms my mind as I step under it. My mind flashes to the kiss at the car, and my body feels hot.

“No.” I shout out, then I chuckle as I grab my Sugah Bae sugar scrub called Sky. It’s light, and it smells like fresh rain.

After I rinse my skin, I step out of the bathroom. My stomach grumbles.

Maybe I was hungry after all. I moisturize with a body butter, then change into my beige silk nightgown. I grab the robe that goes with it. I stop in my tracks. There is a black phone and five phone cases on my bed. I sit on the bed and grab the phone. Everything is ready for me.

I look behind it, and there is a small sticky note. “Enjoy, Ares.”

I roll my eyes. Hmm, I could try to call Michelle. It fails to connect.

Hmm, okay. I try calling again and again, but it doesn’t go through. I open my contacts. I see Deimos, Phobos, Hecate, and finally, Ares’s number. I dial Hecate, and it rings.

“Yes?”

“Hi, Hecate, it’s Raya. Save this number; it’s mine.”

I hear her moving something that sounds like paper bags. “Well, look at you with a phone.”

“I thought something was wrong with it. I tried calling my cousin’s phone, and it didn’t go through.”

Hecate’s warm chuckle seeps through the phone. “Who got you the phone?”

“Ares.”

“He most likely has her blocked; that’s why.”

I feel my anger ignite. “He can’t do that.”

“Check your blocked numbers in your settings.”

Quickly, my fingers move over the phone, and yes, there is a list of blocked numbers. Even the stupid place where he bought the phones.

My blood runs cold. It feels like a different method, but it’s the same suffocating strategy. Elias did the same thing. Slowly isolating me from anyone he couldn’t control. Ares is just more efficient; it feels like he is moving me toward a new gilded cage.

“He has some nerve.”

Hecate laughs. “Don’t be afraid to give him a piece of your mind.”

“Agreed. Anyway, have a great night, Hecate.”

“Nights were designed with me in mind.” I try to unblock the numbers, but they remain blocked. How did he get ahold of these numbers? My stomach interrupts my thoughts. Maybe I should eat and then give Ares a piece of my mind.

“Who does he think he is?” I grumble.

I open the door, waiting to hear the sound of movement. Nothing. The lights are off. I guess everyone went to bed.