Page 66 of The Cursed Chalice

I feel like screaming. Not just any scream. No, I want to scream until my throat burns. Till the veins in my neck stand out. Till I knock out and get some peace.

“He just keeps winning,” I whisper into Ares’s side. My voice is shaking with fury.

Ares feels like a stalwart at my side. He is silent and strong, rubbing my back in slow circles, trying to comfort me.

Hot tears sting my eyes, and I hate myself for crying. “I am so sorry for dragging you into this.” I choke on my words. “You don’t have to…”

Ares stares down at me. “ I want to be here.”

He wants to be here. My shoulders sag, like some of the weight has moved from me to him. He peers down at me, and I place my hand on his cheek.

Ares presses a kiss on my hand.

“The police don’t understand. I’m alone in this.” Eventually, he may catch me and kill me.

I wipe my tears off my cheek. “I feel like running, but he will find me. He has the resources.” Panic crawls up my neck. “I should disappear. I have no one. Nowhere to go.”

Ares holds me firmer. “No. You have me, Soraya.”

I give Ares a sad smile, pressing my hand against his chest and taking comfort in the steady beat of his heart. “Thank you, Ares. But he won’t stop.”

“Then perhaps it’s time we stopped him. The law wouldn’t protect you. But an older bond would,” Hecate says. I pull my hand quickly away from Ares when I hear her voice. I didn’t even hear when she re-entered the room.

Ares frowns but says nothing.

“What older bond?” What the hell is Hecate talking about? Bond? With who? Wait, a minute?—

Hecate’s brows raise, and she folds her arms over her chest. “Marriage. If you marry Aric, Elias loses every claim.”

The room goes silent. I don’t look at Ares. Instead, my focus is past Hecate’s head.

She was right. The trust would be mine. My aunt and uncle will have no claim on me. Elias would not be able to claim me either. I would be free. Would I be free, or am I stepping into another gilded cage?

Do I want to marry Ares? To be Mrs. Kallistratos? No, the real question is, does Ares want to marry me?

Finally, I send my gaze to his face. He is staring at me with quiet resolve.

Hecate clears her throat. “I mean, if you don’t want to marry her, maybe Deimos?—”

“Marry me, Soraya Maude. Your money, your trust will stay with you. I will only add to it,” Ares says it without blinking.

Shit, a proposal should bring me joy. Instead, I feel calm. There is no love or romance attached to this, but it would be the smart thing to do. I look at Ares; his face is stoic, unreadable. My mind goes to Elias. He was a predictable monster. Ares is a wildcard. It’s like I know him, but I don’t really know him. But then, he took care of me and Nisa without question. Welcome me into his family. He created a refuge or, as he would say, a sanctuary for me. I would rather dwell here with Ares than rot under the thumb of Elias.

“I feel like I’m putting you in an awkward position. I mean…” My nails dig into the silk blanket.

“I asked you, now I await your response.” Ares speaks so calmly.

Hecate smiles and says, “After Elias is dealt with, you can divorce Ares.”

I feel Ares’s body stiffen beside me.

I swallow and look back at Hecate. She sends me a wink.

Jesus, I can’t believe I am about to do this. “Are you sure?”

He nods and waits.

“Then yes.”