Page 69 of The Cursed Chalice

His voice is smooth and calm. Meanwhile, my stomach is in knots. My mind begins to race. What if he snaps one day? What if I traded Elias for another? The idea of being tied to someone unpredictable makes my throat dry.

“What have you lost?” I whisper, bracing myself for the truth.

A sad smile tugs at the side of Ares’s cheeks. “I’ve lost my continuous single self.”

The honesty in his voice cuts through my fears. He isn’t lying or hiding from me. He’s being vulnerable.

It’s the way he speaks that makes me want to cross the room and hug him.

“Would you hurt me?” I wait for his answer.

“I would chop off my own arms before I hurt you.” I think it’s the way he says it that makes me shudder.

I nod. “Are you feeling forced into this marriage? Do you have any objections?”

Ares looks at the mirror and then back at me. “No. I have no objections.”

“Can I speak to your other half?” There, I said it. My throat tightens. Jesus, I don’t know what I’m asking, but I need to see what he means.

His eyes widen as the scar on his face twitches. “Are you sure?”

No, I wasn’t sure, but part of me needed to know. “Yes, I’m sure.”

My pulse is hammering. “You told me your name is Aric, but your family calls you Ares. Which one is it?”

Ares hesitates and swallows. “They’re both me. Just…different sides of me.”

Ares stares at me and closes his eyes. He throws his head back. His shoulders rotate slowly, and his body seems more relaxed. He pushes his hair out of his face. Aric was here. “Flower.”

I can’t help but smile. “I like that nickname. Hello…Aric?”

Where Ares sits slouched like a soldier over a fire, Aric sits straight, like a king on a throne. When I think back in my head, I do see a little difference in our exchanges.

“How do you feel about this impromptu marriage?”

Aric smiles easier. “I don’t think it’s impromptu. I think it’s fate.”

I hold the pillow tighter. “I wouldn’t have taken you for a man to believe in fate.”

Aric rubs his face with the back of his hand. “You are taking this exceptionally well.”

I shrug. “Everything for the past few months in my life has been hectic. This feels normal.”

Aric nods. “Understood.”

“What if I say no to this marriage, Aric? What if I want to change my mind? I waited because with Elias, “No” meant I was defying him, and he wouldn’t tolerate defiance. He would explode. My body tenses, waiting for Aric’s response.

“Well, it’s no. But you will still have my protection.” He says it as if it’s so natural for him to protect me. My shoulders drop. I didn’t even realize I was holding them up.

“I have a question, but it’s so left field.” I bite my lip and swallow. “Who did I have sex with?”

Aric’s eyes widen. “Ares,” he whispers.

I drop the pillow and stand. I should leave, but it’s like my body is craving his touch.

I walk slowly and step between Aric’s legs. His head reaches just below my chest. His eyes are watching, waiting for me to make a move.

My fingers move into his soft black hair.