Page 64 of Onyx Realm

It was a dance with a fucking ticking bomb.

“Yes, of my own free will,” Serena snapped. “I would rather die than do anything I didn’t want.”

Her words should have sent a surge of triumph through me. Instead, I only felt cold, queasy dread at her declaration.

“Go to the west chapel. I’ll join you two in a minute,” presbyteros grumbled.

I turned and ducked back into the darkness of the porch. We would have the ceremony, and then I would drive Serena home. She wouldn’t have to face me tonight. I would give her space. What was another night sleeping under the stars? Sex was going to stay off the table until she gave in; that I would not force from her. Kisses, I would steal. Her maiden name I would lay to rest. And her life I would bind to my village.

But there were lines even devils like me wouldn’t cross.

Upon entering the sanctuary, which every member of the Twelve had a key to, I stole three candles from the shrines, lit them, and led the way through the dark to the small altar in the chapel. Father Georgios knew how I liked things done, and he proved he was smart by not turning on the overhead recess lighting above.

Serena stood barefoot, shaking with anger. She must have removed those strappy little shoes in the Jeep. Without facing her, I studied the image from the corner of my eye. There was dried blood on her arms, scrapes from her fall. The white dress was hopelessly stained with dirt. She looked...defeated. The effect was lost as she peered about the interior of the church.

“Have you ever been in a sanctuary before?” I mused, unable to help myself.

Her spine snapped straight. “Not an Orthodox one, no. And as far as I’m concerned, you lost your right to call yourselves churches back in the Eleventh Century.”

I chuckled. “Spoken like a devout Papist.”

She shrugged. “On points of theology, my side wins.”

I found myself inching closer to her. Theos, she was intoxicating. Any other woman would have been quaking at the prospect of a forced marriage. She knew I kept to the dark, sawwhat I was capable of, and yet she stood there arguing about a centuries’ old schism.

“And what do you know of theology?” I coaxed.

Pride filled her voice. “I’m an accomplished student.”

“What have you read, little scholar?” I murmured, dropping the volume of my voice even lower and enjoying the way it made her shiver.

Serena rattled off a list of Roman Catholic theologians and champions of the faith. I wasn’t well read. It was hard to focus on books when there was adventure calling to me from a young age. But in this moment, I wished beyond anything that I had sat through the classes Father Georgios forced on us.

I’ll start reading again, goddess. If only to be of more interest to you.

“Give me your hand,” I instructed her.

Serena took a step back. “Fuck off.”

That went straight to my dick. He jumped eagerly at the challenge.

“I want to give you something,” I growled.

“And I don’t want it.”

“Alright, shall we begin?” Georgios called out as he ambled down the central aisle to the side chapel, candle in hand.

“Serena,” I demanded, voice only loud enough for her ears.

The goddess crossed her arms and turned to the priest. “Do you want me to veil my hair?”

A pleasant surprise flashed through him. “Unnecessary but thank you for the offer.”

I swept a glance down her body. Disheveled, bleeding, and bruised, and that dress...fuck, what a mistake. This woman should have been draped in white, with a heavy lace covering draped over her head and the most exotic flowers clutched in her hand as she glided to me on a trail of petals.

I’m doing this all wrong.

My blunt nails bit into my palms from the force of me clenching my fists. I would make this up to her.

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