My four brothers stand by my side in the beautiful vineyard Hannah and I chose as our wedding venue. Countless of Hannah’s friends are seated in front of me, all of them whispering to each other.
Their invite merely stated that they were jointly invited by the Windsors and the Du Ponts, but no mention was made of a wedding. We did it that way to ensure our wedding couldn’t be crashed by paparazzi, but it’s worked in our favor in more than one way.
I was meant to announce what they were here for the moment I took my place at the altar, but how can I, when I don’t know who the bride will be?
“It’s for the best,” Lex says, and Luca nods in agreement.
“She might still change her mind,” I tell them, but they all shake their heads.
“She won’t,” Zane replies. “And someday you’ll thank her for it.”
Dion looks at me, his gaze pointed. “Whatever happens today, Ares, remember that you’re a Windsor, and none of us choose our wives. It’s a tradition that’s served us well for generations, so have some faith, okay?”
I grit my teeth and nod. “I’ll be sure to remind you of that when it’s your turn.” Dion is the only one out of my siblings whose engagement was arranged years ago too. Even from here, I can see his fiancee sitting in the back. I suppose it’s different for them, since Dion doesn’t live here. As far as I’m aware, they only see each other when Grandma forces them to meet, and on special occasions such as these. They’ve never dated, the way Hannah and I have.
Lex sighs and runs a hand through his hair. “Would it really be so bad to marry Raven? How about I take your place?”
I tense, red hot fury rushing through me as I turn to face my brother. He takes in my expression and smirks knowingly.
“What?” Lex asks. “Can’t stand the idea of Raven being with anyone else? I thought you didn’t want her as your wife?”
“Fuck off,” I snap.
The boys all chuckle at my expense, and I turn to face forward, ignoring them. The mere thought of Raven with Lexington pisses me off. I shouldn’t feel any possessiveness toward her, but I do.
Music starts to play and the doors swing open. Everything around me fades away as I wait with bated breath. Did she change her mind? Surely Hannah won’t throw away years of planning a future together, years of carefully nurturing our love?
I inhale sharply when Raven appears at the end of the aisle, on her father’s arm. She pauses mid-step, her eyes finding mine, and I force myself to smile at her.
Raven Du Pont. Never in a million years did I think I’d find her walking toward me, wearing a wedding dress that looks beautiful on her, but that wasn’t designed for her. What must it feel like to walk in her sister’s shoes? Nothing about today is hers, not even the man she’s marrying.
Arthur smiles at me despite his grave expression and places Raven’s trembling hand in mine. I wrap my fingers around her hand and hold on to her tightly, my eyes trailing over her face. She’s shaking, and her gaze is filled with fear and insecurity as the officiant starts the ceremony.
“We are gathered here today to witness the union of Raven Du Pont and Ares Windsor,” he says, and we both breathe a sigh of relief.
It hadn’t occurred to me to notify him of a change in the bride’s name. I can’t imagine how humiliating it would’ve been for both of us if he’d said Hannah’s name.
I tighten my grip on Raven’s hand and draw circles across the back of it with my thumb, trying my best to ease her nerves somehow. “Raven,” I whisper.
She looks up sharply, her eyes meeting mine.
“You look breathtaking.”
Some of the tension in her shoulders eases, and she smiles at me, genuinely this time. I can’t believe I’m marrying Raven. She’s my sister’s best friend and my ex’s younger sister. She isn’t supposed to be standing here with me in a wedding dress.
Yet here we are. This is it for us. The Windsors don’t do divorces. How much has she had to sacrifice to be here with me? How much more will this marriage cost us?
The officiant tells us to exchange rings, and I cringe involuntarily. The wedding ring Zane is handing me is one that Hannah chose.
Raven looks up at me with such pain in her eyes as I slide the thin pave diamond ring onto her fingers that I struggle to breathe for a moment. It fits her perfectly, yet it feels so wrong.
Her hands shake as she slides my platinum band onto my finger, and she doesn’t even look me in the eye. It’s clear that everything about today is heartbreaking for her, and there’s nothing I can do to make it better.
“You may now kiss the bride,” the officiant says, and Raven freezes.
I take a step closer to her and gently cup her cheek before dropping my forehead to hers. “This is it,” I whisper. “From this moment forward, you’re my wife. Mine to care for, mine to cherish, and mine to protect. I know this isn’t what you would’ve wanted for yourself, but I swear I’ll give you my all, Raven.”
She pulls away a little to look at me, and then she nods, a small smile on her face. I smirk at her as I lean in, my lips brushing against hers. It was meant to be a chaste kiss, just enough to please the crowd, but the moment my lips touch hers, all my good intentions fall away.
I thread my hand through her long hair and yank her closer, taking her lips with a new sense of desperation. She moans, and I force her lips apart, deepening our kiss. It’s a promise of everything to come. She’s my wife now, and I have every intention of treating her as such. This kiss is a vow, it’s reassurance. From this day forward, I’m hers. It isn’t what I wanted, but we’ll make the best of it.
Her cheeks are flushed and her lipstick is smeared when I pull away, and I can’t help but smile at her disarmed expression, a hint of lust hiding in her beautiful hazel eyes.
“Mr. and Mrs. Windsor, everyone!” the officiant says, and we turn to face the cheering crowd.
Grandma nods at us in satisfaction, but neither of Raven’s parents can bear facing her. I’m not surprised. They sacrificed her happiness in favor of their company. For years, they neglected her, and now this? They owe her everything.
“Come on,” I tell her. “The quicker we can finalize the formalities, the quicker we can get out of here.”
I don’t want her spending a second longer than necessary in a dress that isn’t hers, reenacting the wedding of her sister’s dreams.
