CHAPTER NINE PART 2

CHAPTER 9: THE WEDDING I travel to the church in a minute. Hades is seen at the front. Their knuckles are white, and they have a terrible countenance. When he sees me, his stress doesn't go down. If anything, his anger bubbles up like a raging volcano. I get out of my car and hand a little box to one of the security guards while still holding out the spare keys. In case of an emergency, I always carry a backup. In a split second, Hades is in front of me. The question, "Where the fuck have you been?" I shake the package in his presence. 'I just remembered the rings while getting them." He looks at me with narrowed eyes but says nothing, so I push by him and go inside while seeming anxious about being late. Nathan and Raven's expressions relax when they see me. It would have been disrespectful to Rose and the entire brotherhood if I hadn't arrived. I may have received forgiveness in the past, but if I left Raven's granddaughter at the altar, he would either cut off my head with his own hands or, more likely, let Rose do it. Disgrace is not forgiving. Pakstan, the idiot who deserves a bullet in his head, glares at me when I enter the chapel, clearly annoyed that I showed come. He must have patiently arranged to take Rose away, but he is unaware of his opponents. He is unaware that I will turn into his most fantastic nightmare. Rose doesn't alter her look in either relief or worry, but that sparkle remains in her eyes. My future bride seemed prepared to take me for a ride. When I consider what I'll do to her tonight, I smile. She will have nowhere else to go after the performance I prepared than to me. Just to me. I can't help but notice how the top of her modest white dress conforms to her tits as I approach her. Despite being partially hidden by lace, it gives out enough cleavage to make me salivate for more. The garment falls to her feet while hugging her curves. It embodies her minimalist, elegant style. Who would have thought a person with such an angelic appearance could be hiding a devil? And I'm excited to get to know it. Since I was five years old, I've been Rose among devils. Some claim that I did so, but I'm getting off-topic. When Rose sees me, she puffs quietly and moves away from me. Raven is the one who puts her hand in mine. He speaks to me in a faint voice that only I can hear, "Take care of her." Old man, I'll take better care of her than that. Through her, I'll bring down your entire kingdom. She murmurs that if he takes care of himself, it will be a miracle. After clearing his throat, Raven gives her a head kiss and extends his hand. She kisses it, and I'm compelled to reciprocate to be respectful and blah blah blah. As soon as he leaves our side, Rose turns to face the priest with a neutral attitude, but she can't control anything about her eyes. They are growing darker and glinting with the possibility of a conflict looming in the distance. I crouch down and mumble, "What's angered, my lovely wife?" She gives me an elbow with the might of a warrior. She nearly knocks the air out of my lungs; fuck, it's that hard. "Your very existence." I make a joke, "You hurt me, Princess." She looks into my eyes for the first time today, and I don't like what I see, "You deserve more than a wound." It's not about the fury she uses as protection or her annoyance when she can't use violence. It's everything else, from her chin quivering slightly to the tears welling up in her eyes. Despite her best efforts, those are not indicative of rage. "Why did you come when you weren't going to? Are you feeling sorry for me?" I encircle her waist with my arm and pull her close to me. I have been gone from this woman for a long time; it is now blasphemous to put further distance between us. She attempts to pull away, but I pin her and smile at the elderly priest, "I came because you're becoming my wife." "Go ahead, please." After clearing his throat, he talks in English while retaining his distinctive accent. 'Today, We're gathered to witness Ethan Ash and Rose Amara holy nuptials". He goes on and on about the importance of marriage, God, his everything in between, including magnificent angels. My ears pick up his words, but they never actually register. Rose, who concentrates too intently on the priest's foolishness, has my full attention. When she is focused, her brows close together and her lips separate slightly to show the tiny teardrop at the top of her lip. She can appear so frail and weak—even breakable—until she speaks or takes action. When that happens, people know they are dealing with a tough, no-nonsense someone who is nearly impossible to defeat since they were taught to never lose. Either they succeed, or they fail. She asks, through tight teeth, "What are you looking at?" without letting her gaze leave the priest. It's "You, Princess." "Focus." I'll concentrate when we officially end our marriage later. She hisses, "Ethan!" 'You are the one luring me. I take that back." 'When I kick you in the balls, you won't be tempted." I speak more softly, "Kinky—I love it." Do I now have access to toys? "Maybe toys that will suffocate you to death." The priest clears his throat and says, "I had other types in mind. You know, the ones that make you scream for more." I signal for him to continue. 'We're preparing the foundation for our upcoming "holy" union, so don't worry about us, Father." He casts us an odd glance as if to suggest nothing is sacred about our togetherness. Therefore it doesn't matter to me. After finishing his discourse, the priest turns to face me and recites his adaptation of the Russian vows. "Do you, Ethan Ash, take Rose to be your wedded wife to be with you always, in wealth and in poverty, disease and health, in happiness and in grief, from this day until death, do your part?" Even though I keep staring at her expressionless face, I find it much simpler to say, "I do." It's the final part. I enjoy it. Until our last separation. Yes. I genuinely enjoy it. Towards her, he turns. "Do you, Rose Amara take  Ethan Ash to be your wedded husband to be with you always, in wealth and in poverty, in disease and health, in happiness and in grief, from this day until death, do your part?" Silence. Long pause. She stares at me for what seems like an eternity, and then her demeanor cracks and a glimpse of the girl I knew seven years ago emerges. She doesn't display vulnerability, but she does express hurt or some feeling that I can't place. Then I see her unfettered spirit—she won't let anything or anyone bind her. Fuck. She intends to flee. The priest calls, "Rose?" As soon as she shuts her eyes again, I fully anticipate her running away like in a movie about a runaway bride. But unlike those sentimental things, I'm willing to follow her wherever she goes and, if necessary, kidnap the heck out of her. She repeats the words as if they weigh heavily on her, "I do." Both the priest and the crowd exhaled together. I keep watching her tell, wondering whether it's a ruse or if she'll suddenly change her mind. I don't know why, but I'm not yet able to feel relieved. We are asked to trade rings with the priest. I take Rose's hand and give the back a slow, sensual stroking, almost as if I were just becoming aware of it. I might be. Her hands had never been this gentle in my memory. They are too fair, and her veins are somewhat visible. I carefully place the ring on her finger before grinning up at her. She quickly puts herself on the defense. "What?" 'I'm game if you will whack my balls with these hands." It's fast, almost unnoticeable, but her cheeks heat as she pulls. She pulls her hand away and grabs mine firmly. I lean in and whisper into her ear, trying to suppress a smile. "The other hand," he said. She abruptly says, "I know that," before focusing on my left. Screw me. Who would have thought I would ever like seeing Rose's frazzled side so much? She puts the ring on and continues, pausing, her face frozen. Now that I expect her to back off, she's instead focusing on my hand. I can see what she does when I move my gaze to match hers. On the side of my ring finger, there is blood. It's not even dried. Fuck. I must have forcefully restrained some guards before climbing the building's roof. How did the blood get here when I took such care not to stab anyone to keep clean? Despite her puzzled glance, I take Rose's hand and slide my ring on. The priest declares, "By the authority vested in me by the church, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride." Rose tries to give me her cheek, but I encircle her and press my lips to hers. She initially objects, but she goes completely silent when I move my mouth in opposition to hers. I lick her upper lip quickly before feasting on her lower one. Even though she tastes like an addict and has poor choices, I would still return for a daily hit. Rose puts a hand on my chest and stops me but I take advantage of the opportunity to stick my tongue inside her mouth. When I rub my language against hers, she moans. I wish I could preserve this moment and relive it every day when her eyes expand at the sounds she makes. Who knew this would be where we had our first kiss? Even if the crowd begins to whisper or the priest repeatedly clears his throat as if he is coughing, I won't release her. Screw them. In this room, the only person who matters is hot, bothered, and banging mine in my arms. I must now honor my commitment regarding the consummation part. Screams fill the area as the church's glass cracks. I pause for just a brief moment. Oh, fuck. I became distracted by my new bride and briefly lost focus on the task. That's initial. As everyone draws their guns, I reluctantly release Rose's lips and grab her arm, dragging her behind me. Let the chaos start.