The fourth one stills the world.
It’s simple. Creamy satin. A little structured at the waist, feminine neckline, an open back that kisses my skin. It’s not fussy. It’s not loud.
But it’s absolutely me.
When I step out, the attendant gasps. “Oh, honey… this is the one.”
“Yeah, it is,” I say as I admire myself in the mirror.
I text Ares as I’m paying.
Found the one.
His reply comes eight seconds later.
Fuck, the thought of you walking toward me in white… The next few hours will be the longest of my life, Vengeance.
It’s my absolute favorite thing in the world when he goes feral over me.
I become a blur of action.I have to charge my phone by one o’clock, I’m so glued to it trying to get everything lined up. I send out texts to everyone we love:
9 PM. The Mirage Highline. Be there. Dress nice.
I have to turn off all my notifications, so I’m not tempted to read their responses and spoil the surprise.
Back at the penthouse, Ares makes calls like a man possessed. He’s been pulling strings all day—permits waived, vendors appearing like magic, bribes paid to get people to rearrange their schedules.
Every moment feels dipped in something glittering and golden. This day isn’t just beautiful—it feels charmed.
As I watch Ares across the house, I can’t help but admire him. He’s so fucking beautiful. Lean, strong legs. Abs for days. Arms I literally drool over. And a face that would make lesser women weep. All the extra details are the cherry on top. I love his tattoos. I love how they span his arms, his hands, his back, his chest, his neck. I love the diamond studs in his ears and the silver hoop in his nose. He’s a perfect work of art.
And somehow, he’s mine.
Ares hangs up the phone and looks over at me. A wicked little grin crooks in the corner of his mouth. “You’re staring, Vengeance.”
“I can’t help it, Venom,” I smirk as I cross the room and wrap my arms behind his neck. I expected a hug, but he scoops me clean off the ground, wrapping my legs around his waist. He walks to the kitchen island and sets my ass against it, pulling me in close to him.
“I can’t believe we’re here,” he says softly as he brushes his knuckles against my cheek. “Everything that’s been working against us, all the shit we’ve gone through. But we’re here.”
I shake my head in utter disbelief. “Three months,” I say, the awe in my voice obvious. “How has it only been three months since I met you? I swear we’ve already lived three lifetimes together.”
Ares shakes his head. “Not even possible. It’s definitely been three years with all the wild shit we’ve been through.”
My eyes lower to his lips for a moment. “Plus, I feel like I’ve been waiting my whole life for you, Ares. Everything you’ve done for me, all the ways you’ve healed things that were broken inside me…”
The look in Ares’ eyes deepens. He leans forward, pressing his lips to mine. It isn’t demanding or urgent. It just feels right. As second nature as breathing. We’re each other’s rocks, or maybe each other’s sun, we orbit and exist around each other.
“You’re everything, Lana,” Ares breathes against my lips. “You hold the entirety of my soul in your hands. Never doubt that.”
I kiss him this time, my hand flattening against the tattoos rising up the side of his neck. His hand splays over my thigh, right over where my tattoos is, the one of Ares, the god of war’s helmet interwoven with thorns and roses.
Something vibrates in my back pocket. Ares bites at my lower lip playfully before he backs away. “Better keep going, or I’m going to get distracted—in the best way, and this wedding won’t be everything you deserve.”
Fuck. This man, the perfection of him.
I look down at my phone, and smile at the name on the screen.
“Elle,” I say, and even just speaking to her on the phone makes my chest feel warm and comforted.
