Chapter 10
442 Words
Aria sat numb on the bed while Dante paced furiously. “Cousin or not, it changes nothing. You’re my wife.”
“But it does,” she whispered brokenly. “Victor will use it to tear your empire apart. And I’m the weapon.” Fresh sobs wracked her petite frame. “I should leave. Save you from me.”
Dante stopped and dropped to his knees in front of her. “Don’t you dare. You’re not leaving. Ever.” He cupped her tear-streaked face. “We will fight this together. As husband and wife.”
His kiss was fierce, demanding. Aria responded with all her pain and love. For the first time, she felt a spark of real strength ignite inside her.
Sofia helped her dress in practical clothes. “No more crying princess. Time to become the queen, my brother sees.”
Training resumed brutally. Aria pushed through exhaustion, learning to shoot, to fight dirty, to think like the enemy. Dante watched with pride.
“You’re glowing with fire now,” he told her after she finally pinned him once.
Aria smiled through sweat and tears. “For us.”
That night, they planned their counterstrike. Dante shared more about his world—alliances, weaknesses, secrets. Aria listened carefully, asking smart questions.
“You’re brilliant,” Dante said, pulling her close. “I knew you had this in you.”
Their intimacy grew deeper, more equal. Aria no longer just received; she gave, exploring his body with newfound confidence.
“I’m not pitiful anymore,” she murmured against his lips.
“No,” Dante agreed, voice rough with desire. “You’re mine—and dangerous.”
The next day, they met a key ally in secret. Aria spoke confidently, winning the man over with quiet poise. Dante beamed beside her.
But Victor struck again. A bomb threat forced them into hiding. In the safe room, Aria held Dante’s hand.
“I’m scared, but I’m not running,” she said firmly.
Dante kissed her knuckles. “That’s my queen.”
Hours later, Marco brought terrible news. “Victor had the original marriage contract altered. He claims it’s invalid due to blood ties. And he’s coming for Aria personally tonight.”
Aria stood tall despite the fear. “Then we end this.”
Dante looked at her with new respect. “Together.”
As night fell, armed men surrounded the safe house. Gunfire erupted. Dante fought at the front while Aria waited with a gun in her trembling hands.
A shadow slipped behind her. Victor’s voice whispered, “Time to come home, little cousin.”
Aria spun, heart pounding.
She pulled the trigger.
- Writer
