Emily stretched her legs out.
“You never answered my question from last night.”
I looked over at her.
“What question?”
“Why did your mama keep talking about arranged marriages?”
I let out a slow breath.
“Yeah,” I said quietly. “About that.”
Emily waited.
I glanced toward the balcony door just to make sure nobody was nearby.
Then I looked back at her.
“I know my brother likes to keep things away from you,” I said. “He thinks he’s protecting you.”
Emily nodded slowly.
“He does.”
“But as a woman,” I continued, “and as your friend, I’m not going to do that.”
Her eyebrows lifted slightly.
“Do what?”
“Lie to you.”
I leaned back in my chair.
“My family does arranged marriages with other families to gain power.”
Emily blinked and sat up straighter. “Wait. Are you serious?”
“Dead serious.”
Her face twisted in confusion. “And your mom keeps bringing that up because…?”
I swallowed.
“Just know it isn’t Zay. I’m the one who’s supposed to do it.”
Emily stared at me. “With who?”
My eyes drifted toward the ocean for a second before I answered.
“Ares.”
Emily leaned forward slowly.
“You’re telling me you’re being forced to marry him?”
“Yeah.”
