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I fan myself with my hand.
It’s not enough.
Too hot.
Need air.
I see a flash of movement, and then a strong arm wraps around me. “Breathe, Ophelia.”
It’s Atlas.
“You’re okay,” he whispers, holding me against his chest. “Just take a few deep breaths for me.” Then he says, “Keep going without us.”
The minister proceeds.
Atlas leads me away from the ceremony with his hand on my back. I try not to look at anyone as we exit the room through a side door.
I’m so embarrassed.
Why does this keep happening?
“It’s just a panic attack.” Atlas bends down to look at me once we are safely outside. “Everything is going to be okay, Ophelia.” He hugs me, which hurts because now he’s my stepbrother. And I want him to help me take away the pain. “Breathe for me. Can you do that?”
I rest my head on his muscular chest, breathing through my nose. I blow it out of my mouth as I listen to his heartbeat. “Thank you, Atlas.”
He kisses the top of my head and sighs. “I hate it, too.”
It’s not about the wedding.
Or the fact we’re family.
This changes everything.
We both know it.
* * *
I forcemyself to go through the motions of the night and slap on a happy face. My heart still wages war inside my chest, but I can relax with Atlas. He makes me feel better and hands me glasses of champagne until I’m too dizzy to stand. Apollo tells me to eat more and fusses over me.
Ares sits beside me at the bridal party table with his hand on my thigh, his touch keeping me grounded. “You know, it’s customary for the best man to fuck the maid of honor before the end of the wedding.”
I glance at him and shake my head. “I doubt that’s true when the maid of honor and the best man are step-siblings.”
He rolls his broad shoulders against the chair. “This changes nothing, little dragon. You’re still mine.”
I hope so.
Ares was part of the reason I panicked. Well, he and my mother. I can’t stand to lose anyone else. He’s become my addiction, and I don’t want to give him up. I like the way he makes me feel. But I also like how his brothers make me feel. When I’m with them, I’m not the same Ophelia.
I pat his hand and smile. “We can only ever be us in the dark, Ares. That will never change.”
His shoulder presses against mine, and he bends down to speak against the shell of my ear. “As long as I’m with you, the darkness can swallow me whole.”
My heart does a little flip.
I smile and blush.
He holds my hand under the table as our parents have their first dance as a married couple. I pray that no one can see what we’re doing, not after the spectacle I made during the ceremony.
