The Alliance

Chapter 14

"Look at you," I heard Uraya gasp.

I turned around to look at her noticing Jo was right beside her, the silver dresses that clung to their figures shimmering as they walked towards me.

"Let's not make a big deal out of this." I rolled my eyes. They laughed. Like something was funny.

"You know that's impossible, Ari." Jo said, "We're never going to let you live this down." She hugged me warmly- as best as she could without stepping on my wedding dress. I was getting married.

God, that still sounded so weird to hear. "You look like an angel." Ray sighed as she looked at me adoringly.

"Don't be fooled," Jo nudged her, "She still has the mind of a killer."

I smirked at the words. "Imaan's not going to last the week." Uraya sighed, Joeline scoffed.

"Are you kidding? She's not going to make it past tonight. Tomorrow we'll be dressed in black for her funeral."

"You wanna bet? Ariah's going to want to hit that before she gets rid of it." Ray nudged me. Joeline shrugged as she shook Ray's outstretched hand.

"I feel very uncomfortable right now." I joked as I looked between my best friends.

Joeline's eyes widened before she grabbed my hand, "We were actually supposed to be fetching you. The ceremony is about to begin." I let out an unrestrained groan at the reminder, not that I needed it. I was in a ballgown for goodness' sake- the dress undoubtedly had my mother written all over it.

"Oh, hush and go marry Imaan before I do." I glared at Uraya for her comment as she opened the door that led to my demise.

The runner that rolled down the aisle was the color of blood. A deep, dark red that looked more like crimson.

I exhaled a breath and began walking to the traditional wedding march as the doors opened, all of the attendants rising. Left. Pause. Right. Pause. Left. Pause. Right. My feet in sync with my father's as he walked beside me. His body stiff and his serious face set in stone.

He'd skipped over the whole; 'you look beautiful' scene a doting father would usually have with his daughter on her big day. It almost bothered me before I remembered that my father was not one for clichés.

Our steps were perfect and precise as we walked over the smooth carpet. Just as we'd been forced to rehearse, until I reached... Imaan.

Despite the beauty of the lavish, classical venue that was decked in bouquets of pure, white roses along the aisle and the seats the guests dressed in their best suit and tie, or evening dresses were stood from. My mother and Ayzal really did put their all into planning everything.

It was as perfect. And the dress I wore matched; a ballgown that looked enchanting and extravagant. With a look and feel to it that made your mouth open in awe. But it was still impossible to get lost in everything- no matter how hard I tried.

The motive was still the same. And that's the way it will remain. I reminded myself of this as I got closer. It felt far too welcoming to delude myself that I was in love with the woman that stood at the end of it all. The woman my father embraced as he gave me away.

I drowned out the words of the wedding officiant from, "We're gathered here today." My legs beginning to tire as I barely hold my posture throughout the long ass opening speech, my mind barely registering the lies and fickle promises that were muttered in front of the hundreds of witnesses.

I held my breath as the floor was open to anyone who desired to object. Only exhaling when he droned on. More than half of the hall would have chanted the words if they weren't afraid of having a bullet in them.

The soft squeeze of my hand brought me back to his words, "Ariah Rmah, please repeat after me: Imaan Gani, with this ring, I thee wed, and I do promise to love," Okay, Shakespeare, "honor, and cherish you, in good times and bad, for richer or poorer, in sickness and health, until death do us part." I rolled my eyes internally before dutifully repeating the words and easily sliding the ring onto Imaan's finger.

She followed suit with her own before retrieving the thin wedding band meant for me. Until death do us part'- the glint in her eyes resembled my own as she slid it onto my finger.

"I now pronounce you wife and wife," Shit. "You may kiss the bride." My eyes widen in surprise. The kiss meant to seal every marriage had apparently slipped my mind because I am not fucking kissing Imaan.

The step she takes towards makes me rethink that thought.

Just keep it short Ariah.

Short and sweet.

My chest heaved heavily as she approached with me a subtle smirk on her face like she's been waiting for this moment. A chill runs down my spine as she placed her cold hands on my cheeks that easily warm them up. Her touch is sharp like the sting of frostbite nipping at your skin.

Her thumb slowly brushed my cheek as she leans in, "Sastamta bahadha ya, habibi." She whispers the words against my lips before lifting my face as she presses her own firmly against them and my body freezes.

She kissed slow. A soft sigh leaving me at the sensation that her touch incited in the depths of my stomach. Want. A sensation that I was familiar with, but this time with her made every other time I might have felt it feel like an overstatement- because the burning, wild fire ignited in me put all of those fickle flames to shame.

My lips were cold as she let out a low, hungry growl before kissing me in a way equivalent to the sound that left her. Her lips still for a second before they moved lapping over my own. Deep and hard.

I lean forward a fraction, before I remembered. I remembered where I was and exactly who I was kissing. I pulled away, our lips parting like lovers afraid to let go.

It takes a moment before I finally open my eyes, hastily removing my hand that I find slithering at the back of her neck, the traitor subconsciously playing with her soft strands of hair. My eyes locked on dark hazels as she gently traces the top of my upper lip.

I'm brought back to reality when she turns to face forward, her hand holding mine tugging as she prompts me to do the same. I blush as I notice Mom's hand falling from Keon's eyes. Nezrah wears a jubilant look on her face and dad... Dad's looking around, desperately expectant for the sound of a gun going off. His eyes meet mine and harden in slow realization.

I don't bother sending him a look of apology.

I look towards Imaan, meeting the side of her face... of those lips.

Shit.

She kissed dangerous.

A U T H O R' S N O T E

They are finally married!

Let the fun begin.