Chapter 5 Chapter 5: Return Of The Bride.

The road leading back to the Church was like a dark, winding scar through the pines. My feet slipped inside the big slippers given to me by one of Arrow's men. They had stared at my bleeding feet with a cold expression before they tossed the slippers over.

He sent his men after me instead.

Luther had sent me back. He didn't even bat an eye when he said it, his finger gripping my jaw. 'Go back and marry him, Camila. If you want my help, I need eyes in his home.'

I sat at the back seat, staring out the window. A heavy frown etched on my lips as the heavy iron gates of the Church loomed out of the fog. Two guards in dark suits stood by the stone pillar, their rifles slung low. The moment I came down from the car, a young maid was already waiting for me in the driveway.

"Lady Camila, another dress has been prepared for you."

My hands curled into fists but I forced a small smile and nodded. She escorted me back to the dressing room and started pulling the old muddy dress off.

The second the fabric dropped, she flinched.

My back was a map of them. Thin white line old burns. I didn't look, I already knew.

The scars I'd endured when I worked as a paramedic as Ravira.

Being reborn didn't change anything. The scars were still here. 

And that confirmed everything and every doubt.

The maid didn't say anything, she just went quiet and reached for the makeup. Dabbed extra on my collarbone, my shoulders and spots she could reach.

She gently helped me into the new dress. It was of more silk and lace, more jewels and more expensive.

I looked different. The dress sat perfect. My hair was done and my face was clean.

I glanced at the mirror and then at the calendar. I looked over at my face, I looked very much ignorant of the monster I was being fed to.

"All done, ma'am." The maid said as she bowed and left my front allowing me to get a full view of myself in the mirror.

"Let's go."

-

I pushed the heavy oak doors open. Everyone was still seated, including my parents. I swallowed hard, my hands tightening around the bundle of white lilies in my hand.

The priest stood by the altar, his hands shaking as he clutched his leather prayer book.

Arrow stood beside him.

He didn't look like a man whose bride had fled three years ago. He stood with his hands tucked into the pockets of his black trousers, his shoulders broad under his tuxedo jacket. As I walked closer, his gray eyes slid slowly down my new dress, then to the flowers in my hand.

"You came back," he murmured as I stood next to him.

"You left me no choice," I replied in a hushed tight tone. "Your men were five minutes from breaching the Vitucci estate. You would have started a war."

He inched closer and reached out, his fingers clamping around my jaw, forcing my face up toward the light of the altar. "No, Camila," he whispered, his eyes turning cold. "I left you a lesson. You run to Luther again, and I won't just send my men to his gate. I'll make sure the next call you get is from the morgue."

"We have a wedding to do," I said, trying to keep my voice in a steady low tone so as not to raise further suspicion from the already suspicious crowd. "Is the priest going to do his job, or are you going to keep threatening me?"

A sly smile touched his lips. He let go of my jaw, his hand sliding down to wrap around my wrist. "Let the ceremony begin."

The ceremony began, and the priest started his vows. Each word made me shiver.

'This is all a game.' I thought to myself over and over. But as I stared into Arrow's eyes, all I could see was the reflection of myself dying on the floor.

He's a murderer Genevieve.

But there was Luther.

Luther was more powerful. But Arrow was closer, however I had an advantage. Arrow cares so much about his image, he wouldn't kill me as long as we were married.

"Do you, Miss Camila, take Arrow Sawyer to be your lawfully wedded husband? In time of pain, sorrow and love?"

I looked down at my feet, then looked back up at Arrow. His eyes were glinting in amusement. He was enjoying this, yet I could see the confusion flicker in his eyes.

He was conflicted.

"I do."

"And do you Arrow Sawyer, take Camila to me, your lawfully wedded wife? In time of pain, sorrow and love?"

"I do."

"Then by the power invested in me, I pronounce you husband and wife."

The silent crowd suddenly went up in cheers.

I closed my eyes as Arrow leaned in, causing the cheers to grow higher. Just as our lips touched, he smiled against my ribs. "Welcome to the family, wife."