Book 2: Chapter 98

Ares stood silently in the doorway, his face a mask of calm that contrasted sharply with the turmoil Martina felt inside. He didn’t speak, didn’t even blink, his eyes fixed steadily on hers. For a moment, Martina thought she might be dreaming. But the sight of him standing there, alive, after she had believed him to be dead for so long, was too real, too tangible to be a dream.

“Ares?” she whispered again, her voice trembling. Tears welled up in her eyes as she slowly reached out, afraid that if she moved too quickly, he might disappear like a mirage. 

Without a word, Ares extended his hand towards her, his expression still inscrutable. Martina felt her heart hammering in her chest as she took his hand in hers, feeling the warmth of his skin on hers. 

It was real. He was real. 

This wasn’t a dream. The tears she had been holding back for so long began to spill down her cheeks, and a sob escaped her lips as she pulled herself up to her feet, nev