Raven's Kiss

---

Diana's POV

"I can't believe I'm just finding this out now!"

I'm pacing in the living room-confused, pissed off, surprised, and, honestly, a little hurt. What is this, the 90's? Who still does arranged marriages? I can't believe my parents right now. And what's worse than finding out you're getting married to a total stranger without your consent?

Finding out three days before the wedding.

"Diana, we didn't want to tell you earlier because we wanted you to live normally, without counting down to when you'd have to marry someone you may not wa-"

"Really, Dad? You're going with that?"

My eyes are dead. I stare at him, disappointed, then turn to Mom. "Mom?"

"I'm sorry, honey."

Now I'm furious. "At least try to convince me or something! And stop avoiding eye contact like cowards."

I storm off to my room and slam the door hard enough to shake the frame, then throw myself onto the bed.

I'm not even angry about the arranged marriage itself. It's not like I'm in love or anything, and I barely look twice at any guy. I'm angry they didn't think it was important to tell me earlier-and that they're too embarrassed to even explain it to my face.

---

Three hours later, there's a knock on my door.

"Diana."

"What, Celine?" I don't bother hiding my irritation. I'm in no mood to talk to anyone.

"Uh..." She slowly pushes the door open. I don't turn; I'm lying with my back to the door, scrolling through TikTok.

"Huh... um..." She keeps clearing her throat. Great, my parents probably sent her to convince me to accept this whole mess.

"Celine, I'm really not in the mood, so if you could just-"

"Hello, Diana."

My entire body freezes.

There's only one man-besides my father-my parents would allow into my room right now.

I slowly sit up and turn around.

...Oh.

Oh, shit.

This man is handsome.

___

Roland's POV

10:34 a.m. On a Saturday.

Why am I even at the office?

I'm bored, hungry, and tired of being bored and hungry. My left fingers tap a rhythm on my desk as I sway in my chair, while my right hand signs yet another stack of paperwork.

I remember I'm getting married in three days.

Damn.

I don't even know what she looks like, or what she's like. What if she's ugly or ill-mannered?

Well, my parents wouldn't put me in that situation, so I guess I'm safe.

Still... twenty-seven years of freedom, and now I'm getting cuffed forever-to a stranger.

My phone rings. I pull it out of the drawer.

"Hey, Mom."

"Hey, baby. Where are you? I'm at your place."

"I'm at work. Why? Is anything wrong?"

I hear hesitation in her breath.

"Well... I was hoping we could go see Diana. Her parents said they're having a hard time with her about Tuesday."

So that's her name. Diana.

I'm already curious. "It's fine. I'll go. Send me the address."

"All right. Oh, and Roland-be nice."

"I'll try my best. Bye."

"Bye."

---

Over an hour later, we're driving into an older-looking estate-not small, but quiet. Dave is behind the wheel while I sit in the back. The car stops in front of a house where a man and a woman-middle-aged-walk out to greet me.

I step out.

"Good afternoon." I offer a small bow.

"Roland, how are you?" the woman speaks first. "I'm Rachel, Diana's mother." She opens her arms for a hug.

I do not care for hugs. Or people. I never have.

"Sorry," I say flatly. "I'm not a hugger."

Her arms fall back to her sides, smile stiff.

The man steps in. "Dylan, Diana's father." He offers his hand. I accept it.

"Pleasure to finally meet you, Roland."

"Yes, of course. My mom asked me to talk with Diana."

"Of course. Celine!" Rachel calls. A moment later, a teenage girl appears.

"Can you get your sister? Let her know she has a visitor."

"She won't come down, Mom, you know that."

Her words are for her mother, but her eyes are on me. Not warm. Not friendly. Cold. Apprehensive.

"Then just show me to her," I say.

The parents exchange looks-silent conversation-before Rachel nods.

"This way."

Celine leads me upstairs, quick and quiet. After a right turn, she stops at a door. She hesitates, then knocks softly.

"Diana."

"What, Celine? I'm not in the mood to talk to anybody."

The voice is firm.

Strong.

Celine opens the door slowly. "Uh..."

The people in this house are scared of her. Interesting.

But the hesitation is getting boring. And this Diana girl? With her attitude? She's already irritating me.

I step into the room without waiting to be invited

*********

Roland's POV

She's facing away from me, but even from here, I can tell she's beautiful - brown skin, messy bun, kind of effortless. But who cares? I've seen plenty of beautiful women. If I'm being forced into marriage, the least fate could do is give me someone easy to look at.

"Look, Celine, I don't have time for this. Just-"

"Hello, Diana."

I cut her off. No patience for whatever drama they were in the middle of. Diana turns toward me, eyes wide - definitely not expecting me.

"Thanks for bringing her. You can leave now, Celine."

I don't even glance at her, but I hear the scoff as the door shuts.

"So," Diana says, sitting down, facing me now, "you're the guy I'm supposed to marry in three days."

"Supposed to. Sounds like you're still thinking about it."

"What's your name?"

Is she serious?

"Roland. Don't tell me you forgot already."

"Right. Roland. Your family's rich and loaded. Why bother marrying someone like me?"

"This isn't exactly how normal people introduce themselves, Diana."

She rolls her eyes. "Did you expect a hug?"

She's annoyed. Cute. She thinks I should be the one begging. I'm here, wasting time, and she dares to be rude? This is going to be fun.

"You're kind of hostile for someone who just met me."

"How long did you know?" she asks. Not even acknowledging what I said.

"Know what?"

"That you were getting married in three days. You don't look freaked out at all."

So she's just finding out. That explains her mood.

"You're telling me you just knew today?"

"That's exactly what I'm saying... Ronald."

God, the way she says my name. Like she's trying to spit it out.

"That sounds like a personal problem."

She stands, starts walking toward me like she's ready to fight. I almost admire it.

"Let me make something clear. I'm not marrying you."

I laugh - a short, careless sound. "You can say anything you want. It's already signed."

She pauses. "What do you mean it's signed?"

I sigh, bored already. "Your dad works for my family. Has been for years. He handled money. Got himself in a hole. Took things he couldn't pay back. Millions. My dad was ready to ruin him. Court. Assets. Gone."

I look around. It's a sad little room - cheap desk, rainbow sheets, pink curtains. She's been living in a bubble.

"But your dad begged. Then one day he brought you to work. My grandma saw you. She's... soft. She made a deal. You marry me. And your dad keeps his job. No lawsuit. No jail."

"You call that forgiveness?"

Her voice is sharp. Angry.

"What?"

"Your grandmother didn't forgive him. She sold me off to save him."

"In this setup? Yeah, it's forgiving. Trust me. It could've gone way worse."

"You're sick," she snaps. "You're making me hate this even more."

"Don't care."

I stare right at her. She glares back. She thinks anger will shake me. It won't.

"So my dad agreed to this?"

"If he didn't, I'd be on a plane right now."

"And what about his salary?"

"That's between him and my father. I'm not his accountant."

"Who told you everything?"

"My parents. My family doesn't keep secrets. You might want to try that."

"And you're okay with this? Being forced into marriage? Just to pump out some heirs for your rich family?"

I shrug. "I don't do love. Arranged is fine. My family wants kids. That's it."

"Gross," she mutters, climbing into her bed, yanking the covers over herself.

"I don't get it. Why did your dad agree? You don't get anything from marrying us."

Good question. One I don't care to answer. All I know is - it's done. She scoffs

"Guess there are more secrets than you thought. Close the door on your way out."

She lies down and closes her eyes.

"See you in three days, fiancé."

I shake off the doubt she planted in me and step out. I don't stop-not to inform her parents in the living room that I'm done speaking to their infuriating daughter, and not to ask her sister why she's staring at me from the doorway. I just walk. I need a long shower to wash off the dust of this old house.

---

Diana's POV

I haven't left my room since Roland stormed out yesterday. Even though Mom has knocked on my door about a million times, and Dad has sent Celine to try to coax me out, I haven't moved from the bed or said a single word. And I'm sure they know the door isn't locked-they could come in anytime. But they won't. Cowards.

I tried to sleep, but the horror of the wedding haunted every dream. So I kept my eyes open, staring at the empty ceiling while my mind spilled a thousand questions I know I'll never get answers to. Like why marry off your son to anybody? What happens if I refuse? What's my life supposed to look like with those cuffs on my finger?

If I had known earlier, maybe it would've been easier. I would've lived more. I would've tried to understand the man I was being tied to-hell, maybe we could've even been friends. But now? Now I hate my parents for using me as payment for debts I didn't owe. I hate his and my parents for creating this mess, his grandparents for thinking this was acceptable. And most of all... I hate him. Roland. He is everything I never wanted-arrogant, prideful, detached. I get the feeling he could be violent too... and definitely a cheater.

That's not the life I pictured for myself. Not the husband I imagined myself marrying.

Anyone but him.

For the next two days, I only leave my room at night to grab food when everyone else is either asleep or pretending to sleep. I can hear their cautious breaths every time I move. I ignore it. I don't care.

Sitting at the kitchen counter, eating Nutella straight from the jar, I'm lost in thought. I'm getting married tomorrow. It all feels unreal.

From the corner of my eye, I catch my mother's shadow. I sigh.

"Let your husband know I'll be going to the court on my own tomorrow. I don't want any of you there."

I don't wait for her response. I shove the Nutella back in the fridge and stride to my room.

---

Roland's POV

It's been two freaking hours since I started waiting for my damn bride, and I'm getting really angry. She's a tough one, I'll give her that-but I'm not sure whether to call her behavior bravery... or foolishness.

I am a Graham. Nobody leaves a Graham hanging. Definitely not me.

I don't care whether we get married or not-either way, she's going to pay for this.

My mom is panicking in the car while my dad tries to calm her down. She's been doing that for the past hour, and it's becoming unbearable. Apparently, Diana told her parents she wanted to come to the ceremony alone. My parents are convinced something bad happened to her on the way-some of our company's rivals know about this wedding, so they're paranoid.

But I know better.

I've met this girl. If she's not here, it's because she chooses not to be here. Tsk. She's playing a very dangerous game.

My head bodyguard approaches.

"Sir, we checked her house and all possible routes she might've used. Everything is clear."

"Well, isn't that lovely."

Sarcasm drips from my voice.

Before he can continue, my phone starts ringing. Unknown number. Dramatic.

Missing bride on her wedding day and a call from a stranger? Almost cinematic.

If it's a kidnapping, I'm not paying a dime. She's unbearable, and I barely know her anyway. They can keep her.

I answer.

"Hello, darling."

Her voice is unmistakable.

I pause, then laugh. Of course. The little witch.

"Diana Corten, what exactly are you playing at?" I step away from the crowd, moving to a quiet corner.

"Now what could you possibly mean?" she replies, feigning innocence.

"Oh, how did your wedding go? Sorry I couldn't attend. I had pressing matters to attend to."

If a stranger heard her, they would actually believe her little performance.

"Diana, you get here right now."

My voice is calm, but sharp.

"Tsk tsk tsk. Slow down, Roland. I never said I wasn't going to marry you, did I?"

Her tone changes-finally serious.

"Diana, you realize I could just sign the papers for both of us... right?"

"You can lie to yourself, Roland, but not to me. The court needs my signature. You can't do this alone