A CRUEL MEMORY

Ares waited for her to tell her story, but deep down, he worried.

Memories were something he hated to dwell on.

He knew just how painful hers were, and so he really didn't want her to relieve them.

"When my father finally decided it was best to let me actually live as a child before I turned to a teen, he asked me what I wanted," she began in a barely audible voice.

Ares didn't know if he was supposed to remain silent, or indulge her.

"I told him I had always wanted to learn ballet. He called me typical, but the next week, my beautiful Miss Katherine arrived at the tower. Five months before, the doctors had finally stopped coming, so my mind was getting clearer. Very much clearer."

Ares' grip around her tightened, because he just knew she needed him to be present with her.