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And that’s how I find myself in the sole company of Tatiana and Katya. I should feel nervous, but the girls have been friendly from the onset and I immediately feel right in place in this intimate setting.

“So…” I begin. “Were you looking for Agafon for some specific reason? I could leave a message, you know, in case he doesn’t return before you leave?”

“Oh, you’re kicking us out!” Katya’s eyes widen. I panic, wondering if I made a mistake, and begin to fumble.

“No! Of course not. Gosh, that’s not what I meant. I was only trying to be help—”

But Tatiana cuts me off with laughter. “Katya’s a practical joker. Ignore her.” She gives her sister a warning glare, and Katya shrugs before meeting my eye with a wink.

To say I feel relieved is an understatement.

“We just dropped by to see how you two were settling into married life,” Katya offers up the truth.

“Besides, we wanted to make sure he’s taking good care of you,” Tatiana said.

“Our brother isn’t exactly… stellar with the ladies,” Katya sighs.

“Oh?” I inquire, wondering what they mean.

Tatiana chuckles, sharing a knowing look with her sister before leaning in closer.

“Let’s just say his way with people isn’t exactly charming,” she explains. “Agafon has always been… reserved. It’s hard for him to connect with others on a personal level.”

Katya nods in agreement. “He’s too focused on his work, his responsibilities. Sometimes we worry he’ll forget how to have fun. So we were here to help him get his priorities right.”

Tatiana nods in earnest. “He married you and moved you into this—” she looks around at the huge space as though she can’t find a word to describe this —“house?”

On cue, all three of us begin to laugh, realizing how ridiculous the space actually is.

“Try chateaux,” Katya adds.

“A castle?” I offer.

Once again, we begin to laugh. When the laughter dies out, I lean in. “So, Agafon, has he never dated before?”

“A little,” Tatiana says. “But not seriously.”

“As we said, he took it on himself to care for all of us,” Katya explains sweetly. “Even though we’re capable of making our own way.”

I listen intently, realizing that Agafon’s aloof disposition might be more than just what he extends to me.

If he’s always been focused on caring for his siblings, it’s no wonder he struggles to open up to others, to lean on someone other than himself.

Suddenly, I feel a pang of sympathy for him, understanding a bit more about the walls he must have built around himself over the years.

It’s hard work, taking on such responsibility. I know because I ran from mine for two whole years. In that moment, I begin to admire him.

“He was different when we were younger,” Katya continues, her gaze thoughtful. “More… expressive, I guess.”

“Before the weight of the world fell on his shoulders,” Tatiana adds softly.

There’s a silence in the room, a contemplative one, before I speak. “Well, if it helps, I promise to uproot his life. He’ll have to let loose a little, by virtue of that.”

The girls look positively delighted. “That’s just what we were hoping for!”

“Our brother truly does have a stick up his ass. You know what would be fun?” Katya, the practical joker, wiggles her eyebrows. “If we replace all his serious socks with those animal-printed types.”

Tatiana and I roar at the idea of Agafon walking around in a navy blue suit with pandas on his feet.

“Oh, wouldn’t that be fun.” I wipe at my tears.

We talk some more about how the week has been, how I’m settling in, and the changes I wish to make around the house. They decipher, from how I describe my days, just how lonely it is around here sometimes.

I ask how it is growing up with so many siblings and whether they all live independently. “Katya and I live with Bogdan because he’s got a huge mansion,” Tatiana explains, before going into the arrangements of the rest. Once again, she doesn’t mention Nikandr.

I'm about to find the right moment to ask about Nikandr when Tatiana sits up suddenly, clapping her hands.

“I have a brilliant idea,” she announces as she looks over at Katya. “Let's take Lilibeth out tonight.”

“Out?” I repeat, surprised.

“Yes, out. Into the world. Where people have fun,” she says. “There's a new club opening downtown. Very exclusive, very private. It would be perfect for your first official outing as a Letvin.”

“I don't know if Agafon would—” I start.

“Agafon isn’t around, is he? You’re going to get bored to death in here,” Katya interrupts with a mischievous smile. “Besides, you're family now. That means we get to corrupt you a little.”

For the first time since the wedding, I feel a spark of excitement. A night out. Normal people doing normal things. Not sitting alone in this castle, waiting for a husband who barely acknowledges my existence.

“Okay,” I decide, grinning. “I'm in.”

The siblings cheer, and Tatiana immediately begins planning what I should wear.

I laugh, feeling lighter than I have in days. I'm about to ask what time we should leave when we hear Agafon.

“I didn't realize we were having a family reunion,” he says from the doorway.

The laughter dies instantly as we turn to look at him.

Agafon stands there, his gray eyes taking in the scene. Those eyes land on me last, and I feel a chill down my spine from the intensity I see in them.

“Surprise,” Tatiana says, recovering first. “We thought we'd check on the newlyweds.”

“Hmm,” is all Agafon says, setting down his briefcase on a table before walking up to us. “And what's the verdict?”

“Your wife is delightful,” Rurik says. “You've been hiding her away.”

“I've been working,” Agafon replies flatly.

“Well, we're taking her out tonight,” Tatiana announces. “To Ember. The new place on the 12th.”

I hold my breath, watching Agafon's reaction. His expression doesn't change, but something flickers in those gray eyes as he meets mine.

“No, you're not,” he says simply.

I feel myself freeze at his command. Is that how this is going to be? What does he want? For me to spend the rest of my life alone within these four walls?

“Come on, Agafon,” Katya protests. “She's been cooped up here all week.”

“I said no.” His tone leaves no room for argument. Then he turns to me. “We have plans tonight.”

“We do?” I ask, unable to keep the surprise from my voice.

“Dress up. We’re attending an event tonight, as husband and wife.”

His siblings exchange looks that I can't quite interpret. Disappointment rushes through me, followed by a flare of defiance. Who is he to dictate my plans when he's barely spoken to me all week?

“I already agreed to go out with your sisters,” I say, straightening my shoulders.

Agafon's eyes narrow slightly. “That was before you knew about our prior commitment.”

The room goes silent. I can feel his siblings watching us, this first real interaction between husband and wife.

Agafon steps closer to me, and despite myself, I have to tilt my head back to maintain eye contact.

His sisters are here, and because of that fact alone, to avoid embarrassing ourselves, I bite back my tongue and give him a wide, cheerful smile.

“Of course,” I say smoothly, even though I’m seething within. “I’ll be dressed in time.”

He nods, surprise flickering across his face. “Seven p.m.,” he says, before leaving us to carry on.