Page 108 of Dance of Thorns

I mean,I am.But fuck, it felt so nice just now, with him being so excited to welcome me into his family, and?—

“Just one milligram lorazepam?”

My eyes snap to his, ready for the snarky comment or look of pity.

“Personally, I’m a two-milligram-a-day man myself.”

I stare. Nikolai grins. “I’ve dealt with anxiety my whole life. Can’t say my choice of profession did much to help, but…” He shrugs and levels a look at me. “Don’t ever be ashamed to fix what isn’t working inside you, Dove. Nobody feels they need to hide the cast on their broken leg, or the antibiotics to knock out a sinus infection. Mental health shouldn’t be any different. And if anyone gives you shit for it?” He winks. “Fuck ‘em.”

I grin widely.

“Also—and I hope I’m not overstepping here—if you ever want agreatshrink, the woman I see isfantastic.I’ve been going to her for something like fifteen years, and I’d be happy to introduce the two of you.”

I nod. “That would be…really nice.”

He nods.“Oh, and congrats.” His brows arch. “Two years is damn impressive.”

No judgement. No looking down on me because I’m a junkie or a drunk.

…I think I’mreallygoing to like my father-in-law.

I smile, my cheeks heating. “Thanks so much, Mr. Antonov.”

He laughs loudly. “Dove, you’re going to be family in…” He glances at the Rolex on his wrist. “About eighteen minutes. I think Nikolai works, don’t you?”

I grin. “Sure, thanks.”

He walks over and takes my hands in his, smiling at me. “One last thing.”

I smile. “Yeah?”

“If my kid fucks up, let me know so I can knock some sense into him.”

I giggle. “Deal.”

Nikolai gives me a warm, fatherly hug, and my heart swells as I hug him back.

Then, soon enough, it’s time.

It’s not like my dad offered anyway, but I end up walking myself down the short aisle in Nikolai’s back yard where the ceremony is being held despite the chill in the air. Bane’s wearing a black suit, black dress shirt and black tie, and it’s so fucking perfect andhimthat I grin as I step up to him.

He grins right back.

Heneversmiles like this.

“You look fucking incredible,” he murmurs under his breath.

“So do you,” I blush. I glance at the stone wall beside us with the arch motif carved into it, the whole thingcoveredin gorgeous pink climbing roses. “These are stunning,” I murmur quietly.

“My mother planted them,” Bane says, taking my hands in his.

For some reason, that really touches me, and I smile widely.

It makes me feel like his mom is here with us, watching over us today.

…And maybemineis, too.

I had thought the Antonov family would push for a Russian Orthodox ceremony. But it turns out neither Bane nor is father is very religious, and they were more than happy with my dad’s request for a Catholic priest.