Page 194 of Wicked Refusal

We walk the rest of the way laughing. It’s a good distraction from the wild hammering of my heart, that much is for certain.

We step out onto the grounds.

Green grass grazes my ankles as I walk. Trees line the path, their leaves dotted with yellow and red, but still holding on to the vitality of summer. Yulian worked tirelessly to restore this place inside and out, but most of his focus went to this portion of the estate, where he knew our wedding ceremony would be held.

It couldn’t be more beautiful.

“Break a leg,” Nikita encourages in my ear before letting go of my arm. “Though, you know. Not literally.”

I snort and wait for my dad to take over.

He’s not a man of many words, but he doesn’t need to speak to tell me how much this means to him. After losing each other for five years, he must have thought he might never get to see me like this. Wearing a wedding dress, getting married to the man I love.

But here we are. All thanks to Yulian.

My gaze meets his at the altar. He looks even better with his replacement shirt, all clad in midnight black. Someone might say it’s bad luck, but I say it suits him perfectly.

He’s given me so much.I fight against the tears, but it’s hopeless.He’s given me everything.

And I’ll give him everything, too.

The march starts playing. I take the first step across the aisle, on my dad’s arm, my mother’s eyes watering the whole time. Eli is bouncing excitedly next to Maksim—Yulian’s best man—who’s holding a black velvet box in his hands with our rings in it. The rest of my entourage is all up at the altar: my bridesmaids, by best friends in the world.

My family.

At the last step, Yulian offers me his hand. His comforting smell washes over me, cedarwood and amber and a thousand unbreakable promises. “Ready to do this,kotyonok?”

I fight off a smile. “I’m ready.”

I’m ready to start our life together. To finally say “yes” to you.

To be yours.

I say it, and I am.