Page 75 of Sinful Games

“I, C-Caia Mankiev, vow to protect you, Alexsei Romaniev, from any harm, cherish you, guide you and l-love you until death do us part.”

I closed my eyes, desperately trying to retreat into my own mind and escape the nightmare unfolding around me.

"I now declare you, by the will of God, husband and wife," the priest announced with a decisive clap. The command that followed pulled me back to the present, as I heard him say, "You may now kiss your wife."

I snapped my eyes open.

In one swift motion, Romaniev removed the bloodied cloth and wrapped it tightly around my wounded hand. Then, with his left hand cradling the back of my neck, he drew me in until our lips met.

His kiss was a heady mix of cinnamon, coffee, and the sharp bite of betrayal.

I’d just kissed the devil, and I could already feel my soul burning up, destined to turn to ashes—all because of one man: Alexsei Romaniev.

My husband.

Chapter

Twenty-Three

“Where there is power, there is resistance.”

?Michel Foucault

Alexsei

As expected, Caia was furious. Seeing her rage at the idea of being my wife was exhilarating. I relished the power—it was a fucking thrill.

What I didn’t expect was her to show up in a blood-red dress. Sexy, bold, almost blasphemous for a bride-to-be. It wasn’t just fashion; it was a rebellion. Anyone still unsure this marriage was forced had no doubts after seeing that damn provocative dress.

Surprisingly, the ceremony went smoothly, even after I had to drop the grandma card, threatening her with the old lady's death—classic, buteffective.

As we exchanged vows, the words rolled off my tongue, almost making me believe I was some romantic bastard pledging eternal love. But beneath it all, I scoffed.

Eternal love was bullshit. I just wanted to fuck the girl that’s all.

Liar. You’re obsessed with her.

The voice in my head wouldn’t shut up, nagging at me, and as much as I hated to admit it, it was the fucking truth. I craved her, wanted her beside me constantly. I wanted her scent, her gaze, her thoughts—all mine.

When the priest declared us married and I leaned in for that first kiss, it was like electricity. Goosebumps, heart racing. Her lips against mine felt like a dangerous pleasure, and for a moment, everything else disappeared—the vows, the ceremony. It was just us, and the kiss was… fucking amazing.

But Caia? She didn’t seem to be fazed by it at all.

As I drove us away from the Manor, the tension was thick. She stayed silent, arms crossed, body turned away.

My little witch’s still mad.

“Stop staring at me.”

“What did I tell you about giving me orders,moya solnyshka?”

“Don’t call me that,” she spat.

I arched a brow. “Would you preferwife? Is that better?”

She gave me a hard look and I couldn't help but laugh.

Finally, curiosity got the best of her. “Where are we going?”

---