Page 103 of Crown of Hate

“Congratulations, you two.”

Mikhail and I direct our attention to Mama. She’s gotten up from her chair and made her way over, and she looks absolutely amazing. Radiant, fully recovered and positively glowing.

“Thanks, Mama.

“Thank you, Mrs. Orlov.”

Alexei and Semyon are quick to shuffle over and join in, both of them grinning like kids in a candy store.

“That little man’s going to learn a lot from Uncle Alexei,” Alexei boasts. “I’ll teach him how to fight and hold a gun. Semyon can handle the bicycle lessons.”

Semyon shoots him a glare. “I’ll teach him how to drive, not ride a bike, thank you very much.”

We all burst out laughing.

“I think there’ll be plenty of time to figure out the teaching roster,” I interject. “Chill, you two.”

“I bet his first word will be ‘Aunt Kira,'” Kira says. She thinks for a moment. “Or just ‘Kira.’ I’m not picky.”

“’Ilya’ is way easier to say,” Ilya chimes in. “I’ll make sure that’s what he learns first.”

While the others bicker over who gets to corrupt our child first, I catch sight of Grace whispering something to Mama, who nods and follows her to the cake table.

Grace has been such a blessing since she joined us in Russia, just two days after Akim’s death and the end of the war. She takes diligent care of me, always keeping me company when Mikhail is away. She’s also quickly becoming close with Mama. Seeing her here, part of our family, fills me with gratitude.

But that doesn’t mean I don’t still appreciate a little alone time with my man.

Taking advantage of the distraction, Mikhail and I quietly slip away.

We find a secluded spot behind a tree and collapse in a fit of giggles as we sit and try to catch our breath.

“You think they’ll notice we’re gone?” I ask, peeking around the trunk to check for pursuers.”

“Not a chance. At least, mot anytime soon with how they’re going at it,” Mikhail grins.

I chuckle and rest my head on his shoulder. “Fine by me. More alone time for us.”

We fall into a comfortable silence, listening to the birdsong and the gentle rustle of leaves overhead. It feels so peaceful here that I feel myself drifting to sleep.

I never thought I’d see the day, but I genuinely love it here in Russia. It feels good starting a new life, one so far away from all the bad memories.

And this man beside me? God, I love him more than I ever thought possible.

“Thank you for everything, Alya,” Mikhail whispers, just as I almost fall asleep. “I’ll never be able to thank you enough for the happiness you’ve brought into my life, but I swear I’ll spend every breath making sure you’re just as happy.”

I almost laugh. This still feels like some twisted fairytale. Mikhail, the man I once hated so fiercely is now the man who’s given me everything I’ve ever wanted. He’s made me a wife, a mother-to-be, and I know without a doubt he’d give up anything just to see me smile.

How did I get so lucky? I have the most feared man in Russia wrapped around my finger, and I wouldn’t trade him for anything. Even if I had a chance to choose, to go back to before all this madness, I wouldn’t, because my love for him is deeper than I can even put into words.

I feel his gaze on me, but I keep my eyes closed, savoring the moment. “I love you, malyshka,” he whispers, his voice thick with emotion. “I love you so much.”

A smile warms my lips. “I love you too,Moy lyubimy.”

“Moy Iyubimy?”he echoes, clearly stunned by the nickname.

I raise my head and nod. “You call memalyshka,so I figured it was time I gave you a pet name too.”

He brings his face dangerously close to mine. “How about we spice things up a bit? Make this moment even sweeter?”

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