Page 128 of About Love and Revenge

Zoe and Christos will be our witnesses, since our church requires that at least one of the godparents must be baptized in our faith. Informally, however, Theo and Derek, my brother's husband, will also be our godparents. If there are two couples that inspire true love, those are the ones we choose.

Odin told me that although he was baptized in our church too, he is an atheist. Nevertheless, he would grant my wish to celebrate the wedding in front of a priest. Instead of getting married in a church, however, I preferred a ceremony on the farm that I love so much.

It was Christos who managed to get around some of the rules, bringing in a priest who was a close friend of his father's. He was the same one who officiated at his marriage to Zoe.

“I love you, Elina. I'm here for you and I always will be. I long ago gave up trying to please our family. Nobody thought of you when you were left behind in that sick man's hands. I thank God that Odin showed up. I can never be grateful enough.”

I know Theo is right. My family barely remembers that I exist.

I feel calmer just knowing that my mother is away from Leandros, because I'm sure she'll be safe.

“Now, I want a smile on that beautiful face. Today is your day. You’re marrying the man you love, and I hope that soon you will give me lots of nephews.”

Theo and Derek have a little daughter, Belinda, who is my brother-in-law's biological daughter.

I smile and think about what he’s said. Other than that day in the car when he kept silent, Odin and I have never really talked about it, but I'd like to have kids.

“Theo, I have to say you have very good taste. Elina’s dress is gorgeous,” Zoe says, walking into the room. She left discreetly as soon as my brother arrived, and I think it was to give us privacy.

I look again in the mirror and check out the spaghetti strap dress with the veil pinned to the straps instead of the head. I'm only wearing a garland of pearl drops, as anything else would get in the way of the coronation ritual.

It’s the high point of Orthodox marriages. The bride and groom each receive their golden crown, which symbolizes honor in marriage. I've been to many weddings, and I have the entire ceremony engraved in my memory.

The groomsmen cross the crowns on the heads of both bride and groom, holding a candle as well as the ribbon that joins the crowns in a procession around the altar. Afterwards, the bride and groom drink wine from the same cup and walk three times counterclockwise around theanalói, which is the table where the evangel and the cross are.

The priest will guide us, carrying incense, which serves to purify the sacred objects on the table and everyone present.

“I would’ve liked to have designed it myself, but I think my brother-in-law would have had a heart attack if he had to wait three months for the dress to be finished,” Theo replies to Zoe.

It’s true. Odin was in a hurry to get married, and I joked that women are usually the ones who are afraid that their bridegrooms will change their minds.

Cassandra, the secretary who assists me, said that he ordered a press release about our future union around three weeks ago, but despite that, the ceremony will be closed except for a few guests.

“Guys, it's time,” Zoe says again. “Christos told me that Odin is about to pace a trench into the ground.”

I draw in a breath to build up some courage.

“I'm ready.”

“I love you, Odin.” I'm a little nervous as he looks at me with those dark eyes so deep that they always take my breath away.

“Keep going.”

“Undressing?”

“That too, but keep talking about how much you love me.”He's sitting on the bed in our farmhouse suite as I unbutton the side of the wedding dress. His body is so big andmuscular that it seems to take up the entire room, but I know that much larger than his physique is his personality, which dominates any environment he is in.

And this delicious man is all mine.

My fingers have missed what they were doing several times.

I feel my heart racing.

It happened.

I'm his wife now.

“Do you wanna help me?” I ask, desperate for him to touch me.

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