Page 140 of Crimson Flames

“There will never be a day where our love for you is a question, no matter the battles we may face,” Boris says.

“And there will never come a time that we will not fight alongside you,” Cillian says.

My eyes water as I look between the three of them, nodding because getting out words becomes a struggle. Nessa fastens the bracelet around my wrist. That’s when I notice there are two red stones on either side of the center plate, and two are missing from hers, replaced with the black from mine.

“She’s your sister, and now she can be with you too,” Nessa whispers just for us.

My arm wraps around her, and my fathers embrace me too.

“Together,” I say so low I don’t know if they can hear me until they all agree.

“Together.”

Epilogue

Kai is on the dance floor with Ani, Ami, and Peter, formerly Pokey. Rhea and Rick are in each other’s embrace beside Kai, and I can’t help but feel like something is going on by the weighted glances the three of them keep exchanging.

Maree finally leaves Dr. K’s side and heads onto the dance floor. Kai scoops her up and they begin a dance of their own. Storm steps away from Doc and joins them.

I can’t help the smile that spreads across my face seeing them all happy and carefree. Boris disappeared a few minutes ago, and as the night begins to come to an end, I approach my friend.

“Laney,” I say, stealing her from Arrow on the dance floor. Havoc quickly takes her place, planting a kiss on Arrow’s lips and making us roll our eyes.

“He can be so possessive,” Laney jokes, wrapping her arms around my neck as we begin to dance together.

“I heard that,” Havoc says.

“Punish me later then.” She winks at him while I try to ignore their conversation.

“Today was perfect,” I say when her attention turns back to me. She lights up with a smile, hugging me even closer.

“I’m glad I could make it exactly what you wanted.”

Out of all of us, I am the only one who really chose a big wedding. Evie was forced into hers, and Laney and her partners opted for their own sort of promise to each other.

This is the first time all of us are celebrating something like this without a cloud looming over us. Unless you count Akio and Adrian, who snuck off to do their own thing and totally didn’t include us in the process at all.

They came back with rings on their fingers and pictures for us all to see of them and the girls on an extravagant cruise vacation through the Mediterranean.

Evie joins in on our dance shortly after, and the three of us silently celebrate so many battles won. When Cillian pulls me away from my friends, I press my face against his chest as we sway back and forth.

After a minute, he tilts my head up to look at him.

“The Old Man has a surprise for you.”

Giving a gentle kiss to my nose, he encourages me towards the stairs. Admittedly, I’m relieved to get out of these heels and this dress. By the time I step into the penthouse suite, exhaustion overtakes me.

As if Boris knew, he steps out of the bathroom fully naked and helps me remove everything. When just my ring, necklace, and earrings are left, he scoops me into his arms.

I let myself sink into him while he carries me to the bathtub, candles casting reflective rainbows off the bubbles piled high. Carefully, he dips us into the water until my back is resting against his front.

A contented sigh leaves my lips as he presses a kiss to the top of my head. “I love you, my wife.”

Gently turning in his embrace, I press a kiss to his neck. “And I love you, husband.”

The scent of roses surrounds us as we fall into peaceful silence. Vows were exchanged today, promises made to last a lifetime. Right now I don’t need words, I just need Boris. My strength and my foundation.

His hands stroke my sides under the water before coming to my center. Parting my legs for him, I rest my head against his shoulder.

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