Page 62 of King’s Promise

“Mama’s coming in tonight,” Roman informs us.

“Well, I hope she won’t be disappointed we’re leaving on a honeymoon after the wedding,” Nikolay announces with a devilish glint in his eyes, which means he’s looking forward to spanking my ass over the bow of his yacht as we fuck ourselves to death under the moonlight on the French Riviera.

“Not at all. She wants to see you for herself.” Roman’s eyes dance as he cajoles Nikolay. I understand Roman is the baby in the family and she loves to fawn over him. Now, it appears she’s only concerned with Nikolay’s recovery.

“I can’t wait,” I add, wondering what she’s like and if we’ll get along.

“Pavel will pick her up. I have an incredible feast prepared,” I add as I excuse myself to get ready for her arrival. The house is filled with flowers, and we have a suite prepared for her upstairs with red roses and little mint chocolates on her pillowcase. I hope I didn’t overdo it, but we’ll be family and I only have one opportunity to impress her.

* * *

Natasha arriveswith the boys all speaking to her at once, laughing and hugging. They smother her with affection. She finally reaches me.

“Anya, it’s been years. I’m so excited to see you and Nikolay together at last.” She beams. Her face glows as her dark hair cascades down her shoulders, curled so perfectly it swirls like the longest soft serve ice cream ever made. She’s dressed in a designer pantsuit and wears a long trench coat to accentuate her slim figure and stature of a woman who was once a model in Europe before the boys were born.

I hug her and greet her in Russian. I kiss both her cheeks and her designer perfume fills the foyer. She’s dressed elegantly, and I’d expect nothing less. She’s beautiful.

“Let’s move into the solarium,” I suggest. “Drinks are served.”

“You’re a woman after my own heart,” she purrs and slides her arm through mine as she leads the way because this was her house for many years, and no doubt she enjoyed living here.

“I love what you did with the house,” I compliment her. “Funny how it suits our personalities. Nikolay loves his living room.”

“Oh, it was nothing, an early wedding gift. I know you both so well. I occasionally heard from your mother over the years. It’s a shame my husband and your father aren’t here for your wedding day. I can’t change what happened. I’m just relieved you and Nikolay are fine.” She pats my arm as if I’m of her blood. “I knew you’d be good for Nikolay. He needs a strong woman at his side, now, tell me about the wedding. I hear your dress is the first of its kind and hasn’t been released to the A-listers yet.” She gives me an impish grin as she squeezes my arm in excitement, and for a second, I wonder if the dress wasn’t obtained under pressing conditions just for me. “Now, we’re having the wedding in Paris at the hottest hotel. I can’t wait, it’s been redone and we’re the first to use it, so we’ll be sure to set the record on the most fashionable wedding of the year.”

“I’m just happy we can finally get married,” I add modestly.

“Oh, my dear, you are the toast of London and Volgograd, enjoy it. The moments of glory are fleeting in our world. Walk proudly, we both lost a loved one, honor them as you walk down that aisle and enjoy your honeymoon. I can tell by the glow on your face it’s already started.”

I bow my head; she’s so open about everything. Her expensive heels click on the tile, and she still walks like a runway model. I don’t know how I can measure up to her grace as the new Queen.

“I’m here for you, for anything,” she whispers as she accepts a drink from Roman and Dmitry takes her other arm and rattles on about how he’s cracked Interpol and from there Roman boasts his sniper skills in the attack leading to my rescue.

By the time we gather around the dinner table, we have the presence of more servants. Now, Hazel can cut back on her hours and do what she loves. She’s a chef who enjoys cooking gourmet meals for us and having a small herb garden near her cottage.

Natasha slips into the kitchen after dinner and had a long visit with Hazel over hot tea and the rest of us retire to the billiards room for drinks and games. We’ve become a family faster than most and I’m sure it’s due to the fact we all know, life is short. Every day, we have to reach out and find good and the bad in the world, and we need to hope the good wins out.

* * *

Nikolay’s motherinsists I call her ‘Mama’ and as I’m getting dressed, she enters the room for brides and hands me a long, thin box.

“Open it, it’s my pearls. Welcome to the family.”

I open the box lined with silk and in it are the most incredible iridescent black pearl necklace. My breath catches in my throat.

“They will set your wedding dress off nicely, don’t you think?”

“They are lovely, thank you,” I murmur as I lift the necklace with care and hand them to her to clasp it around my neck.

“Wear them, they don’t belong in a box.” She kisses my cheek. “I’ll leave you with your mother and sister to get ready.”

“Please, join us,” I state. She has no daughters, but she’s my family now and I want to include her.

My mum and sister arrive, and we all chat excitedly as the makeup artist and hair specialist work their magic on me.

My wedding day is the first of June in the most elaborate hotel called the Hotel of Paris and the view of the Eiffel Tower is magnificent. The rooms are a mix of the old-style furniture made with a modern twist and it captures the vibe of the past and brings it to the present. The beds are high, the duvets are extremely fluffy, but I doubt we’ll notice as they will be tossed to the floor as soon as Nikolay carries me over the threshold.

The church on the street is covered with our men and there are over one hundred friends and business associates who gather in the pews.

---