Page 84 of Unveiled

“You play?” he asked, his voice casual, though I could tell he already knew the answer.

“A little,” I admitted.

“Good,” he said, setting up the pieces right there on the stoop. “Because I’m not going easy on you.”

“Maybe I’m better than you think,” I shot back, teasing.

He glanced at me, his gaze soft. “Maybe you are, Anya.”

We played for hours, taking bites of the cake straight out of the box as we moved pieces back and forth across the board. I lost every game, but I didn’t care. He didn’t talk much, but he didn’t have to. Just having him there, spending time with me, paying attention… It was enough.

When the air grew cold, he finally stood, folding the wrapping paper into meticulous little squares. “I have to get home,” he said. “Rafail expected me an hour ago.”

“Hope you’re not in trouble,” I said with a small smile.

He huffed a laugh. “I’m definitely in trouble. But it was worth it.”

For a moment, he stood there, his gaze unreadable. My heart pounded, my breath caught in my throat. Was he going to…kiss me?

I told myself no, of course not. I was just a girl to him.

But then his fingers brushed my jaw, tilting my chin up ever so slightly. My breath caught. His ice-blue eyes searched mine, hesitation flickering in their depths. And then, before I could second-guess it—before my mind could get ahead of my body—he kissed me.

It was brief, more than a question than an answer. His lips barely pressed against mine, lingering for just a heartbeat before he pulled away. His voice was rough when he spoke.

“Happy birthday, Anya.”

And then he was gone.

Before he came, I wanted a book, a gift, attention… now I wanted so much more.

After he left, I sat there for a long time, staring at the chessboard and the remaining cake. I swiped my finger through the icing, licking it clean.

It was delicious.

My heart felt full, and my eyes burned with tears.

It was the best birthday I’d ever had.

"What did he say?"Yana asks, her eyes twinkling. I roll my eyes. She knows her brother.

Zoya gets a teasing look and holds up her palm. "Listen, I actually don't want details, okay? If he's getting all sexy or flirty or whatever—" She makes a face. "My god. I can’t believe I’m saying that aboutSemyon.What have you done to my brother?"

The better question is, what has her brother done tome?

"Well…" I say, trying to think of how to phrase it without telling her too much. "He definitely has decided opinions about some dresses."

Yana grins. "Of course he does. So, the red one with the underboob, it is?"

“Yeah, I don't think so." I can’t help but smile. What I don’t tell them is that I have a feeling that if I wore that one out in public, my ass would match the shade of that dress.

Is that a bad thing?

"I'm so glad he married you," Yana says quietly. “You’re such a perfect fit for our family, Anya.” She smiles. “Not many people knew what my family went through. You do. And you've been nothing but supportive. Thank you." She leans forward and gives me a kiss on my cheek.

My chest tightens. “Of course, yeah."

I miss Eli.

---