Page 155 of Sire
The wedding was a dream.Axel, our ice king, melted at the sight of Ruby in her stunning dress. He swiped tears away.
Standing in the line of bridesmaids, I glanced at the army of groomsmen. At each inked king blinking back tears, too.
God, Nadine raised her sons right. They’re true men, not afraid to cry or kill for love.
All night at the reception, Sire danced with me. He sang with me, too. We brought the house down with our Dolly and Kenny duet while Axel danced with Ruby to it.
It was their day, and I swore to myself I’d be brave. I wouldn’t make it about me. I smiled, sang, and had fun. I danced with every king and laughed with the queens. When I barfed, they thought I was drunk. When I cried, they thought it was out of joy.
It was half true.
But now Axel and Ruby are locked in their honeymoon suite. The reception is over, and Sire has invited the rest of the family back to our hotel suite.
Gathered on sofas and chairs, we’re admiring the view from our terrace overlooking the sparkling night ocean. Heels are kicked off. Ties flung aside. Drinks are in hand.
All are relaxed until Sire lifts his glass, establishing his cover story.
“I’m leaving tomorrow on a mission trip to Ukraine.”
Nadine replies calmly, “Bless your heart. No, you’re not.”
“Mom,” he matches her tone, “you know I need to go where I’m called.”
“Young man,” she forgets his age, “you are called to keep your ass by your wife and family. Let someone else save the world.”
“So, I can save the world in the States but not abroad?”
He’s got a point, and Nadine doesn’t like it.
“For how long?” Jace tries to smooth the tension.
“I’ll be gone for a few months, helping a parish deliver food and medical supplies.”
Sire’s preparing for the worst. He really is going to Ukraine for a few weeks. From there, he’ll text pictures to all, securing his cover story. Then, he’ll go to Moscow, where we have no idea the tricks Ruslan will pull, the delays he’ll force, or how long Sire will have to wait to be strong enough to travel home.
“But what about Wren?” Vale curls on Nash’s lap, but worries about me, “That’s too dangerous for her.”
Sire nods, revealing, “She’s not going with me.”
“No!” Delphine protests. “That is too long for a wife. Wren will be lonely, yes?”
Delphine mirrors everyone searching my face, fearing I’ll falter.
There’s not a filter big enough to keep my mouth closed, but I try.
I do this for my family.
Sire swallows, squeezing my hand. He hates every damn second of this. So do I, but we have no choice. “Wren will stay home with you all. Keep her safe for me.”
Nash lowers his dark brows, doubting, “So you’re leaving Wren? The love of your life? For months?”
“Yeah, but he’s doing it to help others.” Grant jumps in, defending his brother. “Our nanny was Ukrainian. We canspeak the language, and they really need help over there. Besides, Wren’s strong as hell. She can?—”
“Wren is a grown woman. She can speak for herself,” Nadine interjects, eyeing me with compassion. “Wren? How do you feel about this?”
Feel?
It’s all I can do.
