Ice sculptures lined the grand entrance—swans frozen mid-flight, wolves howling at a crystalline moon, and at the center, a sculpture of a king and queen intertwined, so detailed you could see the crown on her head and the protective way his arms wrapped around her. Evergreen wreaths adorned with red velvet ribbons hung between each sculpture, their pine fragrance mingling with cinnamon and clove.
Ten-foot Christmas trees flanked either side of the aisle, each one covered in thousands of white lights and crystal ornaments that caught the light like diamonds. Candy canes in silver and white hung alongside glass icicles, and at the top of eachtree, brilliant stars blazed. White roses and deep red peonies cascaded down from enormous arrangements, their fragrance mixing with pine and the spiced warmth of mulled wine that perfumed the winter air.
The ceiling of the ballroom had been draped with sheer white fabric that billowed like clouds, and from it hung hundreds of crystal chandeliers shaped like snowflakes and stars. Snowflakes engineered to fall and disappear before they touched anyone drifted down in a constant, magical stream, as if we were standing inside a snow globe.
The aisle was lined with lanterns, each one glowing with warm candlelight and decorated with sprigs of holly and red berries, creating a pathway that looked like it led straight to heaven. White fur runners cushioned every step, and rose petals that were white, cream, and the deepest red, were scattered like drops of blood on snow, mingling with gold and silver confetti that sparkled like Christmas magic.
I stood at the altar, Cori beside me as my best man, trying not to look as nervous as I felt. I'd faced down armed enemies without flinching, but waiting for Natasha to walk down that aisle? That had my heart hammering in my chest.
The orchestra began playing a hauntingly beautiful version of "Carol of the Bells" that sent chills down everyone's spine. Dark. Romantic. Perfect for us.
And then the doors opened.
My breath stopped.
Natasha stood there, backlit by soft golden light, and she looked like every fantasy I'd ever had brought to life. Her dress was a masterpiece made of white silk that hugged every curve before flowing out into a dramatic train that seemed to go on forever. The bodice was covered in crystals and pearls that caught the light with every breath she took, making her shimmer like freshly fallen snow.
Her veil was cathedral-length, attached to a crystal crown that sat perfectly in her dark hair. She looked like the princess I'd always told her she was. My princess. My queen.
She carried a bouquet of white roses, red hypericum berries, and winter greenery tied with deep crimson ribbon. And when her eyes met mine down that long aisle, everything else disappeared.
Her father looked equal parts proud and terrified, walked her slowly toward me. Each step felt like an eternity. I wanted to rush down there and carry her the rest of the way, but I forced myself to wait. To let her have this moment.
When she finally reached me, her father placed her hand in mine, leaned in to whisper something to her that made her eyes well up, then gave me a look that clearly said you hurt her and I don't care who you are.
Fair enough.
"Hi," she whispered, looking up at me with those eyes that owned every piece of me.
"Hi, princess," I murmured back, unable to stop myself from brushing my thumb over her knuckles. "You're the most beautiful thing I've ever seen."
Her smile was tremulous, happy, perfect.
The officiant began speaking, but I barely heard him. I was too focused on Natasha and the way her hand trembled in mine, the tear that escaped down her cheek, the way she kept biting her lip to keep from crying.
When it came time for vows, I went first.
"Natasha," I began, my voice rough with emotion I didn't bother hiding. "I vow to protect you with everything I have. To love you with a fierceness that scares me. To give you the world you deserve, even when I don't deserve you." I paused, swallowing hard. "I vow to be completely yours, exclusively, obsessively yours, until my last breath and beyond."
"I vow to make you laugh, to keep you safe, to fuck up sometimes but always find my way back to you." A ripple of soft laughter went through the crowd, and Natasha's smile widened. "I vow to build a life with you that's worth all the darkness we've survived to get here."
I leaned in slightly, voice dropping.
"And I vow to remind you every single day that you're mine, and I'm yours, and nothing in this world will ever change that."
Tears streamed freely down her face now, and I reached up to brush them away with my thumb.
Then it was her turn.
"Dmitri," she started, voice shaking but strong. "You saw me when I was invisible. You made me feel safe when I was terrified. You loved me when I didn't think I was worthy of being loved."
She squeezed my hands.
"I vow to stand beside you in your darkness and your light. To be your home when the world feels hostile. To love every twisted, complicated, beautiful part of you without reservation."
Her voice grew steadier.
"I vow to be your partner, your queen, your safe place. I vow to trust you with my heart even when it's scary. To build this life with you, whatever that looks like."
