My back still stings when I move, the skin stretched out, the scar tissue healed but tight. Georgiy says this is how he felt as well. It helps that he’s been through this too. For so long, I’ve been alone in my struggles, in the trauma I endured, but not this.
Georgiy and I are in this together.
I reach back and gingerly touch it. I don’t mind the scarring much because now I match Georgiy. The two of us have suffered and survived the cruelty of my father.
My father, whose skeleton is now sitting in the basement, a reminder that he’s gone. Dead. And under my control.
It’s funny how for all my formative years, I was under his control, and now he’s under mine. He’s currently dressed up as a fairy for Halloween.
He looks ridiculous. I know he’d hate it.
“Are you ready?” Angel asks me, his eyes bright as he takes me in. He flew all the way here with Mikhail and Caseyto witness the branding ceremony—something that I decided must be done between Georgiy and me to prove our love and dedication to one another.
“I am.”
“And you’re sure you want to do this?”
“I’m so sure.”
I shift on my feet in excitement as I look at the irons lying on the bed. One has Georgiy’s initials and one has mine.
Bane Sokolov. My first real last name. The only one that matters.
“Are you sure you don’t mind doing the ceremony with me as your best man?”
“Of course not. I wouldn’t have it any other way, and I’m happy Mikhail is going to brand Georgiy. It’s kind of symbolic.”
“It is.” I clasp his hand, and he squeezes mine tightly.
“I’m so happy for you.”
“I am, too. I can’t believe this is happening.”
“It’s better than a wedding. I think I may have to convince Mikhail to do this, too. It’s so romantic.”
Just as he says that, Agatha pokes her head into the room and tsks when she finds me not getting myself ready as quickly as she’d like. She’s taken the planning of this branding ceremony very seriously, and she will not have any of it delayed or disrupted.
It’s only gotten worse as the day drew nearer. And now, here we are, mere minutes away from starting the celebration.
“The guests are all waiting, little bug, and one even brought you something alive. He insisted you see it before the ceremony begins, but I told him he has to wait.”
My eyes widen, and I tighten the robe around my waist, hurrying after Agatha, asking questions as I go, leaving Angel, my best man, to grab the irons.
“What kind of live present? Is it a person? A bad one? Oh, is it a Frankenstein?”
“You’ll have to seeafter the ceremony. It’s going to start any minute, and Georgiy is waiting for you.”
I bob my head, my heart thundering in my chest as I make my way to the entrance of the large atrium in Anthony’s house. Angel helped with the decorations, even suggested using his favorite place for our special day.
I know that with Agatha and Angel behind the planning of this ceremony, it will be beautiful. As soon as we stop at the entrance, Agatha squeezes my hand and then disappears, Anthony making an appearance a moment later.
“You ready?” he asks, his eyes meeting mine.
I sniffle loudly and nod. “Thank you. For walking me down the aisle.”
“I wouldn’t want it any other way.”
I wipe my leaking eyes as the doors swing open. My gaze swivels around, taking in the low lighting and the plants glistening on the edges of the rows of chairs, the scent of exotic flowers permeating my senses.
