My body blossomed open as he rode me, his primal cock driving ecstasy up my spine in such tremendous waves that it wasn't long before I gave him what he wanted. And this time, I didn't care about being overheard. I screamed his name with all the power of my voice, my body squeezing his until he joined me, his cry more guttural but nonetheless clear.
“Misha!”
Chapter Forty-Six
Two days later, I sat before the mirror in my bedroom—my old bedroom. After our wedding, Konstantin and I were taking our honeymoon in America to visit his old home and pack up his things. While we were gone, Nikolay's chambers would be gutted and decorated to Kon's and my tastes. Heavy furniture, soft fabrics, bright colors, and some sparkling accents. I had appointed Lord Pavel as my steward, and he'd handle everything during my absence, including overseeing those renovations and the construction of a new Larchary Theater.
The workers had already started removing the paneling and molding in the old theater, revealing the temple that lay beneath. Everything would be transferred to the new theater and the Temple of Lachia and Balvoran would be restored to its former glory. The holy ones had already consented to return and would soon be leaving to do some packing of their own. But not yet.
Because today, I was getting married.
I stood up and smoothed the layers of silk damask and velvet, the silk woven with a pattern of swans. Everything was white, or shades of it, rather. From my fur-lined cloak to my soft leather boots. My hair was pulled back in an elaborate braid that I'd likely need help to undo, but the effect was worth it. With the Larch crown sitting atop the ridge formed by the braid, I looked like a new man. Felt like one too.
“From sex slave to king,” I said to my reflection. “What a journey I've had.” I grinned at myself before heading for the door. “And it's far from over.”
As King, I would be the one waiting for Kon atop the royal dais. So, I stepped into the throne room from the royal entrance, just to the right of the dais. The room was already full, everyone standing since the entire village had been invited as well and there wasn't room for chairs. As packed as it was, no one invaded the sacred aisle that formed a straight line from the doorway at one end of the room to the royal dais at the other. A runner of white carpet defined it but that was all. Konstantin didn't want floral arrangements or “any of that frippery”—a decision that I was certain stemmed purely from my dislike of flowers. Which made me love him even more.
I smiled as I thought about the rapid wedding planning. Kon had wanted his kin to be in attendance. So, instead of leaving, the Kaplans had stayed on, extending our victory celebration. They weren't lazy guests either but had provided invaluable assistance with settling my new court. Commander Anatoly's advice was especially helpful with reorganizing my army.
I nodded to the Commander, standing in a place of honor in the front and to the right of the aisle. Then I climbed the dais steps and bowed to the High Priest and Priestess who would be jointly conducting the ceremony. Behind them were two thrones, one slightly smaller than the other and freshly made, its varnish still scenting the air. Upon that seat was a band of white gold with a single pair of wings at center-front, holding a teardrop diamond. Like the throne, the crown had been hastily constructed, but you wouldn't know it to look at them. Our craftsmen had put their best efforts into both pieces.
From the gallery above came the sound of trumpets, then a bold, primal, marching beat. I straightened, my stare going to the arched doorway at the end of the aisle. And there he was. Dear Gods, he was stunning. More handsome than I'd ever seen him. Draped in white like me, he made the royal robes look masculine, as if they were armor instead of mere fabric. His broad shoulders seemed even wider beneath his fur cloak, and muscles bulged in his arms and thighs despite the layers of material covering them. Fiery hair gleamed against the pale palette, putting the clothes to shame, and Kon's eyes burned even brighter, fastened on mine. But it was his smile that outshone it all. Half smirk and half adoration, it stayed in place as he swaggered up the aisle and climbed the steps of the dais.
As the music faded, Konstantin took my hand and kissed it. “Hello, swanling.”
“Hello, tiger.” I squeezed his hand as we turned to face the holy ones.
“Thank you all for coming to witness this sacred ceremony,” the High Priest got right to it. “It's heartwarming to see you pressed in together here, eagerly sharing this space so that you all may be a part of this. This is what it means to be a Larch—compassion and generosity in addition to fortitude and strength. You have all fought to become what we once were, and this wedding is the culmination of your efforts. Not only does it celebrate the love your king has found, but it also binds all of us to the great Garin Clan of the Kaplan. King Luka himself would have been proud of his grandson to make such an alliance while honoring his heart.”
The Kaplans made their chuffing salute, fists hitting hard chests before punching into the air.
“It is a bright day indeed,” the High Priestess took over. “The joining of two hearts always is. But these two hearts especially have overcome much to be together. The Gods have watched over them and led them here. So it is with great pleasure and honor that we serve as the vessels of Lachia—”
“And Balvoran,” the High Priest inserted.
“—to unite King Mikhail and Lord Konstantin today.” The High Priestess turned to face me. “Mikhail Alexeiovich Lebedev, do you accept this man, Konstantin Ivanovich Garin, as your husband? To be true to him and only him for the entirety of your existence?”
“Yes, I do,” I said immediately.
The High Priest addressed Kon, “And do you, Konstantin Ivanovich Garin accept this man, Mikhail Alexeiovich Lebedev, as your husband? To be true to him and only him for the entirety of your existence?”
“I do,” Konstantin's voice rang out.
“Make your vows, Your Majesty,” the High Priestess said.
Still holding Kon's hand and gaze, I said, “I, Mikhail Alexeiovich Lebedev, vow to be loyal in body and heart to you, Konstantin Ivanovich Garin. From today forward, you will come first in all things for me and no matter what befalls us, I will stand beside you. I am yours until I take my last breath and my body returns to the water for its final rest.”
Konstantin's eyes shone, and he blinked rapidly, but he also lifted that chiseled chin proudly. My Gods weren't his, but they had watched over him nonetheless, and Kon had readily agreed to the High Priest and Priestess conducting our ceremony. Still, he went a little off-script when the High Priest of Balvoran bid him make his vows.
“I, Konstantin Ivanovich Garin, vow to be loyal in body and heart to you, Mikhail Alexeiovich Lebedev. From today forward, you're it for me, swanling. No other can turn my head and no other will hold my heart. If anyone should try to tear us apart, I will tearthemapart instead. Your enemies are my enemies. As your family is now my family. All that I am, all that I have, is yours in return. My body, my love, my clan, my very soul—they are yours from now until the end of time.”
The Kaplans shouted their battle cry, lifting their fists in salute.
I smiled so broadly that my cheeks pushed up and narrowed my vision.
The High Priestess cleared her throat and shared a small smile with the Priest before they brought forth a pair of white-gold rings and held them aloft simultaneously. “May these rings be symbols of the love between these two men. May all who see them know that Mikhail and Konstantin are bound by love, sacred vows, and the Gods.” She handed me the larger of the rings while the High Priest handed Kon the smaller. “Now, Your Majesty, you may claim your husband.”
“Wear this ring for me so that all who look upon it may know that you are mine,” I said as I slid the ring upon Kon's finger.
