My family moved back toward the dining room, and my fury started to take the place of everything else. Yes, I had the strength for anything now. Gavril had shown me that.
“Stop,” Gavril bellowed, still standing just inside the doors. “I have something I want to say.”
Hackles rose, hands clenched. A few of my cousins’ wives murmured as they moved behind the men. Damn it, what was he doing?
And then… oh my God, what was happening?
With dozens of angry eyes on him, he moved a few steps closer to me and dropped to one knee. There was a collective gasp as he slid his hand into his pocket, and mine was the loudest before I fell into a stunned silence.
Before anyone could tackle him, he snapped open the small, velvet box and held it up. I don’t know how I didn’t have to blink and turn away from the blinding glimmer of the perfect oval diamond, nestled in a beautiful antique gold setting, with intricate twists and swirls all inset with glittering rubies. It was as if he had somehow dug deep into my most secret, silly hopes and found this ring.
I dragged my eyes away from it when Gavril cleared his throat. My family had moved closer, but I jerked my hand atthem. Time seemed to stop while I was gazing dreamily at that ring, but only a blink had passed.
“I love you so damn much, Lilia,” he said, voice low and scratchy, like he hadn’t been sleeping. Just like me. “I can’t live another day without you by my side, knowing you’re mine.”
Already, a tear was rolling down my cheek. He was asking me, not buying me.
“Marry me, Lil.” He stood, pressing the ring in my hand, giving me a look that dared me to say anything but yes.
Still bossy and controlling, but always, always mine.
“Wait just a damn minute,” Aleks burst out behind me.
In a fury, I whirled on him, facing down each and every one of them who dared to try to ruin this moment. “I love him,” I said, so fiercely that even Aleks’s eyebrows shot up in shock. “He’s done nothing but prove himself to me over and over again. There’s no power anywhere—not even in this house—that will stop me.”
Then, with half a laugh and half a sob, I threw my arms around Gavril, forgetting all about my family. “Yes,” I whispered against his neck.
An absolute clamor broke out behind me, so I slid out of Gavril’s embrace and whipped around to stare down my family, who still didn’t seem convinced that I meant what I said and would back it up with action, if necessary. Masha was at the forefront, and she actually retreated a step. I must have looked good and ferocious.
“Who’s going to fight me on this?” I said, giving them each a look that told them they were about to find out just how much I had changed.
“I wouldn’t,” Gavril said, pride and a hint of humor in his voice.
Rurik was the first to step forward, dragging my sister with him. He pumped Gavril’s hand a little more sincerely than when he first entered. Masha gripped my shoulders and stared into my eyes.
“You really are happy,” she said, then burst into tears.
I was one of the only people in the world who could make my tough-as-nails sister cry, and that love was worth everything to me. The relief that I wouldn’t have to give her up, or anyone in my family, had me starting to bawl as well.
“I really am,” I told her.
“Enough,” Gavril bellowed over the uproar of questions and, yes, a few congratulations, too.
He pulled me away from Masha and into his arms again, the only place I wanted to be, now and forever. His smooth skin felt perfect against my cheek as his lips found mine, hot and sweet.
“We need to crack open that wine bottle,” someone said.
“No,” Rurik called over the din. “This is an engagement party. We need vodka.”
Gavril dragged himself away from our kiss before we got too lost in each other, and beamed at Rurik. “There might be hope for you Petrovs, after all.”
Realizing his gorgeous ring was still in the box, he took it out and hurriedly slid it on my finger, holding my hand up so everyone could see. There were sighs and gasps, smiles and tears. Some apprehension still, but nobody was going to get shot today.
Keeping my hand firmly clasped with Gavril’s, new ring cool and reassuring on my finger, we followed my giant, boisterous family to the bar, where wine and vodka would flow with questions and good wishes.
He was one of us now, as surely as I was always his. Yes, there was hope for us, after all.
Epilogue - Gavril
