His son and daughter had found love. His adopted son was about to become his real son. And all was right with the world. Yes, there were complications still left to sort all of these months later since the deaths of Ivan and Viktor, but they were minor in his mind. Nothing Alex couldn’t handle.
And handle it he would, because Eduard knew it was time to hand over the crown. He was tired, the bloodshed on the beach had been his last war. He had known it, even before the first bullet was let loose from the first gun. And then he had seen his daughter, Katya the rebellious, defending the Vasiliev name and taking down a threat.
His children were coming into their own. They would build families, honor their responsibilities, and carry-on tradition without their parents as constant guardians.
*
The ceremony began as sunset sent tendrils of colored light filtering through the woods. The generators hummed to life, causing thousands of artificial stars to blink to life and glow against branches and pine needles.
The walkway was lined with electric lanterns, the pathway covered in a mix of colored petals. Frosty winter blues and deep evergreens decorated the chairs lining the aisle. The wedding was still small, a mere fifty guests, and as many soldiers roaming the woods for protection, but it was glorious.
Katya and Marisha walked side-by-side towards the natural arch made by two trees that had grown to seven feet and then decided, by some miracle of nature, to reach for one another and twist together to ascend further as one unit. It was wrapped with vines and flowers and more of the fairy lights.
And the lights illuminated Alexander and Nikolai on either side of the aisle, waiting for their futures to arrive.
The two couples came together, so different, yet also the same.
And the priest spoke softly, walking them step by step towards forever.
The rings were slipped upon fingers.
The wedding crowns upon heads.
“The servant of God, Alexander, is married to the servant of God, Marisha.”
“The servant of God, Nikolai, is married to the servant of God, Katya.”
The couples kissed, merging together like the two trees that could not be kept apart.
Evelina cried freely now, still gripping onto the lace handkerchief from her daughter, and Eduard wrapped his arm around his wife and gave her a squeeze. For now, everything was right, and he could rest.
*
“You know I wouldn’t have let anything happen to you, don’t you, Nik?”
Alexander and Nik were stood side by side at the edge of the forest, looking out over the dark expanse before them. Nighttime had fallen, and behind them the trees glittered with fairy lights. Their guests were partying, dancing happily and celebrating the marriage of Vasiliev royalty. Their two wives laughing amongst the celebrations.
Nik looked across at Alexander.
His brother.
His friend.
And now his King since Eduard had stepped down.
He frowned, his first of the day, and he thought carefully before responding to Alexander.
“I always believed that until—”
Alex held up a hand, cutting Nik off before placing a heavy hand on Nik’s shoulder and sighing.
“Your friendship is, and always will be, everything to me and I need you to know that you will always have my loyalty, even when it may seem that you don’t.”
“Well, I guess I’m not just a soldier now,” Nik replied, fighting to keep the bitterness out of his tone.
“You haveneverbeen just a soldier, Nik.” Alexander’s grip tightened on Nik’s shoulder. “I have plans for the Bratva, big plans, and I need you by my side.”
Nikolai smirked. “I believe that your wife is supposed to be by your side, or are you bored with her already?”
