Page 106 of Queen’s Gambit

Pulling the jewelry box from my pocket, I opened it to reveal a delicate necklace with a diamond lily pendant nestled in the satin beside a thick gold chain with a ring attached. I stood and motioned for Ana to turn around.

She held her hair up so I could fasten it around her neck. When she looked back at me, I held the ring for her to see.

“This was meant to be your engagement ring.” I pointed to the small missing diamond. “I’ll wear this until we are reunited, and you’re by my side forever. Then and only then will the diamond be put back where it belongs.”

Tears streamed down her cheeks as I clipped the chain around my neck and the ring dropped down beside my heart, where it would stay until we were together again.

“Are you two ready,” the officiant asked, and we both nodded as we gazed into each other’s eyes. “Very well. Handfasting is an ancient Celtic tradition that symbolizes the merging of two lives. It is custom to have the couple’s hands symbolically bound to signify their union and commitment. Please hold out your hands and clasp them together.”

We did as he asked, standing quietly as the officiant used the braided ribbon I’d given him earlier to lace our hands together.

“This cord is a symbol of your connection, your loyalty, and your journey ahead. The cord is not permanent, but your hearts will remember the vow. The cord is perishable as a reminder that all things material, including these bodies, will eventually return to the earth, but love is eternal. Would either of you like to say vows?”

“I think Eddie has made me cry enough for one night,” Ana said, making everyone laugh. “But I’d like to say a few words.”

She took a moment and dropped her gaze to our hands. The three colors were woven together in perfect harmony. Red for love, danger, and the Mikhailov family. Yellow for happiness and optimism. Black for power, mystery, and the Genovese family.

“You’ll say you did nothing, but I want to start by thanking you. Not only for tonight, which means everything to me, but for being my very best friend. For loving me, trusting me, and your unwavering support. But most of all, I want to thank you because before I met you, I didn’t know that I could fly. I dreamed of it, but didn’t think I’d be capable. Eddie Genovese, you didn’t carry me with you, you taught me that I had wings of my own and we could fly together as equals. There is nothing I can ever do to repay you for that, but this is what I vow.”

It was rare that I got emotional, but Ana’s words brought tears to my eyes. I wanted to drag her onto my plane and fly far away, someplace where we could hide forever. But that wasn’t fair to her or our future children. No, I didn’t want to live in fear, always worried about being seen by the wrong person. My family didn’t run from a fight, so I would grow my army, my assets, and the favors I needed to help Ana rip the carpet out from under Vadin’s feet as she stole his crown.

“I vow to protect you and our family as you would protect us. I vow to remain strong in the face of danger and be wise in the face of our enemies. I vow my eternal soul, my human body, and my love to you and you alone. I vow that one day we will be together again, either in this life or the next. You, Eddie, are the other half of my soul, and until we are reunited, half of me will always remain with you. I love you with my whole heart.”

My tears fell as joy and gut-wrenching sadness gripped my throat like a hand and stabbed me through the heart with a sharp blade.

“I love you more, Ana Mikhailov Genovese,” I said, and she smiled wide.

“Impossible.”

“You’ve sworn to love one another before your friends and the spirits and promised vows to one another. May you always keep true to the words you have spoken here tonight from your hearts. I would like to end the ceremony with a blessing. May you know nothing but happiness from this day forward. May the wind always be at your back. May the warm rays of the sun shine upon your home. May pure be the joy that surrounds you and true the hearts that love you. May you always have the hand of a friend near you. Go in love.”

Everyone cheered as I kissed Ana, our salty tears mingling as our lips touched.

“You’ve made me the happiest man alive, Ana. I’ll never forget this night as I could never forget your face even if I were to go blind.”

“God, you two are so sappy. Come on, let’s go dance,” Marcus said, making me shake my head in annoyance.

But as he grabbed our joined hands and dragged us out to the sandy beach where the music was playing, it felt like an eternity of happiness and love flowed between me and Ana. Together, in the same location or not, we were forever bound.

One Month Later

Yulianna

“I could never forget your face even if I were to go blind.”

Thinking of Eddie reminded me why I couldn’t run screaming from the church. My father had walked me down the aisle and kissed my cheek as he handed me off to a monster. If I had a knife, I would’ve stabbed them both.

The priest had been talking for an hour, but I was in Spain with Eddie. Truthfully, my heart and mind had never left the beach, and every day when I woke up, I pictured his arms around me as we kissed. Our time in paradise had been worth going through with this wedding and so much more. I stood before this altar strong and composed, content, knowing that I was carrying Eddie’s child.

Frida had bought me a kit to use and as soon as it showed positive, a wave of relief washed over me that made my knees weak. I’d sunk to the floor and cried with joy until there were no tears left. My mother had asked her long-time friend and handmaiden to book an appointment with her doctor. Our personal nurse pulled my blood, and my mother got the call yesterday that I was indeed pregnant.

“Do you have vows prepared,” the priest asked, and I glanced at Christov.

“No,” I said, my voice as flat and emotionless as I felt inside. I would go through with this for my baby, but knowing what was to come later made me feel sick.

“We’ll do the traditional vows,” Christov said, glaring at me.

I ignored him and stared at the cross on the wall behind the priest, repeating whatever it was that he said. My mind was systematically shutting down to get through the rest of the day.