Page 58 of Keeping My Enemies Closer: Pt. 2

If I didn’t know better, I’d say that he was offering to help me get out of this mess, and Kasimir’s low chuckle behind me kind of confirmed it.However, the last thing that I was going to ever do was put a man of the cloth in the crosshairs of the Korolevs.I mean, I knew that God was supposed to forgive us our sins, but that one didn’t seem forgivable if you asked me.

“I’m fine, Father,” I quickly assured him.

Gracing me with another friendly smile, he said, “Then we shall begin.”

For the next twenty minutes, Father Kazakov spoke of love, marriage, and commitment, and where the vows had been traditional, his take on the sanctity of marriage was from his own personal sermon of belief.He spoke about the mutual respect that both partners deserved in order for a marriage to work, and in all honesty, it kind of felt as a lecture directed at Kasimir.

Nonetheless, the words were still beautiful and heartfelt, and by the time that Kasimir and I had exchanged rings, that feeling of trepidation was no more, and even Aleksei’s presence wasn’t bothering me so much anymore.

“And now I pronounce you as husband and wife,” Father Kazakov stated with finality.“You may kiss your bride.”

Whatever I’d been expecting, it hadn’t been for Kasimir to take my face in his hands before getting personal in front of his father and the priest.“Zoya, while I know that this isn’t what you would have chosen for yourself had fate not intervened, I want you to know that no other man will ever love you as much as I do.No other man will protect, cherish, or honor you like I will.Through all the sins that I’ve committed and will continue to commit, you are the one thing that I’ve gotten right, and I will never let you down, and I most certainly will never let you be free of me.Ever.I love you,lepestok.I love you more than you will ever know or understand.”

While his words weren’t new, to hear him say this new variation in front of his father took my breath away.Aleksei Korolev was reputed to have no soul, but Kasimir had no problem showing a vulnerability that someone like Aleksei might see as a threat to his carefully crafted empire.He was telling everyone in this room just how much I meant to him, and I couldn’t stop the pressure behind my eyes, even if I’d wanted to.

Then, before I could say anything to that, Kasimir was leaning down to place the sweetest kiss ever on my lips.It wasn’t harsh, hurried, or demanding.It was just a simple seal of what he felt and what he had promised me during our vows.

When he pulled back, I knew that there was no way that I could let this moment pass without telling him how I felt in return.“I love you, Kasimir,” I said, saying the words for the first time.“I’ve known it for a while, but...but I wanted to say them when the time was right.I didn’t want to say them while I’d been going through so much, my mind and emotions everywhere.I wanted you to believe me when I said them to you.I wanted you to know that I wasn’t saying them just because I’d been in a dark place and needed some light.”The tears began to fall down my cheeks, but I didn’t wipe them away.“I love you, Kasimir.I’m always going to love you, and I know that now.”

Smiling down at me, Kasimir pulled me into his arms, and I let out a choked laugh when Aleksei said, “See, Father...no need to try to save her.They are blessedly in love, so all is right with the world.”

Father Kazakov let out a chuckle of his own.“Duly noted.”

I pulled back to look up at Kasimir, and he smiled down at me as he wiped the tears from my face.“Though they couldn’t make it, Viktor and Aurora still insisted on a small reception at their house, family only.”

I let out a shuttered breath, getting myself together.“That sounds nice.”

“Okay, well...I will see you kids there,” Aleksei remarked.“I need to go by the house to retrieve your mother first.”

With that, both Aleksei and Kasimir shook Father Kazakov’s hand, but when it was my turn, the priest pulled me into his arms, whispering, “I wish you the best, child.”

“Thank you, Father,” I replied, meaning it.

When it was just me and Kasimir in the church, he asked, “How are you feeling?We can skip the reception if you’re still feeling overwhelmed.”

I immediately shook my head.“No, no...I’m fine.I promise.”

“And how does it feel to finally be Zoya Korolev?”he asked, a small smirk playing on his lips.

“I don’t know,” I retorted.“I’ll let you know when it finally sinks in.”

Kasimir arched a brow.“Need a bigger ring?”

“God, no,” I choked out as I glanced at the boulder on my finger.

Reaching out, Kasimir placed his hands on my hips, pulling me forward.“Then what will it take to make you feel like you finally belong with us,lepestok?”

“Some more time,” I answered honestly.“But if it helps, I do feel like I belong toyou.”

“Okay, that works for now,” he replied.“However, I’m hoping that you eventually see that my entire family already sees you as a Korolev, even my mother.”

That made me laugh.“Yeah, I’m going to have to get used to her one day.”

“Or not,” he said, shrugging.“As long as you’re happy, you’re not obligated to do anything for anyone, Zoya.I will answer for you if it comes down to that.”

I quickly shook my head.“No, that’s not what I want, Kasimir.Iwantto fit in, I really do.I just need some time to figure out a way how.”

“Fair enough,” he said, giving me my space.“Are you ready to go?”