Today is a bit different. It’s not like a typical day at all. This is the day where Rhys and I will make our alliance official and become united as one through marriage.
Our ceremony will take place any minute now and instead of waiting downstairs for someone to tell me it was time I opted to sit in this chair and stare out the window, looking at my beautiful Ukraine. All night I was tossing and turning, questioning myself on whether or not this is the right thing to do for my people. I don’t know why I thought for a bit that I was somehow being selfish but I’m not. This is the right thing to do, possibly the only thing that will make change happen here.
I skim my fingers over the gold sequined dress that I chose to wear today. I’m not the type of woman who’d ever stick to tradition and wear white, especially after all I have endured. White is a color of innocence, and surely I am anything but that. Gold is the color of power in my eyes, and so I’ll wear something that shows everyone I make the choices here.
“It’s time,” I hear a voice tell me from behind.
I stand up from the chair and turn to face Fredrig, giving him a half smile. “It’s okay. I have not changed my mind on going through with this.”
“Oh, I know you haven’t. I wasn’t even thinking like that.” I’m sure he was and is just lying to me. “I haven’t seen her as of yet, but I will let you know when I do.”
I nod at his words, my heart sinking into my stomach wondering where Olena is. She’s supposed to be here for me today. It’s only been three days since she’s been out of rehab and this morning she didn’t show up here like she was supposed to. Inside of my head I curse at myself, wondering why the fuck I even thought it would be a good idea to not keep her in rehab longer. She needed to be there for as long as possible, and at the end of the day it’s my fault that she’s AWOL right now.
“Are you ready, Vera?” Fredrig asks me, interlinking his arm with mine. I imagined this day, and what I thought would happen is my best friend Olena would walk me down the aisle to Rhys. Not Fredrig...but I’ll make due with what the day has brought me. Fredrig escorts me down the stairs and into a large room, lined with chairs on both sides and a makeshift aisle runs down the middle.
Rhys stares at me from afar and shoots me a smirk in my direction just as the music plays, signaling Fredrig and I to ascend. I’ve never practiced this walk in my life and out of nowhere nerves hit me, wondering if I’ll just make a fool of myself. But Fredrig walks slower, showing me that I shouldn’t be running down the aisle to my fiancé.
“A little eager, are you?” Rhys chuckles into my ear as he takes my hands, bringing me closer to the priest.
“Oh, shut it. It’s not like we practiced this shit,” I snap back at him lowly.
The priest laughs and begins his proceedings, going through all of that boring shit that they do at every wedding. We have the vows, and then the emphasizing that this is til death til we part shit...but I know I can divorce him whenever I feel like it. So does Rhys. It’s not like we’re in this for love anyways, and the priest is most definitely not privy to that information. If he was, he most likely wouldn’t have ordained this ceremony. In the Ukraine, our priests are very strict on their values. While everyone else in the room knows this is a political arrangement, he doesn’t have the slightest idea.
Rhys and I share a small kiss for show until I pull away and plaster on the fakest smile I can muster up to the priest and turn back to look at my now husband. Rhys’ eyes are burning, almost like they were that night where we both gave into our desires. He takes ahold of my hand and leads me out of the room, offering smiles and nods to certain members in the crowd. They’re obviously the important ones. Leading me into a small room, he shuts the door behind us. “We haven’t gone over this yet so it’s best to do it now. All of the head Clan members are in our home right now. Most of them barely hold any significance, all but Mariana and Ion, our King and Queen. Ion is the tall one with dark hair, he looks like he’s worth a million bucks because he is. On his arm is his wife, Mariana, she has the soft, blonde hair and is wearing that off the shoulder black dress.”
I raise my eyebrows at him, “You just said everyone is insignificant except your King and Queen.”
“Yeah, so?”
“So, why did I just marry you?”
“Shit. That’s not what I mean. I just mean that they’re insignificant to us, to you and I. The two of us can do mostly everything ourselves.”
I don’t bother speaking in response, simply nodding once to show I’ve heard him. I can’t help it, but my mind just keeps going back to Olena. Wondering what she’s doing, if she’s alive, if she’s overdosed in an alley somewhere. I’m worried sick about her and don’t know if I’ll be able to stop. There is nothing harder in life than where you’re loved one is an addict.
“Where’s your friend, Olena?” Rhys questions me, “I didn’t see her in the crowd.” I roll my eyes at him and huff. The fact he thinks Olena would be anywhere but by my side is ludacris.
“I don’t know. She wasn’t where she was supposed to be this morning.”
His eyes go wide, knowing that she’s in recovery. “Do you think she’s getting high?”
“I don’t think she is, Rhys. I know it’s the only thing that would explain her not being here for me today.” His eyes drop to the floor, and I think it’s because he won’t be able to find the right thing to say to me right now, but he shouldn’t feel bad. There is nothing he can say to me that will make me feel any better about my best friend not being here.
In all honesty, I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to forgive her for being absent today. The saddest part is the day isn’t even over with, and now I don’t know how I’ll be able to get through it, even with my strong will and fiesty temper.
We’ll see how it goes, though.
Chapter Eleven
Vera
If I keep this smile on my face any longer I am sure it is going to get stuck that way. And it hurts. I know I don’t want to frown or anything on my wedding day, but I have to let this damn thing go or I am not going to make it through the night. My mind is cluttered enough. "I am sorry, Rhys, but I have to quit smiling like fucking Miss America. This hurts," I whisper into his ear. I am sure from the outside it looks as if we are having an intimate conversation, but of course, it’s nothing of the sport. But I know a lot of what’s ahead of us is all about appearances...business and all.
He chuckles at me and leads me out to the dance floor for what feels like the millionth time. He has been kind enough to allow me to avoid talking with too many people so far, though, so even though my feet beg for mercy, I am grateful. I do not know how well composed I can be with my best friend still missing and no word at all on where or how she is. But I have to be selfish about this day. I have to play my part and not worry about Olena for right now, as hard as that is.
"You look beautiful," Rhys tells me, and I can see a twinkle in his eyes that tells me that he is saying it simply to get a rise out of me. I can’t believe I married a Romanian man who finds it sexy that I have a bad temper.
"Teasing me on my wedding day would not be good for your health," I shoot back, and he simply laughs heartily. We are so lost in our war of wits that I don’t notice until they are standing right next to us that Ion and Mariana have approached.
"May we cut in?" Ion asks with authority, and I can’t help but glare at the pretty blonde on his arm. She is supposed to be a queen, the woman from the original Romanian bloodline, but all I have seen so far tonight is a pretty thing, a trophy wife for Ion, the real leader. He exudes power and money, overpowering her. It’s a damn shame.
Plus, I really don’t want my husband, no matter how much I hate him, dancing with someone like her. "I am not sure it is appropriate for my new husband to be seen in the arms of some bimbo," I say, sizing her up with my eyes. I can feel Rhys looking at me like I have just committed a great crime, but I know what I am doing. As Rhys said, we are pretty much on our own over here. I
rule. I call the shots. I need them to know that.
"Wow, Rhys, I like this girl. I am surprised she agreed to marry you," Mariana says with a smile.
I scoff. "I don’t need to be liked. I need to be respected, and I will call this marriage off if everyone in this room, Rhys included, can’t get that through their thick skulls," I threaten. "You need me."
Rhys is turning red and looks like he is about to lose it, but I see an amused smirk on Ion’s face, and Mariana puts her hand up to stop any conflict. "She's right. You did good, Rhys. We need a fire like hers in this part of the world if we are to get it back and keep it. The gangs here and the politicians are more ruthless than anywhere else."
***
I find myself on a private plane, laid out across three seats and sipping at some chardonnay. I don’t know how I feel about taking a plane out of the country for our honeymoon. I don’t like leaving the Ukraine ins someone else's hands...even if Ion and Mariana themselves have agreed to stay a couple of days to make sure nothing happens. But maybe this isn’t so much about my kingdom as it is my best friend. I have never been so far from her before, and I can’t reach her if I am far.
"So, where are we going?" I ask Rhys as he loosens his tie. I have opted to stay in my dress for now. I want to enter a new country in gold, stepping out of this private jet like I own it myself.
"Can’t I surprise you, Vera?" Rhys asks with a roll of his eyes. I take off my shoe and chuck it at him as my answer, and he just shakes his head. "There will be plenty of lights as we come in for you to see it. Trust me. It’s better this way," he says, sounding exasperated like he is talking with a child.
"That is not how you should speak to your wife," I tell him, though I am sure he knows I am teasing. Two can play at this game.
"I could turn the plane around if you would like and spend the honeymoon at the mansion," he offers. I cross my arms over my chest, sitting up and tapping my foot impatiently. Yes, I am being childish, but honestly, I have never left the Ukraine. I am anxious to see a new place, wherever we are going, and it better be damn good.
I find myself watching out the windows, waiting for something other than darkness to show up, and finally I feel the descent and watch as a city so familiar because it is iconic, comes into view. "Rome, we are in Rome," I say in awe, though I truly wish I could hide how elated I am. I don’t want to give the ass the satisfaction of a job well done.
The landing and the car to our hotel is a complete blur. And then I see the room, and I have to pick my jaw up off the floor. It is gorgeous; a suite fit for a queen. This is what I have always wanted.
Chapter Twelve
Rhys
If my eyes aren’t deceiving me I’d say that Vera is pleased with all that I’ve done for her today. I may have even surpassed her expectations on what our wedding day would look like. This wedding may just be to solidify a more pressing political matter, but it’s our wedding nonetheless and I want to make sure she felt like a queen. When I was planning all of this I wondered why it was so important to me that she be happy. I realized quite quickly that it’s because she’s my wife. It doesn’t matter if our marriage is just to keep our power hungry selves happy. We’re married, and thus she will be treated with respect and shown ultimate adoration.
I can’t help but keep my eyes trained on Vera, sitting on the antique couch, staring at the old fireplace in the center of our suite. Her eyes are glued to the flame, staring at it like she’s never seen a fire in her entire life. I wonder what it is that she sees in the fire, if it means anything to her.
I place my hand on the nose of the chilled champagne bottle and pop it free, noticing how Vera doesn’t even so much as flinch at the sudden sound. “What? I am used to guns going off. Champagne won’t scare me one bit.” She snickers, giving me one of those devilish smiles. It’s a rare occasion to see her smile but I’ll take it. Honestly, she doesn’t do it enough. I have a feeling that many demons haunt her.
Pouring the champagne into two flutes, I take one in each hand and approach her, setting beside her on the couch. She takes one from my hand and puts the glass against her lips, pouring a small amount into her mouth. I watch as the liquid runs over her ruby red lips, my cock twitching in my pants.
Fuck.
It’s one thing to marry a woman for political advantages, but when she happens to be drop dead gorgeous it’s even harder. All I want to do is bury my cock deep inside her cunt, but I know better. I know that we don’t have to have sex. That’s not what any of this shit means. But...we’ve already fucked. She said it meant nothing but won’t there come a time where all of our fucking leads up to meaning something? She’s a fool to think it won’t. Or I’m the fool that thinks it will.
Her smirk grows wider as she turns towards me, the silk robe she’s wearing falls over her thigh and exposes her leg to me. “You want to fuck me, don’t you, Romanian?”
I hate it when she calls me that. It’s what I am, but she’s developed a nickname out of it. A fucking pet name.
“We don’t have to fuck just because it’s our wedding day,” I firmly retort, taking my champagne down into my mouth. Right before I swallow, her hand hits my cheek so harshly that all of it comes spitting out of my mouth. “What the fuck, Vera?” I hiss at her.
“Stop treating me like I am some delicate flower. We both know I’m not, that I’ve been through things you can never imagine. I’m tired of you treating me like I’m weak, as if I am something delicate. I’m not. I am so strong and I refuse for you to make me feel like I’m not. I fucked you before and you liked it. When I want your cock inside of me, I will tell you!”
I raise my eyebrows at her, surveying her entire body. “Will you now?”
She raises her hand and before I know it I’m being slapped yet again. The stinging burn over my cheek only makes me hard, needing to show her who’s really the boss here. I’m done with Vera and her attitude. She’s going to learn who’s the boss one way or another. I place my champagne flute calmly down on the table in front of the couch before reaching over to grab her by the neck.
Her eyes go wide at my sudden action but no sooner those irises of hers are burning in a way that I’m all too familiar with - desire. With my free hand, I pull apart her robe like a savage animal. Sliding my hand down to what I know is a soaking wet center, and the moment my fingers pull apart those lips of hers I smirk. I run my fingers over her wetness, teasing and taunting her hot pussy, running my thumb over her clit while I insert two fingers inside of her. Putting enough pressure to tease her but not bring her over the edge. Vera will know that I’m the one who holds the power.
“Beg me for it,” I hiss out at her, enhancing my grip around her throat.
She scoffs, barely making a sound. “I beg for no man.”
Fuck. She knows how to press all of my buttons, and naturally they’re not all of the good ones.
Vera giggles like a schoolgirl, eyes staring deep into mine. She tries to speak but her words come out scratchy, so I release my grip on her neck just a tad. For some reason I want to hear what she has to say. “What kind of man doesn’t take what he wants?”
I roll my eyes, flipping her on all fours, her hands grip the back of the couch while her knees are on the cushions. I release her neck, skimming my hands over her soft skin and make sure her robe is out of my way just as I free my cock from my trousers. Her ass is bountiful, like every ounce of fat on her body collects in one space in a toned way. I raise my hand and bring it crashing down to her bottom, hearing her hiss in delight.
Bet she didn’t think that was coming. I rip down her panties and line my head up with her pussy, teasing her as I pop the head of my cock in and out. Running my fingers up the back of her thigh, I feel her shiver as I get closer to her pussy. Rightfully so, she has no idea what my plans are for her tonight. I coat my hand in her juices before heading to her ass, coating her puckered rim with wetness. She moans and that’s all it takes to tell me this isn’t a limit for her.
&
nbsp; Vera’s the type of slut who loves to get fucked in the ass, that’s for sure.
I dip my hand into her asshole while my cock fills her tight pussy. I fuck her cunt as I work my hand in her ass, giving her double penetration. I hope she knows I don’t just plan on teasing her ass tonight. I’m going to cum in every hole she has, that’s a guarantee.
“Jesus!” she hollers, scooting her ass closer against me. With my free hand, I reach around and pinch her clit, teasing it enough to feel her pussy tighten around my cock. Shit, if she cums already I’m just going to make her cum for me all night long.
“Do you like it when I fuck you, Vera?” I hiss out at her, squeezing her clit as I ram myself inside of her.
When she doesn’t answer I shove her against the couch, not even giving her an inch to move. She moans loudly in pleasure, music to my ears. I add another finger into her ass and than another, her pussy tightening further in response. “You fucking slut, loving the cock I’m giving you.” I lean over her body, grabbing her earlobe in between my teeth, I hiss, “I’m going to coat your insides with my cum tonight, sweetheart. You’re going to smell like my cock when I’m done with you, my cum pouring out of your holes.”
“Fuck!” she screams, “Dammit your dirty talk is so hot.” I pinch her clit hard, her body beginning to shake, signaling me for what’s to come. Her cunt grips my cock harshly and I unleash myself inside of her, biting her earlobe as I roll her clit in between my fingers, she comes undone in my arms, her arms holding onto the back of the couch for dear life.
I pull my cock from her pussy and line it at her rim, pulling my fingers free I replace them with my cock. “Wife, we are far from over.”
Anguish Page 51
