16

When I reach Rai, she huffs under her breath and turns away from me. It’s Sergei who places her hand in mine. “Take care of her,” he tells me in a low tone only I can hear. I’ll do more than take care of her, old man. I’ll ruin your entire empire through her. “It’ll be a miracle if he takes care of himself,” she mutters under her breath. Sergei clears his throat, kisses her head, and then offers her his hand. She kisses it, then I’m forced to do the same to show respect and blah fucking blah. As soon as he leaves our side, Rai faces the priest, her expression closed, but there’s something she can’t control—her eyes. They’re darkening and glimmering with the promise of a battle brewing in the distance. I lean over to whisper in her ear, “What’s made my beautiful wife mad?” She elbows me with the strength of a warrior. Fuck, it’s hard enough that she nearly knocks the air out of my lungs. “Your existence.” “You wound me, Princess,” I joke. “You deserve more than a wound.” She meets my ey