I couldn't believe what was happening.
Lissa had decided that she absolutely had to embark on an important political mission to the Moroi and dhampir community living in the remote regions of Russia. I had thought Dimitri's hometown was hard to reach, but compared to our current trip, a twenty-hour flight and a full day of driving seemed like a piece of cake.
Moroi communities were scattered across the country, but the one furthest from human civilization had grown into the most powerful and held the greatest influence in shaping public opinion. This was where Lissa was eager to gain support. This community, known for its highly conservative views, had been causing Lissa considerable trouble, so she wanted to address the issue in person.
We were all exhausted by the time we arrived at the designated village after several days of driving. An additional difficulty was that we had to travel exclusively during the day, as the sun protected us from Strigoi attacks. We aimed to reach the village a few hours before sunset to give ourselves time to position the guardians in strategic locations. The area surrounding the community was said to be teeming with Strigoi, lying in wait for Moroi and dhampirs traveling in smaller groups.
However, when we arrived, the self-appointed guards refused to let us through. They stood guard in front of the community's entrance gate, surrounding their village chief, a stern-looking Moroi with a long gray beard.
"But this is your queen," Hans explained with barely concealed anger. "We agreed on this visit, and Her Highness is risking her life to speak with you and your people."
"That was before we knew you were bringing sinners," the village chief snarled, glaring at me and Dimitri as if he wanted to trample us.
That's what it was all about. So that's what it was all about. Dimitri and I weren't married yet, although he often reminded me that he was ready to get down on one knee as soon as I gave him the green light. I was firm in my belief that I was too young to be anyone's wife. Although I knew I wanted to spend the rest of my life with Dimitri, I wasn't ready to rush into anything.
Apparently, that was a mistake because now they wouldn't let us through the gates due to Dimitri and me "living in sin". This didn't apply to Lissa and Christian, who had married last summer—although their haste was largely due to the pressure on Lissa. She hadn't been thrilled with the pace imposed on them, but she wasn't complaining.
Unfortunately, Dimitri and I became the only couple on our expedition who didn't get married.
"What if Rose and I return to Novosibirsk?" Dimitri asked, resigned. We were desperate to get Lissa, Christian, and several council members behind the secure magical barriers surrounding the vampire community. The village leader shook his head.
"Then we won't allow the others who support your... behavior to enter."
I wanted to tear my hair out.
"What if Dimitri and I split up? Here and now?" Dimitri shot me a brief glare, but he knew very well that I wasn't going to stick to this "parting" once we left these lunatics. Unfortunately, the village chief knew it too. He snorted with contempt.
"You don't expect us to believe in the sincerity of such intentions, do you?"
I cast a glance at Lissa, who gently touched my shoulder. She gave a small grunt and smiled pleasantly.
"So, what can we do to enter your gates given the current situation?"
"Guardians Hathaway and Belikov can get married. Our priest can conduct the ceremony in the church within an hour. Then you'll be allowed to enter."
"Excuse you?!" Anger and disbelief echoed in Lissa's voice, but this time I stopped her with a gesture.
My eyes met Dimitri's, and we made our decision. Neither of us wanted to get married here and now, in this damned village, but we weren't going to risk our lives or put our friends in danger because of it.
"All right," I agreed reluctantly, casting a glance at the village chief.
Dimitri stepped beside me, placing his hand on my shoulder.
"We'll get married today if that's what you require."
The village chief studied our faces, and upon seeing the resignation in our eyes, he smiled broadly and opened his arms.
"A wise choice, my children. Now, you are invited to enter."
It was decided that our wedding would take place before any further discussions. The village leader suggested holding the discussions during the wedding, but we refused to throw any kind of celebration. We weren't exactly in a celebratory mood. So, the village chief's men escorted us to separate rooms, where the community would help us prepare for the ceremony, set to take place in an hour.
News quickly spread through the small town and someone brought me a simple white gown, reaching to the floor and revealing my shoulders. Naturally, I was also given a shawl to cover them. Since I only had heavy military boots with me, someone lent me a pair of ballet flats that were almost my size.
Lissa helped me do my hair so that most of it cascaded down my back, with two small braids coming off my temples and meeting at the back of my head. When she finished, she squeezed my shoulders and looked at our reflection in the mirror.
"For what it's worth, you look beautiful," she murmured softly, adjusting my bangs, though her voice held a trace of sadness. She didn't want to push me into this—an impulsive wedding I wasn't ready for. One where I'd be wearing a borrowed dress and shoes that didn't even fit.
I felt tears gathering in my eyes and tried to smile.
"It's okay, Liss. Really, it is. Maybe it's not how I imagined it, but the most important thing is that I'm walking down the aisle with Dimitri, and you're here. That's all that matters to me."
Liss hugged me, and I closed my eyes, trying to believe my own words. For the past hour, all I could think about was how I might have avoided this wedding. Not because I dreaded the idea of marrying Dimitri. But because the choice to do it on my own terms had been taken away from me.
I apologized to Lissa and told her I needed some air before all of this. I climbed the church's stairs to the top floor (which wasn't very high) and stepped onto a small balcony overlooking the little village.
The sun was setting, casting golden rays on the woods, the church roof, and my skin. I closed my eyes, grateful that my friends and the other guardians were safely behind magical shields in a region crawling with Strigoi as the sun set. I would have sacrificed much more to ensure their safety.
I heard the creak of the wooden stairs behind me. My heart quickened, knowing exactly who was coming. I turned to see Dimitri standing in the doorway to the balcony.
"Hey," I whispered.
"Hey," he replied. He was dressed in a mismatched suit, his freshly washed hair falling softly to his shoulders. I nearly smiled at the sight—I always liked it better when his hair was loose. His sharp eyes studied me closely. "I wanted to check how you were feeling."
I snorted.
"Don't you know it's bad luck for the groom to see the bride in her dress before the wedding?" I teased, gesturing to the borrowed gown. Dimitri's gaze softened.
"It seems we've already had our share of bad luck."
I gasped, feigning surprise.
"What do you mean? I thought this was exactly what you wanted. The wedding, marriage, and all that stuff. Isn't that everything you've dreamed of?" Somewhere in the back of my mind, I knew this anger shouldn't be aimed at him—he had as little choice in this as I did. But I needed to let it out.
"No... not like that." The seriousness and sadness in his voice made me pause before launching another attack.
I sighed deeply and turned away, once again fixing my gaze on the setting sun. Dimitri slowly approached and leaned his forearms on the railing, resting his weight against the wooden barricade. He gazed into the distance, and the sunlight illuminated his face so beautifully that, for a moment, my heart skipped a beat.
"No?" I asked softly, curious about what else he was thinking. He shook his head and looked at me tenderly.
"No. It's true that marrying you is one of my deepest desires, but... I only want to marry you if you want it too. If you have the same strong desire I do to officially seal our relationship. For me to kneel before you with a ring. For you to call me your husband. I want to share that desire with you. I would like to share this desire with you. And if you're forced to marry me because of external circumstances... that's definitely not what I want."
The sadness in his voice made me forget my disappointment, and all I wanted was to comfort him. I caught his hands in mine and gently squeezed them.
"Yeah, okay, I know neither of us wants to get married in this godforsaken town, in borrowed clothes." I gestured to our outfits and met his gaze again. "But at least I'm marrying you—that's the part I don't regret. I love you, and I know I want to spend the rest of my life with you." I shrugged as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "And if they want me to officially confirm it, so be it. I'm not going to lie about a single word."
Dimitri gazed intensely into my eyes, then cupped my face in his hands and kissed me, sweet and gentle. I smiled, feeling his lips on mine. He pulled away and fixed a strand of my hair behind my ear.
"I love you too, more than anything." His eyes were sincere as if he wanted me to know that even though this whole charade was forced, his feelings were real.
"I know," I replied, squeezing his hand. He smiled and looked at the horizon again as if collecting his thoughts.
"Actually, I came up here for another reason. I wanted to make you a proposal."
I raised my brows in confusion.
"To marry you?" I prompted. Dimitri chuckled softly, looking a little flustered.
"Well, yes, in a way."
"All right, I'll marry you. In about five minutes, as a matter of fact," I gestured with my head toward the stairs leading down to the church. Dimitri's smile widened.
"Well, yes, I guess we have to go through this. But my suggestion relates to what happens next." I couldn't hide my confusion but didn't interrupt him. The gleam in his eyes filled me with optimism. "I want to suggest that we go through with it and pretend this wedding didn't happen. It wasn't our decision; we were forced into it, so technically, it won't be fully valid, and others should respect our will. Nothing will change for us at home. And when, in the future, you feel ready and willing to get married, you'll let me know, and I'll kneel before you and ask if you'll marry me, on our terms and by your own free will. And we'll marry as we please, on our own terms. By our own decision."
I felt the smile widen on my face. I climbed up on my toes and kissed him, harder this time, feeling happiness spread through my body.
"I like this proposal," I whispered, keeping my lips close to his. "Very much."
He laughed lightly, strengthening his grip on my waist.
"I'm glad. That's the plan. But for now, come on, we've got a marriage to seal."
I snorted.
"All right. Let's get this wedding over with."
We kissed again, quick and sweet. Then Dimitri took my hand and we walked down the wooden stairs together, straight to the center of the church. Holding his hand, I felt like I had regained control over my own fate, and the promise to stay by his side until death no longer felt like such a terrible sacrifice.