I can feel his gaze on me, hot and molten. I feel it every step of the way as I glide out of the garden. The villa interior greets me in marble and gold, a place fit for royalty.
Isn’t that what you are now? the voice inside me whispers. A crowned queen?
If I am, then my king better not keep me waiting.
I stride towards our suite, my dress trailing after me like a carpet of flowers. Maybe the champagne’s gone to my head, but I’ve never felt more powerful. More in control. Like I could take on the world and everyone in it.
And then, just as I’m about to step inside, my feet are swept out from under me. “Matvey!” I protest.
“You didn’t think I was going to let you cross that threshold on your own, did you?”
“Yes? No? I don’t know. I was having a cool moment.”
“Ah, so I interrupted, di
