The past three days in Switzerland have been absolutely magical.
In the mornings, we train, and I’m getting better at shooting. My fighting skills leave much to be desired, though, but that’s only because Nikolas gets turned on every single time, and we end up cutting the practice session short for the privacy of our suite.
Then after Nikolas has had his fill of me, we leave St. Monarch’s to explore some scenic parts of Switzerland. I love the mountains and the quaint little towns most.
It feels like I’ve stepped into a dream.
I have my husband all to myself, and we’re both getting some much-needed rest. Honestly, I’ve never seen Nikolas so relaxed before. It makes him look younger, the lines around his eyes not as prominent any longer.
We mostly ignore the other guests currently residing at St. Monarch’s. The combat instructor’s Viktor Vetrov’s cousin. I don’t know much about who’s who in our world, but I’m doing my best to learn who the important players are, and apparently, Nikolai Vetrov is one of them.
Just like Carson, the host of St. Monarch’s, Nikolai gives me some seriously dangerous vibes, so I try to keep our contact to a minimum.
But if there’s one thing I’ve learned, as long as I have Nikolas by my side, I can face anything. It feels like a lifetime has passed since Nikolas came into my life. Where I used to get anxiety attacks from a simple confrontation, I’m now able to get through it without the need for a Xanax.
Nikolas has made me strong.
With my hand in his tight grip, we walk down a pathway leading away from the back of the castle. Even though it’s cold out, we try to go for a walk once a day. I’ve realized Nikolas loves being out in nature and getting some fresh air, and I hope once we’re back home, we can continue with our daily walks.
I snuggle closer to his side as we reach a courtyard with a fountain. There’s a thin layer of ice coating the water, the winter sun making it sparkle like crushed diamonds.
“So pretty,” I whisper.
Nikolas takes hold of the scarf around my neck, and using it as a leash, he turns me to face him. His eyes are filled with love, softening the sharp edges of the ruthlessness always radiating from him.
I start to frown when he removes his gloves. “What are you doing? It’s cold.”
“I just need ten minutes,” he says, a heartbreakingly hot grin tugging at his lips. He tugs my gloves off, and when he slides my wedding ring from my finger, my frown deepens.
Nikolas’ eyes find mine. “I, Nikolas Peter Ares Stathoulis, take thee, Theresa Maria Drakatos, to be my wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward…”
Instantly a smile spreads over my face, and a wave of emotion washes through me.
Are we renewing our vows?
“…for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part.”
Hearing the words hits me right in the feels. My throat tightens, my eyes misting up.
The first time we said those words, they didn’t mean anything to me. I was too angry to think about their meaning.
My lips part, and the vow trembles in my voice as I say, “I, Theresa Maria Drakatos, take thee, Nikolas Peter Ares Stathoulis, to be my wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part.”
Nikolas slips the ring back onto my finger, and lifting a hand to my cheek, his touch is still warm even though the air is icy. “I just took you as my wife. You didn’t have much of a choice.”
I fake a scowl. “Damn right.”
“Theresa, do you take me as your husband?” he asks.
Tiny snowflakes drift down from the heavens, making this intimate moment between us nothing short of magical.
“I do.” With my whole heart in my voice, I promise, “Now and forever.”
His palm warms my cheek, his thumb brushing over my bottom lip. He looks at me as if his biggest fear is that I’ll vanish any second – and like always, Nikolas makes me feel as if I’m one of a kind – treasured.
“You still drive me insane,” he whispers as he starts to lean down.
“Yeah?”
The corners of his mouth lift into a sexy smirk. “Now and forever, kardiá mou.”
Our breaths mingle, creating puffs of white air right before Nikolas claims my mouth.
He brings his other hand to the side of my head, his fingers gripping a fistful of my hair to keep me in place. His tongue thrusts into my mouth, and then all I can do is feel as he pours all his love into me.
His tongue tastes mine with hard strokes, the intense possessiveness he feels for me stealing the air from my lungs.
Emotions burst in my chest – love, admiration, absolute obsession, but mostly desire.
Tingles spark to life beneath my skin, my abdomen clenches hard, and the constant need I have for this man becomes an inferno of lust.
I lift onto my tiptoes, pushing closer to him, wanting nothing more than to become one with him.
The scent of his cologne that I’ve grown addicted to becomes the air I breathe. A needy moan escapes me as I return the kiss with the same amount of passion he’s showing me.
And like always, Nikolas’ kiss owns me.
I feel dizzy from the overwhelming potency he’s taking me with. I feel him everywhere as I’m claimed by the man who took one look at me and decided I’m his.
His mouth devours mine, his hard muscle beneath my fingers, his solid body pressed against mine – and I know this is the closest I’ll ever get to heaven.
Because I’d rather follow my devil to hell than live a single day without him.
