Page 48 of Fractured Empire

“We do,” he agrees in a gruff reply. “Under such joyous circumstances, too.”

“Thanks to you,” I note respectfully. “Had you not given your blessing, I doubt we would all be here today.”

Linus accepts the comment with a short nod, respect passing between us easily. “I wouldn’t deny Katya a fine match, especially one that she wishes for. I know that you’ll do right by her.”

The comment isn’t a casual one, it’s a thinly veiled threat. An expectation that must be met, or else.

“I will,” I confirm without flinching. I only have good intentions where my future wife is concerned. “We have your suites all set up. If you want to go settle in we can show you to them. And there’s a private dinner planned for all of us to get to know one another better in an hour, if that suits you.”

“That sounds lovely,” Adela replies in place of her husband. “I believe Katya needed a word with you, if you have time?”

“Of course,” I confirm, eyes flicking toward my bride who seems to blush under my gaze. At least I think I see her cheeks tinting before she drops her head and her hair covers it. “Bastian and Leo can take you up. They know where they’re going and my brother is waiting by the elevator for you all.”

“Oh yes,” Leo says with excitement, nearly bouncing on his toes. “We know where to go!”

“Well, aren’t you two just the brightest boys?” Adela practically coos, grinning down at them. “Please, lead the way.”

“Is there a pool here?” Gaia asks, sliding up to Bastian’s side as he begins to lead the way.

“Yes,” I hear my son reply. “There are two of them.”

“Good,” the little Greek princess says with a bob of her head. “Now Katya has to play mermaids with me.”

As their footsteps begin to echo behind us, I arch a brow at my fiancée. “Mermaids, huh?”

This time, she can’t hide her blush. “I’m beholden to her every whim, I’m afraid.”

Chuckling, I nod in understanding. “Bastian and Leo can get me to agree to just about anything, so trust me, I understand.” She laughs lightly, relieved to not feel embarrassed by her going along with sister’s childish games. “You wanted to talk? Do we need to go somewhere private?”

“No, it’s nothing serious,” Katya says, straightening her shoulders. “I only really wanted to check in. I know we’ve been keeping in touch over the phone for planning but…it’s not quite the same as speaking in person.”

“No, it’s not,” I agree.

Talking to her on the phone is a lot easier. Seeing her face in person makes it much more difficult to focus on anything other than how fucking pretty she is. I must have truly been so locked in on finding a mother for my kids that I wasn’t knocked off my feet the first time we met. I was blinded by responsibility and on edge having so many strangers in my house. But now all I can think about is how I could have glossed over her looks before.

“How have you been? Since everything with your friend⁠—”

“I don’t really want to talk about Chloe,” Katya cuts in quickly, looking flustered. “Sorry, I just mean…I’m trying not to think about the fact that I’m getting married without the girl I figured would be my maid of honor someday. I know it may not seem like it, but she really did used to be a good friend. We had our differences, and she could bulldoze through any boundary without blinking, but I never expected that she would become so…I don’t even know.”

She says she doesn’t want to talk about it, but she just did a whole lot of talking about it.

Still, I won’t argue. I’m sure she does want to talk about her issues with her childhood friend, but I think she means she doesn’t want to ruin her mood or the joy of her wedding by bringing in such a tough subject. I can’t say I wouldn’t feel exactly the same way. I wouldn’t want her to bring up Cleo or another dark thing for me to talk about tonight either.

“We don’t have to talk about anything you don’t want,” I reply with a nod, making sure to meet her eye so she can see the earnestness in my words. “Unless a topic needs to be spoken about for our family’s safety, you can always tell me that you’d rather not discuss it. I’m sure we’ll find things that I’d want to avoid talking about too.”

“You’re so understanding.” Katya blinks, almost looking surprised. “I’ve been told by so many people what a good man you are, but it becomes clearer every time we speak. It’s almost hard to believe, you know? Your family is supposedly made up with good, caring, strong men. And in our world, that’s a bit of a fairytale idea.”

“Is it?” I ask, hiding a smile. “Your stepfather is the same, isn’t he? And Ares?”

She winces. “I thought they were exceptions to the rule, to be honest.”

“I’ve found that most made men are just men,” I muse, tilting my head. “The amount of good to evil all depends on who you surround yourself with. But I understand the sentiment. I’d be more weary of them as well, especially with their lack of consequences. That’s what makes them more threatening. They know they can get away with burying bodies. I often wonder how many men in the normal world only hide their dark desires simply because they’re afraid of being caught.”

Katya stares at me, before blinking out of her daze. “I find it disturbing how true that probably is.”

“I’m glad you find it unsettling.” Rethinking how that sounds, I further explain, “Not because I wanted to disturb you, but because that means you’re a good person, or at least that you strive to be. I already figured that out, of course. But it’s nice to be reminded that the woman who’s going to help me raise my sons will instill good values upon them.”

She softens, putting the hand holding her rose over her heart. “They’re already so wonderful, Leon. And Bastian was so brave today. I know that he’s a bit bashful, but he’s also so good at being your heir when he needs to be. I think he’ll make a great man one day, and maybe even a better Underboss.”