Page 45 of Twisted Vows

“But...how?” I sputtered, struggling to wrap my mind around the idea. “It’s not exactly legal, you know.”

A wry smile tugged at the corners of Malachi’s mouth. “Since when has legality ever stopped us?”

“The priest at the Russian cathedral will perform the ceremony,” said Rurik with conviction. “He won’t dare refuse.”

I opened my mouth to protest, to point out the sheer insanity of their plan, but Malachi silenced me with a finger pressed to my lips.

“Hear us out, solnyshko.” His eyes burned with an intensity that stole my breath. “This child deserves to be born into a real family bound by vows and commitment.”

“We might not be able to make it legal on paper, but in our hearts, in our souls, we’ll be as married as any couple, dorogaya.”

A tremor ran through me at the depth of emotion their words conveyed. This wasn’t just about tradition or societal norms. It was about creating a foundation, a sacred bond as the bedrock of our family.

Malachi’s gaze bored into mine. “Say yes, Nika. Let us pledge ourselves to you, and you to us. Let’s do this the right way, for our child’s sake.”

My throat constricted with a swell of emotion I couldn’t quite name. Fear, elation, and love were a heady cocktail that left me dizzy and breathless. Could I truly commit myself to these two men, bound by vows as sacred as any church ceremony?

The answer came to me in a rush of clarity. I was already bound to them, heart and soul. This was merely a formality to solidify what we already knew in our hearts. “Yes. Let’s get married.”

Rurik laughed with delight as he crushed me against his chest in a fierce embrace. Malachi’s fingers tangled in my hair as he poured every ounce of his love and devotion into a gentle kiss.

When we finally parted, breathless and flushed, I giggled at the absurdity of it all. “You know, when I pictured getting married, this wasn’t quite what I had in mind.”

A devilish glint sparked in Malachi’s eyes. “Oh? And what did you have in mind, my naughty girl?”

Heat bloomed in my cheeks at the wicked promise in his tone. “I always dreamed of getting married in Vegas.”

Rurik barked out a laugh, his fingers trailing along the curve of my spine. “Is that so? A shotgun wedding in Sin City?”

“Why not?” I asked, emboldened by their infectious mirth. “No license required—just a cheesy ceremony and a tacky chapel. Maybe an Elvis officiator.”

Malachi’s brows shot up, but I could see the idea taking root behind his eyes. “You can’t be serious.”

Feigning a pout, I batted my lashes at them in exaggerated innocence. “What can I say? I love the kitsch of it all. It’s my dream wedding. Don’t you want to make all my dreams come true?”

After a beat of silence, Rurik threw back his head with a roar of laughter. Malachi clearly couldn’t resist cracking a grin too, and his shoulders were soon shaking with mirth.

“Very well, my insatiable little vixen.” He nipped at my earlobe after his laughing fit passed. “Vegas it is, but we’re doing it our way.”

Rurik nodded. “I insist on a nice chapel and absolutely no Elvis.”

I pretended to think about it for a moment before smiling. “I guess I can compromise on that.” Relief and excitement flooded my veins in equal measure as they gathered me close, the three of us discussing our forthcoming wedding. With a contented sigh, I allowed myself to sink into their embrace, savoring the moment. Somewhere out there, the city of sin awaited, ready to facilitate us as we pledged ourselves to each other in the most deliciously unorthodox way imaginable.

I couldn’t wait.

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