Adrik
When I claimed her, that was it. I made her mine and betrayed her. She longed for a story that wasn't mine to narrate, so I did the only thing a man like me would-I sent her back. Little did I know the secret she was keeping. The worst of all...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
"Aren't you happy?" The woman, Macey, doing my makeup, said.
Happy? I'm scared. I'm securing my fate with the traditions I read last night. I cried, knowing the cameras were off. What if he doesn't love me? What if I fall harder than I intend to? I feel it.
I feel my heart frantically beat whenever I wake up next to him.
I feel it when his hands are on my body.
I feel it when he looks into my eyes.
I feel.
With him near, I feel.
"I am." I looked in the mirror, and Macey frowned. "I am," I repeated, convincing myself and no one else.
"Do you want a nude lip or a glossy lip?" She asked, shuffling through her cosmetics. What I want is Katya or Greta in here with me. Even facing Greta is nerve-wracking.
"I want you to line my lips with a nude lip pencil and blend it in. I won't kiss the groom with lipgloss on." Especially since I knew he would devour my mouth like a starved man. "If it doesn't match the makeup, we can always try again."
"All right then." She was probably upset that I didn't make her cake me up. I asked for a glowy look because we'd be on the beach. It was almost evening, and I wanted that glow in the sunset sun.
What would he wear? I've seen him in every suit, and I know it will be black. His undershirt-what colour? Black. Just like his soul.
"I've got a pink tint if you'd like?" I looked in the vanity mirror and nodded yes. That must have made her excited because she clasped her hands together. "Now, some highlights," She did some swipes with a brush. "Close your eyes, please." Then she sprayed a mist over her work. "And...done. You look beautiful." I smiled, watching my face in the mirror. I did look beautiful and felt it, too.
"Thank you."
"Your man will cry. Let's get some glow on your bodice." Cry at the aisle? Did she not know who Adrik Mikhailov was? I think not. He'd probably stand like a statue until it's time to speak. He wouldn't show emotions before his soldiers.
A knock came at the door, and it opened to reveal Mrs Mikhailova. I sucked in a sharp breath, then released it when I remembered she didn't know my story. She smiles, her eyes becoming glassy. "You look beautiful." She walks to me and rubs my shoulder.
"Thank you. As do you." She had a midi long-sleeved yellow dress with a black belt cinched at the waist. Her hairstyle was perfect with it. "Where's Katya?"
"Oh, she's orchestrating everything." I laughed. So that's the noise I was hearing all along. "I've come bearing gifts."
"You don't have to." Macey sprays my curls as she fixes my hair.
"Nonsense. We're family now." She opened a box to reveal diamond drop pieces. My eyes widened, and Yelena laughed. "It's a tradition for our family, darling. As you can see, we love our diamond pieces."
