Page 110 of Midnight Wedding

Then I raise our hands above our heads like we’re victorious prize fighters and the assembled men cheer.

“Smile, Garen,” I say through my teeth, leaning in close to him. “The war’s over and you get your piece-of-shit wife back.”

The rest of the Brotherhood is waiting in the banquet hall down on the fourteenth floor. Everyone’s there: mothers, brothers, wives, and sisters. The whole extended Brotherhood and all our relatives. Garen disappears to his little group of friends, looking sour and annoyed, while I make the rounds, smiling and shaking hands.

Congratulations all around.

Nobody mentions dead Narek or murdered Levon, but their wives are here along with their children. They smile and nod and say all the right things.

I’ll have to watch them for a long time.

“Let me look at that.” Lena appears with Tigran. We have a brief moment together in the crowd. I stare at her, totally stunned.

She’s in a dark red dress, the color of old blood. It suits her and clings to her body, showing off her curves. I look at her pierced eyebrow and at the swell of her belly button ring, and fuck, I want her more than I’ve ever wanted her before.

She’s a goddess. She’s my wife and everything I’ve ever needed. Her bushy, curly auburn hair feels good in my fist as I pull her into me.

I’m aware of eyes watching. Let them fucking stare.

She doesn’t resist when I kiss her.

We hold that embrace. This is my woman, my wife. The future mother of my child. She’s everything to me and so much more, and so what if some people in this room hate her? So what if they only see the woman that started a war?

She’s fuckingmine.

When the kiss breaks apart, she’s smiling a little bit.

“Missed me?” she asks.

“Didn’t know you were gone,” I murmur, stroking her cheek.

She pats my chest. “Sure you didn’t. Let me see that hand.”

“It’s fine.” She runs her fingers over the bandage and makes soft worried noises. “I’m happy you’re here.”

“Tigran said you’d kill me if I didn’t show up.”

“That’s a little dramatic. Maud might, though.”

She pales slightly. “I really can’t believe you use a poisoner as a cook.”

“Is that really so hard to imagine?”

“I guess that is the kind of crazy shit you’re into.”

I reach down and squeeze her ass, pulling her close. She’s blushing pink. Sometimes I forget how conservative and quietshe can be. Normally, she’s such a fucking spitfire and a huge pain. But show her some affection in public? Suddenly, she’s all squirming and embarrassed. It’s fucking adorable.

“Stay with me tonight.” I kiss her ear and bite it. She whimpers and tries to push me away, but I hold on. “Stay by my side and in my bed.”

“Arsen—”

“I know you’ve been needing your space. I understand and I’ve been giving you that. But I’m sick of it. I’m tired of missing you. Come back to me.”

“You stalked me. You lied about it.”

“You’re right. It was wrong to keep that from you. I just… I wasn’t ready to tell you. I liked watching you. I liked seeing who you are when I’m not around. You’re beautiful, Lena. You’re everything I need. I was being selfish, and I’m sorry. Come back to me. Don’t make me get down on my knees in front of everyone here.”

“Arsen,” she says, chewing her lip.

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