I grab her left hand, pressing a kiss to her palm.
Then, I grab the ring I set on the nightstand while she was out cold and slide it on her finger. It’s massive. Heavy. Ostentatious. Exactly what I wanted when I called my jeweler after leaving her dad. A ring fit for my queen.
Marie’s eyes widen, her breath catching.
“Viktor…”
I brush my lips over hers, slowly.
“You were never getting away, printsessa.”
A choked sound escapes her.
It’s not a sob. Not quite a sigh either. But still something broken. Like she’s done fighting. Like we’re inevitable and she finally recognizes it.
I fucking devour it. I swallow her gasp, her hesitation, her doubts.
She’s shaking her head, but she’s not fighting me anymore. She melts against me, lets me pull her deeper into my body, lets me fucking have her.
She sniffles. “You have to promise. No more stalking. No more secrets. Just honesty. Just… us.”
I grunt. I should lie. Should promise her whatever she wants to hear. But I don’t.
I drag my lips down her jaw, my voice low and hushed.
“No promises, printsessa.”
Her brows pinch, frustration flickering across her face.
I chuckle, kissing her slow, licking into her mouth, letting her feel every ounce of my obsession.
“But I’ll respect your boundaries.”
Her shoulders drop, her body softening.
I feel it—
The final wall breaking.
The moment she accepts she’s mine forever.
Epilogue
I wake up slow, groggy, and uncomfortable.
My stomach churns, my body feels off, my limbs, heavy.
And of course, the first thing I feel is Viktor.
His arm is wrapped around my waist, thick and unyielding, his face buried in my neck, inhaling deep like he’s imprinting my scent into his lungs.
I shift, grimacing at the ache settling deep in my bones.
He stirs immediately, his grip tightening, voice low and rough against my ear.
“What’s wrong?”
I exhale slowly, pushing against his chest. “Nothing. Just tired.”