Page 99 of Vendetta Crown

"I want them to be kind," I add, my voice growing stronger. "This world can be so cruel. I want them to choose kindness even when it's not easy."

My hand joins his, our fingers intertwining above our growing children.

"I want them to be resilient. To know that falling down isn't failure as long as they get back up." The words come more easily now, flowing from somewhere deep inside me. "I want them to be honest with themselves and others. To understand their own worth without having to prove it to anyone."

I think of the girls down the hall, struggling with their grief, and add, "I want them to know how to love deeply, but also how to heal when they lose someone they love."

"And I want them to be free," I whisper, my voice catching slightly. "Free to become whoever they're meant to be, without the shadows of the past, mine or yours, hanging over them."

Ruslan kisses my shoulder gently, his lips warm against my skin as it sends a cascade of comfort through me.

"Those are all good qualities to wish for them," he murmurs, his breath tickling my neck. "Brave, kind, resilient, honest, loving, and free."

I lean back against him, savoring the solid press of his chest against my back, the subtle scent of cedarwood and mahogany that always clings to him. His arms wrap around me, one hand resting protectively over our babies. After the darkness of the past days, this moment feels almost surreal in its tenderness.

"For our son," he says after a long pause, his voice thoughtful. "What do you think about Andrei? It means 'manly' in Russian, but boys are often given this name to remind them that the chief quality of a man is to be brave and courageous. It'll remind him that he will always face the unknown with courage in his heart. Just like his mother."

The name and explanation roll off his tongue beautifully, and I test it on my own lips.

"Andrei."

It feels right somehow.

"And for our daughter," he continues, his thumb tracing small circles on my belly. "Nadia, maybe? It means 'hope' in Russian. A reminder to her that the sun will rise, even after the darkest of nights."

I turn slightly to see his face.

"Hope," I repeat. "I like that."

"Andrei and Nadia Dragunov," Ruslan says, a note of quiet wonder in his voice.

"They sound perfect together," I whisper, placing my hand over his. "Brave enough to face what scares them. Kind enough to change this world."

One of the twins kicks against our joined hands, as if offering their approval.

"I think they like their names," I say with a small laugh.

Ruslan smiles, that rare, genuine smile that transforms his entire face he reserves only for me. "Of course they do. You picked them."

26

AURORA

ONE WEEK LATER

I stareat my reflection in the mirror, smoothing the fabric of my maternity dress—a flowing sky-blue gown that somehow makes me look ethereal rather than just plain pregnant—over my swollen belly.

"You really weren't kidding about extravagance being mandatory," I murmur, taking in the decorations visible through the reflection.

Blues and pinks intermingle throughout the sitting room downstairs, and there's a mountain of presents that I can glimpse through the doorway.

"You deserve the best,zarechka." Ruslan steps behind me, his hands coming to rest on my shoulders. "And you look beautiful."

"I feel like I swallowed two watermelons," I counter, leaning back against him.

His golden eyes meet mine in the mirror. "Then you're the most beautiful watermelon thief I've ever seen."

I laugh as my hand drifts to my stomach as one of the twins delivers a forceful kick.

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