Epilogue
VUK
TEN MONTHS LATER
I loved Ayana. I really did.
But over the course of our relationship, I realized that dating her encompassed one aspect of life that I did not love: social events.
There were dinner parties and charity galas and industry networking events. There were parties for things I didn’t think you could have parties for, like a pet’s birthday. It confounded me as to why my staff insisted on celebrating Shadow’s birthday when we didn’t even know when it was; I’d rescued the damn thing off the street.
Jeremiah said they made up a date for him, which completely destroyed the point of a birthday. No one else seemed to think so when I pointed that out, so here we were, singing Happy Birthday to a fucking cat.
“Oh, look at him! He is just so cute!” Maya gushed after the song finished and everyone clapped. She snapped a photo of a preening Shadow as everyone showered him with pets and treats. “Whose idea was the cake?”
“Vuk’s,” Ayana said before I could pin the blame on her. She’d officially moved into my house over the summer, and she and my staff often ganged up on me on all things Shadow-related. “Don’t let his surliness fool you. He’s totally into this party. He called the baker so much over the past week that the man threatened to quit if Vuk didn’t stop asking him whether he was sure the cake was cat-friendly.”
I frowned. I am not surly.
Ayana patted my hand. “Of course not, dear.”
What was I supposed to do? Let him poison my cat? We would be the ones who’d have to clean up the mess.
I’d ordered a custom mouse-shaped sweet potato cake. We didn’t let Shadow eat sweet potatoes often because it wasn’t good for him, but it was a special occasion—or so people kept telling me.
I’d never used that particular baker before, so excuse me for doing my due diligence. Ayana was the one who’d finally convinced me to throw a huge party, hence why so many friends and business associates were here; she should be happy I didn’t shove a bowl of dry cat food in front of Shadow and call it a day.
“Of course not,” she said reassuringly. “I’m positive the baker understands why you were, uh, so insistent on checking in every day.”
“I kind of want a cat now, but my mom would kill me.” Maya sighed. “She’s allergic.”
“Vuk.” A cool, familiar voice interrupted our conversation. Dominic appeared with his wife Alessandra by his side. “Can we speak for a moment? Privately.”
“I wanted to talk to you too,” Alessandra told Ayana with a smile. They were acquainted with each other since Alessandra’s mother used to be Ayana’s unofficial model mentor. “My mom’s in the city, and she wanted to see if we could all get together…”
While the women conversed, I slipped away to speak with Dominic. We stepped into the hall outside the dining room, where the main party was held.
I hadn’t told him about my involvement with Roman, nor had I revealed his role in bringing down Emmanuelle to anyone else. There was no point in doing either when they would only cause more complications.
“I’m calling in my favor,” Dominic said. “I have personal news to share with someone, but I need help tracking them down. I’ve tried on my own, but I haven’t been successful. I heard you have…other resources that might be helpful.”
Oh, fuck. I had a feeling I knew who that “someone” was, but I kept my expression neutral and typed out my reply on my phone.
Send me the details. I’ll take care of it.
I hadn’t heard a peep from Roman since last fall. I couldn’t think of anyone else Dominic would want to share personal news with that he couldn’t track down, and I wasn’t eager to make contact with the new Brotherhood leader again.
But a favor owed was a favor owed, and I always kept my promises.
Relief flickered across Dominic’s face. “Thank you.”
When we returned to the party, it had devolved into chaos. Maya was dancing with a bemused-looking Shadow; Xavier and Sloane were lording over an impromptu poker game using cards with different pictures of Shadow printed on the back—where the fuck had those come from? I didn’t remember ordering them—and Jordan was explaining the latest viral internet meme to Jeremiah.
Loud music. Loud laughter. Loud everything .
My skin prickled.
While Dominic beelined straight back to his wife’s side, I took in the scene and contemplated whether murder at a party I was hosting would be bad form. Then I contemplated whether or not I cared if it was bad form.
Answer: I didn’t.
“You’re thinking of murder, aren’t you?” Ayana came up beside me, her face a portrait of amusement.
Possibly. Cannot confirm or deny.
She laughed and wrapped her arms around my neck. “Seriously, thank you for doing this. I’m pretty sure half our friends collapsed with shock when they received their first party invitation from the Vuk Markovic.”
I snorted. First and last.
Until…well, that was another type of occasion for another time.
“Oh, come on. You’re telling me you’re not enjoying yourself?” Ayana unlooped one of her arms and pinched her thumb and forefinger together. “Not even a liiittle ?”
Define enjoy. I lowered my head so only she could hear me. “I enjoy spending time with you,” I said. “I enjoy seeing you happy. That’s what I enjoy.”
Her expression softened. “It’s Shadow’s birthday, not mine,” she said with a smile in her voice. “One year to the day you found him.”
“I got him a sweet potato cake. That’s enough.” Though I supposed it was nice to see him so energetic. Maybe if Maya kept him busy, he would stop scratching the shit out of priceless furniture. “Can we kick everyone out now? It’s been an hour.”
Ayana grinned. “I recommend giving it another two hours or so. They did trek all this way for our cat’s birthday party.”
“Most of them live less than ten minutes away.”
“Vuk.”
“Fine,” I said. “Two more hours. You should be glad I love you so much.”
“I am.” She pressed a light kiss to my lips. “Don’t worry. I’ll show you just how glad I am later.”
My body sparked to life. “If that’s supposed to make me want people around more, it’s having the opposite effect.”
“The anticipation enhances the fun,” she said with a wink. “Now, come on. Let’s see if we can’t win some money off Xavier and Sloane.”
We rejoined the rest of the party. Despite my grumbles, I did enjoy myself, especially after I beat Xavier at poker.
Most importantly, Ayana was enjoying herself, and I would do anything to make her smile—including hosting and staying at a feline birthday party.
And hours later, after everyone had left and it was only us in our bedroom, she made good on her promise to show me exactly how glad she was.
She’d been right—the anticipation did enhance the fun.
* * *
AYANA
TWO MONTHS LATER
“I’m not sure those shoes are a good idea.”
I planted my hands on my hips. “You should know better than to underestimate my ability to walk in impractical footwear.”
Vuk arched an eyebrow at the high-heeled, weatherproof boots, which I’d bought specifically for this trip.
“We’re walking through snow, srce ,” he said. “Your feet are going to freeze.”
“They’re snow boots.”
“I’ve never seen snow boots with heels.”
“You also think ecru and beige are the same color, so as much as I love you, I will have to respectfully decline your opinions on fashion.”
He shook his head with a laugh. “Fine. It’s your toes.”
It was early December, and we were spending a week at Finland’s newest luxury resort in Lapland. Our “room” was a giant igloo with a glass dome ceiling and spectacular views of the skies above. Tonight, the gorgeous lights of the Aurora Borealis shimmered above and cast an ethereal feel over the setting.
Views aside, the resort also boasted a world-class spa, a hot chocolate concierge, and private guides for activities ranging from husky sledding to reindeer safaris. Basically, it was the snowy winter wonderland of my dreams, and I never wanted to leave.
“We should’ve brought Shadow,” I said as Vuk and I left our room for the private perfume-making workshop he'd arranged. “He would love this.”
“That cat does not need an all-expenses paid vacation to Europe,” Vuk said dryly. “The staff spoil him enough.”
I didn’t point out that he was the one who’d booked Shadow a day at a luxury cat spa just last weekend.
I also didn’t admit that he was right—my toes were freezing. I made it halfway to the activity pavilion before I started slowing down. I shivered, the ice creeping up from my feet to my arms and chest.
Weatherproof, my ass. I was never buying from this brand again.
“You okay?” he asked when he noticed me lagging.
“Mmhmm.”
His mouth quirked. “It’s your shoes, isn’t it?”
“Well, not exactly, but—Vuk!” I squealed when he swept me up off the ground. The world tilted, and my laughter bounced off the snow-dusted pines as he carried me the rest of the way. “What are you doing? Put me down!”
“Once we’re inside. We have two more days here, srce . You’re not going to spend them with frostbitten toes.”
“Don’t be dramatic,” I huffed. But I couldn’t stop smiling.
We arrived at the activity lodge soon after. Our workshop instructor didn’t blink an eye at our unconventional entrance, and she greeted us warmly before she kicked things off.
Vuk and I each got to create and take home our own fragrance. Our instructor explained the different fragrance notes and how to combine them for the perfect balance. She also guided us through the process of selecting the right ingredients for our individual tastes.
Vuk was strangely subdued compared to his earlier teasing. He was always quiet around people he didn’t know, but tonight he seemed almost…nervous?He would hate if I asked him about it in front of our instructor, though, so I filed my questions away for later.
After much deliberation, I selected a scent combo that would remind me of this trip: a minty opening note that blossomed into a gentle musk infused with iris, snowdrops, and lily of the valley, topped with a dash of woody vanilla.
“Excellent choice,” the instructor said. “Let me box up your fragrances for you. One moment please.” She disappeared into a back room and returned a minute later with two bags. “Please, stay as long as you’d like. The activity lodge is yours for the night.” She handed the bags to me with a smile. “I hope you enjoyed the workshop. Have a wonderful rest of your trip.”
I blinked, a little stunned by the speed with which she left.
“That was weird,” I said. “Why would we need the lodge for the rest of the night? The workshop’s over.”
“I have no idea.” Vuk sounded oddly strained. Then again, he was always a bit grumpy after social outings.
“What notes did you put in your cologne?” I asked. He’d refused to let me see his final combination, and I was dying of curiosity. “I hope you chose that first woody base. It smells amazing on you.”
A smile pulled on his lips. “Why don’t you look in the box and see for yourself?”
Our fragrances included custom-printed labels on the back that listed their scent notes and creation date.
Vuk pushed his hands in his pockets and waited, his jaw taut, while I retrieved his cologne from his bag. I turned the bottle around, expecting to see a combination of woods and vanillas on the label.
I didn’t. In fact, I didn’t see any scent notes at all. There was only one sentence printed in vintage typewriter font:
Will you marry me?
The breath evaporated from my lungs. My palms grew so slick and hot, the bottle would’ve slipped from my grasp and crashed to the floor had I not been clutching it so tightly.
When I looked up, my throat burning with unshed tears, Vuk was already on one knee in front of me. The most breathtaking ring I’d ever seen glittered in his hand. The flawless pear-shaped diamond rested on a bed of black velvet. It was set in gold and adorned with an exquisite scattering of tiny emeralds.
“When I first told you about this workshop, you asked why it was so late at night,” he said. A wash of pink colored his cheekbones, and there was a small shake in his normally cool, steady voice. “It’s because I wanted to do this under the Northern Lights. Last year, when we were in D.C., you told me you never got to see the Lights, and I wanted you to experience them. I want you to experience everything beautiful in this world, Ayana, and I hope you’ll give me the honor of being by your side for it all.” Vuk swallowed. “I originally had a much longer speech planned, but I’m not the best with words. We’ve never needed them much anyway; we’ve always known what was in each other’s hearts. So I only have one question to ask. Ayana Kidane, will you marry me?”
My tears had spilled out before he finished his first sentence, and they came faster and harder now as his question hung in the air.
“ Yes . Oh my God, yes!” I sobbed. “Of course I’ll marry you!”
I thought I saw his shoulders sag with relief, but honestly, I couldn’t see much past the veil of tears.
The world was a blur as he slid the ring on my finger, and then we were kissing and laughing and kissing some more.
I should’ve known he had something up his sleeve when he’d suggested a “spontaneous” trip to Finland, but I also wouldn’t have been surprised if he’d brought me here simply because I’d told him I wanted to come back.
Vuk was stoic, grumpy, and possessed the occasional murderous tendency, but deep in his heart, he was a good person. We fit in a way that was uniquely us—light and dark, sea and snow, flame and ice.
Before we met, I’d spent years bemoaning my lack of a love life, but my sighs had just been the universe whispering to me, Wait a while longer. Your perfect match will come.
He had.
And he was worth every second of the wait.
She’s his greatest rival…and his greatest weakness.
* * *
Thank you for reading King of Envy !