Chapter 49
Kinsley
A Picnic For Two
Today was everything and more. Seeing pictures of my Kings from babies all through their childhood and adulthood had been surreal. Meeting Vanya, even if it was only on the pages of memory books and photos, didn’t make me feel any less connected to her.
As we left her room, the moment’s heaviness lingered still.
In sharing this part of their lives, he drew me further into their world.
I couldn’t shake the sweetness of the picture showing her mock wedding to Sebastian.
The families had gone all out, and something about the innocence of it all made it more solemn.
A subtle feeling tugged at the corners of my heart.
The same one as when I’d looked at her portrait above the fireplace.
Maybe it was because we were in one of the last places she had been in, but Vanya’s spirit permeated the garden.
I had an inexplicable sense of connection to her somehow, and I allowed the feeling to settle over me.
A sudden somberness settled over both of us as he showed me where they buried her. The plaque in the garden held a simple message of remembrance to a woman I’d never know but whose presence I felt deeply.
“So Bash loved Vanya, huh?” I ventured.
“God, so much. It was sickening at times. Believe it or not, that man is a mad romantic. He was hopelessly in love with Vanya. So much so, he refused to even entertain the thought of another woman for years.”
“Are we talking about the same man?” I laughed as I tried to absorb this unexpected revelation. “That’s quite funny. The Torturer is a hopeless romantic.”
“Don’t get it twisted. He’ll sleep with them, play with them, but love them? That’s not something he’ll ever do. You see, he believes in soulmates.”
“Really?” I cocked my head to the side, trying to fit that in with the Bash I knew.
A soft laugh escaped Ivan. “He is of the belief that every single person on this planet has their one true love. The person who is destined for them. He also believes that once that soulmate is gone from your life, another will not come to replace them. You get one single, solitary shot in this life.”
“So he’ll never love or get married?” I asked, my heart hurting for him.
“Not according to him.”
We walked along the winding path, enjoying each other’s company. I’d never given the term or idea of a soulmate much thought. The more I thought about it, the more it rang true.
“That breaks my heart, but I understand. When I leav—”
“None of that. Not today, anyway,” he chastised.
“Let me finish, please,” I said sternly.
“Sorry, go ahead,” he grumbled.
I sighed as he led me through the family garden. Everything was stunning and seemed to dance with life. It was like another world. Flowers of all kinds bloomed in a riot of colors and fragrances.
“You were saying?” he prodded.
“Sorry, I got distracted. Anyway, I was saying I can understand Bash’s behavior.
” I stopped him and put my hand on his tattoo.
“In two weeks when I disappear, the only old part of myself I’m taking with me is my memories of you all here.
And like Bash, I will never love another the way I love you, Alek, or Nik. ”
“Then maybe you shouldn’t leave.”
“If it were only that simple. I suppose you could lock me up in a tower somewhere far away. It wouldn’t be very fair, though, for you all.”
“I think I like that idea. I might have to call a family meeting, and we can put it to a vote.”
“Be serious with me. You have to admit that what we all have is special. Do you foresee yourself loving another? This is where you lie to me, my beloved, and tell me you will be like Sebastian and pine for me even after I’m long gone.
” I dramatically laid my arm over my forehead, and as he chuckled, I straightened up.
“But in reality, don’t do that. I want you to love again. To have babies with aqua-blue eyes.”
I danced away from his grasp as he grew serious. He caught me easily and tilted my face. Something about being surrounded by flowers and the love of my life seized me. I shivered as goose bumps broke out across my arms.
“The only woman I will ever have babies with is standing right in front of me. And they shall have your eyes. You’re the only one for me.
I need you to know how sorry I am for everything.
The words I said—I know I may never be able to erase them from your memory, but I can assure you they will never leave my lips again. I would rip my own tongue out—”
“You will do no such thing,” I gasped, horrified at the seriousness of his statement. The expression in his eyes told me he meant it.
“Nevertheless, every day for the rest of our days, you will feel my love in small gestures.”
“Will I, now?” I asked, trailing my hands up his large body. He groaned.
“If you keep looking at me like that, our lunch is going to go bad.”
“We can’t have that, now, can we? I’m suddenly ravenous,” I whispered as my hand rubbed the bulge in his sweats.
He steeled his gaze. Before I could slip my hand under the waistband, he reached down and clamped his hand around my wrist. “Be thankful I don’t have my belt on me, or I’d hobble you right here and now,” he growled.
I squealed as he whipped me around. His arm reached around me and drew my body close. The next thing I knew, he was blindfolding me once more. My heart quickened with a mix of anticipation and curiosity.
“Ready?” he asked, his voice low and gravelly yet reassuring. I nodded, my other senses heightened in the darkness behind the blindfold.
He led me out of the garden. My senses told me when we were leaving it behind.
The air was less fragrant, and the ground beneath my feet changed from cobblestones to grass.
A gentle rustling of leaves filled my ears, and I sighed.
He pulled my hand, his stride confident.
He had a purpose, and I was along for the ride.
His touch was soft, and each step I took was filled with wonder and happiness. I pushed any and all thoughts of leaving away and decided to enjoy the moment. I’d need something to sustain me during the lonely times. We were making a memory, a special one.
My head tipped to the side; I could hear the gentle lapping of water, and I took a deep breath.
The scent of fresh water and earth filled my nostrils.
Finally, he stopped and situated me. And as he helped me down, my hand brushed against a soft material.
I stretched my legs out and leaned back against my palms. As I tilted my face up, the warm sun caressed my skin, and the gentle breeze blew my hair back.
“Little love, remove your blindfold.”
I shivered at the tone of his voice as it reached into my core and struck a match. I shifted and reached around the back of my head and untied it. I blinked, and the world came back into focus.
The lake stretched out before me, the expanse of crystal-clear water reflecting the azure sky.
All around us was lush greenery and woods.
The distant call of birds could be heard, and I instantly saw all of my guys, Bash and Marcel included, as teenagers, jumping into the water while they teased each other and enjoyed a swim on a hot day.
I shifted my gaze toward him, finding an abundance of love within his eyes. They were filled with a tender sincerity that he reserved only for me. Sebastian was on to something. If ever there was a soulmate, Ivan and I were one.
“I’ve never seen anything more beautiful,” I breathed, my voice thick with emotion. Surrounded by such serenity, the sharp edges of his words dulled, though the weight of his remorse still lingered in his eyes.
“Me either,” he answered, staring deep into my eyes.
I flushed and patted the blanket beside me. His face erupted into a boyish grin, and he sat down and unpacked a picnic basket filled with sandwiches, fruit, and a bottle of chilled wine.
“Oh, my favorite.” I clapped my hands together happily.
“I’ve learned. How about we go easy on it today. I wouldn’t want you to get drunk again. You know how I feel about that.”
“Does this mean what I think it means?” I waggled my eyebrows, remembering his declaration of not fucking drunk girls.
“We’ll see. Now hand me a glass.”
I dug around in the basket and passed it to him.
Instead of taking it, he let his fingertips touch mine.
The wineglass had been chilled as well and was cool against my fingertips.
He expertly poured a generous amount of the sweet wine, the light burgundy color swirling around.
As I inhaled, my mouth watered, and I closed my eyes.
I took a small sip, savoring it. “Aren’t you going to have any?”
“I’m good. Hungry?” he asked.
Before I could answer, he reached into the basket and brought out a strawberry.
Holding it between his fingers, he leaned closer, our gazes locked.
A mischievous half grin played on his full lips as he brought it to my mouth.
I parted mine, allowing him to feed me. A burst of sweetness from the strawberry juice mingled with the wine on my tongue.
His fingers lingered against my lips for a moment, and I gasped as he traced them with the small bit still in his hand. “I thought we could talk, get to know each other deeper.”
“You want to talk?” I teased before adding, “I was hoping for maybe a game.”
“A game?”
“Yes, like strip poker. It’s too bad you don’t have your knife.” I pouted. “You could cut my clothes off me as I lost every hand. I stink at poker. Hint, hint.”
He reached down, tugged his sweatpants up his left leg, and pulled a blade. “You can’t give advice if you don’t take it yourself.”
He set the tray down with casual ease, then speared a raspberry on the tip of his knife and held it out. I leaned in, letting my tongue barely touch the underside of the fruit. A slow tease—one circle, then another—before drawing it from the blade with a soft pull.