Epilogue
VIKTOR
The stone railing under my palms was cool despite the summer heat. The air carried the scent of the river—crisp and clean—mixing with the perfume and champagne of Mark’s and Catherine’s wedding reception.
Or perhaps the intoxication was simply Sophie.
“Give me a minute,” she said, her hand slipping from mine as someone called her over.
I watched her, a few feet away, nodding at whatever the older woman was telling her.
The blush-pink gown suited her—made her look softer than usual.
Her golden hair swept to one side, pinned with a delicate gold hairpin from the Rowks heirloom collection, adorned with roses and diamonds that glinted when she moved.
She stood with her shoulders back, her posture relaxed.
No sign of the nervousness from earlier this morning, when her chest had risen and fallen rapidly as I fastened the clasp of her necklace.
“What if they stare?” she’d whispered. “What if they talk?”
“Well, considering how magnificent you are, I expect that. Can’t promise I’ll manage to restrain myself, though, if someone stares too much…”
She’d scolded me. Yet the smile on her lips and the blush on her cheeks were everything I needed.
The woman she was speaking with laughed at something Sophie said, then gestured animatedly. Sophie smiled, but before continuing her conversation, she glanced back at me, checking that I was still there. I nodded slightly, and she returned the gesture.
“Can you stop staring at her for one second?” Rafael muttered, leaning against the railing. “And wipe the drool off your face.”
I raised a brow. “Pardon?”
“Everyone’s saying you’re on a leash after that contract stunt.” He shook his head.
“Well, what’s wrong with leashes?”
He dragged a hand down his face, letting out a long, suffering sigh. “The other day, Fifi said something… which made me think.”
“Wow, you know how to do that?” Maybe I shouldn’t be teasing him. But I was still adjusting to this new dynamic he was trying to create between us.
Another sigh, and a deadpan stare. “Sebastian.” He looked away. “It was you?”
I scoffed. “What do you want?”
His face softened, and something like approval appeared in his eyes.
Ugh. Was this all necessary?
I didn’t notice I’d crossed my arms until he slung an arm around my shoulders. But before he could say anything more, Edmond appeared in my line of sight.
As far as I knew, there were some tensions between them, but they were trying to act civil.
Edmond muttered something about being sorry for the rumors his family had caused. I dismissed it. I had zero interest in that conversation. But he kept talking, and only because others were watching did I manage to keep my face straight.
Rafael’s grip firmed on my shoulder. And only when Sophie appeared beside me did I manage to breathe again. She slipped her arm through mine, forcing Rafael to release me, then looked at Edmond with a smile sharper than any blade.
“It’s inappropriate to leave your wife alone,” she said, gesturing toward Alissa, who sat alone on one of the benches.
Edmond’s jaw tightened, and his voice nearly disappeared as he excused himself.
I leaned close to Sophie’s ear. “It’s nice not to be on the receiving end of that look.”
She cut me a sidelong glance before looking at her brother. “Where is Anne?”
“Ah, with Cath?” Rafael said.
“Then perhaps you can go find her and join us on the dance floor?” She winked and turned to me with a soft smile on her face. “What do you think?”
“Always dreamed of one,” I whispered against her ear, feeling her shiver.
Her slender fingers curled into mine as I led her past Rafael’s knowing grin, past the dessert table, to the center of the dancing area.
The moment she settled into my arms, one hand on my shoulder, the other still clasped in mine, everything else blurred.
The guests became shadows. The music became distant.
There was only Sophie, her sky-blue eyes looking up at me, and the weight of her trust in my hands.