28. Aurora
28
AURORA
Night has fallen like a shroud over the mansion. The final car disappeared down the driveway nearly an hour ago, leaving behind a sea of opened gifts, half-eaten cake, and the lingering scent of perfume.
I stand by the doors of the mansion, watching Ruslan load weapons into the trunk of his car.
"Do you have to go right now?" My voice catches. "Don't you want to wait a little? Plan more?"
Ruslan looks up at me from across our bedroom, his golden eyes capturing the lamplight.
" Zarechka ." His voice wraps around me like a blanket. "There's not a moment to lose. Semyon may already know that Tamara has betrayed him. If we wait, this opportunity could slip out of our grasp."
"But what if you—" I can't finish the sentence.
What if you don't come back?
Ruslan crosses to me and pulls me against his chest. His heart beats strong and steady under my ear.
"I will come back." His fingers tip my chin up as he says the words that I can't. "To you and our children."
"I nearly lost you once."
"But this time, I'm the one bringing the fight to Semyon. I have surprise on my side." He kisses my forehead. "And I'm one tough bastard to kill."
"I've never been the praying type," I whisper, "but I think I might start tonight."
"Pray if it brings you comfort." His thumb traces the curve of my cheek. "But know that I fought my way back to you from death once before. Nothing could keep me from returning to you."
I clutch the front of his shirt. "Do you promise?"
"I promise." He pulls me into a kiss that tastes of goodbye and determination. "Lock the doors after I leave. Daria will stay with you, and there are twenty men patrolling the grounds."
When we break apart, I manage a wobbly smile. "Don't make a girl a promise if you can't keep it."
I force myself to keep the smile on my face as Ruslan kisses me one more time. His lips linger against mine like he's memorizing the shape of them.
Then, he gives me one final smile before he turns around and walks down the steps to where Artyom waits by the line of black SUVs.
I wrap my arms around myself, the babies kicking inside me as I watch him climb into the lead vehicle. The convoy starts up with a synchronized growl of engines, headlights cutting through the darkness as they roll down the long driveway.
I don't move until the taillights disappear through the gates. Only then do I let the tears fall, hot and silent down my cheeks.
The door clicks shut behind me as I step back into the mansion. Daria appears from the shadows of the hallway, her face a carefully arranged mask of calm that doesn't quite hide her own concern.
"You should eat something," she says, her voice gentle but leaving no room for argument. "For the little ones."
"I'm not hungry."
Daria's eyes narrow. "The babies need nourishment even if you have no appetite."
I sigh, knowing she's right. "Fine."
Daria nods, satisfied with her victory, and leads me to the dining room. The table has been cleared of the baby shower decorations, replaced with a modest spread of sandwiches, fruit, and tea.
Vera sits at the far end, her hands wrapped around a steaming cup.
I sit beside Vera, and force myself to take a small triangle of sandwich even though my stomach feels like it's tied in knots.
She watches me with understanding eyes, her hands resting protectively over her enormous belly.
"I'm sorry I missed the baby shower," Vera says softly. "It's getting harder to move these days."
"It's okay." I manage a weak smile. "I completely understand."
We sit in silence for a few moments. I push the food around my plate while Vera sips her tea, her eyes never leaving my face. The twins tumble inside me, as if they can sense my anxiety.
"Something's bothering you," Vera finally says. Not a question.
I put down my fork. "Ruslan's gone to kill Semyon." The words taste bitter on my tongue. "He left just now with Artyom and the others."
"And you're afraid he won't come back," Vera finishes for me.
I nod, unable to speak past the lump in my throat.
Vera reaches across the table and takes my hand. "I understand that fear better than most."
"You do?"
"After Slava saved me at the auction..." Her eyes grow distant with memory. "There were people who still coveted my family's money and properties. Men who felt cheated that they couldn't purchase me."
I squeeze her hand, encouraging her to continue.
"There were many nights Slava would leave our home to deal with these threats." Vera's voice drops. "I would watch him check his weapons, bid me goodbye, and wonder if that would be the night he wouldn't return."
"How did you bear it?" I whisper.
"I learned that my Slava is like the tide. Unstoppable, powerful, and always, always returning." A gentle smile touches her lips. "Sometimes bloody, sometimes wounded, but always returning."
"Ruslan's been shot before," I say, my voice cracking. "He almost died."
"And yet he came back to you." Vera's grip on my hand tightens. "These men of ours. They're survivors above all else. Ruslan will come back to you and your babies. He has too much to live for now."
I try to smile at Vera's reassurance, but my fingers nervously tap against the tablecloth. A tiny foot—or maybe an elbow—jabs at my ribs from the inside, as if reminding me that I'm not the only one waiting for Ruslan's return.
"You don't believe me," Vera says gently, misreading my silence for doubt.
"I want to believe you," I admit. "But last time I nearly lost him, I didn't even know I loved him. Now..."
Vera reaches across the table and covers my fidgeting hand with hers. "Maybe we should talk of happier things. Tell me about the baby shower. I heard Liliya came?"
I welcome the change of subject, grateful for the distraction.
"She did. She was wonderful with the girls. And the other wives came with such thoughtful gifts." I swallow hard as unwelcome thoughts intrude. "Tamara showed up too."
Vera's eyebrows rise. "Uninvited?"
"Completely. She brought this beautiful blanket that used to be Mikhail's." I stare at my plate. "And information about Semyon. That's why Ruslan left so suddenly."
I can't help wondering if Tamara deliberately set this in motion. If my husband is walking into a trap right now.
"I see." Vera's voice pulls me back from spiraling. "Well, I'm sorry once again that I missed the celebration. But I do have something for you and the babies."
She shifts in her chair, one hand supporting her back.
"Daria?" she calls. "Would you mind fetching something from my room? It's on the dresser."
Daria nods and disappears down the hall.
"I apologize for not wrapping them," Vera says. "The last few weeks, my fingers have been too swollen to manage the paper and ribbon."
"You didn't need to get me anything," I protest. "You being here is gift enough."
Vera waves away my words. "Nonsense. What's the point of being a woman of means if you can't spoil your friends?"
Daria returns carrying a white tissue-wrapped bundle. She places it on the table in front of me with a small smile.
I carefully unfold the delicate paper, revealing two tiny hand-sewn onesies. One pale yellow and the other soft green.
Then I see it—embroidered in elegant letters across the chest of each one are the names we chose.
"Nadia and Andrei," I whisper, running my fingers over the stitching. "How did you know? We didn't announce the names at the baby shower."
Vera smiles, a hint of mischief in her eyes. She glances at Daria, who stands beside us.
Daria passes a knowing smile between us. "I may have shared that information with Vera Tikhonova," she admits, her usually stern face softening. "I heard the names pass on Ruslan's lips while he was planning the baby shower. He was practicing what to say if anyone asked."
"He's been practicing?" The thought of my stoic, powerful husband rehearsing baby name announcements makes my heart swell.
"Like a schoolboy before a recitation," Daria says with a gentle laugh. "Pacing the study, muttering 'Andrei and Nadia Dragunov' over and over."
I can't help but smile at the image. The fearsome Ruslan Dragunov, nervous about introducing his children's names.
"You needn't worry about him, Aurora," Daria continues, her voice steady and reassuring. "I've known Ruslan since he was a boy. He's always been a fighter. He's always found his way home." She places her hand briefly on my shoulder. "This mansion has seen much darkness, but now it sees light. Your family—Ruslan, you, and the babies—you are that light."
Her words wrap around me like a warm blanket. For the first time since Ruslan left, I feel my shoulders relax.
As the tension eases from my body, my stomach growls loudly enough for everyone to hear.
"Oh!" I place my hand over my belly, embarrassed. "I guess I'm hungry after all."
Vera laughs. "Eat! They're demanding their dinner."
I look down at my barely-touched plate and then up at Daria. "Is there still any food from the kitchen? Something warm, maybe?"
Daria's face lights up. "Of course. I'll find something substantial."
As Daria bustles away, I turn back to Vera, clutching the tiny onesies against my chest.
"Thank you for these. They're perfect."
"You're welcome." Vera nods, her eyes gentle but certain. "And you must trust that Ruslan will come back, Aurora. As sure as the tide."