After the signing ceremony, Mikhail didn’t immediately ask me to move into the Romanov estate. Instead, he arranged for a private villa along the Setova River.
“I know you’ll need time to adjust,” he said. “This place is only a ten–minute drive from the Romanov estate. If you need to be by yourself, stay here. But whenever you’d like company, I’ll be close by.”
The villa was a remnant of the Vostmarkan Imperial Era, but the interior had been fully modernized. Every detail had been thoughtfully considered. He’d even replicated the essentials from my apartment in Veridon, down to the exact brand of coffee
machine
He came by every evening after work, sometimes to walk with me through the snow, other times just to talk by the fire.
When I mentioned missing Veridon’s bagels, he flew in a baker from Belgrave. Even so, the water in Droskav was different. Despite using the same recipe, the taste never quite matched. Regardless, I was deeply touched by the gesture.
He left on a three–day business trip three months later. When he came back, carrying a thermal container, he looked distinctly wom and travel–weary.
“Emma”
He had long since dropped formalities. That was simply how he called me now.
“I brought something back from Veridon–bagels from Baxter & Holt, and smoked salmon from Zabar’s”
He hardly stopped to remove his coat, still carrying the snow from the tarmac.
Eager for me to try it, he quickly opened the container. “I used a special preservation method. Try it‘
I didn’t know why, but something inside me began to stir
I took a bite, and the familiar flavor brought a stinging warmth to my eyes. “You flew to Veridon just to bring me breakfast?”
Mikhail looked sheepish. “There was some business to take care of. But mostly you said you missed the taste of home.”
I looked up at him. “Then let me grant you a wish. Tell me what do you want most?”
The setting sun filtered through the stained–glass windows, bathing him in gold.
He looked like a figure from a cathedral mural.
Stepping closer, he pulled a small box from his pocket.
“My wish is for you to be safe, healthy, and happy for the rest of your life”
Tucked inside the box was an old silver cross, a relic from the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Solmira. It was reputed to
protect its wearer.
I noticed a slight weariness in his gait and asked, “Don’t tell me you went all the way to Solmira?”
He looked a little embarrassed. “It was on the way, anyway. I heard the relics there were powerful. I wanted something to keep you safe”
*Mikhail, you know there’s nothing remotely ‘on the way‘ about going from Droskav to Veridon and then to Solmira”
