This night is ours in every sense of the word. Every second of time that we have is created to unite. I've never felt so sensitive and pleasant being close to Vlad.
I know that the future with him is still hazy, and it's unclear if it will even happen at all. However, this is according to the words of the Saint. I am certainly sure that nothing will change my mind. It's unlikely that the second part of the plan can spoil my feelings for the man or take away my love. After all, there have already been so many situations where I've felt abandoned, broken, destroyed… There has been so much suffering, misunderstandings. So, I doubt that Vlad's actions regarding Dyk would change anything.
In the morning, I wake up in Vlad's bed. Alone. At first, I feel disappointment, but I force my mind to take control over my heart and head to the bathroom. Today, I want to look good.
While brushing my teeth and washing my face, Milana calls. She enthusiastically tells me that the party went well and… it turns out I was right about Martin.
— I have to apologize, — she states. — He’s really not just a friend to me. And I, Yulianna, am also not just a friend to him. I can’t believe we’ve been talking and friends for so many years… And today I woke up as his girlfriend.
— Is that so? — I smile at myself in the mirror and braid my hair into a crown. — I immediately saw that there was something more between you two.
— How? Are you a fortune teller?
— Hmm, — I laugh, — I don’t know. I’m not one of those people who sees others. But I’m happy for you. He’s a wonderful and pleasant guy.
— You can’t imagine how pleasant! — the girl squeals. — And what about you? What’s going on with you?
I lower my voice and say:
— Your brother almost confessed…
— In love? — she interrupts.
— No, but I know I’m important to him. That’s enough.
— Idiot, — I imagine Milana rolling her eyes. — Has Katryn called? Because she never returned from the party, which is wonderful, otherwise, I would have destroyed her with my bare hands.
— No. I don't want to see her. I didn’t even notice, — I sigh.
— That she’s infatuated with your man? Because that doesn’t seem healthy!
— Unfortunately. I thought of her as a friend. She asked so detailed about what we had. She said not to worry when she kicked Vlad out because she got angry.
— Katryn annoyed me from the moment I met her, so I’m not surprised. — Milana cuts in. — With friends like that, who needs enemies?
— She was trying to break through in life.
— Are you excusing her? Stop! She doesn’t deserve that.
— Maybe you’re right, — I reply calmly. — You know, I’m not even angry. Disappointed — yes. But not mad.
— Because you’re an angel, I told you, — Milana hums. — Alright, I won’t keep the newlyweds from their important business. By the way, are you going to classes today?
— Yes.
— I'll swing by the academy?
— I’ll wait.
— Alright then, bye-bye, my daughter-in-law.
I laugh and hang up. While I was talking, I managed to apply a light makeup.
I come out of the bathroom. The apartment is quiet. Could it be that Vlad went somewhere without saying goodbye? I can’t find him anywhere, so I head to the studio. To my surprise, he’s there. He’s sitting at the easel, confidently, sharply, yet smoothly drawing a sketch on the canvas. I don’t want to startle him, but I don’t want to creep up either, so for a while, I stand still, watching.
— Good morning, Yulianna.
I bite my lip and walk over to him sheepishly:
— I didn’t want to disturb you.
— You’re not disturbing.
— And looking at the future painting too…
— Look.
I stand next to him. Instinctively, listening to the desire of my heart, I place my palm on his shoulder. Skin to skin, an electric jolt of two hundred shoots through my body.
It’s strange that he reacts this way. Though, it’s rather interesting. I remember well how he didn’t want me to invade his personal space, and wishing to teach, he demanded I bring my sketches. And now I can look…
— I haven’t seen you paint.
— Because I haven’t painted. For a long time. All the paintings that are here, with the one you changed, were created before the humiliation of Milana.
Though the Saint’s voice sounds even, I understand the pain that is now hidden behind it. A pain filled with guilt and hatred. Even if I wanted to condemn my husband for the actions where I was hurt, how could I? He’s protecting his sister. He’s trying to help me too. No one is to blame that Dyk is ruining our lives. No one wanted this. If I lived under oppression and listened all my life about how bad and useless I was, I had to come to terms with it, then Milana certainly didn’t wish to become a victim of someone else’s man.
— Why are you painting now? — I quietly ask.
Vlad puts down his pencil and looks at me, turning his body.
— I don’t know. Inspiration came, — he smiles, showing the lines around his mouth.
His blue eyes darken to a pleasant, deep color. They become rich, warm, familiar…
— Can I know what will be on the canvas?
The Saint smirks, grabs my waist, and pulls me to him. He sits me on his lap, my back to his face, kisses my nape, holding me tightly and whispers in my ear:
— You.
— Me?
— You. — he repeats and continues to kiss.
A wave of shivers rushes through my body. It feels like we are the only two people in the whole world, finally able to untangle all problems and now have the right to enjoy each other. My heart sings with joy. It dances, as soon as his elegant male hands touch the bare part of my body. My soul aches to break free, wanting to snuggle in the protection and strength of the Saint and never be apart.
— But why?
He turns me to face him. He trails his fingertips along my cheek.
— If I have a chance to paint you like this, as you are today, before the day your feelings change, I will. I have fears too, Yulianna. But right now, I am pushing them away.
— A chance?… — I stammer.
— You will decide when everything is over. Really over.
— What about mom and the court? - I change the topic. I don’t want to think about bad things. I don’t want to. I wish to be assured that everything will be wonderful between Vlad and me.
The Saint trails his nose along my cheekbones and goes lower:
— Consider them already divorced. Dyk approaching you will also be forbidden.
— And Milana?
— To her too, — he smirks. — Especially to her.
— Then what should I decide? You’re the one stopping us, not me.
— Because you only seem like a Fainthearted Doe. In reality, you’re different; I said that during our second meeting.
— You said you were glad I was not a fainthearted doe, — I smile. — And then you started calling me without the prefix "not."
— You are scared of everything, Yulianna, but you're learning to live with it. Like a doe, you are timid, cautious, yet at the same time swift, elegant, and well-adaptive to life. — The Saint tangles his fingers in my hair. He pulls me close and kisses me passionately, then interrupts himself. — You are just as bright, beautiful, you attract gazes, and make people want to possess you. But not to conquer. But for you to accept and become a loyal friend. If you know what I mean, — he mutters.
— Yesterday, I asked you, — I snuggle closer, — if I am no longer that girl who trusts a man with a knife in hand. Yesterday, I thought it was because I grew up thanks to you. And today, — now I touch Vlad's face with my lips, — I know you simply threw away the knife.
— Those knives had to be held.
— But you could have told me…
— No. After the wedding, I allowed myself to relax; as a result, you suffered. I should have predicted that Dyk would find out about the actions faster than we could take your mother and brother. I miscalculated, Yulianna, and you paid for it with blood. That’s why I couldn’t. And I still can’t. You are all far from that person. Under protection.
— What kind? — I squeeze out. — After I took my friend from the club, I didn’t see any security. And even before that…
The man hums:
— You shouldn’t. So, — he continues the thought, — everything will go according to the plan that you’d be better off not knowing about.
I sigh. Well, maybe he’s right? In any case, the very implementation of the second part of his plan will show everything, won’t it? I know so much; I know he wants to punish Dyk so that he forever understands the mistake he made. After all, Vlad has already taken everything else from him, even his daughter.