But then again, they were crazy. I stopped guessing a long time ago. It was best to just go with the flow.
Maddie placed a single peony above my ear. She made sure it was attached to my hair without having it fall out or hurting me.
“There. You look breathtaking, babe. You’re ready to go now,” Maddie announced. I smiled up at her.
“Alessio hates waiting,” I replied, standing up. Evaline handed me a pretty pair of black sandals, and I quickly put them on.
Maddie muttered something under her breath that I couldn’t quite catch, but I didn’t care. My whole attention was on getting to Alessio.
I hadn’t seen him since the morning, and I was a little disappointed that he didn’t even wake me up before he left. He wasn’t at breakfast either.
“Okay. You can go now, pretty girl!” Evaline said. I sighed and rolled my eyes.
“Thank you.”
Before leaving the room, I turned around. “Really. I mean it. Thank you.”
They both smiled. “You’ll thank us more later. Go, go, go!” Evaline said with a laugh.
Shaking my head, I left the room. Maddie was still beside me, helping me down the stairs.
Alessio would get really angry if he saw me walking down the stairs alone. I always had someone accompany me.
When we reached the bottom, Maddie let go of me and winked before running back upstairs again. She seemed a little too excited today.
I walked out through the doors to see Viktor waiting for me at the entrance. He wasn’t alone. Nikolay and Phoenix were there too.
“We are to escort you to the creek,” Phoenix explained.
My mouth formed an O, and I nodded. Smiling kindly at them, I replied, “Okay. Thank you.”
Viktor stood to my left while Nikolay took my right. I walked forward, but they stayed where they were. I glanced back, confused.
Viktor sighed and came back to my side. Nikolay followed. I stood there, waiting.
And then both of them presented me their elbows. I stared at them, my mouth falling open. What?
They waited, and I stood still. Nikolay coughed. It was fake, but it was probably to bring me out of my sudden daze.
“You want me…to take your arms?” I asked slowly.
“Yes,” Viktor simply replied.
“Oh.” I bit on my lips and took their elbows. It felt weird but strangely comfortable.
Phoenix took the front, leading us. We walked slowly, making sure I didn’t trip on anything. The walk was silent but comfortable.
I couldn’t wait to see Alessio.
When we reached the clearing, my steps faltered.
Alessio was standing there. His back was to me; one of his legs was placed on a rock as he leaned against it.
I instinctively moved toward him, but Viktor and Nikolay held me back. I gave them an impatient look.
Viktor was the first to move. He leaned forward and surprised me with a kiss on my forehead. I stilled, my heart fluttered.
“You both deserve each other,” he whispered before pulling away.
And then Nikolay took his place. Another kiss on my forehead.
He too whispered in my ears. “Be happy.”
When he stepped back, Phoenix moved forward. Placing a kiss on my forehead, he smiled. “Make him a happy man.”
And then they were walking away, leaving me in shock. I blinked several times, trying to wrap my mind around what just happened.
But I was just drawing blanks.
I turned back toward Alessio to see him staring at me. He had a small smile on his face. And in his hands, he held a large bouquet of white peonies.
I could feel my lips moving, spreading in a loving smile. Slowly, I made my way to him. Alessio held out his hand for me, and I immediately took it.
His hand was warm and gentle as he wrapped his fingers around mine. Pulling me closer, he held me against him.
“Angel,” he whispered softly before claiming my lips.
His kiss was tentative at first, but then he kissed me harder, kissing me like he owned me. I loved it when he did that.
He kissed me like he’d never have enough. When we pulled apart, we were both breathless. I didn’t mind though. I wanted him to kiss me more.
His hand found its way to my neck, his fingers softly caressing my veins there. His soft touch sent shivers through me.
The way he stroked my skin, his touch, everything about him…it warmed me. My heart fluttered like crazy. My stomach flipped with nervous butterflies.
“Ayla,” he rasped, his voice suddenly rougher.
“Alessio,” I whispered in response, moving even closer. As close as I could get.
“You look so beautiful right now. Like a true Angel,” he said, his eyes smiling down at me. “I love you in white. It’s the best color on you.”
I felt my cheeks flush under his compliment and looked shyly at his chest. “And this,” Alessio continued, placing a finger under my chin and tipping my head back. “I find it so endearing that you are still shy around me.”