Chapter Two - The Devil’s Bride
895 Words
LuKira felt numb.
Completely numb.
“You may kiss the bride.”
The cathedral grew silent again.
Waiting.
Watching.
Kira turned slowly.
Adrian stared down at her.
Up close, he was overwhelming.
Not just physically.
His entire presence consumed space.
Danger radiated from him naturally.
Like violence followed him everywhere.
He reached for her veil slowly.
His fingers paused briefly before lifting it.
Kira’s pulse pounded violently.
This was wrong.
Everything about this was wrong.
Adrian studied her face carefully.
Not with affection.
Not with desire.
Almost like he was memorizing her.
Then he leaned down.
The kiss was soft.
That terrified her more than if he had been rough.
Because there was restraint in it.
Control.
His lips barely brushed hers before he pulled away again.
But the entire cathedral exhaled afterward.
As if everyone had been afraid something worse might happen.
Kira suddenly understood something horrifying.
Everyone feared Adrian Vasilios.
Even other monsters.
The reception became chaos disguised as luxury.
Music played.
Champagne flowed endlessly.
Politicians laughed beside assassins.
Women in diamonds smiled while men discussed murder beside them.
The elite world of organized crime celebrated her ruin.
Kira stood near the balcony trying to breathe.
Her wedding ring felt heavy enough to crush bones.
“You should eat.”
She stiffened instantly.
Adrian stood behind her.
How did he move so quietly?
“I’m not hungry.”
“You haven’t eaten since yesterday.”
She turned sharply.
“How do you know that?”
His expression remained unreadable.
“I know a lot about you.”
The answer unsettled her deeply.
Kira crossed her arms tightly.
“Why are you here?”
A faint smirk touched his mouth.
“I’m your husband.”
“I mean here. Out of prison.”
At that, something cold entered his eyes again.
“The charges disappeared.”
“That doesn’t just happen.”
“It does when enough people die.”
Kira stared at him.
The terrifying part?
He said it casually.
Like discussing weather.
Adrian moved beside her near the balcony railing.
Below them, the massive estate glowed with wealth and power.
But his gaze remained distant.
Almost empty.
“You loved him,” Adrian said quietly.
Kira’s throat tightened.
“Yes.”
He nodded once.
“I know.”
“And you still married me.”
“You think I wanted this?”
His tone sharpened slightly for the first time.
Kira looked at him carefully.
Really looked at him.
Exhaustion hid beneath his controlled expression.
Not physical exhaustion.
Something darker.
Something older.
“How long were you in prison?” she asked softly.
“Three years.”
“What was it like?”
Adrian laughed once.
A hollow sound.
“You don’t survive places like that by staying human.”
The answer sent chills through her.
Before she could respond, another voice interrupted.
“Well. This is depressing for newlyweds.”
A tall man approached with a grin too charming to trust.
Dark blond hair.
Expensive suit.
Danger hidden beneath humor.
“Nikolai,” Adrian said flatly.
The man smiled toward Kira.
“So this is the famous princess.”
Kira remained cautious.
“And you are?”
“Nikolai Sokolov. Adrian’s best friend unfortunately.”
“Unfortunately?” Adrian repeated dryly.
“You have terrible social skills.”
Nikolai turned back toward Kira dramatically.
“He once threatened a bartender for smiling too much.”
“I did not.”
“You absolutely did.”
For the first time all day—
Kira almost smiled.
Almost.
Nikolai noticed immediately.
Interesting recognition flashed across his face before disappearing.
“Well,” he said lightly, “at least one of you looks capable of emotion.”
Adrian gave him a dangerous look.
Nikolai ignored it completely.
“Anyway,” he continued, “Luciano wants you both downstairs. There’s already tension between the Russians and the Morettis.”
“Of course there is,” Adrian muttered.
Kira frowned slightly.
“You’re leaving already?”
Adrian looked at her.
“There’s a meeting.”
“It’s our wedding night.”
Silence followed immediately.
Kira regretted the words instantly.
Because suddenly the atmosphere changed.
Darker.
Heavier.
Adrian’s gaze settled on her slowly.
“You’re worried about our wedding night?”
Heat rushed into her face immediately.
“No. I just—”
“You’d rather I stayed away?”
Kira opened her mouth.
Closed it again.
Because the truth was yes.
Absolutely yes.
But something about the way he watched her made honesty dangerous.
Adrian seemed to understand anyway.
“You don’t need to look terrified every time I stand near you.”
“I’m not terrified.”
“That’s a lie.”
Kira lifted her chin stubbornly.
“You’re not the only dangerous person in this world.”
For the first time—
Adrian genuinely smiled.
Small.
Brief.
But real.
And somehow that was worse than the coldness.
Because suddenly she understood why people followed him.
Why people feared him.
Why women probably destroyed themselves over him.
Charm was far more dangerous than brutality.
“You’re right,” Adrian murmured. “You’re not weak at all.”
Then his expression vanished again.
“Stay inside tonight. Don’t wander.”
Kira frowned.
“Why?”
Adrian glanced toward the ballroom below.
“Because someone here is planning to kill us.”
And then he walked away.
- Writer
