THE MAFIA KING'S BRIDE

CHAPTER THREE

ARYA

“Will you Arya Petrova, take Viktor Soclov to be your lawfully wedded husband?” The priest repeats the question.

I pause for a minute, my mind racing

“You can say no Arya, and run away from here” My mind whispers.

But I remember my family.

My father’s teary eyes and my mother’s pleading look.

I remember our last glory

“This is the only way Arya”

“Please save your family from the brink of extinction”

“Please” I hear my father’s voice in my memory

My mind is in turmoil. On one hand is my freedom, my happiness, my choice.

On the other hand is my family, our name, their happiness.

“Yes, I do” I whisper, greatly wishing that this is a bad dream I could wake up from.

“You may kiss the bride” The priest says

I raise my head up in a flash, my eyes meeting Viktor’s and horror floods my veins.

He is looking at me, scrutinising me, a small smirk playing on his lips. As much as I hate this man, my body reacts to his smile, his gaze.

Whenever my eyes meet his, my body and mind goes into chaos. Both of them fighting for dominance.

I shake my head slightly, my eyes wide, silently pleading with him not to kiss me.

But as usual, he does not listen.

He lowers his head and captures my lips.

I gasp, electric shocks race through my body at the contact. His kiss setting me on fire.

Unknowingly, I snake my hands around his neck as he kisses me. His tongue licking my lips asking for access. I let him in, our tongues intertwining, our lips merging into one.

It felt so holy, yet so impure.

“Err Errm” the Priest coughs, jolting me back to reality.

I pull backwards, breaking our kiss, but his arm around my waist restricts me from really moving.

My head remain bowed as I take in mouthfuls of air, the kiss having emptied my lungs.

I raise my head to look at Viktor in protest, wondering why he won’t release me.

His striking grey eyes meet mine and I’m immediately short of words.

His look is so intense, raw, unbridled in desire, lust and hunger for…me?

“Don’t ever separate from me, until I tell you to” Viktor commands, his eyes locked in mine.

That...is...so...hot

I can’t lie, my maidenhood reacts to his husky voice and command

I’m f****d up

I swallow, eyes still on his and very aware of his hands on my waist and the tingling feeling it excites in me.

After what feels like eternity, he finally releases me.

By then I am no longer dizzy and I’m able to stand on my feet, though I avoid his eyes like a plague.

I’m not about to get tongue tied again.

The whole wedding procession goes on in a blur.

The only clear memories I have are my father’s relieved, grateful face and my mother’s happy smile at her daughter getting married.

“Come with me” I hear Viktor’s voice close to my ear, his hot breath caressing my skin.

I turn to him, noticing his outstretched palm, inviting me to whatever mystery he has planned.

My mind sobers up immediately and my guard goes up.

I must have forgotten who I married: my enemy, my bully and the monster himself.

Following him might be my death sentence.

I purse my lips looking sideways at a random object, refusing to place my hand in his.

He laughs softly, a sound so melodious, it annoys me.

Next thing I feel, my body goes light, my feet leaves the ground, and I’m suspended in air

Viktor is carrying me!

In f*****g Bridal style!

“What are you doing?” I shriek, wiggling in his arms in an attempt to come down.

“Calm down Hun”

“I know you are eager to get laid by your husband on your wedding night” Viktor mocks

I go stiff, processing what his words.

“Eager? My left foot!” I spit, wiggling with more ferocity

This only makes him tighten his hands, until I can no longer wiggle.

“Urrggghhhh” I scream internally

“Good girl”

“I like you when you are tame” Viktor speaks and I glare at him, which only makes him laugh more

I give up wriggling and just stay limp, hoping that my punishment would not be brutal

Gradually I lean into him, sucking in his warmth. An involuntary yawn escapes from my mouth.

These past days have been a lot to handle, especially today, the wedding.

My eyes lids grow heavy in fatigue.

I struggle to keep my eyes open to remain alert of my surroundings.

But this does not last long, as I drift into a sweet, soft sleep

Let me rest a bit before I meet the real devil called my husband

I hope I made my mama proud

....

“Brother?”

“Yes...it’s me” The voice echoes in the dim room “Your lovely brother”

He laughs, slow, hollow...and wrong

Relief floods through my veins. It’s truly my brother.

“What are you doing here?” I rush out

“Quick, untie me before they come”

“We can take them down together”

I struggle against the ropes biting into my skin, pulling and tugging until they hurt.

But after a moment... I notice something

He hasn’t moved

He’s just standing there

Watching me

Like a specimen

My breathing slows. Something about his eyes makes the hair on my neck stand.

“Brother?” I call again, tentatively

He tilts his head slightly, studying me.

“You know,” He says quietly

“I’ve always envied you”

My stomach tightens

“You had everything.” He continues

“The attention. The empire. The respect. The perfect little life” His lips curl

“You even married the woman I loved”

“And what do I get? Nothing” He comes closer

“What are you talking about?” I asked, confused

“We’re twins, we shared everything”

His smile widens, but there is no warmth in it

“Shared?” He repeats, almost amused

Suddenly he explodes

“We are twins!” He roars

“Twins!”

His voice cracks through the room like thunder, making me flinch.

“For God’s sake, I came first!”

“I should have had everything first, not you!!”

I stare at him, stunned.

The man in front of me, is my brothe , but the person behind those eyes is a total stranger.

“That’s not true. Yes, I got the empire but I fought for it with my sweat and blood, while you were out there wasting your life”

“Besides, you aren’t worse off!” I retort

“Mother and Father made sure...”

“Don’t!” He snaps viciously.

Spittle flies from his mouth. His eyes blazing with something wild, something unhinged.

“I don’t want equal” He snarls

“Equal is for the weak! I deserve it all”

Cold fear chills my spine

“Fine” I reply, forcing calm into my voice

“You can have everything. I swear it. Just untie me” I offer

“These ropes are cutting into me hands”

Silence... for a moment.

My heart thumps on my chest, waiting for his response.

Then he laughs

Slow. Sinister. Evil

“Oh little brother” He murmurs, touching my face

“You are not leaving this place”

My blood runs cold

“I planned everything perfectly” He continues, softly

“When I walk out of here... I will be you.” His smile deepens

“And you... will be dead”

Panic grips my chest, I struggle trying to break the rope.

“Brother, you can’t do this” I shout

“I’m your brother!”

He steps closer, bending to my eye level and looks me right in the eye

“As of today, I have no brother” He says

Something glints in his hand, catching my attention

I look properly at it.

A knife!