Wind whistled through the trees, stirring the leaves and flowers. Loose petals got caught in the current, dancing over the aisle and ground like tiny tornados. I could hear birds singing from their branches and the soft voices of my son and nephew.
Roksana and Evva slipped out of the house first, both dressed in matching formal wear. The silver fabric blew in the breeze as they made their way to us. Evva was holding a basket of petals, which she dropped at random as her mother carried her to her seat.
The perfect flower girl, I thought as the two sat down, both sending Artyom glowing smiles. He had never looked happier.
Danika came next, managing not to careen down the aisle. She took her seat next to Roksana, sending me a toothy grin. With her attention on me, she failed to notice the gaze of Roman, whose eyes were locked on Danika with such intensity I was surprised her skin didn’t burn beneath his laser stare.
Following Danika was my niece. Her dress swirled around like the ocean’s waves, the white-blond of her hair offsetting the blue. When Natasha caught my eye, she sent me a radiant smile, looking just like the little girl she had been all those years ago.
I looked at them all, heart tight behind my ribs. My family, I thought. I had known most of these people for years, building a life and home with them. When I had found fifteen-year-old Roman on the streets, I’d never imagined he would be holding my son on his lap at my wedding. When I had seen Roksana dancing, I hadn’t suspected that she would be one of my closest confidants and the love of my brother’s life.
There were no other people in the world whom I would rather share this moment with.
My family shifted in their seats as her entrance drew closer. Anticipation had everyone fidgeting and whispering, their excitement too much to contain.
Then she stepped into view.
I had already used every word in existence to try and describe Elena. I had looked to folklore and science to try and find answers. But there were no words, no explanations. Elena was and always had been the most beautiful creature I had ever laid eyes on.
She was wearing a long-sleeved white dress, the light fabric swirling around her ankles. The straight mahogany that was her hair fell down her around, acting as a curtain to the pair of emerald green eyes that shone like beacons of light on her face. In between her palms was a bouquet of foxgloves, the purple bell-shaped floers obvious to the eye.
“Hello,” Elena said, almost shyly.
The ability to think had completely abandoned me. All I said was, “You seem to have forgotten your shoes.”
Her cheeks crinkled as she smiled, the mere sight of it almost sending me to my knees.
“I would rather cold feet than having to wear shoes.”
I felt my smile grow up my face. “I know, lyubimaya.”
Elena tilted her head up, looking deep into my eyes. I knew she was seeing something I was blind too–I had never been able to replicate the unique way in which she saw the world around her. All I could do was ask her and hope she gave me an honest answer.
I stretched out my hands, palms facing up. She didn’t need any encouragement, slipping her hands into mine as Roksana subtly took her bouquet. We held onto each other as Artyom began the ceremony.
When it came time for vows, I felt a strange jolt of nervousness. From the furrowing of Elena’s brows, she was feeling the same thing.
“Elena,” I began, voice as soft as the breeze that tickled our cheeks, “beneath my crown and power, I am just a man and today I stand before you as a man speaking to the woman he loves. I come to you with no agenda or inhibitions, and by my own volition.”
Tears began to well in her eyes, anticipating what I had to say.
“Years ago, when I picked up a random journal article on the use of poisons, I never thought I would find my true love in between the sentences. I discovered your soul wrapped up in jargon and statistics and located your heart, your words. All I could think was ‘here is someone who has left a part of themselves in their work and still they are a mystery, still they are an equation with no answer.’
“I couldn’t find you, I couldn’t unravel you…and then I saw you for the first time, my Elena. You’ve always been the most beautiful creature I have ever seen. Your beauty rivals the moon, sun, and earth. But none of that compared to hearing your voice, to learning your thoughts and being privy to your mind. You are my soul, Elena. My world without you would not turn.
“It has been the greatest joy of my life being your partner and loving our son. I can promise you, I swear on my blood and crown, that there will never be a moment where you are without happiness and respect. There will never be a moment where I do not love you with everything I am and everything I will become.”
I could feel wetness on my cheeks but none of it mattered when I stared into Elena’s eyes. She was blinking rapidly, breath coming out sharply.
“Your turn, Elena,” Artyom said kindly.
She gulped down some air, trying to gain control of herself. I wiped away her tears, my heart clenching when she leaned into my palm, craving my touch.
“Kon,” she began, voice softer than I had ever heard it. “I spent days trying to write these vows. I used every word in my arsenal, created metaphors by the thousands. I looked for adjectives to try and describe what you mean to me and search for verbs to explain how well I will take care of you. Dictionaries, thesauruses, everything I could get my hands on. I even asked Roman for help.”
Chuckles rose from the audience.
“But…” Her lips quivered. “I only have one word to offer you, I only have one promise to lay before you. It may not be lyrical and long; it may not be a list of facts detailing everything you mean to me.” She rolled up her sleeve, revealing the skin to me. A single word was scrawled. “Love. The only vow I have for you is love. I loved you yesterday and today I love you more and tomorrow I will continue to love you. Until the air leaves my body, I will be hopelessly and devastatingly in love with you.”
Elena offered her arm to me. I pressed my lips to the ink, breathing deeply.
“Lyubimaya.” The only word I could say.
“My love,” she replied. “My heart, my soul, my Konstantin.”
Sniffles echoed from the audience, tissues passed around by the box.
I held her face between my palms, peering down at her. She looked back up at me. No words, no more declarations. Everything that needed to be said had been said.
Besides, Elena and I had always had an affinity for reading each other’s expressions.
You’re stuck with me, her eyes gleamed.
My cheeks ached with the size of my grin. You’re mistaken, lyubimaya. It is you who it is stuck with me.
Artyom’s voice sounded out, the texture of it cracking with rare emotion. “You may now kiss the bride.”
Elena stretched to her tiptoes, pressing her lips to mine. Her scent of myrrh and cinnamon surrounded me, the gentle touch of her fingers against my neck and chest against mine, swarmed around me like tornado–but I was safe and sound in the eye of the storm.
The kiss was soft and delicate, one appropriate to have in front of the disgusted children and crying adults. Nikolai shouted, “Mama! Dad!” with such horror that we broke away laughing.
“I am beyond honored to announce you as husband and wife.” Artyom’s voice commanded the guests to silence. “Konstantin and Elena…Tarkhanov.”