385- Overflowing
POV Seraphine Valerian:
His praise encouraged me even more. When it was time for the light portable weapons with explosives, Viktor sat on a fallen log in the middle of a clearing and shot, telling me to stay behind a wide tree. I screamed when he blew up the old trunk.
"Even the strongest wolf wouldn't survive that, much less if they were close. You can destroy several at once."
"You wouldn't survive an explosion like that either?" I approached him, my ears hurting.
"No. No chance."
When we returned to the village, I listened to his explanations and rejoiced at the promise that he would ask Florian to help me with future lessons. Daciana's husband was the former head of the guard, knew everything about weaponry. He only retired due to age, passing the position to his son Cezar.
"Aren't you coming in? It's already getting dark." We stopped in front of the castle gate.
"No, I need to see how things are going. I'll try to make it back for dinner with you."
"I'll wait."
I went into his arms, loving it when he kissed me that warm, passionate way, shaking all my foundations. I wanted to strip all the pain, fears, and anger from his gaze, but that wouldn't happen until we had news about Adelina or got her back in the village.
After Viktor walked away, I found Daciana coming out. She hugged me when she saw my discouraged expression.
"Oh, girl, don't be like that! Did something get worse?"
I had grown so attached to her that I felt as if she were a mother. She took care of me as she had done with Adelina. Together, we believed everything would be alright.
I squeezed her, then faced her, shaking my head.
"No."
"Then why the long face?"
"I don't like seeing Viktor sad and nervous."
"Me neither." She sighed. "He's trying everything he can. I believe he will succeed. He's very strong and determined, intelligent."
I nodded, and she smiled.
"There's something inside that will cheer you up."
"What is it?"
"It arrived just now, and I put it in your room."
"But..."
"Gifts from Viktor for you. He ordered them over a week ago; today the two things were ready."
My eyes widened, my heart racing.
"Two things? For me?"
"Go see them right away! You can show me tomorrow. I have to run and prepare food for those hungry mutts at my house!"
I laughed, said goodbye, and ran to the suite. Two packages were on the bed. The larger one wrapped in brown paper with ribbon. The second, a beautiful, matte box.
I bit my lip, curious. I knew I would love anything, because it was he who gave it to me. That alone made it all worthwhile!
I opened the larger one, marveling as I pulled out a long, red dress from inside. A Romani-style blouse with bare shoulders, white, and a colorful, flared skirt. I couldn't believe it.
They were incredibly beautiful, and I held them up to my body, not knowing how he had managed that. Daciana mentioned an order. He asked Ruby to make clothes for me?
I twirled around the room with them, imagining myself with flowers in my hair at the next full moon gathering. I got so emotional that tears flooded my eyes.
I had destroyed his expensive, customized clothes, and yet Viktor thought of me. In the middle of the war, the worry, everything. How could I not marvel at that?
I carefully placed the open pieces on the bed and sat down with the smaller box on my lap. I untied the ribbon and removed the lid. Shocked, I barely breathed as my eyes were dazzled by the sparkles contained in beautiful transparent packaging.
"My God..."
There was a set of necklace, earrings, and bracelet made of white gold with diamonds. The beautiful stones gleaming light from all sides as I picked them up delicately. I had only seen them in images, never in person. But I knew they were real, from his mines.
There were also bracelets of different colors, incredibly well-crafted precious stones, dangling earrings in what looked like amethyst, gold, diamonds. I didn't know how to name them, but they were so spectacular that they left my mouth open. Marveled.
I spread them on the bed and looked at my gifts, biting my lip to keep from crying. He never ceased to surprise me.
I forgot everything else, the problems and fears, the outside threats, the differences. I felt like the happiest person in the world. I knew, for certain, that I loved him so much, so very much, that if I died at that moment, I would go in peace. Having lived something grand, as I never thought possible.
I ran to the bathroom, very shaken, all emotions bubbling. I showered, prepared myself to be sweet-smelling and ready for him, with my hair loose and washed.
I put on the red dress, which fit me perfectly. The diamond set completed the look. I took a white flower from the vase and tucked it behind my ear. In the mirror, the image of a red-haired, bright-eyed Romani woman stared back at me.
I had never admired myself so much! I liked what I saw, half German, half Romani, now living in a wolf clan. Completely crazy in love with the pack's alpha. In my place, in my special moment.
Nothing was as I had expected. The peaceful life in my father's clan. Maybe marrying a Romani, living quietly in the village, making and selling my jewelry, having my own family. That seemed silly and empty now.
Viktor pulled the ground from under me, shook everything. He tore me from the life I knew, threw me into that whirlwind, made me feel fear, and saved me. I was in the middle of a war, I was of a different species, I had no idea what the future held. And I wouldn't trade any of it.
I went to bed, thinking about everything, praying that Adelina would return home, that those battles would end. Because then I would see him happy too, complete. That was what I wanted most.
Hours passed. I wanted to leave, run to the office, show him how I looked. But I knew he needed to solve his problems, he was nervous, he hadn't received any notes from Katarina that day. At least not up until the moment we said goodbye. I hoped it had happened and that the news was good.
So I just stayed there, waiting for him. Overflowing with everything he caused in me.