From the corner of my eyes, I saw the guys hugging Alessio. There were a few punches and then laughter.
Alessio came back to my side. We stood together watching everyone celebrating our love. I even saw Isaak and Lyov standing in a corner watching us from afar. I waved, and they smiled back.
When calm finally settled around us, I saw Viktor, Phoenix, and Nikolay walking toward me.
They stopped just a few feet away, facing me as they stood in a line. Behind them, I saw several of Alessio’s men crowding closer.
I hadn’t noticed Nina before. She was standing far away, hidden in the shadows. But now she walked forward.
She came to stand beside Nikolay, taking the front with Alessio’s most trusted men.
The atmosphere suddenly shifted, the air feeling somewhat deadly and cold. The look of determination on their faces confused me.
A shiver ran down my spine when I saw them take out a small knife. Each held one in their hands.
I looked up at Alessio, but he only looked proud. His eyes held mine for a moment before he leaned down for a kiss.
“You are their Queen,” he whispered in my ear before pulling away.
“What’s going on?” I asked curiously.
The four of them took a step forward without a word.
I licked my lips nervously, waiting. My heart hammered in my chest when they took their next step.
And then they knelt down on one knee.
The men behind followed suit, bowing the heads. In respect.
“Oh no! What are you doing? Please stand up,” I quickly said. I looked at Alessio for help, but he shook his head.
“Let them do this, Ayla. It’s a ritual they all hold very close,” he explained, nodding toward the kneeling men.
Even Nina was kneeling down, her head bowed in respect.
I saw Maddie smiling. Lena had tears in her eyes.
Viktor held the dagger to his right palm. I could see it wasn’t a normal dagger. There were red crystals around the handle. An emblem was on the blade.
His head came up, his darkened eyes meeting mine.
And then he spoke.
His voice was deep and strong as he recited what seemed like a vow. But my eyebrows furrowed at the different language.
He was speaking Russian.
I saw him press the blade into his palm. My eyes followed the trace of blood, my heart hammering faster and harder in my chest.
I felt Alessio at my back. He wrapped his arms around me. His warm breath tickled my ear as he translated Viktor’s words.
“I vow to protect you. As your warrior, my life is yours. I bleed for you. Your life before mine. In every sense, you are my Queen. With this blood, I make this vow.”
When Viktor was done, Phoenix made a similar cut in his palm as he recited the same words.
Nikolay took his turn. And then Nina.
I stood speechless and completely immobile as they made their vows to me.
When they were done, the men behind them made their blood oath together. Their voices were loud and rang clear through the house.
As silence fell upon us again, Viktor, Phoenix, Nikolay and Nina placed their daggers at my feet and bowed their head again.
“They are waiting for you to speak,” Alessio muttered, giving the small push I needed.
What could I say? Never in my dreams did I ever think that a scene like this would have been possible.
To have such strong men kneeling for me, vowing as if their lives didn’t matter.
I was shocked and rendered completely speechless. But they patiently waited for me to speak.
No, they waited for my command.
When I finally found my voice, I held onto Alessio’s hand tightly. With his unwavering support and strength, I spoke.
“Please, stand up. All of you,” I said softly.
My eyes blurred when they all stood up.
“I don’t need this,” I said. “I don’t need your lives. I don’t want you to bleed for me. That’s not how it works. We are a family. Just because I am Alessio’s wife, it doesn’t mean that you are less than me.”
Alessio’s arm tightened around my hips. “It’s our tradition, Ayla. It’s a ritual that has been taken seriously for centuries. For every Queen that has been brought into this family, our men vow their lives for hers. It was like this for my mother. Now it’s your turn. One day, it will be our son’s wife. Or our daughter.”
Viktor came to stand in front of me. “This is a tradition we all hold very dearly, Ayla. Grant us this wish. Let us serve you the way you deserve.”
“The love that all of you give me is enough. I don’t need warriors; I just need friends. A family,” I replied tearfully. “I never had a family. But this family is all I need. Nothing else. Nothing more.”
Viktor smiled. I saw him looking at Alessio, as if asking his permission.