Hyacinth, Scarlet - Fire of the Four Seasons (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour ManLove) by Scarlet Hyacinth

to her rescuer. “Does it change anything?” she asked sad ly .
    Vadik took her hands and kissed them. “No! Of course not. I’ll get used to it. It’s just a lot to take in.”
    Alexei did n’t blame the man. Now, he did n’t know whether to finish the tale and reveal his relationship with his men. He was n’t ashamed of it, but Vadik might not understand.
    Eva must have sense his distress and gave him a sidelong glance. “What is it, Alexei? There’s something else, isn’t there? Who are they real ly ?”
    Now that she’d asked, Alexei had no choice but to tell her. Pointing at each of his men, he introduced them. “This is Visnah, Ly etah, Ohsyn, and Zimah. They are my lovers.”
    Vadik looked like he was about to faint, and Eva looked from him to his men, as if ana ly zing them. “Are you serious, Alexei? Men? And four of them?”
    Alexei nodded, to which Eva said, “Wow. How does that work? Never mind, don’t tell me. I don’t want to know.” She smiled at him. “As long as you’re happy and safe, I can accept it.”
    “You don’t look all that surprised,” Alexei answered, confused.
    “Well, I’m certainly surprised about the number, but I already suspected you liked other men. And I’m guessing you’re the ones who gave Alexei the violets, berries, and apples.”
    “Indeed, we are,” Zimah answered. “I trust you won’t make such unreasonable requests in the future.”
    Eva’s expression turned shamed, and Visnah gave Zimah a chastising look. “Let’s not think about that now,” he said. “Today is a day of celebration. Let your parents know as they’ve been very worried about you.”
    “There’s nothing quite like being young and in love,” Ly etah continued. “Enjoy it!”
    “And don’t worry, we’ll take care of Alexei,” Ohsyn finished.
    “Thank you,” Eva said. “I… I promise I’ll be a better person from now on. Thank you.”
    Alexei hugged his sister silent ly telling her he did n’t keep any grudges for the past. How could he? She was his twin, and he loved her. He looked at Vadik and gave the man his best threatening look. “You be good to her.”
    He must’ve put a bit of fire in his eyes as Vadik looked taken aback. Thankful ly , the man recovered and nodded. “I will.”
    They said their good-byes, and Alexei watched Vadik lead Eva away toward the main road. “ That went well,” Visnah said.
    Tremendous relief swamped Alexei at his lover’s words. All through these years, he’d felt guilty over living his amazing love story, while Eva remained trapped under thick ice. But no longer. Now, they could both be happy, with their true loves, a fairy tale come true for both of them.
    “It did , indeed,” he answered. “Let’s go home.”

Epilogue

    “I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride.”
    Upon the priest’s words, Eva and Vadik kissed, sealing their union. Pride and happiness swelled inside Alexei at the sight. She looked so beautiful in her traditional wedding garb, and Vadik clear ly worshipped the ground she walked on. They might not be royalty, but they certain ly looked more beautiful than any prince and princess in the world. Now, the two had bonded their destinies until death do them apart.
    His parents had prepared quite a lavish feast afterwards, and many of those who’d attempted to rescue Eva had come. Alexei’s lovers helped, providing a lot of the fruit and vegetables needed. It was quite a shock for everyone who’d ever spoken ill of them, but Igor and Elga explained that with their daughter’s freedom came the blessing of the Goddess. Alexei couldn’t have put it better himself.
    He did wish he could have joined in on the rest of celebration, but in the end, it did n’t matter, not when Eva threw a gaze in his direction and smiled. On ly she, Vadik, and their parents could see him and his lovers standing there right next to the priest. It was enough.
    The priest spoke some more of the importance of the step