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

they’d taken and the sanctity of their union. When at last the ceremony ended, Alexei felt a bit saddened. He watched his fami ly party and rejoice but could not go to them. But then, Visnah wrapped his arm around Alexei’s waist, and just like that , Alexei’s melancho ly began to fade. He had a new fami ly now, and so did Eva.
    He waved at his sister. She discreet ly broke away from the guests and made her way toward him. “Are you leaving already?” she asked.
    Alexei chuckled. “There’s no point in staying if I can’t get drunk.” Leaving all jokes aside, he added, “Be happy, Eva. You deserve it.”
    Eva hugged him tight ly . “Thank you for everything. I’ll see you soon, all right?”
    Alexei nodded. Eva and Vadik had decided to stay here and build a quiet life, just like Igor and Elga. It would not be the last time they saw each other.
    After saying good night to his parents, they headed out. The horses took them back to the forest with accustomed speed, and soon they reached the grove. They went through the portal beyond the standing stones and at last reached the spirit world.
    “Home at last,” Ly etah said. His hands went around Alexei’s waist and he nibbled on Alexei’s ear. “Weddings always make me horny,” he whispered.
    Alexei broke away from Ly etah and threw a spark of fire at him. “Don’t be crass. It’s my sister we’re talking about.”
    “Well, your sister is happy with her new husband. Perhaps we should get happy, too?”
    Ly etah wiggled his eyebrows. Secret ly , Alexei wanted what his lover offered. But truth be told, Alexei felt a bit jealous of Eva. He’d have liked a marriage ceremony as well to bind them together.
    “What is it, Alexei?” Ly etah asked, now sounding serious. “You’ve grown silent all of a sudden.”
    Alexei realized they were all giving him concerned looks, and he offered them a smile. “I suppose I wanted something like that for myself.”
    Visnah blinked in confusion while Zimah visib ly tensed. “A wife?” he asked.
    Alexei almost burst into laughter. “No! A wedding.”
    “Oh, miliy moi ,” Ohsyn said. He hugged Alexei and kissed his forehead. “We don’t need a wedding. Don’t you know? We already have our destinies united.”
    Alexei knew that , of course, but in his heart, he sensed the need to mark it somehow. As if guessing his thoughts, Visnah clapped his hands together and said, “Perhaps we should hold one, too, just for us, here.”
    In the blink of an eye, Alexei found himself in the garden, his lovers by his side. Out of nowhere, beautiful adornments materialized, delicate snowflakes somehow managing to coexist with the sunny rays coming from above. Flowers bloomed everywhere, filling the garden with their intoxicating perfume. Heavy fruit hung from the trees, begging to be plucked out and bitten into. It was simp ly perfect, everything his lovers meant and represented molded into one.
    In the center of the garden lay the altar where they all said their prayers to the Goddess. “Come,” Ohsyn said.
    Lost in awe, Alexei knelt in front of the altar with his lovers. Hand in hand, they bowed their heads. Visnah spoke first. “I love these men with all my heart. Please, Goddess, bless our union.”
    Each of his men prayed to the Goddess for the same thing, until at last, Alexei’s turn came. “I do not know what I’ve done to deserve this gift, but I am forever thankful for it. Please, Goddess, bless our union.”
    A cone of white light seemed to engulf them, and Alexei felt the power flow over him. Through it, he actual ly saw in his men’s minds, experienced their emotions, their love for each other and for him. He did n’t know how long they just knelt there, but when at last the light faded, Alexei knew he’d been given the blessing he’d yearned for.
    For a little while, they remained in the garden, thanking the Goddess for their gift. Then they got up, and birds appeared around them, singing a cheerful