Crown of Hate (Soulless Empire)

Epilogue

EPILOGUE

MIKHAIL

Eight months later…

“He has your eyes.” Alya’s voice is soft, filled with wonder. Her big, light brown eyes, pools of warmth and love, meet mine over the bundle in her arms. “Want to hold him?”

I’m rooted to the spot, a foot away from the bed, staring at them both like a freaking idiot.

Our son came screaming into the world thirty minutes ago. I’d been with Alya, clutching her hand while she fought through pain I can’t even imagine, all to bring our child into this world.

I’ve killed men without blinking, bathed in blood without flinching. But seeing her in so much pain had ripped something deep inside me. Her strength, her resilience was —is —unmatched.

And now? I can’t bring myself to move closer to her or hold our baby. They’re both so perfect together, so pure and beautiful that I feel my tainted soul shouldn’t be anywhere near them.

“Mikhail.” She calls my name and nods towards our son. “He’s waiting for his papa to hold him.”

My legs are wobbly as I walk to the bed and sit at the edge. “He’s… he’s beautiful.”

Alya smiles. “He is.” She places our child in my arms, and I’m struck by how impossibly soft and light he is. She’s entrusting me with this fragile, precious life, and I’m terrified I’ll drop him… or break him. “He’s your son. Our son.”

“I don’t deserve to be his father.” The words tumble out. I love my son with every fiber of my being. I’d move mountains to keep him safe, but the fear of failing him is overwhelming. “What if I’m not a good father?”

Alya places her hand on mine, warm and reassuring. “I’m not a perfect mother either, but we’ll love and protect him with everything we’ve got. That’s why we’re his parents—not because we’re perfect, but because we’ll love him fiercely, flaws and all.”

Our son opens his blue eyes, the same shade as mine, and flashes a gummy smile at me. Even though there are only wisps of hair on his head, I can tell it’s auburn. Same as his mother.

I smile back at him. “Hello, Maksim.”

Alya’s brows shoot up. “Maksim?”

“It means ‘the greatest,’” I explain, not taking my eyes off our son for even a second. “We’ll raise him with great love. So, Maksim.”

“Maksim,” she echoes. “I love it.”

I finally look up at my wife. She’s radiant, glowing with the joy of new motherhood. “Thank you for making me a father, Alya.”

“Thank you for making me a mother, Mikhail.” She scoots closer and rests against me. “And thank you, Maksim, for being our son. I promise to love and cherish you, always.”

My heart lashes against my chest. It might even explode from the happiness surging through me. I’m filled with a warmth and joy I’ve never known, and to my shock, I feel my eyes start to burn.

“Are you crying?” Alya asks. Her eyes are narrowed on me, and her eyes are sparkling.

“No, I’m not.” I try to deny it, but a traitorous tear spills down my face. “Okay, maybe I am.”

She laughs, and it’s the sweetest sound I’ve ever heard. I want it to bottle this moment—me being an emotional mess, and her laughing at the absurdity of it all.

“Can you believe it, Maksim? Your dad has never shed a tear in his life, but here he is, crying because he’s so happy to meet you.”

I sniffle, not even bothering to hide it anymore. “Your mommy is right, Maksim. Daddy is happy. We’ve been through a lot to get you here. But it’s all been worth it. When you’re older, I’ll tell you everything.”

“Will you tell him how we met?” she asks.

“Especially that. He’ll think I’m completely unhinged, but that’s fine.” I gently poke Maksim’s nose, and he sticks out his tiny tongue in response. “I think he’s hungry.”

Right on cue, a nurse walks in to check on us. She takes little Maks and places him in Alya’s arms, helping to position him properly for feeding.

I watch them in awe, soaking in every detail of this moment. Alya looks so natural as a mother. The way she’s gentle and delicate with our son fills me with warmth. It’s a sight I know I’ll never get tired of, and I suddenly realize it’s the first time I’ve ever felt true satisfaction.

I’m at peace. Finally.

But that doesn’t mean I wouldn’t burn the world to ashes to keep them safe.

Anything to keep them warm. To make sure this happiness lasts as long as it should.

Forever.