Epilogue - Irina

Everything feels different now.

I stand outside, leaning on the balcony railing. The air feels lighter, as if the weight of everything I've been through is starting to lift. It's strange to feel this sense of peace after all the chaos.

I hear footsteps behind me, and then Alexei's arm wraps around me as he hugs me from behind. His arms circle my waist, and I relax into him. Neither of us says anything.

"How's Ivan?" Alexei asks right next to my ear.

"The doctor says he's recovering fast." I turn my head slightly so I can see his face. "When I spoke to him a few minutes ago, he was starting to remember things. It's slow, but he's coming back."

Alexei's arms tighten around me just a little, and I can hear the relief in his sigh. "That's good," he murmurs. "That's real good."

We fall into silence again, the soft rustling of the wind filling the space between us. It feels strange to talk about recovery and normalcy after everything we've been through. But for the first time, it feels like we might actually be heading toward something that resembles peace.

After a few moments, I ask, "How's Katya?"

Alexei chuckles. "Oh, she's practically glued to Dmitri. She won't leave his side, and he's not complaining either. They're catching up on all those lost years, I guess."

I smile; the thought of Katya and Dmitri reconnecting after so much time warms something inside me.

"I'm happy for them," I say more to myself than to Alexei. "It feels like things are settling down, finally. Like everyone's getting what they need."

Alexei hums in agreement. "Yeah," he says quietly. "It's strange, though, isn't it? After everything that's happened?"

I nod. "Strange, but good."

We stay like that for a while, just standing there, neither of us feeling the need to fill the silence.

"How about the Broker?"

"It's too risky now, so Dmitri is calling in some contacts. We'll move when it's time . . .. So, what's your plan now?"

I turn around in his arms to face him, raising an eyebrow. "What's your plan?"

He grins. "I asked you first."

I roll my eyes playfully. "Typical," I mutter, shaking my head. "You're avoiding the question like always."

"I'm not avoiding anything," he protests, his grin widening. "I just like hearing your plans before I make mine. Gives me a chance to adjust accordingly."

"Adjust accordingly?" I cross my arms over my chest, mock glaring at him. "Is that what you're doing now?"

"Absolutely." He steps closer and drops his tone to a teasing whisper. "I'm just following your lead."

I laugh, but it's soft, and I can't help but smile at him. "Fine. I don't have a plan," I admit. "I've been living day-to-day for so long that I don't even know what a plan looks like anymore."

Alexei's eyes soften at my words, and he steps even closer, sliding his hands around my waist. "You're not the only one," he says quietly. "But maybe it's time we start thinking about it."

I tilt my head, looking up at him. "Is that your way of saying you have a plan?"

He shrugs, the grin returning. "I'm not saying anything yet."

"Yet?"

"I'm just waiting for you to make your move first."

I laugh again, the sound coming easier this time. "You're impossible."

"And you're stuck with me now," he teases, leaning down so his forehead brushes against mine. "So you better start getting used to it."

We stay on the balcony for a long time. The stars start to peek through the sky, and Alexei points out a few of them, naming constellations in a half-serious, half-playful way of his.

"I'm pretty sure that's not what it's called." I laugh as he insists the constellation he's pointing at is ‘Alexei Major.'

"Well, it is now," he declares, crossing his arms in mock defiance.

"You can't just rename constellations."

"Says who?" He grins at me. "I'm a trendsetter, Irina. You'll see. In a few years, everyone will be calling it that."

I shake my head, unable to hide my smile. "You're ridiculous."

He leans in and kisses me again. I melt into it, letting the warmth of him chase away any lingering doubts or fears. It's easy with him—so much easier than I ever thought it would be.

We pull apart after a while, both of us standing there, watching the stars. The world feels bigger out here, and yet, at the same time, it feels smaller. Like we've carved out this little piece of it for ourselves.

"What do you think happens next?" I ask quietly, my eyes still on the stars.

Alexei shrugs beside me. "Who knows? But whatever it is, I'm not going anywhere."

I glance over at him, my heart swelling with something I haven't felt in a long time: hope.

"Good," I say softly. "I don't want you to."

"I love you," he whispers, and it's like a breath against my skin. "I've been wanting to say it for a while now, but I wanted to wait until the dust settled."

His chest rises and falls a little faster, and for once, he looks less like the confident man I've known and more like someone who's laying his heart in my hands.

My heart skips a beat, and I close my eyes.

I open my mouth, and the words come easily, falling from my lips without hesitation.

"I love you, too," I reply because I do. More than I ever thought possible.

Later, after the stars have fully claimed the sky, we make our way back inside.

When we eventually find our way back to my room. Alexei leans against the doorframe, watching me.

"Think you'll be able to sleep tonight?" he asks, his tone teasing.

I shrug, smiling at him. "Maybe. Depends."

"Depends on what?"

"On whether or not you plan to leave me alone."

He laughs, shaking his head. "Not a chance."