Thirty minutes later, Viktor's steward pulled up in front of the tiny chapel in the village Viktor had pointed out on one of their many walks. He explained that it sat on the very land where the center of his village had been all those years ago. Unsure what was happening, she asked Carlyle, "Are you sure we're in the right place?"
"Quite sure, madam," he answered before opening his door and coming around to escort her from the car.
"Okay, if you say so." Kat chuckled as she took Carlyle's hand and let him lead her into the church.
Gasping, Kat took in the splendor before her. It was the most magnificent sight in the world. White lilies of every size and variety atop huge white satin bows decorated the end of every pew. There were crystal vases filled to overflowing with the same fragrant blossoms on all the available surfaces, along with four humongous white ceramic urns full of colossal red roses in full bloom sitting like attendants along the prayer railing. And among it all stood her King.
Viktor looked like a Gentleman's Quarterly cover come to life. The dark grey of his suit perfectly coordinated with her gown and emphasized the grey at his temples, while his white dress shirt, opened at the collar, gave just a hint of the perfect body beneath. But he could have been wearing cutoffs and a Grateful Dead T-shirt for all Kat cared. Viktor Katsaros was her mate, her King, and the man she would spend eternity loving, and there was nothing more beautiful than that.
Roman appeared at her side and asked, "May I escort the bride down the aisle?"
Unable to speak, Kat nodded and placed her hand on his arm. Nik came up behind her and reaching over her shoulder, placed a bouquet of white lilies and red roses in her free hand. Looking up, she saw Bain and Sal walk in from a side door. Bain stood next to Viktor and Sal walked to the other side of the aisle.
Leaning towards her, Roman joked, "Sal's your bridesmaid. Isn't he cute?"
Chuckling despite her awe, Kat only had eyes for Viktor. Music filled the chapel just as Roman walked her toward her mate. It seemed to take forever for her to reach him, but when she did and he took her hands, it was like the first time they'd met all over again.
The electricity of their union flared to life between them. Their hearts beat as one. And as Viktor slid a flawless princess cut diamond that outshined the stars on her ring finger, the couple once again pledged their undying love and devotion to one another. Kat couldn't stop the tears as Viktor said, "Now we are married in law and before the God of Heaven as well as the Gods of the Pantheon and Destiny herself. There is nothing that can ever tear us apart."
As he carried her from the chapel and into the waiting limo, Kat kissed Viktor's neck and whispered, "Te amo, sum rex ab eo, aeternus et umquam," directly into his mind.
Chapter Ten
Viktor found surprising his custos animae was quickly becoming his favorite pastime. The way she'd looked when the doors to the chapel had opened and she'd seen the decorations for their wedding ceremony was something he would carry with him always. As they arrived at the private airfield to take a helicopter to Cape Sounion for their official honeymoon at the Temple of Poseidon, she continued to beg and plead for him to tell her where they were going.
"If I tell you, it won't be a surprise," he teased, kissing her the tip of her nose as she pretended to pout.
Having Katarina in his life was more than Viktor could've ever hoped for. She was his world and he intended to spend every day reminding her of just that fact. He'd planned their trip to Sounion right after their first meeting. From the moment he'd seen her standing in front of his mural of that blessed landmark, he'd known one day they would go there together.
In the helicopter, Katarina had been his tour guide. Viktor laughed as she quoted the tourist guidebook Bain had given her as a joke. One day they would take this trip again and Viktor would give her the real history of the land below.
Arriving at their secluded cabana, Viktor could hardly wait to be alone with his mate. It pleased him to no end that she identified Cape Sounion and immediately associated it with his painting. He had one more surprise for his mate and it took all his control not to put off its unveiling in exchange for ripping the gown from her beautiful body.
"I believe if you look on the patio, you will find another wedding present, mea amica."
"Viktor, you have to stop. I haven't been able to get you even one gift and you've already given me so much."
Kissing her soundly before escorting her to the patio, Viktor's only reply was, "I will never stop. Now, open your present."
Ripping the package open like a child at Christmas, Katarina took the lid off the oversized box and squealed as she lifted the portrait he'd painted of her sleeping the first day after her transformation. The keeper of his heart had been shocked to find that Viktor was an accomplished painter and sculptor. He looked forward to the day he showed her his woodworking skills and the many pieces he'd carved that decorated his chalet in the Alps.
Carefully setting the canvas on a nearby chair, Katarina ran into his arms, looked into his eyes, and sighed, "I simply adore you, Viktor Katsaros, with everything that I am. You make me a better person just for loving you."
As she laid her lips to his, Viktor fought to contain the emotion this one woman brought out in him. She was the hope, the wonder, the perfectly quiet surrender of pure love, and he was blessed to live by her side. Deepening the kiss, Viktor was once again in awe as Katarina instantly opened to him.
He kissed her neck, nibbled her ear, and smiled against her skin as she sighed. Hearing her thoughts, sharing her feelings Viktor knew that it shocked Katarina how he could make her body burn with the simplest of touches. Her thoughts fed his desires. The kiss that started as slow and gentle quickly turned passionate and possessive.
Katarina's legs automatically went around his waist as he lifted her body to his and leaned her back against the cabana wall. He grew harder as she rubbed her silk covered pussy against his linen covered erection.
Viktor gasped and pulled his lips from her throat as she slid her hand under the waistband of his pants and fisted his throbbing cock. Unable to breathe, he threw back his head when she ran her thumb through the drop of moisture that had already gathered on the tip and groaned, "Katarina... cor meum".
She continued to massage him and grind her hips against the combination of her hand and his hard cock until Viktor thought he would die from pleasure. Quickly losing control, he thrust against her. Their pace was immediately frantic. Needing to feel her skin against his, the proof of her arousal on his fingers, Viktor balanced Katarina with his arm, cradling the soft globes of her ass to keep her from falling. He tore Katarina's sundress over her head and ripped the silk from her hot, wet pussy. Thrusting two fingers into her weeping flesh, Viktor rejoiced in the reaction his custos animae had to his touch.
He didn't even attempt to stop the smile that crossed his lips as Katarina yelled, "Oh my God, Viktor, more...please...more..."
He pushed his thumb against her aroused nub, rubbing circles at the same time he curled his fingers buried deep inside her to torment the bundle of nerves at the top of her channel. Her eyes flew open. Katarina speared him with a look so passionate, so possessive, and so raw, Viktor was lost forever, adrift on their love. His mate reached between their bodies, ripped open his pants and fisted him from root to tip, grabbing the moisture from the tip for lubrication, working him faster and faster.
Needing to be buried deep inside his mate, Viktor pulled his fingers from her pussy, ignored her moans of loss, and let her legs slide down his body. His pants followed. He stepped back, reluctantly forcing his mate to release his throbbing cock. Viktor barely saw the pout of her perfect lips as he spun Katarina around and whispered into her ear while holding her earlobe between his teeth, "Lean forward, amica mea. Hold the railing."
It pleased Viktor that she did as he asked without a second thought. His mate trusted him to do what was right for her and protect her at all costs. Taking a moment to look at his mate as she stood before him hot, wet, and naked under the stars, Viktor said the first words that came to his mind. "You are the most spectacular woman I have laid my eyes upon in three thousand years."