Page 74 of Where the Wind Whispers

Not for the first time, however, Kaz wished there was someone he could have called for her—someone she had known all her life who would celebrate with her. She never complained, or ever made him feel like he wasn’t enough, but sometimes, he could see the ghost of sadness in her.

“Right, where’s our mother?”

“In the kitchen,” Vera said with a knowing look. “Kaz, when you talk to her, be kind. You can’t forget that he wasn’t always a bastard.”

Sighing, Kaz nodded once before going in search of Irina, speaking to a few of his men as he went along. She was directing servers, pointing at where the presents were meant to be stacked and dishes were made. She looked right back in her element.

Clearing his throat so as not to startle her, Kaz stepped further into the kitchen. “You should be enjoying the party.”

She barely spared him a glance, though only because she was too busy directing. “A mother’s job is never done. Besides, this is a gift for your family. Violet only needs to worry after that darling little girl. This, I can handle.”

His mother had always been good at hosting—probably where Vera got her instincts.

It almost felt like they were back to where they once were.

“We appreciate it.”

“And how are you, Kazimir?” she asked, laying a hand on his cheek as she stared up at him. “You look tired.”

“That’s what a newborn will do to you,” he returned with an absent smile.

Nothing could truly prepare a person for the long nights, though he’d had some practice with the twins. He remembered all too well the way they had cried up until the moment they were fed. That had been a long few months. Though, back then, it had felt like ages.

Anastasya, his beautiful little girl, didn’t give them that kind of trouble. She was a dream come true, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t up at all hours of the night when it was time to feed her.

Though, if he were honest, he didn’t mind it so much.

“You were a pleasant baby, you know,” Irina said with an affectionate smile, as though recalling a fond memory. “Never gave me any trouble until you learned to crawl. I couldn’t keep you in one spot for long.”

Kaz chuckled. “Sounds about right.”

“Such a curious boy, you were. And do you know where I would always find you?”

“Where?”

“Following after Ruslan … and your father.”

Kaz lost his easy smile, not knowing what to say.

Irina too lost her smile, but she also didn’t look as sad as Kaz thought she would. “Things were simpler back then.”

Tucking his hands in his pocket, he glanced back through the entryway at his wife, his daughter, and the family he hadn’t been able to see in so long. “I am sorry.”

“Are you?” she asked, sounding genuinely curious.

“I’m sorry for your loss, not for what I did.”

She swept her thumb over his cheek, turning her eyes away. “I’m sorry that you were the one to do it.”

And that would just have to be good enough.

“It’s time for presents, I think,” Irina said, effectively changing the subject. “Take these into the other room and start.”

Kaz didn’t get a chance to respond before she was waving for one of the servers to pass him the first stack, this one topped with a rather small white box, wrapped in red ribbon. Deciding it was best not to argue, he did as he was told, carrying the lot back out to the party.

He set the towering presents on a nearby table, reaching a hand for Violet as she neared. She passed Anastasya off to Vera who seemed rather smitten with her new niece.

“Thank you all for coming,” Kaz said once Violet was close. “And thank you for all of your gifts. I’m sure Violet will thank you all individually, but consider this my one.”