"This isn't what you should be doing," Nikolai said, but still brought his hand to gently caress my arm. "You should be trying to stay away from me because your mum was right. Not only am I this despicable a person, I intended to ruin you just so I could get back at your mother. Just for revenge, even though I knew you were innocent."
I sighed and simply hugged him tighter, my face burying in his back.
"Iris," he said, turning slightly to me.
"I love you, Nikolai. I have loved you for so long. My mum was right. You did touch me that day, just not my body. Telling me tales of your perseverance will not make what I feel for you change."
He held onto my hand, and I could hear his soft chuckle. "Is that what you see it as? Tales of perseverance?"
I nodded, letting my fingers run on his t
