Maria
"Trust," I say softly, looking up at Mikhail. "Real trust. We could exist without fear of being used against one another if we had it. "
"Trust is difficult."
I take a deep breath. "We're in this together, Mikhail. And trust revolves around us, even if you don't believe in it."
He slips the ring out of my grasp and gently places it on my finger above my engagement ring.
I inhale sharply as if the metal has melded into my skin. "Isn't this bad luck?"
Mikhail chuckles, and I'm glad he's laughing. "We still have to know if it fits."
"What if it doesn't happen?"
His tone changes into something I've never heard before. "I know you want to believe that you know the truth, but your father kept many things from you. None of this is your fault."
"We can stop it now." I place my hand
