After the signing ceremony , Mikhail didn't immediately ask me to move into the Romanov estate . Instead , he arranged for a private villa along the Setova River . " I know you'll need time to adjust , " he said . "This place is only a ten - minute drive from the Romanov estate . If you need to be by yourself , stay here . But whenever you'd like company , I'll be close by . " The villa was a remnant of the Vostmarkan Imperial Era , but the interior had been fully modernized . Every detail had been thoughtfully considered . He'd even replicated the essentials from my apartment in Veridon , down to the exact brand of coffee machine He came by every evening after work , sometimes to walk with me through the snow , other times just to talk by the fire . When I mentioned missing Veridon's bagels , he flew in a baker from Belgrave . Even so , the water in Droskav was different . Despite using the same recipe , the taste never quite matched . Regardless , I was deeply touched by the gesture . He left on a three - day business trip three months later . When he came back , carrying a thermal container , he looked distinctly wom and travel - weary . " Emma " He had long since dropped formalities . That was simply how he called me now . "I brought something back from Veridon - bagels from Baxter & Holt , and smoked salmon from Zabar's " He hardly stopped to remove his coat , still carrying the snow from the tarmac . Eager for me to try it , he quickly opened the container . "I used a special preservation method . Try it ' I didn't know why , but something inside me began to stir I took a bite , and the familiar flavor brought a stinging warmth to my eyes . " You flew to Veridon just to bring me breakfast ? " Mikhail looked sheepish . " There was some business to take care of. But mostly you said you missed the taste of home . " I looked up at him . " Then let me grant you a wish . Tell me what do you want most ? " The setting sun filtered through the stained - glass windows , bathing him in gold . He looked like a figure from a cathedral mural . Stepping closer , he pulled a small box from his pocket . " My wish is for you to be safe , healthy , and happy for the rest of your life " Tucked inside the box was an old silver cross , a relic from the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Solmira . It was reputed to protect its wearer . I noticed a slight weariness in his gait and asked , " Don't tell me you went all the way to Solmira ? " He looked a little embarrassed . " It was on the way , anyway . I heard the relics there were powerful . I wanted something to keep you safe " * Mikhail , you know there's nothing remotely ' on the way ' about going from Droskav to Veridon and then to Solmira "