Ivan yearned to fight his son in such a battle, but there were too many dangers.
Volkov men became erratic and lost themselves in battle when facing a strong or admired opponent. Nikolai would become fixated on defeating him, and with each improvement in his son, would drive Ivan further and further, trying to spur it on more and more.
He once told Elizabeth of this desire, to maim, beat and maul each other until only Nikolai stood above him.
'Well, I am quite the old fool these days...'
Watching his son struggle brought a complex mixture of emotions, worry, anxiety, delight and anticipation.
Ivan was so tightly wrung that he punched the stone wall the moment Nikolai struck back, howling into the moon like a fool.
The true ritual of the Volkov family when passing the mantle on to their son.
He'd fought Viktor.
Viktor had fought his father.
But Nikolai was different—Nikolai was his son!
