We are halfway through the meal when the stairs creak. One of the cooks comes in and sees us. She stum- bles in surprise.
“We were just leaving,” Dmitri says. “Speak of this, and you will lose your position. Clear?”
The cook nods frightened.
Dmitri takes his plate, and I follow. We hurry past the cook and up the stairs. When we reach the Royal courters, Dmitri laughs. “Did you see her face? She looked stunned.”
As we walk to my room, I finish the last few bites of pastry.
“You should hurry to get ready for breakfast,” Dmitri says.
I start to go in, but he says, “Maybe we could do this again?”
“If you keep it from your brother. Thank you for tak- ing me to the kitchens. You have no idea how it feels to be around the Royals but know you are not one of them.”
“You will be a princess and later Empress. I think that makes you one of us,” he says.
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I hear voices coming from further down the hall. “You should go before they come around the corner.”
“They’re just servants.”
“And they love to gossip,” I say, pushing him down the hall. “Go!”
He strolls the opposite direction of the voices, and I can tell that one of the voices is Georgianna.
I shut the door and rip off my dress, balling it beneath my bed. I grab my nightdress and pull it over my head. After one quick glance in the mirror to ensure no more dough sticks to me, I jump in bed. I barely manage to get into bed and pull the covers around me before the door opens.
“Time to rise, my lady,” Georgianna says, shutting the door.
Heart hammering in my chest, I roll over in bed acting like I’ve been sound asleep. I sigh, sleepiness catching up with me.
“Ivan has requested that you join him for lunch today,” she says.
“Will anyone else be there?” “No, you’ll be on your own.”
I roll over and groan. After being with Dmitri, I hate to imagine an entire meal with Ivan. “I’d rather dine with a statue. At least the statue would be interesting to look at.”
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Georgianna clucks her tongue. “Watch your words. The Mersiovskys are kind, but not unaware of your feel- ings. You can be punished for insolence.”
“What about Angelica? I can’t leave her alone.”
“Miss Angelica went to the shops for a new hat. I think she can care for herself.”
Angelica likely went into the city to buy a new weapon, not a hat. Although, she did eye an advertisement for a new dress and hat shop the other day.
“Up now!” Georgianna pulls me out of bed and dresses me.
“Why did you choose the silk gown for breakfast? Isn’t this one reserved for dinners?” I ask a few minutes later. Georgianna dresses me in one of the finest gowns.
“You are meeting with your future husband. I thought I’d make you look special. And-” she bustles over to the dresser. She picks up a white box trimmed in silver. “The Empress sent your crown up today.”
I gasp. “Crown?”
“You’re Princess Natalia Alkaev now.” She lifts off the lid and pulls out a glittering crown. It’s silver and dia- mond studded. Seven sapphires adorn it, and a many- pointed circle is the focus of the crown. It reminds me of a sun motif.
“It’s beautiful,” I say breathless.
“It was the Empress’s when she was a princess. It’s my favorite of all the Royal jewels.”
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Georgianna fastens the crown, twisting my hair around the back and pinning it in place. Afterwards, she soon sends me on my way.
{ 20 }
Chapter 20
VAN SITS AT THE FAR END OF THE TABLE. He keeps
his eyes on a paper in his hands as servants bring in food and set it before us. After he dismisses the serv-
ants, he glances up at me.
“I hear you went to the kitchen last night.”
The bite I was about to take hangs midair. I set the fork down and meet his gaze after schooling my features. “Where did you hear that?”
“A friend.”
“Why do you find it strange I would go to a kitchen?
Are you not aware that I enjoy cooking?”
“You should act like a princess and future Empress.” He continues to watch me, but his eyes soften. “I asked you not to see Dmitri, but you defied the one thing I asked you not to do.”
I blush, angered he knows Dmitri was with me. I should hold my tongue, but as usually happens when I get
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angry, I say what I shouldn’t. “If you’re worried I care for your brother more than you, you’re right. And if you want to kill me for that comment, do for I will at least die for telling the truth and not a lie.”
His eyes narrow. “I am impressed you didn’t lie, but you still disobeyed.”
“So?” I dare.
“You likely expect me to come up with retribution?” “I wouldn’t be surprised.”
He sighs. “I didn’t tell you to stay away from him out of jealousy. Did you think the Emperor would allow you to go after his son?”
“He let me be engaged to you.”
“I’m not his son. Not by blood. Sergio took care of the issue, and I tried to change his decision, but once he de- cides something, he listens to no one. Even the Empress couldn’t stop him.”
I swallow frightened. “What did the Emperor decide?” “Orion was sent to the base in the Bioak Desert. He’s on a mission there indefinitely, and he won’t be back be-
fore the wedding.”
My jaw falls. “You planned this!”
He grabs my wrist as I try to stand from the table. “I didn’t plan this. I swear, though I don’t like the way Orion looks at you, I never would wish for him to be sent off on a military mission. The missions are dangerous, and I know Orion has struggled with past trauma from his days at Foxhall.”
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“You know about his nightmares?” “I was the first one he told.”
Perhaps that was before Vera’s death when Dmitri got along with Ivan.
“Now, sit down and finish eating, Lady Alkaev.”
“But he’s barely healed from his last deployment. How could Dmitri be sent out again?”
“The Emperor believes in punishment. I warned you. Now your mistake will hurt Dmitri. Kir will be your prac- tice husband for now.”
“Kir? I hardly know him.”
“He’s eager to take over the position. I think he wishes to know you better. He’s close to Orion, so he’s curious to know about the girl his brother cares for.”
I open my mouth to refuse knowing of what he speaks, but he holds up his hand.
“Please, Natalia, you’ve already confessed you feel something for my brother.”
“Friendship only.”
He laughs. “Perhaps for you, but Orion cares for you. Until Sergio’s last breath, Orion will no longer be allowed near you.”
“So, it is only the Emperor’s idea for your brother to be away from me?”
“Until we wed, you are free to do as you wish. However, your indiscretions do affect me, so I prefer you keep your dalliances from the public. Separating the two of you makes the problem worse. Have we not learned a valuable
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lesson from Romeo & Juliet? Separating you increases your feelings. My hope is that the more time you spend together, the more your feelings fade when you realize Orion is an ass.”
“Then you do not mind if I say…kissed Orion?”
“No, I don’t. You are no fool; I don’t love you. I have reasons for wishing you to be my wife, and love is not one. Do as you please now as long as your actions do not shine badly on me.” He leans forward, eyes darkening. “But once we wed, if I find you so much as looking at another man, the Emperor’s actions will look harmless. Agreed?” What kind of conversation is this? I hope we are never married and
yet here we are outlining the parameters of
our future relationship.
I nod. “I agree if you do the same. You can’t care for another woman after we are married.”
“It is fair that I must keep the rule too. Now finish your food before it turns cold.”
s
One Week Later:
My nerves dance as I search out Kir. He invited me to the tennis courts at the far end of the garden for our first meeting to discuss his new role as my practice husband. It’s the first warm day of spring, and the gardeners are at work preparing the beds.
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I find Kir on the courts competing against two ambas- sadors I recognize from one of the dinners and playing alongside a young man I don’t recognize.
Kir waves and leaves the game as soon as he spots me. He takes a moment to shake hands with his fellow players before joining me.
I’ve met Kir before, but I’ve never spent more than five minutes with him, and that was with Ivan or Dmitri at my side. Kir looks startlingly like Dmitri despite being a half- brother. Both boys resemble Sergio, but Kir has honey eyes like his mother. His hair sticks to his forehead, and sweat runs down his back. I remember hearing Kir is a sports enthusiast.
“Would you like to go for a walk?” he asks. I nod. What do I say to him?
Setting down his racket, we start down a path. We’re silent for a minute or two, but Kir finally speaks.
“My brothers speak highly of you. Orion is head over heels, and Ivan…he’s difficult, but he enjoys your com- pany.”
“Ivan doesn’t like for me to be near him.”
“He has no friends; he enjoys your company,” he grins. “So, have you thought about the wedding? Any plans?”
I shrug. “No, not really. My best friend, Angelica is de- signing the gown.”
“Anything you want me to take care of as your Perar?”
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“Nothing in particular. Hold my hand when I need san- ity and feed me chocolates when I think I’m going to scream in frustration at Ivan?”
He snorts. “Orion told me you were sarcastic.” “Seriously, help as much or as little as you wish. I’ve no
idea what I’m doing.”
We pause when we reach the Winter Garden. It’s a portion of the garden full of blooming winter flowers. Mostly indigo and black flowers with fist-sized blooms grow this time of year.
“What time of year are you getting married?” I sigh. “No idea. Next spring?”
“Good choice. You could import orchids or lilacs as your flowers. They are popular choices.”
“What about dasins? The pale pink flowers grow in the fields near my house.”
“Perfect.”
Already I feel calmer with something decided. I know I’ll never marry Ivan, but everyone asking my opinions scare me. Can’t I at least take charge and fake plan a wed- ding?
“How do you know about flowers?” I ask.
He blushes and bows his head. It’s cute and reminds me of Dmitri’s reaction when he kissed me, but Kir looks so much younger. “I don’t know. Maybe don’t mention to an- yone when I offer suggestions? My brothers like to tease me.”
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“I have two sisters who thought Dmitri and I were go- ing to become a couple when he stayed in my village. Trust me, I understand. Orion and Ivan will hear nothing from me.”
We spend the next hour talking, mainly about the wed- ding, but also Kir’s interests and stories of the princes as children. Kir is still a child to me, but the fifteen-year-old makes it clear he doesn’t want to be thought of that way. As the baby of the family, it becomes clear few take his opinions seriously, and he’s used to doing as he pleases.
How do I know all this in an hour?
It’s my job to understand peoples’ faults. Along with strategy, I’ve always had a gift for reading people.
When we part, my chest feels lighter. It was the first talk I’ve had in a while that didn’t weigh me down with decisions to be made or worries about Dmitri or panic over the wedding and Royals fall.
It was a walk in a garden on a gorgeous day with a fun- loving boy.
Perhaps it was wrong of me to judge Kir so quickly; he’s perfect for the job as Perar.
s
That night as I lay in bed, I imagine all the things I can control while in the palace. Most things feel controlled and decided for me, but talking to Kir, I felt like I was in
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control. What else might I do to change my future? Eve- ryone wants to decide my fate, but haven’t they forgotten the most important thing?
They’ve never considered what I have to say.
They- the Royals, leaders, Angelica- will regret that. They shouldn’t underestimate me. I’m not the hero they want, but that does not make me weak. It makes me dif- ferent and unpredictable.
As I lay there contemplating what I can do, I remember something Ivan said a few nights earlier at dinner when Zadie spoke of Dmitri’s sudden deployment:
“Until Sergio draws his last breath, Orion will not come home. Natalia and I will be married before he’s al- lowed to return.”
I know exactly what to do. It’s time I summon Death.
s
I spend the next day in the kitchen. Scouring the chefs’ recipes and cookbooks in the library, I search for the per- fect pastry recipe to serve to the Emperor. My plan?
Give pastries to the Emperor for a few days as an apol- ogy for the incident between Dmitri and me. On the sev- enth or eighth day, I fill the pastry with poison.
Zadie helps me though she is no cook. However, she does have a knack for frostings once I teach her the basics.
After the seventh batch of cupcakes and a tenth bowl of frosting, I finally choose the perfect cupcake. It’s baked
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perfectly, fluffy, and carefully frosted and decorated with sugar candies.
At dinner that night, I pass the cupcake to the Em- peror. I wrapped it in a cobalt box and tied it with gold ribbon.
“Your Majesty, I realize I have been difficult since I ar- rived. You have been gracious and welcomed me into your home, yet I have disobeyed you. I know this is a simple gift, but I used my talents to create it. I apologize for my past mistakes,” I say.
Zadie claps, excited that she helped with the gift. “We spent hours getting it right. Natalia is an amazing cook.”
The Emperor unties the ribbon and opens the lid. He frowns as he stares at the cupcake.
“You must try it. It’s delicious!” Kir says. “I got to eat one or two of the extras that baked unevenly.”
I laugh. “You ate more than one or two if I remember.” He grins impishly.
The Emperor hesitates. Perhaps he wonders if I tam- pered with it? Maybe I somehow gave away my intentions? I might be his future daughter-in-law, but he’s made it clear he doesn’t like me.
The Empress leans towards him, placing a hand on his arm. “She made it for you. Try it.”
He relents. Lifting the cupcake out of the box, he takes a bite, chewing slowly. A faint smile crosses his lips. “I’m impressed, Lady Alkaev.”
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“Thank you, Your Majesty.” I begin to return to my seat, but stop long enough to ask, “Might I make more for you in the future, Your Majesty?”
He doesn’t answer.
“You may, Natalia. It was thoughtful of you,” the Em- press says.
Is she taking my side now?
I return to my seat, pleased with my success. Now, I need to smuggle poison into the palace.
s
The Next Morning:
“Where are we going?” Angelica asks. “Night Shade Alley,” I answer.
This morning I asked her to come into town with me to shop for new shoes, but told her to come in the dress of a Second.
Shopping for shoes is her ultimate weakness. She was more than happy to recommend a shop on Fourth Street. But we aren
’t going for shoes. She knows I hate shop- ping for shoes and would much rather go to the bookstore
I discovered on Sie Street.
Petrov came with us as our guard. “My Lady, Night Shade Alley isn’t safe, even for a rebel. Besides, if any re- porters see you-”
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I cut him off. “I need to buy something. I’ll find it there.”
Night Shade Alley is notorious. It is the underground community of the White City, and despite the danger it poses, the Royals have never shut it down. The Alley is a market for criminals of all sorts, and the Royals have learned criminals are sometimes useful partners. They al- low the illegal market to stay open if criminal care for the Royals’ corrupt political moves, such as assassinations.
Pulling two scarfs out of my pocket, I hand one to An- gelica and wrap the other around my head and mouth and nose, pinning it to the side. “Petrov, I want you to stay on this street corner. Do not come looking for us. If you step down the alley dressed as a guard, you’ll be dead in ten steps. Angelica, put on the scarf.”
While she covers her face, she asks “What are we doing here?”
“I need poison.”
Petrov’s eyes widen. “But the leaders haven’t given you permission-”
“Stay here. Come, Angelica.”
As we leave him behind and make our way down the street, Angelica says, “Now I understand why we dressed like Seconds. I thought it was simply a cover so no one would know who you are. But poison? Why? For who?”
“I cannot say.”
Run-down opera houses and apartment complexes line the street. A few shops, windowless and devoid of signs or
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