“She’d have to be in order to keep up with Friedrich’s demands,” muttered Nikolai as he poured three glasses of red wine.
“Nikolai. Stop saying such things. Her Highness will think ill of you.”
Mina laughed. “No, I won’t.”
Nikolai arched a brow at Sienna while he handed them each a glass of wine.
“Thank you,” said Mina gratefully, taking a large sip. “I must say, I was surprised to see your yard so full.”
“Ah, yes. Well, the training encampment is closer to Hiddleston. We’ve commandeered a wide meadow and valley along the edge of Silvane Forest, but the Bloodguard knew their captain was returning today.”
“They did? How’s that?”
“Captain Mikhail had told them the precise day and near the hour you all would return, which was this afternoon.”
“And no one thought he might’ve been held up or prevented from his timely return?”
Nikolai scoffed but said nothing, as he gulped his wine while standing at the mantel.
Sienna smiled and shook her head. “Not the captain. If he says he’ll do something, it will be done.”
Mina understood the man was efficient and resourceful, but she hadn’t quite grasped the depth of his own fortitude in achieving a goal. Her heart warmed at his utter devotion to her rescue and her care for the duration of their mission in getting her here. She wondered whether his mission with her was now over. A sudden panic gripped her. What if he moved on and left the encampment for another mission? She hadn’t had time to consider that. The stab of loss pricked that soft organ beneath her ribs.
“Is everything all right, Mina?” Sienna asked, placing a hand on hers.
“Oh, yes. Where are Arabelle and Marius?” She sipped her wine, changing the subject, though Nikolai observed her more keenly. He hadn’t missed her anxiety at the thought of Mikhail.
“They should be returning soon. They left with a party to speak to King Agnar of Pyros.”
“King Agnar?” Mina understood that Marius was closest to this brother who ruled the western kingdom. “Why have they gone there?”
Sienna glanced at Nikolai, her mood turning somber suddenly.
“We sent one of the Bloodguard with a sealed request to King Stephanus a fortnight ago. The east is infiltrated with King Dominik’s Legionnaires. We’d hoped that Stephanus would band with us and in return we’d rid his kingdom of Dominik’s encroaching dominion as it appears he has designs to take over the east.”
“Oh, no.” This was more perilous than Mina had realized. “And I suppose Stephanus denied the request.”
Nikolai nodded. “He’s always been a bit of a coward. I hadn’t expected any better.”
“And so Marius is hoping his brother in the west will join us,” added Sienna.
“What are the numbers of the Black Lily?” Mina glanced from Sienna to Nikolai. “Are there not enough to match them?”
Nikolai drained his glass and set it on the mantel, then squared his shoulders, hands in his pockets. “Your Highness, while you were…incapacitated, Queen Morgrid and King Dominik have been raiding the lands to the north, taking entire villages, turning the men vampire for their army, keeping the women and children as bleeders and as hostages to force the men to fight with them.”
“Dear heavens.” Mina nearly dropped her glass, but Sienna caught it as it tilted on her lap, then lifted it away.
She set both their glasses on a side table. “It is dire indeed. We have a strong, well-trained army. But not enough. Not against the kind of vampire army they’re amassing, many of whom have been infected with the blood madness and will do anything for the queen.”
“What of King Grindal? No one has said a word of him.”
“No one knows,” said Nikolai. “My cousin Riker was the last man we had inside the Glass Tower. Riker said King Grindal seemed to go missing right about the time they started torturing Riker for information. They rightly guessed that Riker was still loyal to me.”
“And your cousin? He got out?”
Sienna and Nikolai shared a sad look.
“He did. Barely. They mutilated him, but he is alive. Still recovering on our offshore training center, where the last of our recruits remain. But he is stronger by the day and will be ready for war when it is time.”
Mina’s stomach churned, acid swirling at the thought of so much evil. The queen and her son had been wreaking havoc across the country while she lay in a bloodless sleep. A flash of her last moments before she’d been imprisoned in her own home. The sneering Radomir coming for her after he’d sliced Kathleen’s throat. She’d been able to do nothing to save her friend or even save herself. They’d grabbed her by the arm and dragged her to the upper tower—cold and damp from lack of use. When she curled up in the corner, Radomir had laughed and murmured, “Sweet dreams,” before slamming the bolt home. The memory of loss and pain and her own failure to stop it steeped her in a well of helplessness.
“Your Highness, are you—?”
A soft knock came at the door a second before Mikhail entered. His gaze landed on Mina first as he stepped closer to her side. Strange how swiftly his nearness put her at ease, nearly wiping away the anxiety that had threatened to overwhelm her seconds before.
“Good to have you back, Captain,” said Nikolai with a nod. “Your men were growing anxious.”
“Thank you for keeping them in line.”
“No need. They followed your orders as if you were here. Three trainings a day, alternating the teams every two hours, venturing to town only for feeding, not for drinking ale or making trouble. It was like you never left. I must compliment you on their discipline. I’ve had Legionnaire troops who didn’t follow orders so well.”
Mikhail dipped his chin, his stern expression focused on Mina. “Thank you, Nikolai. But they know what is at stake here. They won’t let our chances fail because of idleness or lack of discipline.”
“Still. It says a lot about you. Your team is an asset to us.”
“Thank you.” He stepped closer to Mina’s side. “I thought I’d get Her Highness settled and let her rest after the journey.”
“Oh, of course,” said Sienna, popping off the sofa. “I can help and show you where I’ve stocked everything.”
Mina rose wearily, the last memories of her home weighing her down. Nikolai stepped close to Sienna, placing a hand around her waist with a firm grip. “I believe the captain can manage to get her settled on his own.”
Sienna opened her mouth to say something. Nikolai’s grip tightened at her waist.
“Sure. I’m sure he can get her settled. Then we can all meet for breakfast after you’ve rested. How would that be?”
“That would be lovely.” Mina opened her arms to hug her friend again.
She returned the embrace. “I am so happy you’re here. And safe.” Sienna pulled her at arm’s length, her green eyes sparking with specks of gold.
Mina felt a sudden surge of heart-heavy emotion, like she was touching not just a long-lost friend. But a sister. Funny. They’d only met that one time. And yet, she felt drawn to Sienna.
Sienna’s brow rose, her eyes widening. “I believe you belong with us, Your Highness.”
“I believe so, too,” said Mina, allowing Mikhail to finally usher her back out the door.
Night had fallen quickly. There was not a man in the yard. The only movement was that of a goat in a fenced pen, baaing at them as they passed. As soon as they crossed onto a wooded path, Mikhail pulled her to a stop and wrapped her in his arms, rocking her gently.
Startled, she froze, then sank into his welcome embrace. “Why are you holding me, Captain?”
“Because you need holding. And I need to be the one to do it.”
Chapter Ten
He was a fool. A bloody, besotted fool who couldn’t seem to mind his own commands. He’d told himself to keep a distance, especially after that incident by the brook earlier in the day. And here he was, running to her aid and comforti
ng her the only way he knew how.
He’d sensed her anxiety from where he stood in Sienna’s yard while talking with his men. Immediately, he dismissed them back to camp and rushed into the cottage to be near her, to rescue her. He couldn’t seem to keep himself from trying to be her hero.
He wasn’t meant for comfort and soft caresses, especially when the relationship couldn’t go beyond the physical. He was meant for blood and ruin and war. He couldn’t have a lover who would distract from his ultimate goal. Yet here he was, holding Princess Mina in his arms like a lover would, pressing his lips to her hair, feeling her warmth like a balm to the soul.
Her delicate hands slid up his chest to cradle his face as she pushed back to look into his eyes. Starlight sparkled there, luring him to the damnable depths. When she looked at him like that, he was a lost man. Falling so fast he could hardly breathe.
“Kiss me, Mikhail,” she pleaded. Yes, the goddess begged for his mouth on hers.
For fuck’s sake.
He gave it to her. Gripping her nape, he descended, plundering her sweet mouth, nipping her overfull lips, tasting like a starving man. For her, he was starving. Ravenous to taste every inch of her. He crushed her against him, angling her just right so he could stroke his tongue deeper. A mistake.
She squirmed against him. Not to get away—to rub her body against his, making him painfully aware of his rigid erection pressing against her abdomen. Moaning with pleasure, her soft body responded too eagerly to his hard one.
With an agonizing groan, he gripped her shoulders and pulled away from her.
“What’s wrong?”
“Bloody hell. That was a mistake.”
Before she could protest, he swept her up in his arms and sped toward the small one-room cottage that would be her home for the time being. He had to get her settled into safety, then get away from her as quickly as possible. Where had all his famed self-control gone? One look from her and he became a besotted, stiff-cocked boy, ready to ravage her without a thought. He’d focus on getting her settled, then getting out the door.
He’d spoken to Friedrich before he and his men had left on their mission. The art studio Friedrich had built for his youngest daughter, Izzy, would serve as the most private abode for the princess’s temporary residence.
Setting her on her feet on the front step, he pushed open the door. A crackling fire had already been lit. A bed had been installed, stacked with pillows and heavy quilts. Other amenities had been furnished since he’d left—a wash basin, a bowl and ewer, a small vanity. He held the door open as she entered, glancing toward the main house, where one of the children broke into laughter.
Dmitri had told them of their arrival but had relayed the message that the princess needed a night’s rest before more introductions. Mikhail wanted to be sure she wasn’t overwhelmed.
“Come in,” he urged her more gruffly than he’d intended while he held open the door.
She stepped inside and perused the room, taking in her new home. She walked toward the bed and trailed her fingers on the green-and-white quilt.
“I know it isn’t what you’re accustomed to.”
“It’s lovely.” She faced him, one hand still on the bed, giving him all sorts of wayward thoughts. “Thank you.”
He scanned the room, hands on hips, and gave a tight nod. “I think it will serve for the time being. You’re only a short walk to Friedrich and Brennalyn’s back door.”
“I wasn’t referring to the room.”
Confused, he stared at her from the open doorway, forcing himself to keep his distance.
She clasped her hands in her lap, her back straight, looking ever like the genteel lady she was. Her lashes were lowered, the black wisps brushing her pale cheeks. “I am grateful for this hospitality, of course.” Her gaze lifted. “But I wanted to thank you for today…for what you said in the forest.”
Mikhail clenched his jaw, not sure how to respond, other than to say, “You’re welcome.”
“Captain, I’m not the sort of person who plays games or who ignores my emotions. As an empath, it is impossible.”
Her soft voice drifted across the small chamber, seeping into his chest like a hypnotic remedy for an ache he didn’t know he had. He’d never known anyone so forthright, so unabashedly honest in every respect of the word—in how she spoke, treated others, treated herself. When he spoke of her inner strength in the forest, she hadn’t denied the claim behind false modesty. That would be a lie.
The fact that he’d had to live behind a lie about his own family had twisted inside him for so long. A lie he was forced to live because the queen would kill everyone he cared about if she discovered the truth.
But this princess wasn’t who he thought she’d be. He’d thought to find a sweet woman who knew nothing about the world, or a jaded one who thought only of herself. Instead, she was this paragon of beauty—from the perfection of her face, skin, and body straight through to her flawless heart, unmarred by the bitterness of betrayal he’d lived with all his life. Even with her own personal loss, she never let it weigh down her pure spirit. She spoke the truth in every moment, in every way. And it hit him hard at moments like this. Where she sat demurely, sweetly, thanking him for something so little as words.
“It was nothing,” he finally said.
She tilted her chin, her glossy fine hair slipping over one shoulder. With a sad sort of smile, she whispered, “It was everything. To me.” She laced her fingers together in her lap, squeezing tightly. “I only wish…”
He should’ve said good night. He shouldn’t ask, but goddammit, he couldn’t. “What do you wish?”
Wetting her lips, she sat straighter, her eyes glittering by the firelight. “I wish there could be more…between us.”
Swallowing the jagged stone lodged in his throat, he spoke his own truth. “I am sorry. More than you know. Do you think it gives me pleasure to turn you away?” he asked, raising his brow as if he expected her to answer. She didn’t move, didn’t even blink. Shaking his head, he went on.
“Nay. It gives me physical pain.” His voice was ragged as he curled a fist to his chest over his heart. “Agony, if you must know.” He shook his head on a short laugh that was filled with bitterness not mirth. “You’re not what I expected.”
She remained silent, watching with those wide, sea-blue, honest eyes, compassion shining bright there. Or some other soft, heartrending emotion.
“I expected a princess. An uppity, perfect model of royalty. A distant, aloof sovereign who would gladly take my assistance at climbing even further toward her crown and farther away from me.” He took a step closer, hands at his sides, fisting them in agitation.
She swallowed hard, her voice broken. “I’m sorry to disappoint you.”
“Disappoint me?” She didn’t understand. “What I didn’t expect was you.” He gestured with a hand. “This beautiful, sensual creature who begs me to kiss her and who looks at me like I’m the only man on Earth. The only man who matters. It’s like I’m being pulled straight to hell…and for you?” He shook his head, unable to shut his mouth. “I would gladly burn for all eternity.”
Her mouth parted on a sharp inhale. He’d said enough. He’d said too much. Perhaps her honest spirit was infectious, for he seemed unable to even hold his own damn tongue when it came to her. He’d have to try. He turned for the door.
“Good night, Your Highness.” And it might as well have been good-bye. He’d keep his distance, emotionally. Physically, he’d guard her with his life. He’d yearn for her, yes. But he was a man of control, after all. Wasn’t he?
He pulled the door shut before she could say another word. He didn’t trust himself to resist her if she asked him to stay. He’d reorder his thinking tonight and remember how close he was to what he’d been planning since his father was murdered. A goal that would not only bring justice to him but to his entire legacy. To the Romanov family and who they were before they were forced to recreate themselves and hide their lineage i
n order to stay alive.
His whole plan hinged on Mina taking her rightful place as Queen of Arkadia, of helping the Black Lily alongside the Bloodguard, of winning this goddamned war. Even if King Agnar from the west joined forces with the Black Lily, it wouldn’t be enough. He’d already calculated Queen Morgrid’s numbers, using his resources to report the number of Legionnaires coming and going from the Glass Tower. His men in hiding in Izeling sent regular reports of the northern villages being raided—the men turned vampire and rabid with sanguine furorem, their women and children taken as slaves to King Dominik’s fortress, Dragon’s Eye.
He ground his teeth thinking of his mother’s home, Kellswater, one of the first to be ravaged by the butcher king and his men. It had broken Mikhail’s mother’s heart to hear that the village where she grew up had been razed to the ground, the people stolen away like cattle. Mikhail had been grateful her parents were no longer living to have witnessed such an atrocity, but it was little consolation for the poor bastards who’d been set upon by the king’s vampire army. Just one more debt the king and his witch of a mother would have to pay.
His thoughts drifted from their army back to the one the Black Lily and the Bloodguard had been building. The westerners were not a warring people. But the southerners were. Aristocratic lines who’d fought in the long-ago Thorn Wars and beat back revolutionaries time and time again, who trained and honed the best equestrian soldiers in all the land. With the force of the Arkadian army, they’d surely win. At least, they’d have a fighting chance.
That was why he must keep his distance from the princess, he told himself as he stormed toward the Bloodguard encampment. Every kiss he stole from her was another distraction from their cause, which was far more important than a lovers’ tryst. No one else had figured it out, but Mikhail had. Their success depended upon Princess Vilhelmina. His infatuation with the woman only muddied the waters, clouding what was first and foremost—the future of Varis.
So he’d keep his cock in his pants and his thoughts as pristine and clean as frigid, glacial waters in her presence. Even if the woman drove him insane with desire, he’d stay calm.
The Emerald Lily Page 9
