Bah.
Bah! She wanted to kick something. Perhaps Nikolai, because this was his fault. He was a tricky bastard, he made her like him. Love him. Bah! She covered her face with thin hands, shaking her head and muttering. This was idiotic. She was not her father, filled with fanciful notions of love and glittering eyes, slow grins which infuriated her and eyebrows she itched to run her fingers across. No, no, no. She waved her hands, trying to banish the thoughts, flustered when they would not leave.
She loved Nikolai, the fool.
She loved him. Bah. Hands dropping to her lap, she let out a low growl. She loved him, and how he loved her. Stupid. How he watched her carefully, trying to catch every emotion roiling under her snarling facade. How he laughed and smiled in astonishment at every surprise she gave him, and relished her ruthlessness. How he listened to her, and did not make her feel heartless. How he loved Ilya, and Chornish, and how selfish he could be trying to make them happy. Or was it selfless? Her lips pulled into a smile. Both, knowing Nikolai. The smile was replaced by an irritated scowl. She looked like a lovelorn fool, sitting on the window ledge and thinking about—bah. Nikolai Irini.
She flexed her hands, trying to recall the warmth of his hands clasped with hers. His breath on her cheek. Porfiry's words in that atrocious tavern came back to her.
Desire.
She clenched her fists just as the doors to the parlor opened and Chornish stepped out.
Katerini jerked, heart jumping to her throat. Then she shoved her anxiety down with such ferocity she wondered if she didn't break something. Standing, arranging her features to be blank, she inclined her head to him and waited. The doors shut with a click. Chornish folded his hands together primly, his cloak falling to cover them. He regarded her for a moment.
"You may call me Gavrila."
She blinked.
"May I call you Katerini?" he asked. A tentative smile wobbled on his lips. She bobbed her head, unsure whether to speak. Chornish sighed and walked closer to her, looking up so their eyes met. He traced her features with a sharp gaze, then sighed again. "Well, I do not think I could—could be with you, Katerini. You are outside of my preferences, I'm afraid. Kolya has no such constraints, but I am not like him."
Katerini tilted her head to the side. "I do not think Nikolai meant for us to proceed in such a way. If it is any consolation, Gavrila, I cannot bed you."
Chornish's eyebrows shot up. "Yes. I have heard. And Nikolai?"
Katerini scowled. "Maybe. After a time. A long time. I do not feel desire the same way as you do, or he does. When I look at him, I feel warm and—" She gritted her teeth, "—happy, not desire." Cheeks reddening, she muttered, "He is so touchy."
Chornish chuckled. "I see. We will take care of our Kolya, yes?" Eyes softening, he reached out and touched her cheek. She blinked. "You do not mind to share?"
She gave him a flat look. "It will be a relief."
Chornish choked, then laughed loudly. She heard the doors rattle a little, and glanced at the ceiling in exasperation. Nikolai. Chornish rolled his eyes, knowing full well Nikolai was eavesdropping. "What a child. Well," he said, "I look forward to becoming the best of friends with you, Katerini."
She sniffed. "Yes."
He gave her a sly look. "I will leave you two alone now, so that you may answer him properly. You've done well to make him wait. Certainly the fool deserved it," Chornish said. He smiled again, this time full and happy, no wobble to his lips. "Come meet me when you are done. I am eager to know you." She watched as he walked away, boot steps muffled by his sweeping black cloak.
Katerini waited a moment, then walked forward and swung open the parlor doors. Nikolai tumbled forward and barely caught himself from colliding with her. He righted himself, grinning sheepishly.
"Gavrila approves," he said.
She snorted. "You are such a fool, Nikolai."
He snatched one of her hands and tugged her close. "Your fool?" he asked. Katerini blinked. His other arm wrapped around her waist as he brought her hand to his lips. "Am I your fool, my lovely Katerini? You never answered me. I desperately want to be your fool, your idiot, your complete—"
"Oh, shut it." Katerini grimaced as Nikolai closed his jaw with a click, grinning from ear to ear. "You seem quite sure of yourself. Maybe the reason I haven't answered is because the answer is no?"
"I wouldn't have my arms right now if the answer was no," he replied.
Bah.
Katerini eyed him. He leaned forward.
She leaned back. "Wait, Nikolai." He stopped. She wiggled a finger under his hair and traced an eyebrow, ignoring the astonished expression on his face. "The answer is yes. I love you." The happiness in his eyes was blinding. She tilted her head forward to meet him, their lips pressing together in a kiss.
FIN
About the Author
A.M. Valenza is a college student who likes to write YA Adventure Fiction and Romance, usually with a dark or horror twist. Sometimes she even illustrates her stories. When not writing, she’s outside biking or jogging with her dog. She enjoys fashion, mythology, art, and meeting other people, especially her readers. You can find her at these sites:
https://twitter.com/AMValenza
http://fivefoldjourney.blogspot.com/
http://amvi1323.tumblr.com/
Breakfire's Glass Page 13
