My features twisted with disdain as I eyed my brother, my fingers slowly twisting the lock behind my back and pulling the door open.
“Going somewhere, dear sister?” Nikolai asked as he took another step closer.
“Away from you,” I snapped back.
He smirked at me, his dark eyebrows wiggling as he continued forward. “Whatever for?”
I swallowed hard, my eyes trained on him. It would be a bold move to end my life in my own suite, but lately, Nikolai seemed full of them.
“Do not try to pretend, Nikolai. We both know you are responsible for what happened to Papa.”
“Do we?” he asked, his eyes cold and calculating. “Prove it.”
I narrowed my eyes. “I am trying to do just that.”
“Yet you ran away.” He raised a finger in the air, the fabric of his expensive suit swishing as he moved.
I heaved a sigh, surprised that Stefan had not yet burst into the room. Perhaps he had not heard me unlock the door. Although, that had never stopped him before from breaking down a door to get to me.
“I did not run.” I stretched my hands out to the sides. “And clearly, I am back.”
He crossed his arms. “Because you were about to lose everything.”
“And you were only too eager to step in.”
“Someone had to,” he shot back.
I clicked my tongue. “I heard Mother is back to assist you in your desperate attempt to steal the crown.”
“I would hardly call it desperate,” he answered, pacing the room. “I stand a very good chance.”
I scoffed, shaking my head. “You continue to be delusional. Papa’s will–which is not even in effect because he has not yet been declared dead–clearly names me the heir. There is no disputing it.”
“So many things wrong with that statement,” Nikolai said with a sigh and a shake of his head.
I frowned, my fingers curling into fists. “And I suppose you would be all too happy to correct me.”
“I am in the process of having Papa declared formally dead. The councillorss have been very receptive to my suggestions regarding his…prolonged absence.”
My eyes went wide, my stomach dropping. “What? You can’t do that.”
“Then produce him, Natasha,” he shouted. “Enough with this game.”
I steeled my features, nostrils flaring. “I told you—he’s unavailable. He’ll return as soon as possible.”
“And I told you—that’s unacceptable,” he snapped, his voice still raised.
“You are not the one in charge here, Nikolai. I am Queen Regent, I say we wait. There is no body, no evidence of his death. Unless you’d like to produce some. It was at your hand he supposedly died, wasn’t it?”
Nikolai raised his chin, glowering at me. “You will not be in charge for long. I have the means to end this charade of a reign.”
“And what are those?”
One corner of his lips twitched into a momentary smirk. “You will have to wait to find out.”
“I demand you tell me now,” I said, my voice firm.
“Tsarina?” Stefan’s voice called through the small crack in the door.
