I hated to see him go, and I hated even more that I’d stunned him without giving him any explanation whatsoever about why I’d lied, why I’d kept this huge secret from him.
I took solace in the fact that he had come after me. But I wasn’t certain that he’d stay. Not after the revelation. Would it prove too much?
I had to find out, but first, I had to face my sister.
Across the room, she barred the doors, shutting Kyle from my view. I bit into my lower lip as she and Stefan shared a secretive glance, an unspoken statement being made between them.
Nadia shifted her gaze to me, one dark eyebrow arching. “Well, that was interesting.”
Stefan lifted his chin. “Yes, I gathered the good doctor isn’t quite squeaky clean which can be used to our advantage as long as he proves true.”
I balled my fingers into fists, my nostrils flaring. “No.”
Nadia drew her chin back, her features surprised. “You are the one who brought him here for that exact purpose.”
“I believe he can help with Papa, yes. But I will not have you threaten him to do it,” I shot back.
Nadia and Stefan shared another glance before the corners of my sister’s lips curled. “If he can help with Papa, he will.”
I slid my eyes closed, displeased with the conversation. “I believe he will help, though I am not certain.”
My features fell as I realized the connection I felt with him may now be one-sided.
My sister crossed her arms, sighing. “I cannot believe you are acting like a child over this man. He is here to serve a purpose, Natashka. He is not your toy.”
“Iknowthat,” I shot back, my features twisting with irritation.
Nadia flicked a glance Stefan’s way. “She thinks she is in love.”
I stormed toward the door, my aggravation reaching its peak. “I am not discussing this with you.”
“Just a moment,” Stefan called as I reached the door.
My eyes slid closed as I silently fumed, attempting to squash my emotions.
“You are not planning to tell your sister of the incident with Nikolai?” Stefan asked.
I twisted slowly, finding Nadia staring at me. “Incident with Nikolai?”
My eyes shifted to Stefan, narrowing. “I did not think I had to. I surely can rely on you to make every bit of my business known.”
Stefan offered me an unimpressed stare. “I found Nikolai with his hands around her throat, threatening her.”
With a deep sigh, I added to the sordid tale. “He claims the councillorss are amenable to having Papa declared dead. And he also says he has a way to ensure I do not take the throne. Either of those things are complications we do not need.”
Nadia turned serious, her features settling into a stony stare. “Take her back to her room. See that she is safe. I will handle the councillorss, and I will find out what Nikolai has up his sleeve.”
She strode toward the double doors across the room when Stefan shot an arm out, stopping her. “Be careful,moya lyubov.”
I arched an eyebrow at the endearing term, wondering if their relationship was still ongoing. If so, I may be able to use that to my advantage.
“I always am,” she answered before she pushed past him and left us alone.
He followed her with his eyes for a moment before his gaze snapped back to me.
“Take me to Dr. Carter.”
“Nyet,” Stefan said with a shake of his head.
