I’m halfway there before I’ve given my answer. “To find where Anika slipped off to.”
I need to check on her.
I don’t like how pale she was when I sat them all down to tell them who I am—or how quiet she was afterward.
And this tingling sense of unease inside me has been growing with each passing minute.
I check the bedroom first.
It’s an easy go-to when my wife needs some time to herself.
When she’s not there, I glance out at the back garden in case she decided to take Svetlana for a stroll.
When she’s not there either, I start to retrace my steps.
I cross paths with Chastity halfway to Svetlana’s apartment, and my pulse quickens with relief. “Chastity, have you seen Anika? I’m looking for her, but no one’s seen her.”
“I… I-I…” she stutters, her shoulders rising to her ears in a look of acute discomfort.
“Please, it’s important,” I press, sensing she knows something but doesn’t want to tell me.
Without warning, Anika’s maid bursts into tears. “I’m sorry,Gospodin. Please don’t be angry!” she sobs, fear etched across her features. “I couldn’t stop her. I swear I tried.”
“Stop her from what?” I demand, my blood turning to ice in my veins.
“She’s gone,” Chastity wails. “She ran away.”
34
ANIKA
The Chiaroscuro brothers might think Miko’s heritage is a fortunate twist of fate, but I know better. I can see it for the red flag that it is.
And the fact that he’s decided to take up Pyotr’s role asPakhanonly confirms my dark suspicion.
Miko is more similar to his brother than I could have imagined.
Only dangerous men would choose to becomePakhanwhen offered the choice, only power-hungry men who want the world to burn down—along with all who live in it.
I can’t go back to that kind of life. I don’t think I’ll survive it.
What if Miko proves to be just as much of a tyrant as his brother once he’s initiated?
It wouldn’t be the first time a man’s true nature came out after he got a taste of true power.
If you had asked me yesterday, I never would have entertained the thought that Miko could be that kind of man.
I felt so confident in his goodness. I trusted that he was safe and gentle to his very core—at least to those who weren’t a threat to his family.
Yes, it’s been a challenge to come to terms with what Miko did to Pyotr.
To find logic behind the contradiction of his two opposing sides.
It took me a long time to believe that he could have such a stark line, a line that he wouldn’t ever cross with me because he gave me his word. It was hard to trust that he meant what he said when Pyotr’s boundaries blurred all the time.
But witnessing the explosive force of Miko’s temper has shaken my very foundation. It made me realize that, as much as I would like to think I know him, I have no clue who my husband really is.
Sora was right. Miko’s anger is terrifying. He might not have hit Svetlana this time, but he came far too close for comfort.
