“No one could’ve guessed she’d volunteer to enter the Volkov’s shop. Not even Salom.”
“I heard she made the decision on the train ride up. Was Salom in the vicinity?” When divots form at the corners of Konstantin’s mouth, I worry I’ve pushed too hard. “I’m sorry. Maybe standing by your sideisenough for him. Maybe my view is skewed by what happened in Luce five centuries ago.”
Konstantin is quiet for a while, lost in thought. “Anyone else you have doubts about?”
“Until today, I would’ve said no. At least, no one beside your sister and niece, and possibly Lev. But now…” I bite my lip.
“Now…?” he prompts.
“Ksenia once mentioned how attached Lev was to his mother. She never mentioned an attachment to the father.”
“They weren’t close. Ekaterina’s parents were so furious the day she decided to wed Bohdan that they didn’t attend the wedding and barred him from their family business.”
“I twigged that.” After a beat, I ask the question that’s been warming the tip of my tongue since Salom mentioned Bohdan had been present. “Could he have…?” I lick my lips, feeling like the words I’m holding back are outrageous and shouldn’t even be thought.
“Could he have ended his son’s life?” Konstantin’s throat jostles. “Anything is possible.”
Footfalls echo on the stairs. I think it must be Salom returning with news, but it’s actually Ilya with six soldiers. “Yuri apparently just woke up. I’m heading north to see him. The weather’s too brutal for flying. Can I take one of the trains?”
Konstantin glances toward his War Room, then back at his brother. After an extensive pause, he says, “Give Yuri my regards and convince him to convalesce at the palace.”
“Will do!” Ilya calls out, trotting toward the underground station, his diminutive garrison in tow.
“Why did you hesitate?” I ask, once the doors of the War Room shut.
“Because Milana took the other train to Voshna to avoid the incoming storm.”
Which leaves him with no means of escape should?—
He seizes my waist, pulls me closer. “Have I mentioned how much I’m looking forward to our date tonight?”
“Are you sure it’s a good idea? With everything going on?—”
“Yegmenka”—he nudges my nose with his—“don’t take it away from me.”
“All right.”
The air darkens with a shadow that takes the shape of a man. “Hope I’m not interrupting.” Aodhan tries to bury his anxiety,but it distorts his usual jovial timbre. “I just heard about Lev. What are you thinking?”
Konstantin sighs, gives my lips a peck, then urges me to go prepare for our date while he gets Aodhan up to speed.
I want to ask Aodhan to stay with him while I’m gone but worry Konstantin might view my concern for his safety as degrading. “Where’s Izolda?” I ask.
“Introducing Elio to her prized book collection.” He smiles. “She’s safe, Isla.”
As I make my way to my bedchambers, I remind myself that the prophecy unfolds outdoors. As long as my loved ones are tucked inside, they’re safe.
Right?
39
ISLA
Ipace my floor, gaze flicking between the rotund moon painting the sky indigo, the candelabra bleeding silver wax onto the white tablecloth, and the door my fiancé has yet to bluster through.
“He’s fine,” I tell myself. Not to mention we didn’t specify a time; we just said dinner. “Everything’s fine.”
What if everything’snotfine, though? What if Izolda left the castle and?—
