Demetri had come for a visit at their home and discovered the family had been taken by what was now known as whooping cough. The deadly condition killed his father and spread from person to person until it infected the entire family.
Demetri revealed himself as a vampire to Nicholai’s mother and offered to convert her in order to save her life. She begged him to save her two children first, though they were not as ill as she. Demetri reluctantly agreed and after he saved both Nicholai and his sister, Natasha, by converting them, he returned to their mother. But she had passed away as he helped them through the change. It took Nicholai a long time to work through the grief and guilt.
After burying their mother, Nicholai and his sister had stayed with Demetri. He mentored them in the ways of the breed and taught them how to use their special abilities. Tough but fair, Demetri had been their parent and teacher. And friend.
He loved his cousin and would do anything to show his appreciation.
****
Nicholai laid the palm of his hand against the small of Juliette’s back, escorting his heartmate and her friend through the gates toward the magnificent palace built by Peter the Great. Penny’s eyes widened when she looked at the brochure in her hands.
“Peterhof Palace,” she murmured, glancing up at Nicholai as she tapped the title on the pamphlet. “Isn’t your last name Peterhof?”
“Yes, it is,” he admitted with a shy grin.
“So this is your place then?” Penny quipped. “I was wondering when we’d finally get to see your house.”
The group shared a chuckle and made their way forward.
In reality, Nicholai had, in fact, lived in the grandiose palace at one time. Though his father had not been Czar, he was Russian royalty. It was Demetri’s family, the Romanoffs, who built the palace they headed toward. And while he wasn’t a direct descendant in line for the throne, Nicholai had summered at this palace in his youth.
When the trio passed through the opulent entry doors, Juliette’s breath caught in her throat.
“I have never seen a place so ostentatious.” Julie’s jaw dropped open in awe.
She glanced around the room, and Nicholai gazed upon the place with a new appreciation through her eyes. Gold flowed like water, covering everything as if Midas himself decorated the place. The walls and mirrors were gilded. The furniture? Gilded too. Even the life-size statues were made of gold.
An audible gasp escaped Penny’s lips when she too took in the splendor with admiration. He treasured the time spent in this place. Many happy memories had been made here before it had been converted into a museum during the early nineteen hundreds.
“Shall we, ladies?” he inquired with a grand sweep of his arm forward.
They wandered throughout the palace, walking between the velvet ropes that herded the tourists like cattle through a corral. Nicholai wished to share everything with his heartmate, but barricades sealed many places away from the public. For now, he must be content following the crowd.
They followed the golden rope path to Peter I’s study, which was darkly decorated in rich wood tones. A book lay on his desk, opened as if its reader might soon return.
They passed by the formal dining room. Its table set with the ornately patterned royal china. The tablecloth, white to match the walls, displayed the china which was also mostly white accented in gold with a flowered pattern. It was meticulous, pristine. Nicholai gave Julie’s hand a gentle squeeze as she looked on with amazement. Pleasure that she enjoyed his childhood residence swelled his chest.
As the tour progressed through the palace’s bedrooms, wallpaper with busy designs clung to the walls. “I can’t get over how, in every bedroom, the bed covering, furniture upholstery, and wallpaper all match with identical patterns of fleur-de-lis, flowers, or landscapes.”
Penny nodded her head. “I know. It’s almost an assault to the eyes. If the rooms were smaller, it would be overwhelming.”
Nicholai took Julie’s hand. “Are you enjoying the tour, in spite of the décor in the bedrooms?”
“Oh, yes.”
“What’s been your favorite room so far?”
Penny spoke first, “The Diamond Room. I loved the collection of exquisite jewelry on display.”
“Catherine the Great had good taste. The brooches and crowns were gorgeous. Not to mention the jeweled vases,” Julie agreed.
When they entered the throne room, Nicholai shared, “This is my favorite room.”
He glanced at the red chair where Peter had rarely sat to hold court and remembered playing on the three stairs that made the riser for the throne. He and his sister would take turns pretending to be rulers when Peter and Catherine were away, for they wouldn’t dare such a thing if the true rulers had been there to catch them.
From behind the throne, a portrait of Catherine atop her beloved horse seemed to scrutinize them as they played. In its golden frame, it was a constant reminder, though they were children, they were still royalty and must behave accordingly, with restraint and decorum.
Nicholai stilled, lost in the memories, until Julie pulled him from his reverie with a tug on his arm. His attention turned to his heartmate. She smiled, the warmth of emotions for him showing clearly in the sparkle of her honey-colored eyes.
Nicholai took Julie’s hand in his, leading her through the velvet ropes to the Grand Staircase. The fine, white marble stairs rose on either side of the room toward a large landing at the top. Golden, life-size statues stood as sentinels along the gilded iron railing. Penny’s eyes widened as they tracked along the walls, looking at the painted cherubs and golden moldings.
“Let’s take a picture.” Penny shoved the camera into Julie’s hand.
“Come on, Nicholai.” Penny linked her arm around Nicholai’s and pulled him toward the bottom of the immense set of steps.
The two of them situated themselves at the base of the stairs, while Julie crossed to the opposite side of the rounded staircase.
“All right, you two.” Julie backed up as far as possible and adjusted the camera. “I think I can get you and those golden statues in the frame. Say cheese. I mean syr.”
“Syr,” Nicholai and Penny sang in tandem with big grins on their faces.
Every nerve ending in the warrior’s body suddenly lit up like the Vegas strip. Fear crept along his spine, circling it before it wrapped around his heart and squeezed until he could not breathe. His senses searched the palace.
A blank spot registered the exact moment Nicholai’s keen eyes noticed movement above Julie’s head. Horror gripped him with its icy tentacles when the statue of the golden woman holding a sickle leaned toward his heartmate. Time slowed his vision as it can only do during a time of danger. The heavy sculpture leaned further and further until it hung upside down, its head directly over Juliette’s. Suspended ominously in midair, it dangled for a second then fell, making a beeline for Julie.
Instantly, Nicholai stood beside his heartmate. His muscular arm snapped around her waist and pulled her to his side. Cool air flowed over them when the statue cruised by. With a sickening, twangy thud on the marble floor, the figure landed directly in the spot where Julie had stood.
Nicholai’s heart stuttered and threatened to stop altogether. He wrapped his other arm around Julie’s trembling body, then cradled her head to his chest, over his heart.
Palace employees ran toward them in matching blue coats.
“Is she all right?” the large man asked, his arms flailing as he skidded to a stop on the marble floor in front of Julie.
Nicholai swallowed hard and found his voice. “I believe so.”
“Thanks to you,” a bystander observed, shaking her head in disbelief as she stared down at the statue where it lay, still rocking slightly from side to side.
Julie’s gaze followed the horrified looks of the employees to the golden woman lying on the cracked marble.
“How did that happen?” wondered a second employee, her eyes wide in disbelief. “Those statues
are bolted to the marble bases.”
Nicholai remembered exactly how the figures were attached. As a child, he’d watched the workmen put them into place. This was no accident.
Penny ran over, a look of terror in her eyes.
“It’s a miracle Jules wasn’t killed,” Penny murmured from behind the hand she held in front of her mouth. The blood drained from her already pale face. The ghostly pallor must have driven home the seriousness of the situation to Julie for her knees gave out when her eyes met Penny’s.
Nicholai wrapped her tighter in his embrace, taking the full weight of her body. Julie shook violently.
Nicholai laid his cheek against the top of her head. “It’s okay. I’ve got you,” he reassured his mate.
“Are you okay?” Penny’s voice quivered as she laid a hand on Julie’s shoulder.
Julie did not reply, instead simply nodded her head in assurance, then looked into Nicholai’s concerned eyes.
Nicholai’s nostrils flared, and a familiar scent drew his brows together in concern. His eyes roamed Julie’s face. The heat of his inspection burned its way over her neck and shoulders, then came to rest on her arm where a crimson stain grew on her sweater.
“You are hurt,” Nicholai observed, putting her away from him. His hands held her tightly as she tested the strength of her legs. “Can you stand?” Alarm tightened his voice.
The fragrance of her blood flooded his senses, sent his body up in flames, but he tramped down the desire because her well-being was his top concern.
Julie appeared to lock her knees as if willing them to function. Though unsteady, she made them support her. “Yes, I-I can stand,” she stammered in a tiny voice.
Nicholai slowly eased his grip and allowed her to support her own weight. He ground his teeth, steadying himself against the delectable scent assaulting him. Keeping one arm around her waist, he peeled the torn sweater away to better see the wound.
Another palace official joined the group. Dressed in a suit, the gentleman’s purposeful stride and posture made it evident he was used to being in charge. His gaze swept from the statue to Julie’s arm. Realization drew his mouth into a tight line.
“What happened?” he demanded.
Without taking his eyes from the bloody wound Nicholai responded, “The statue fell from the landing. I believe the sickle cut Juliette’s arm during the fall.”
“Is it bad? Let me see.” The man extended his hand toward Julie’s arm.
A low growl emanated from Nicholai’s throat in warning, stopping the man immediately. He was not about to let another male touch his wounded heartmate.
“Do you need an ambulance?” the manager asked, wisely closing his hand before it dropped uselessly to his side.
“No.” Julie looked down at her wound. “It’s only a scrape. I am fine.” She glanced around at the gawking crowd that had gathered, and a blush colored her cheeks.
Sensing her embarrassment, Nicholai gestured toward the exit. “Come. Let’s go get this checked out. I’m sure they have an infirmary.”
“No,” Julie protested as he led her with a hand on the small of her back. “I’m fine. I don’t need a doctor. It’s only a scratch.”
“At least let me clean the wound for you.”
“That would be a good idea, Jules,” Penny agreed, taking her friend’s uninjured arm.
Nicholai steered the women through the crowd and down to the café located in the gardens. He quickly found them a table, and then helped not only Julie but Penny, as well, to sit before he took his own seat. He kept his body tightly coiled, ready to strike should danger present itself again.
When the waiter approached their table, Nicholai took charge, and in their native language ordered, “Bring us extra napkins and a glass of water immediately.”
Juliette sank into her chair and closed her eyes. “Thank you. I don’t think I could have found the right words to order.”
“Do not fret. I will see to your every need,” Nicholai assured his mate with a gentle squeeze of her hand.
Upon the waiter’s quick return, Nicholai instructed him to bring three sodas. Next, he grabbed a napkin and dipped it into the glass of ice water. Julie’s heartbeat increased in time with her breathing as he gently circled his fingers around her arm. When the cold rag touched the injury, she flinched.
“I apologize. Does it hurt much?”
“No. It really doesn’t hurt.” She flinched again.
Nicholai smiled weakly. “Do not lie to me. I can see it hurts. I am being as gentle as I can.”
“I know you are.” Julie patted his arm. “It’s okay. Honestly.”
When the waiter returned with their sodas, Nicholai placed their orders. Penny chatted amicably, trying to distract her injured friend, who sat in virtual silence.
Nicholai noticed Julie’s demeanor and pushed her drink in front of her. “Here, drink something. You will feel better, trust me.” He flashed another feeble grin.
Julie raised her glass and drank obediently. Her pallor appeared much paler than usual, and Nicholai knew the near miss had petrified her. She barely glanced at the waiter when he brought their food.
Concern furrowed Nicholai’s brow. He recognized shock when he saw it. Nicholai stabbed some of the poached salmon. “Here take a bite of this.” When Julie didn’t respond he continued, “Please, lastochka, for me.”
Juliette obliged silently, going through the motions of biting and chewing, the actions automatic. She appeared lost in thought, and Nicholai did not need to use their mindlink to know what troubled her mind.
His heart broke. He relived the moment in his mind as he ate a bit of the fish. The image of the golden statue tumbling from the landing above, careening toward his beloved heartmate would forever be etched in his memory.
The images flashed, the smallest details crystal clear. He examined the scene and the people who had been in his peripheral vision. Though his full attention at the time had been on Juliette, upon reexamination, on the landing he clearly saw a man with dark hair beside a woman with a headscarf. The pair had been standing on either side of the figure, but neither appeared malevolent, and he couldn’t remember either of them touching the sculpture.
The statues seemed too heavy and well-constructed to fall, but could this have been an accident? This incident, combined with the one in the church a few days ago, made his stomach nauseous. Nicholai looked at the woman he loved. When she glanced up, he reached over and took her hand as much to anchor himself as to reassure her.
“Juliette, I do not want to worry you, but is it possible someone may be trying to hurt you?”
“That’s ridiculous,” Juliette denied, shaking her head.
Penny laughed. “It’s not like she has any enemies. She’s a teacher, for goodness sake, not an international spy. Why would anyone want to hurt Jules?”
“Well…” Nicholai searched for exactly the right way to put his thoughts into words. He pinned Penny with his intense stare. “Twice now Julie could have been seriously injured. Think. Is there anyone who might have a reason? You mentioned the other night her husband was a police officer. Is it possible a criminal might be after Juliette because of him?”
“Huh.” Penny hesitated. “Her husband and girls were run off the road and killed.”
“Perhaps the person is out for more revenge and trying to hurt Juliette.”
“That’s ludicrous. They caught the man responsible for the accident. Didn’t they, Julie?”
“Yes,” Juliette squeaked out.
“So you see,” Penny continued, turning her attention back to Nicholai. “The guy is behind bars. There’s no way he is caused the accidents here.”
Perhaps I am overreacting, Nicholai thought. But he’d still rather have her under his roof.
“I understand that.” Nicholai took a sip of soda. “However, I would still feel better if you would come and stay with me.”
“That is unnecessary. What happened at the church was an accident,” said
Julie, joining the conversation. “Construction work was going on when the scaffolding fell; it wasn’t intentional. We were alone at the time. And today was an accident, too. After all, statues come off their bases. It probably wasn’t balanced correctly. We have no reason to assume there is some sort of assassination plot.” Julie crossed her arms under her breasts.
Penny took a bite of her meal and washed it down. “We only have a few more nights here. Nothing has happened at the inn. Seems like it is perfectly safe for us there. I think you are letting your imagination run away with you, Nicholai.”
“I would still prefer if you would come and stay with me for the remainder of your trip. I have plenty of room in my home for both of you.”
“I don’t think that will be necessary,” Julie repeated with finality.
She looked much better. Her color had returned, and she no longer shivered.
Penny quickly added, “Besides, we wouldn’t want to be a bother.”
“It would not be a bother. In fact, I would like to have the company. It gets lonely—” The ring from Nicholai’s phone interrupted his sentence. He let out a curse under his breath and pulled the blasted machine from his jeans. He registered the number on the caller ID immediately.
His loyalty warred within him. It was the leader of the Alpha Council, Stephan. He needed to take the call in case the Alphas needed him. However, he did not want to leave his heartmate alone. Luckily, his preternatural hearing told him a tour group was about to enter the palace. Duty won as he decided Juliette would be safe enough if she were around other people inside.
He shamelessly dropped his voice an octave and put a compulsion behind his words. The deep silken resonance instantly mesmerized the women. “If you ladies will please excuse me, I need to take this call. You would like to continue the tour. There is a group getting ready to go into the Portrait Room. You go with the group, and I will catch up with you in a moment.”
“All right,” agreed Penny for both of them.
Nicholai tossed enough rubles on the table to cover the bill and a tip as he answered his phone. The Alpha moved away to talk in private, but his eyes never left the women while they moved to join the tour group.
Alpha Lover Page 11