The Gathering Storm kt-1

by Robin Bridges

  Miechen’s face went white. “And the Bear?”

  “He does not believe they, or the vampires, exist anymore.”

  “The tsar will not put up with any such foolishness.”

  The princess glanced at me, giving Miechen one of those “not in front of the children” looks. The grand duchess rolled her eyes. “You are the one that brought her here, Ruxandra. She already knows too much for her own safety.”

  What was she talking about? I knew nothing of the Dekebristi’s return. Was she implying that I was somehow to blame?

  The princess smiled. “No doubt you have heard the happy news of Katerina Alexandrovna’s engagement? She is going to marry the heir of the Vladiki.”

  “Poor child, you fell under their spell, did you?” Miechen said. “You do realize the prince plans to kill you on your wedding night, do you not?”

  My mouth was dry. “Princess Cantacuzene said I must kill him before his eighteenth birthday, before we are married.”

  “Ruxandra, what lies have you been spreading?”

  The princess laughed wickedly. I was starting to feel very cold, and short of breath. “Katerina Alexandrovna is much more powerful than I ever dared to hope. How do you think she turned the dead knight?”

  “He is not one of the Dekebristi!” I cried. “I did not bring him back on purpose!”

  “Of course you didn’t,” Miechen said, pacing back and forth and pausing to study me intently. “Child, do you know why it is so important that the prince does not live to see his own ascension?”

  Was this a trick question? Why was it so cold in here? I shivered. “He will become a blood drinker,” I said. “By killing him, we can prevent him from killing many more people.”

  Miechen’s smile was grim. “Ruxandra, shame on you. You have not told her everything, have you?”

  I did not hear what Princess Cantacuzene said to her then, for at that moment, I fainted and slid out of my chair onto the floor.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

  “The Ten of Wands! Mon Dieu.” I heard my mother’s voice, at a near hysterical pitch. “Burdens, and responsibilities. You have an uphill battle ahead of you. My poor baby has been overtaxed with these wedding plans. You have worn yourself out.”

  “Maman?” I opened my eyes and realized I was not in my own bed at home, but in a green ornately decorated room.

  “Where am I?”

  Maman put her tarot cards down and ran a cool hand over my head, pushing my hair back as she had done when I was little. “My poor Katiya. You are still at the grand duchess Miechen’s house, in one of her bedrooms. They sent for me as soon as you fainted. Do you remember anything?”

  “I remember drinking tea with the grand duchess and Princess Cantacuzene,” I said. They had been having the most terrible argument.

  Maman sighed. “You bumped your head. Miechen thought you looked overwrought.” She smiled and kissed my forehead, clearly happy that she thought she could fix everything for me. “Planning a wedding can be a difficult thing. You just relax and let me worry about the preparations. That is what mothers are for.”

  I closed my eyes again, trying to remember what had happened. My nerves had been on edge, I supposed. Miechen and Princess Cantacuzene had been discussing the return of the undead Dekebristi, and I had fainted when they had implied I might be involved. Or had the grand duchess put something in my tea? I tried to sit up. I needed to see Dr. Kruglevski to be certain. “The doctor …” I tried to speak, tried to get out of bed. The room was spinning around in circles.

  “The doctor has been sent for, Katerina Alexandrovna,” Grand Duchess Miechen said, entering the room and sitting at my bedside, opposite my mother. “How long has she been awake?”

  “Not but a few minutes,” my mother said.

  “How long have I been out?” I asked. It still looked like morning to me.

  “Two days. We sent for your mother when you first fell, as we were afraid to have you moved anywhere in a carriage.”

  “Two days?” I tried to sit up again. The room was still spinning and the back of my head throbbed. “Has Dr. Kruglevski been to see me? Did I have a concussion, or some sort of seizure?” Or … or had they wanted me to remain unconscious all that time for a reason? I stared at Miechen’s blue-violet eyes, wishing I could read minds, like Grand Duke George. Could Miechen read minds, with her dark-faerie blood? I shuddered as she gave me a wicked smile.

  “Yevgenia Maximilianovna, why don’t you take a short walk through the orangery?” the grand duchess asked. “You have been at your daughter’s bedside all this time. I will sit with her.”

  Maman refused at first, but she looked so very tired I begged her to get up and get some fresh air. “I shall be fine, Maman,” I promised, although I was wary of being left with Miechen. “Take your time, and enjoy the grand duchess’s garden.”

  When Maman had gone, Miechen picked up the tarot card that had been left lying on the bedclothes. “Ten of Wands. It usually means that someone is overburdened, but it can also mean a dangerous trial, whether by fire or by pain. The card is ruled by Saturn, the planet of necromancy. The number ten is the number of the end of things.”

  “The end of a dangerous trial?” I asked. “What am I being tested on?”

  “Your wits, girl. For good or evil, you have been given a terrible power. Now that certain groups in St. Petersburg know it, you have become a very desirable pawn. The Montenegrins want you. And the St. Petersburg vampires need you as well.”

  I shivered. “The Montenegrins want me alive, but what about the others? Is my life in danger? Do I know any of the St. Petersburg vampires?”

  “Your life has always been in danger, Katerina Alexandrovna,” Miechen said. “From the vampires, from the faeries, from the tsar. It is a delicate balance the humans in this city dance.”

  “What should I do?” I asked, closing my eyes, not sure if I should trust the dark faerie. “What role does Princess Cantacuzene play in all of this?”

  Miechen smiled. “Clever girl. You are right to worry. You are right not to trust Princess Cantacuzene completely, for she is not what she seems. Nor should you trust me completely, for my interests in all matters are self-motivated. But you may believe me when I tell you this: the Montenegrins must not be allowed to gain too much power in St. Petersburg. Princess Elena will never become empress, no matter how many rituals or spells she, or her sisters, or her mother casts. Militza believes she will gain powerful influence when she marries a Romanov, but she underestimates her rival.”

  “The other vampire families in St. Petersburg,” I guessed. “They are the ones who hate the Montenegrins so much.

  But why?”

  “You are very wise for such a young girl, Katerina. I would protect that pretty little neck of yours if I were you.”

  “But who are the St. Petersburg vampires?” I asked. Surely not anyone in the imperial family, whose light and dark faerie factions plotted and intrigued. “A member of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem?”

  Miechen shook her head. “The families who make up the Order are the knights who have sworn to protect the imperial family and the rest of Russia from the vampires,” she said. “Rather, it is one of the oldest vampire lines in all of Eastern Europe, with a family branch that has been living here in Russia for many generations.”

  The grand duchess frowned. “Unfortunately, they are under my protection. I am bound by the Dark Court’s treaty to keep their names secret, but their leader is known to you. Do you still have the obsidian ring that the princess gave you? Do not lose it, as it will protect you from the thrall of any blood drinker.”

  “What do you mean?” I was determined to learn more, but Maman returned at that moment with Dr. Kruglevski.

  “There’s the patient!” the doctor said kindly. “My dear child, I’m always finding you and your friends afflicted with the most unusual ailments!” He set his black medical bag on the dresser and picked up my hand to feel my pulse.

  Miechen
stood up. “I will leave you in the doctor’s good hands, Katerina Alexandrovna. We can speak again later, my dear. Yevgenia Maximilianovna, did you enjoy your walk?”

  “Of course. The fragrance in the orangery was heavenly.” Maman stood at the doorway, chatting with the grand duchess.

  Dr. Kruglevski inspected my head for bruises and swelling. “I believe you will be fine,” he said. “A few days’ rest is all you need, my dear.”

  In a low voice, so Maman wouldn’t hear, I asked him, “Could you please test my blood?”

  “What on earth for?”

  “I was drinking tea right before I fainted. There have been so many strange deaths, and then with my cousin being poisoned … well, I would feel safer just knowing for sure.”

  He nodded, even though he chuckled a little. “I have never had a patient ask me to draw their blood before, Duchess. You know it will sting a little?”

  “Yes,” I whispered. I was afraid of the large syringe, but I needed peace of mind.

  It did sting, a lot, so I turned my head and stared at the portraits and paintings on the wall. One was of Miechen and her siblings as children. Another was of her and the grand duke Vladimir dressed for one of the famous imperial costume balls, given many years earlier. The couple were dressed like a Russian boyar and his wife from the time of Pyotr the Great. Grand Duke Vladimir was a large man who wore his beard and sideburns in the old Russian style.

  The doctor had already finished and had given me gauze to hold over the puncture site when Maman returned. She caught a look of the syringe of blood the doctor held in his hand. “Mon Dieu! Do you think there is anything seriously wrong, Dr. Kruglevski? Oh, I cannot stand the sight of blood!” She waved her fan quickly, to prevent herself from fainting.

  “It is all right, Maman. Here, sit down on the bed next to me. I am well, truly.”

  The doctor packed away the rest of his things. “I must take the sample to the hospital and run a few tests. We should have results by this evening.” He patted me on the arm. “Do not worry, young duchess. Everything will be fine, I am sure.” He turned to Maman and asked, “Will she be staying here or do you plan to take her home this afternoon?”

  “What do you suggest, Doctor? Do you think it is safe to move her?”

  Dr. Kruglevski looked at me, and I nodded ever so slightly. “Yes, I think she would do much better in her own bed, surrounded by her own things. It is more than safe.”

  “Thank you, Doctor. I’ll let the grand duchess know immediately.”

  After the doctor and my mother had left, I breathed a sigh of relief. I lifted the gauze from my arm and was happy to see the bleeding had stopped.

  I still felt as if I had no one to trust, and no one to give me any rational advice. I couldn’t discuss vampires and faeries and revenants with Dr. Kruglevski, and I couldn’t discuss any of this with my family. Dariya was already mad at me for agreeing to marry Danilo. If I told her about my curse, she would think I had become a monster just like the Montenegrins. Grand Duchess Miechen and Princess Cantacuzene had their own subtle agendas, as did the Montenegrins. Who did that leave me with?

  No one.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

  Maman called for the largest of our family carriages and told Miechen she was taking me home with the doctor’s blessing. The grand duchess looked unhappy to see me go. “Are you quite sure?” she asked Maman. “She looks so fragile.”

  “I believe she needs to be in familiar surroundings,” Maman said, gathering up her things. She had apparently sat at the side of my bed and knitted an entire coverlet while I had been unconscious. “Are you ready, darling?” she asked me.

  The pale winter sunshine outside seemed painfully bright to me after I’d been indoors for so long. I had to shield my eyes. “Into the carriage, dear,” Maman said.

  I turned to say my goodbye to the grand duchess. “You have been most kind, Your Highness. Thank you for everything you have done for me.”

  She smiled. “It has been a pleasure, Duchess. I hope you are feeling better soon. Perhaps we will see you at the ballet this weekend.”

  That evening, Prince Danilo and his sisters came by to see me. Maman insisted I dress and receive them in the parlor. The prince gave me an exquisite four-carat diamond Cartier engagement ring. “I’ve been so worried about you, my love,” he said, kissing my hand. “It has seemed like forever since I’ve seen your beautiful face.”

  “I am fine, honestly.” There was something in his touch, his eyes that was so mesmerizing! I could feel myself slipping under his spell again, even with Princess Cantacuzene’s ring, now hidden safely on a ribbon around my neck. I stood up and took a deep breath, trying to shake my senses. “You will be attending the ballet?”

  “Only if you are feeling quite better, my dear.”

  “I wouldn’t miss it for the world. Jelena Cornalba is dancing.” The enchanting ballerina from Italy had such a following that when she performed in Moscow, the front six rows of the Mariinsky Theatre were usually empty, as several of her fans traveled to Moscow to see her there as well.

  I was extremely fortunate that the Montenegrins left before Dr. Kruglevski made his visit that evening. He talked jovially with my father and mother before coming in to examine me in my bedroom. Maman huddled over him. “Do you think she is much improved from this morning? Her fiancé came to visit earlier. I hope he did not tire her out.”

  The doctor smiled warmly and felt my pulse. “Do not fear, Duchess. Your blood is free of any poison,” he said in a low voice. Aloud, to my mother, he said, “I think she needs a few more days’ rest. I do not suggest any more social outings for the week.”

  “But the ballet!” Maman said. “Oh, well, if it must be, it must be. Your prince will be so disappointed.”

  The doctor said his goodbyes, and Maman kissed me on the forehead before following him downstairs. “I do hope your prince is not having second thoughts about the engagement. That he does not think you have a poor constitution. You are to be the mother of the future heirs of Montenegro! You should be healthy as a horse!”

  I rolled my eyes. Maman had the strangest priorities.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

  The next day was back to the flesh and bone world of St. Petersburg, for I was feeling slightly better. I begged Maman to let me attend the ballet that Sunday evening, even though Dr. Kruglevski had advised against it. It would be my only chance to see Jelena Cornalba that season.

  She was dancing the lead in the premier of Riccardo Drigo’s The Talisman. We dressed in our Sunday finest, heavily beaded, thick woolen dresses, and set out that evening for the Mariinsky Theatre.

  The Mariinsky had been named in honor of our previous empress, Marie Alexandrovna, wife of Tsar Alexander the Second. It was a very beautiful building, with a wide, sweeping staircase that rose three whole stories. We were seated in our family box, and I noticed that members of the imperial family were seated in the majestic, central imperial box, next to ours. I could not see Grand Duke George Alexandrovich from my seat, however. I did not know if he was even present that evening.

  Prince Danilo and his sister Elena visited our box before the ballet started. The prince met me with a gallant bow and a kiss on my gloved hand. Something deep down inside me trembled. I hoped the obsidian ring’s magic would protect me.

  Grand Duchess Elizabeth was attending the ballet, with her sister, Princess Alix, and their brother, Prince Ernest Louis of Hesse. Their father, Grand Duke Louis IV of Hesse, was enjoying a stay at the imperial hunting lodge with the tsar. The two men were getting along splendidly, as they both detested balls and ballets. Princess Alix had a little more color in her cheeks than she’d had the last time I had seen her. I could tell she doted on her older brother, whom she called Ernie, and he in turn doted on her.

  Grand Duchess Elizabeth frowned with concern when she saw me. “We had heard that you had taken ill recently,” she said.

  “I am much better now, thank you,” I replied. Actually, I w
as still feeling rather weak and wobbly, but I refused to let Maman know. She would have rushed me back home to bed.

  Princess Alix stepped forward and clasped my hands. “We have heard the good news of your engagement. I am so happy for you!” She smiled shyly.

  “We thank you,” Prince Danilo said, stepping in beside me, with a protective hand on my waist.

  A cold nausea washed over me. I could not wait much longer to break off the engagement. Miechen had frightened me more about the Montenegrins than Princess Cantacuzene had. “Princess Alix, may I introduce you to my fiancé, Prince Danilo of Montenegro? Prince Danilo, this is my friend Princess Alix of Hesse-Darmstadt.”

  “Enchanté,” the prince said, gallantly taking her hand and kissing it. I did not think the princess approved of this. She blushed deeply. I hurried to introduce him to Prince Ernest and the grand duchess Elizabeth, neither of whose hands, I noticed, did he kiss.

  “We should get back to our family’s box before the ballet starts,” Grand Duchess Ella said. “It was a pleasure meeting you, Your Highness,” she said to the crown prince with a polite bow. Her sister smiled shyly at us before hurrying after Ella.

  “Your Highness, we must speak tonight,” I whispered. “Alone.” Enough was enough. I would not take any part in Princess Cantacuzene’s plans, and I would not risk my life dallying with the Montenegrins any longer.

  “Indeed?” he said, bringing my hand to his lips. I shuddered, realizing he had a different kind of conversation in mind than I did.

  I smiled, hoping I looked seductive and coy at the same time. “During the second act? Can you get away and meet me in the lobby?” It was a grand room, covered with gold and enamel and enormous ornate chandeliers that sparkled.

  He kissed my hand once more before leaving me with my family. His sisters were sitting in the box of Grand Duke Pyotr Nikolayevich, Militza’s fiancé. Maman and Papa frowned as I sat down. “You must take care. You must not be seen with the prince alone,” Maman said.