Chapter 18
NATASHA
Apiece of my heart went with me as Kyle left the room. So many hopes were pinned on him. The warmth of his connection had given me so much strength–strength I’d desperately needed after the confrontation with Nikolai.
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.”
“I know that,” 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.
I arched an eyebrow, my jaw flexing. “That was not a request, Stefan. It was an order.”
“I have my orders and they are to keep you safe,” he said as he crossed to me, reaching for my arm.
I yanked it away. “I am capable of walking on my own.”
He offered me an unimpressed glance as we stepped into the hall. “You know, malenka, I only mean to keep you safe.”
I rubbed at my temples, understanding but irritated. “Yes, I know. But I do not need to be dragged to my room like a petulant child.”
“I am not treating you like a child. But this is highly unusual.”
“Do you mean the arrival of Dr. Carter?” I asked as we arrived at the double doors leading to my room.
He heaved a grumbling sigh. “We do not know that he can be trusted.”
“Yet both you and Nadia believe he can assist with Papa. And you are willing to blackmail him into doing it.” I arched an eyebrow as I studied his features, searching for a crack in that stoic facade.
“I think he means more to you than a means to an end with your father.”
“And what if he does?”
“Be careful, malenka,” he warned, “if we find out he has been working with Nikolai—”
“Don’t,” I cut in, wagging a finger.
I didn’t want to hear those words spoken aloud. I wasn’t ready to consider that this man—this special man with whom I’d shared a whirlwind few days—might be working for my brother.
It would break my heart to learn the only reason he’d been so kind, so devoted, was to get close enough to kill me.
But he’d had chances. He hadn’t taken them.
Maybe—just maybe—he was real.
Stefan held his hands up in defeat. “I do not need to say the words we have both contemplated. Now, perhaps we should go inside. You should rest.”
“I am capable of resting without your watchful eye.” I offered him an icy stare to let him know I meant business.
He arched an eyebrow at me. “After the incident this morning, I think not.”
I crossed my arms, not willing to give in yet. “Has this room not been under constant guard since then?”
“Yes,” he answered.
“And is there some failing in your men that would mean that Nikolai or one of his allies could have slipped past them and into my room without them seeing–or worse, perhaps they are complicit.”
Stefan lowered his chin, his annoyance obvious. “Of course not. These men are top notch, and I trust them all with both my and your life.”
“Then there is nothing to fret over. I can enter the confines of my bedroom without fear of danger.” I grabbed hold of the handle and pushed the door open, slipping inside.
Before I could shut it, a strong hand wrapped around the edge and prevented me. “Yet you will not.”
My features twisted with annoyance as I yielded, allowing him to slip inside the room with me. He was ruining my plan, but I would find another way around it.
“Can I not have a moment of privacy?” I questioned.
He crossed to the armchair and collapsed into it. “Certainly. I will sit quietly here whilst you take it.”
I clicked my tongue, my nostrils flaring as I curled my fingers into fists. “Fine. I will be in my bedroom.”
He nodded his head, and I spun on my heel and left the sitting area behind, pushing through the double doors into the bedroom.
“Do not—" he called as I pushed them closed.
“I have not locked them, but I would prefer a tiny amount of privacy,” I called through the wood.
I waited, narrowing my eyes as I listened for the footsteps I expected would come my way. Sure enough, the soft thud of his shoes against the parquet flooring met my ears just before the knobs turned, and Stefan poked his head inside.
He glanced around the room before he nodded. “Do not lock this door.”
I lifted my shoulders in shrug. “Of course, not.”
He pulled the door closed with a soft thud. It set my heart racing faster as I forced myself to wait a few moments. Stefan had a glorious way of ruining my plans. He’d spent far too long protecting me and knew most of my tricks.
Happily, he did not know this one.
I held my breath as I waited until I was certain he had settled back into the armchair. Then, I grabbed a flashlight and crept across the room. With a wince, I eased the sconce sideways, activating a secret panel in the wall.
Toggling on my flashlight, I slipped inside and pushed it closed. One perk of living in a centuries-old castle was the ability to navigate behind the walls.
I hurried through the dark passages toward my destination. The tricky latch forced a cursed below my breath before it gave way. I slipped into the empty bedroom, scanning the space.
Voices came from beyond the doors.
A smile played on my lips as I crossed the room and eased one door open, peering into the sitting area.
Kyle spotted me first, his eyes widening as he bolted from the chair. “Nattie? Uhhh, sorry, uhh, Natasha. Wait, what do I call you?”
I grinned at him. He really was so sweet and endearing. I couldn’t imagine him working with my brother. “Nattie is just fine.”
“Really? I feel like someone is going to tell me that’s not proper or something.”
“Never mind what the others say. I’m telling you can call me Nattie.”
“Does that go for us, too, or should we call you My Lady or something?” Alex asked.
“You can both called me Nattie. Also, My Lady is incorrect. It would be Your Majesty if you were to address me formally. And if I am no longer Queen Regent and never become Queen, then it would be Your Highness when I’m a princess.”
Alex puffed out his cheeks. “Maybe we could just give you a super cool nickname like we did with Doc.”
I arched my eyebrow, a little curious.
“Or not,” he said.
“I’d like to hear my options,” I answered. No one had ever given me a nickname like this. Natashka was the extent of my nicknames, and it just referred to me being the weaker sister.
“Crown Jewel, Sparkle, Starlight, Crownie, take your pick,” he said with a shrug.
“Sparkle’s sort of close to Sparky,” Ava answered. “May get confusing.”
I poked a finger at her. “Are you Sparky?”
She lifted her chin. “I am.”
“Goldie,” Alex answered with a nod. “Simple, regal, not too close to Sparky.”
I narrowed my eyes before I nodded. “I like it. Thank you.”
He poked a finger at me. “Sure thing. You’re Nat-your average girl, Goldie.”
“That was a bit too much,” I said with a shake of my head.
“Look, Goldie,” Ava said as she rose to pace the floor, “do you think you could explain a little more about what’s going on?”
I licked my lips, wanting to explain everything but knowing it was best to wait. But I had to give them something.
“Uhhh…” My breathing turned shaky as my heart fought with my mind.
Kyle rubbed my arm. “It’s okay, Nattie, just take your time.”
I flicked my gaze to him, the warmth radiating from his eyes enough to quell the storm inside of me. I reached for his cheek, cradling it in my hand. “I really want to share everything, but…”
“You won’t,” Ava said, her voice sharp.
I understood her reservations. She was protecting her good friend, and it appeared that I’d trampled all over his heart with my lies.
“I…”
“Ava, come on,” Kyle whispered as he offered me a consoling glance.
She frowned, crossing her arms.
“She’s right. She’s concerned about you, and I do not blame her.” Tears filled my eyes. “I’ve lied, and now I’m not giving you any explanation.”
“Exactly. And that doesn’t look good, Goldie.”
“I’m sorry, I just…if you knew what was happening here, you would understand the caution,” I answered.
“We do understand caution,” Ava shot back, leaping to her feet. “We just finished fighting a massive criminal organization. What I don’t understand is why we’re still here if you’re not willing to say anything to us.”
My eyes shifted from Ava to Kyle. He offered me a warm, but tight-lipped smile. “If you need some time…”
I shook my head. “You’re here because…because I want you to be. I…you don’t need to believe this, but I feel there is a connection between us. And I would like to explore that. I know that this is difficult given what you’ve learned about me, but…”
I slid my eyes closed, gathering my strength. “But if you prefer to go, I certainly understand. We wouldn’t hold you here.”
“So, we’re actually free to go?” Ava asked. “Because your guards didn’t make that clear.”
“I’m sorry,” I squeaked. “But yes, you are free to go.”
I held my breath, wondering how quickly they’d race from the palace.
Kyle shifted his gaze to Alex and Ava, though I couldn’t see enough of his features to read them. Was he asking for permission to stay or go?
He twisted back to face me, placing both hands on my shoulders. “No one’s going anywhere, Nattie. We’re here for you. I feel the connection between us too. Although, I’m not one hundred percent sure how this works now that you’re…you.”
I swallowed hard, nodding as I blew out a relieved sigh. “I want to share everything with you. Everything. But…well, we’re being a bit cautious because–“
“You’re royalty,” Kyle answered, his voice soft, “we all understand that. Ava’s just being…protective.”
I shook my head again, massaging my temples. “Yes, there is a certain level of caution involved because I’m royalty but…there’s more. We are being overly cautious right now because…my brother is…there is no easy way to say this, but my brother is trying to kill me.”
I searched their surprised faces and felt Kyle’s muscles tighten.
I dropped the bombshell and waited…waited to see how they would take it, waited to see if they would run, waited to see if Kyle would rip my heart from my chest.