26
As it turned out, they might have been rescued if they had stayed in the village a little while longer.
At least that was what Alexandra wanted to think, because she hated being beholden to Vasili for getting them out of there.
But Lazar and three of Vasili’s guards met them on the narrow mountain path not far from the village.
“It took you long enough,” was Vasili’s surly greeting, which had his friend’s brows shooting up.
“Was I supposed to follow a trail buried under a half foot of snow? Even that Russian wolfhound of Alexandra’s couldn’t pick up your scent. What makes you think I could?”
“Then what led you this way?”
“I remembered where Latzko’s village was. I was going to ask for his help, or buy it, as was more likely to be the case. I didn’t expect to find you here.”
“I don’t know why not,” Vasili replied. “He does consider these hills his territory, after all.”
“But I didn’t think he was crazy enough to provoke Cardinia’s royal house again.”
Vasili was forced to agree. “He’s probably not, but Pavel sure as hell is, and unfortunately, Pavel’s ruling the roost temporarily.”
“Well, that explains it,” Lazar said. “I suppose he was hoping Stefan was in our party?”
“Actually, all he was after was the horses. He had no idea who was transporting them.”
Lazar frowned. “Then how did he get you and Alexandra as well?”
Vasili’s golden gaze lit on Alexandra before he answered sardonically, “Because my sweet little betrothed here thought nothing of attacking six bandits single-handedly, right on their doorstep.”
“I didn’t know we had reached their village,” Alexandra mumbled in her defense.
Vasili said nothing to that, which was saying a lot, since he continued to stare at her. Lazar made an attempt to conceal his grin, but gave up when he saw that the guards were doing the same thing. Alexandra was aware of it, and the heat already climbing her cheeks went up a few more degrees.
Lazar cleared his throat to regain Vasili’s attention. “So where are the horses?”
“Locked up for the night.”
“But not for long,” Alexandra added. “Between the five of you—”
“Give it a rest, Alex,” Vasili cut in, clearly at the end of his patience. “You may not be exhausted after fighting through that storm today, but I most certainly am.”
“It figures,” she replied in disgust.
The black look she got for that remark should have knocked her off her horse. She merely raised her chin a notch and glowered right back. Vasili was too cold to waste time staring her down—if it were even possible.
He sighed. “I’ll allow that Pavel might be too drunk to notice that we are so few in number, but he’ll also be too drunk to have the sense to lower his price. And if you think I’m going to pay what he’s asking for those animals, you’re out of your mind.”
She didn’t want him paying anything that would make her any more beholden to him. “What happened to getting them back ‘one way or another’?”
“Jesus, sheathe your claws, woman. Cardinia happens to be one of the richest countries in Europe. We’re in the habit of using money first, arms only as a last resort.
And we haven’t reached our last resort yet.
Returning in the morning, when they’d rather be sleeping off all the ale they drank tonight, is still our best bet. ”
“And if I happen to disagree with that?” she asked stubbornly.
“Wouldn’t you prefer that your babies spend the night in that nice warm stable they’re presently enjoying, rather than be exposed to the elements?
” It was rotten of him to play on her concern again, but he wasn’t finished making his point.
“We can reach one of Stefan’s hunting lodges by tomorrow night, so we’ll have some proper shelter again.
This is the last night that we’ll have to rough it outdoors, but this happens to be the coldest night we’ve seen yet, which you pointed out to me, if you’ll recall.
And for all we know, that storm could return before morning. ”
All she’d heard was that his cousin owned property near here. And just as the heat of her embarrassment had gone undetected in the dark a few moments ago, so did the abrupt loss of all her coloring now.
“We’re that close to Cardinia?” she whispered.
He didn’t notice her subdued tone. “Another few days should see us there, as long as we don’t encounter any more storms—or bandits.
Now we’re going to find our tents and get some sleep, and I really don’t want to hear any more arguments about it.
” He turned to Lazar. “I hope to hell you’re not camped where we left you. ”
Lazar was startled to be drawn back into the conversation so abruptly, having been engrossed in that fascinating exchange. “We’re about thirty minutes from here, where this path leaves the main trail.” But then he couldn’t resist goading. “Are you certain you want to head in that direction?”
When Alexandra immediately perked up upon hearing that, Vasili hissed, “He was joking!” and gave Lazar a look that promised he’d get even with him for that, before he headed for their camp.