Chapter
24
Katiya lay wrapped in Andrei’s arms,
her head resting on his shoulder. Since their arrival at the
castle, they had not left this room except to hunt. She would have
been happy to stay there the rest of her life, to spend her days
sleeping at Andrei’s side, and her nights in his arms.
Yet always, in the back of her mind,
was the fear that her happiness would be short-lived. With the
passing of each day, she worried that Rodin and her father would
arrive at the castle and drag them all back to the Fortress. If
that happened, Andrei’s life would be forfeited. Perhaps hers and
Drake’s, as well.
She trailed her fingertips over
Andrei’s chest, felt his lips move in her hair.
“Do you think they will come after us?”
she whispered.
“Is that what you are worrying
about?”
“I cannot help it. I know we agreed not
to let it ruin our time together, but . . .” She blinked back her
tears. “I am so afraid of what will happen if they find out we have
deceived them.” She could lie to her father. She could lie to
Rodin. But Rodin had only to read Elena’s mind to ferret out the
truth.
Andrei stroked her hair. He was a
realist. Whether he liked it or not he knew that, before long,
Drake and Katiya would have to return to the Fortress to continue
their charade as a happily married couple. Of course, there was
always the possibility that Rodin would send someone to check up on
them before that or, worse yet, decide to come for a visit himself.
The most they could hope for was another few months together.
Katiya would have to return to the Fortress to give birth. As
Drake’s wife, it would be expected.
Andrei placed his hand over Katiya’s
womb. His child rested there. Whatever happened in the future,
nothing could change that. If the truth came to light, retribution
would surely follow. Rodin could choose to punish Andrei or destroy
him. He might torture Drake for his deception, but Katiya would be
exempt from any punishment, at least until their child was
grown.
Beside him, Katiya wept. There had to
be a way for them to stay together, Andrei thought desperately, a
place where no one would find them, where they could raise their
child in peace. Where they could live together in love. He shook
his head. It was only a pipe dream, he thought
ruefully.
“Katiya, beloved,” he murmured, wiping
away her tears. “Please do not cry. Even if the worst happens, I
will never regret the time we have spent together.”