thought contentedly. What a wondrous and magical realization.
From this day forward he would always come back to her.
CHAPTER 17
They started for Kazan the next morning, setting a hard, fast pace on the long journey to the border.
They were up before dawn and didn’t stop until the last light faded from the sky. By the end of the day Marianna was too exhausted to do anything but fall into a deep sleep in Jordan’s arms.
She was almost numb with weariness when they finally saw the towers of the ravin’s palace at Rengar.
“This won’t be pleasant for you,” Jordan said quietly. “It’s the ravin’s duty to protect Kazan, and she was counting on that tunnel. I’ll try to protect you, but she will be-”
“Don’t protect me,” Marianna said. The last thing she wanted was to be a bone of contention in the battle between them. “I did it, and I’ll take the consequences. Stay out of it, Jordan.”
Jordan shook his head. “I find that an exceedingly uncomfortable position. The last time I gave in and let you have your way, you tried to burn down the Russian countryside.” He held up his hand as she started to protest. “But I promise I’ll see what transpires before I rush to your defense.”
The ravin met them in the courtyard. She looked entirely well and as robust and forceful as ever. Her gaze searched Jordan’s face. “Success?”
He shook his head.
The ravin uttered a low exclamation. “I should have gone myself.”
Gregor laughed. “Your presence does not necessarily guarantee success.”
She motioned impatiently. “Does Nebrov have possession of the tunnel?”
“You might say that,” Jordan said. “He’s in the tunnel even as we speak.”
Jordan was deliberately baiting the ravin. He had not been in her presence more than a few moments, and already the air was vibrating with tension. “He’s dead.” Marianna nudged her horse forward to confront Ana. “And I burned the tunnel. No one will ever have possession.”
“You burned-” The ravin’s brow furrowed with anger. “By God, you had no right to do such a thing. Do you know what damage you’ve caused?”
“I had the right.” She glared back at her. “And I took it. No damage has been done to anyone but Nebrov. I’ve rid you of the threat he posed.”
“And what of Napoleon?”
“He will not have the tunnel either.”
“Do you know the size of the army he’s planning on bringing into Russia? What if he decides Kazan is another plum for him to pick?”
“Then do what you would have done before you decided to use the tunnel.” She slipped from her horse. “I don’t care what you do. Where is Alex?”
“I have not dismissed you.”
She put her hands on her hips and demanded, “Where is my brother?”
They exchanged glare for glare. Finally, the ravin said grudgingly, “I sent him to the south garden when I had word Jordan had entered the city. You were not mentioned, and I did not want him unduly distressed.”
“Where is this south garden?”
The ravin gestured to a servant and said curtly, “Take her.”
Marianna cast a glance over her shoulder at Jordan, but he was staring at the ravin, clearly girding himself for battle. Marianna had lost her temper and not handled the interview with the ravin well, and he would probably compound the damage. Well, let them sting each other. She would worry about it later. Now she only wanted to see Alex.
She followed the servant into the palace.
My God, what an arrogant piece of work,” the ravin said as she turned back to Jordan and Gregor. “I should have thrown her into prison. I may still do it.”
“That would have been monstrously inconvenient,” Jordan said as he got down from his horse. “As I intend to wed her tomorrow.”
“Wed?” The ravin’s eyes widened. “What nonsense is this?”
“And wed her again by English law when we return to Cambaron.”
“Two ceremonies?”
“I have two countries. I want to make sure she belongs to me in both.” He smiled crookedly. “As you remarked, I hold on tightly to what is mine, and Kazan did not recognize your marriage to my dear father.”
“You cannot wed her. Not only is it most unsuitable, but she destroyed our plans!”
“Then we must make new ones. As soon as we check our defenses, I’ll set out for Moscow again.”
“Why?”
“To see the czar and discuss an idea that occurred to me when I was watching the tunnels burn.” He turned to Gregor. “Will you be my
Gregor nodded. “It would be my honor.”
“He will
Jordan stared right into her eyes. “Why not? Do you dislike her?”
“That has nothing to do with it.”
“I think you respect her. Liking will follow.”
“Why are you doing this?”
“I love her,” he said simply. He paused for a moment and then said haltingly, “I hope you will attend the wedding.”
He walked into the palace.
The ravin stared after him in bewilderment.
“A victory,” Gregor said quietly. “And she gave it to you.”
“Victory? She may have destroyed Kazan.”
“We are not so weak that we cannot rally from this blow.” He shrugged. “And she is right-she had more claim on the tunnel than any of us.”
“You approve of this marriage?”
He nodded. “And so will you, once you recover from the first anger. If you can make her your friend, you may get what you’ve always wished.”
“I do not choose my friends for what they can bring me.” She hesitated. “And it would do no good to try anyway. She resents me.”
“And, of course, you’ve given her no cause. You’ve treated her as a whore for the bartering; she thinks you’ve stolen the affections of the child she loves, and now you want to throw her into prison.”
“I didn’t tell her I was going to throw her into prison.”
Gregor chuckled. “But you would have if she hadn’t outfaced you.”
“She did nothing of the sort.”
“She did.” A smile lingered on his lips. “Why do you think Jordan loves her? She shares many of the qualities he admires in you. If he weds her, he will be reminded of you every day even when he is at Cambaron.” He added softly, “And he will grow accustomed to admitting to himself he loves those qualities in her. That is why you must sanction this marriage.”
“Must? You do not say must to me, Gregor.”
“Must,” he repeated. “Let him go, Ana.”
“Let him go?” Her tone was suddenly laden with pain. “I’ve never had him. You’re speaking as if I were the Circe Jordan believes me to be.”
“He does not believe that to be true, but from the moment he came to Kazan that first time, you did everything you could to claim him.” He grimaced. “And you’re a very powerful woman, Ana.”
“It did no good.”
