who is this Sophia you mentioned?”
“Konstantin’s daughter. She was the ghost who was terrorizing everyone at Smolny. She was responsible for the kitchen girl’s death.”
“Good God, Katiya. The daughter of the lich tsar? Why didn’t you tell me?”
“How could I? It does not matter now. I banished her to the Graylands, and that is why she came after me there. She cannot hurt anyone anymore.”
George grew silent. I glanced up at the stage, where the entire graduating class of the Imperial Ballet School stood. Suddenly, he slumped back in his seat. “George, what is wrong?” I whispered. His brother twisted around in his seat and looked at him with concern.
“Nothing,” he answered finally. “I am only a little overheated. Is it not warm in here to you?”
The tsarevitch turned his attention back to the stage.
I had actually been chilly since sitting down in the drafty theater. “Are you feverish?”
“Don’t be ridiculous. I am going to get some fresh air. Excuse me,” he whispered as he stood up to make his way to the exit. His mother turned around and looked up at him questioningly, but, seeing his pale face, nodded. She caught my eye briefly before turning her attention back to the stage. If she knew about my mother already, she was not going to say anything. I wanted to get up and leave right then and there.
“Do not follow me, Katiya,” George whispered, loud enough for only me to hear. “It would only cause a scene. I will be fine.”
“As you wish.” It annoyed me that he assumed I would leap to his rescue, but that had been my first impulse. Even though I knew it would not be proper at all.
He smiled weakly. “Do not be vexed with me,” he murmured. “We will see each before long.”
But I noticed he held his hand to his chest as he walked down the aisle toward the exit. He looked paler by the second. At a nod from his father, a member of the imperial guard followed him out.
I could not concentrate on the rest of the graduation dances. George’s health was still in danger and I felt helpless. I promised myself that I would speak with Dr. Badmaev the very next morning. Becoming the Tibetan’s pupil would at least give me something to take my mind off my worries. And I hoped that Eastern medicine would provide a way for me to help George. Perhaps a way to help my mother as well.
Having a plan made me feel somewhat better. I tried to enjoy the final dance of the ceremony, performed by the best student of the ballet school’s graduating class.
She was the most accomplished dancer that day, a beautiful young girl of seventeen named Mathilde Kchessinska. She bewitched everyone in the audience with her grace and beauty. Including the tsarevitch. His eyes never left her as she twirled and spun across the stage. Mon Dieu.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Thanks to my agent, Ethan Ellenburg, and his minion, Evan Gregory, for all the hard work they do for Katerina here and abroad. And to my Random House family: especially Francoise Bui, who makes the words sing; Elizabeth Zajac, my PR guru; and Trish Parcell, who designs the most beautiful covers. Thanks to my hospital family, who have been so supportive over the past few years of this nurse who wanted to write books. Especially the ghouls who work with me at night. I love you ladies! Spasibo to my online groups: the Class of 2K12, the Apocalypsies, and the Elevensies. I would never have made it through pre-publication (and post-publication!) without the support of such good friends. Julia Karr, Maurissa Guibord, Randy Russell, Amanda Morgan, and Jill Myles—you all saw Volume II through its ugly early stages and helped it grow into a real story. Vodka and chocolates for all of you. And finally, a Russian-sized thank you to all the readers for your enthusiasm and support for Katerina. You guys make every word worth it. Spasibo!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
By day, Robin Bridges is a mild-mannered writer of fantasy and paranormal fiction for young adults. By night, she is a pediatric nurse. Robin lives on the Gulf Coast with her husband, one soon-to-be teenager, and two slobbery mastiffs. She likes playing video games and watching Jane Austen movies. (If only there were a Jane Austen video game!) The Katerina Trilogy began with The Gathering Storm and continues with The Unfailing Light. You can visit Robin at robinbridges.com.
