Last year we flouted tradition just a little, having Tomas light the tree instead of myself. And this year it’s Katya’s turn. She’s been counting down the days to the event since September, and today she’s been whizzing around the palace in a non-stop blur of excitement.
“What are the odds she crashes and falls asleep before the tree-lighting even starts?” Jai asks wryly.
“Don’t even think it,” I say with a sharp shake of my head. “She’d be heartbroken.”
Fortunately, Jai—who seems to have become my daughter’s favorite person in the world—is able to convince Katya that an afternoon nap will help her to light the tree better, so by the time we leave for the event she’s wide awake and buzzing with excitement again.
The children, Alik, and I all pile into one of the palace town cars to be driven the short distance to the square where the tree has been erected. We could have easily walked, but this is more efficient and easier for security purposes.
When we get out of the car, we’re immediately met by Boyd, Lennox, and two other guards from my security team—Evans and Dorev—and ushered over to the secure area directly in front of the tree that’s separated from the public by temporary metal barriers.
I feel a small hand tugging mine and bend down to hear what Katya is asking me. “Papa, is Jai coming with us?”
I smile at her, my head shaking. “Jai and Penny are watching from the crowd. They’re going to take some pictures of you lighting the tree.”
As the clock tower behind us chimes seven o’clock, I take the few steps to the temporary stage that’s been set up for this occasion and peer out over the crowd. There’s a microphone waiting for me, and I take the opportunity to wish everyone a safe and happy holiday season.
“And now, I’d like to invite my daughter, Princess Katerina, to come up and light this beautiful tree.”
Katya steps up onto the stage, smiling and waving at the crowd who are all clapping and cheering for her. An attendant hands me the control for the lights, which has been set up on a smartphone device, and I kneel down next to Katya and walk her through it. When she touches the button on the screen and the tree lights up behind us, the crowd goes wild, and the pure joy I see on my daughter’s face makes my heart explode. I pull her close to me and press a kiss to her temple, then get to my feet as Alik and Tomas join us on the stage for some pictures.
After all the formalities are over, we pile back into the car for the trip home, and it’s on this short journey that I feel my phone vibrating in my pocket. I fish it out and glance at the screen, a smile spreading across my face as I see it’s a photo message from Jai. It’s a picture of me hugging Katya and kissing her temple.
Jai Winters: seriously the most adorable thing I’ve ever seen *heart eyes emoji*
“Look, sweetheart, I told you Jai would take some photos.” I hold the phone out to Katya so she can see the picture.
Jai Winters: want to fuck you so bad right now
“Oh Jesus! Fuck!” I fumble with my phone in my desperation to get it away from Katya, and in the effort in ends up flying across the car and landing at Alik’s feet.
He picks it up, and with one glance at the screen, he tosses it back to me, his lips twitching with barely contained amusement.
15
JAI
A few days after the tree-lighting, I finally take Professor Zolanskov up on his offer to watch one of his lectures. I’m driven over to St. Vladimir’s University, which is on the outer edge of Vlalens’s Old Town, by one of the palace cars, saving me the walk in the freezing conditions.
It’s a reasonably small campus by American standards, but is nonetheless one of the most prestigious—and oldest—colleges in this part of Europe, so it is really no wonder the esteemed Nikolai Zolanskov is based here.
Professor Zolanskov nods in greeting when he sees me arrive for the lecture; I return the gesture, taking an empty seat about halfway up the hall, settling in for a fascinating lecture discussing the concept of an Eastern European ‘identity’ in the post-Communist world.
When the lecture is over I let all of the students file out, lingering so I can speak with Professor Zolanskov. “That was amazing, thank you for the invitation.”
He smiles warmly. “I’m glad you enjoyed it. I’ve been thinking, you mentioned at the banquet you intend to pursue a doctorate—perhaps you would consider continuing your studies here, at St. Vladimir’s? It would be my honor to advise you.”
My mouth falls open in shock and I once again have to beg myself not to start fanboying all over the place. “That would be amazing. I’m not a hundred percent sure what the logistics would be, but it’s definitely something I’m keen to consider.”
The professor gives a satisfied nod, before checking his watch. “Very good. I must get to my next class but I’m sure we will speak again soon.”
“Yes, absolutely. Thank you again.”
As I walk across the main courtyard of the university, I’m completely lost in thoughts of potentially continuing my studies here. The opportunity to complete my PhD with Professor Zolanskov as my advisor is seriously like an incredible dream come to life. And, of course, there’s the financial perk. Tuition at St. Vladimir’s wouldn’t be even close to matching the expense of any American college offering a doctorate in my field.
I’m snapped out of my thoughts by the vibration of my cell in the back pocket of my jeans. I pull it out and tug off one
