positions, preparing for when Lissa would enter last. I was studying one of the new chandeliers, admiring how realistic the 'candles' in it looked. I knew they were electric, but the craftsmen had done amazing work. Technology masked in old-world glory, just as the Moroi liked. A small nudge drew my attention away.
'Well, well, well,' I said. 'If it isn't the people responsible for unleashing Rose Hathaway on the world. You've got a lot to answer for.'
My parents stood before me in their typical and wildly contrasting clothing. My mom wore the same guardian outfit I did, a white shirt with black slacks and jacket. Abe was . . . well, Abe. He had on a black pinstripe suite, with a black dress shirt underneath. Splashed against the darkness was a bright, lemon-yellow paisley tie. A matching handkerchief peeped out one of the jacket's pockets. Along with his gold earrings and chains, he also wore a black fedora, which was a new addition to his outlandish wardrobe. I guess he wanted to go all out for an event like this, and at least it wasn't a pirate hat.
'Don't blame us,' said my mother. 'We didn't blow up half of Court, steal a dozen cars, call out a murderer in the middle of a crowd, or get our teenage friend crowned queen.'
'Actually,' said Abe, 'I
My mom ignored him, her expression softening as she studied me with her guardian eyes. 'Seriously . . . how are you feeling?' I'd seen them only briefly in the days since waking up, just enough for us all to check in on each other. 'You're doing an awful lot of standing today. And I've already told Hans not to put you on active duty for a while.'
It was one of the most motherly things I'd ever heard her say. 'I . . . I'm fine. A lot better. I could go on active duty right now.'
'You will do no such thing,' she said, in exactly the tone she'd use giving orders to a troop of guardians.
'Stop coddling her, Janine.'
'I'm not coddling her! I'm looking out for her. You're spoiling her.'
I looked back and forth at them in amazement. I didn't know if I was witnessing a fight or foreplay. I wasn't thrilled about either option. 'Okay, okay, just back off you guys. I survived, right? That's what counts.'
'It is,' said Abe. He suddenly seemed very fatherly, which weirded me out even more than my mom's behavior. 'And despite the property damage and string of broken laws left in your wake, I'm proud of you.' I suspected that secretly, he was proud of me
'I'm proud too. Your methods were . . . not ideal, but you did a great thing. Great
All of us looked over at the foot of the throne. Ekaterina stood on one side, ready with the book of royal vows. The other side was where members of the monarch's family stood—but only one lone person was there. Jill. Someone had done a great job of cleaning her up. Her curly hair had been elaborately styled and pinned, and she wore a knee-length sheath dress with a wide portrait style collar, just barely showing off her shoulders. The dress's cut made the most of her lanky figure, and the dark green satin looked great with her features. She was standing straight, chin high, but there was anxiety all over her, made more obvious by her being so conspicuously alone.
I glanced back at Abe, who met my eyes expectantly. I had a lot of questions for him, and he was one of the few who might tell me the truth. The decision was: which question to ask? It was like having a genie. I'd only get so many wishes.
'What will happen to Jill?' I asked at last. 'Will she just go back to school? Are they going to train her to be a princess?' Lissa couldn't be both princess and queen, so her old title went to the next-oldest member of her family.
Abe didn't answer for several moments. 'Until Lissa can get the law changed—and hopefully, she will—Jill is all that allows her to keep her throne. If something happens to Jill, Lissa will no longer be queen. So. What would you do?'
'I'd keep her safe.'
'Then you have your answer.'
'It's kind of a broad one,' I said. '‘Safe' means a lot of things.'
'Ibrahim,' warned my mother. 'Enough. This isn't the time or place.'
Abe held my gaze a bit longer and then broke into an easy smile. 'Of course, of course. This is a family gathering. A celebration. And look: here's our newest member.'
Dimitri had joined us and wore black and white like my mother and me. He stood beside me, conspicuously not touching. 'Mr. Mazur,' he said formally, nodding a greeting to both of them. 'Guardian Hathaway.' Dimitri was seven years older than me, but right then, facing my parents, he looked like he was sixteen and about to pick me up for a date.
'Ah, Belikov,' said Abe, shaking Dimitri's hand. 'I'd been hoping we'd run into each other. I'd really like to get to know you better. Maybe we can set aside some time to talk, learn more about life, love, et cetera. Do you like to hunt? You seem like a hunting man. That's what we should do sometime. I know a great spot in the woods. Far, far away. We could make a day of it. I've certainly got a lot of questions I'd like to ask you. A lot of things I'd like to tell you too.'
I shot a panicked look at my mother, silently begging her to stop this. Abe had spent a good deal of time talking to Adrian when we dated, explaining in vivid and gruesome detail exactly how Abe expected his daughter to be treated. I did not want Abe taking Dimitri off alone into the wilderness, especially if firearms were involved.
'Actually,' said my mom casually. 'I'd like to come along. I also have a number of questions—especially about when you two were back at St. Vladimir's.'
'Don't you guys have somewhere to be?' I asked hastily. 'We're about to start.'
That, at least, was true. Nearly everyone was in formation, and the crowd was quieting. 'Of course,' said Abe. To my astonishment, he brushed a kiss over my forehead before stepping away. 'I'm glad you're back.' Then, with a wink, he said to Dimitri: 'Looking forward to our chat.'
'Run,' I said when they were gone. 'If you slip out now, maybe they won't notice. Go back to Siberia.'
'Actually,' said Dimitri, 'I'm pretty sure Abe
'You really are the bravest man I know,' I told him.
He smiled, his eyes falling on a small commotion at the room's entrance. 'Looks like she's ready,' he murmured.
'I hope I am,' I whispered back.
In true grandiose fashion, a herald brought the room to attention. Perfect silence fell. You couldn't even hear breathing.
The herald stepped back from the door. 'Princess Vasilisa Sabina Rhea Dragomir.'
Lissa entered, and even though I'd seen her less than half an hour ago, I still caught my breath. She was wearing a formal gown but had once again dodged sleeves. No doubt the dress-maker had had a fit. The dress was floor-length, with a skirt of silk and chiffon layers that moved and fluttered around Lissa as she strode forward. The fabric was the same jade as her eyes, as was the dress's top, with a halter collar covered in emeralds that gave the illusion of a necklace. Matching emeralds covered the dress's belt, and bracelets completed the display. Her hair was worn long, brushed out to gleaming, platinum perfection, an aura unto itself.
Christian walked beside her, a sharp contrast with his black hair and dark suit. Customs were being modified significantly today since a family member normally would have escorted Lissa, but . . . well, she was kind of running out. Even I had to admit he looked amazing, and his pride and love for her shone on his face—no matter what troubled feelings stirred within him over Tasha.
Ekaterina made a small gesture to a large satin pillow on the floor in front of the steps. 'Kneel.'
There was the briefest hesitation on Lissa's part, one I think only I noticed. Even without the bond, I was so attuned to her mood and tiniest actions that I could pick up on these things. Her eyes had gone to Jill. Lissa's
