March 7, 1918

"Your husband and Nicholas Johnson have been arrested and are being held prisoner at the Smolny Institute," Natalya's friend, Princess Putyatina, told her. Nicholas Johnson was Michael's secretary.

"On what charges?" asked Natalya.

"Crimes against the Russian people," Princess Putyatina said.

"But Michael's innocent!" Natalya protested. "He's never hurt anyone!"

"These days it's a crime just to be a member of the aristocracy," Princess Putyatina replied. "It's just like it was in the days of the French revolution just over a hundred years ago."

When Natalya next saw Michael, she couldn't believe that he was the same strong, brave man who'd rescued her from an abusive marriage just six years previously. He was pale, with disheveled hair and a haunted, helpless look in his eyes.

"Darling!" cried Natalya, rushing to him and showering him with kisses.

"Tasha," he murmured as he clung to her. He rested his head on her bosom, and she softly stroked his hair.

"How are they treating you?" she asked him.

"Not badly," he assured her. "The food's edible, and the living conditions are bearable. How are the children?"

"They're both well, except that they miss you, of course." Natalya began to weep. "Oh, Michael, it's just so lonely without you!"

"Don't cry, dearest." Michael patted her on the back soothingly. "Everything will be all right. The Bolsheviks will be conquered soon, and I'll be right back home with you and our precious children."

On March 11, Michael and his secretary were sent a thousand miles away to the remote village of Perm. Natalya, fearing for Michaela and George's safety, arranged for them to be smuggled into Denmark. With a breaking heart she kissed her children good-bye, not knowing when she'd ever see them again.

April of 1918 was the loneliest month of Natalya's life. Michael was a thousand miles away, and Michaela and George were safely sheltered in Denmark. For the first time in her life, she was completely alone. Every night she slept by herself in the bed she'd formerly shared with Michael, cuddling his pillow close to her chest and imagining that it still held a faint trace of his scent.

In May, Natalya was finally permitted to travel to Perm to join Michael. The journey took eight days by train. Natalya endured the boredom by reminding herself that each passing day brought her one day closer to seeing her beloved again.

At last the train pulled into the railroad station at Perm, where Natalya saw Michael waiting to greet her. He looked much healthier and stronger than he had the last time she'd seen him. He'd gained weight and now even had a tan. When he saw her, his grin lit up his entire face, and he held his arms out to her. She rushed into them, and he clasped her tightly to himself.

Natalya was crying again, but this time, her tears were tears of joy. Tenderly Michael kissed them away, then kissed her lips passionately. She kissed him back with equal fervor, her tongue dancing with his own.

"Where are the children?" he asked when they finally parted.

"Safe in Denmark, with their nannies," she told him.

"God, I missed you so much," he said huskily.

"I missed you too," she told him.

His passion was so obviously high that Natalya wondered whether he'd be able to contain himself until they made it back to the motel. He did, just barely. As soon as they were inside, he picked her up and carried her to the bed, where he eagerly but gently removed first her clothing, then his own.

"Oh, Michael..." she breathed. Instantly he was on top of her, his tongue once again seeking her own, his bare skin hot and moist against hers. His fingers danced against the delicate skin between her thighs, getting her ready, and then he was inside her, still stimulating her with his fingers, thrusting slowly at first, then more swiftly, then almost frantically. She cried out as she went over the edge; he followed almost immediately. Afterwards they lay silently in one another's arms, luxuriating in the ecstasy of being together again after such a long separation.

"I love you, Tasha," Michael whispered.

"I love you too, Misha." She closed her eyes and sighed contentedly. "I just can't believe we're finally together...and safe."

He hugged her tightly and kissed her hair, and suddenly she was aware of nothing else but the sensation of his strong arms around her and the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.