Genya and I sat on the sofa in my sitting room surrounded by boxes of sweets, plates of pastries, and bottles of wine, several of which were empty. Sweet wrappers littered the floor. Aleksander entered, but stopped short at the sight of us. "Just what are you two doing?"
"Celebrating Genya's birthday!" I giggled and pressed a smacking kiss to her cheek. "Happy birthday!" Genya started to laugh, but it turned into a hiccup.
Aleksander's brows were raised. "I see. And have either of you eaten anything of substance?"
I snickered. "Well, we ate a substantial amount of candy and pastries."
"It was substa…subst…it was A LOT," Genya slurred.
I dissolved into another fit of giggles. "You can't even talk."
"How much have you had to drink?"
"Also A LOT," I snickered.
The corners of Aleksander's mouth twitched then settled back into a firm line. "I don't envy either of you the headaches you'll have tomorrow. Come on, both of you, time for bed."
Genya stood on wobbly legs and staggered a step towards the door. "Where do you think you're going?" Aleksander crossed his arms.
"To my quarters, moi sove…soveren…" She waved her hand. "Well…you know."
A muscle feathered in Aleksander's jaw. "You won't make it five steps." He pulled me up from the sofa, supporting me with one arm, then took Genya with the other. He led us towards the bedroom. "You'll both sleep in here tonight and I'll stay in the sitting room." It was a sign of just how drunk Genya was that she didn't argue. We both crawled into bed fully clothed and were asleep within minutes.
The next morning there was a knock at the bedroom door. "Come in," I groaned. Aleksander opened the door and light from the sitting room poured in, nearly splitting my head in two. Genya whimpered and pulled the covers up over her face.
"Well, well, well, if it isn't the consequences of your actions," Aleksander said dryly. "Here, both of you take one of these." He handed us each small bottles of tonic.
Genya slurped hers down with a sigh of relief. "What is it?" I asked, examining the bottle.
"A tonic from the Healers to ease headaches and nausea. Though I ought to make each of you suffer through it naturally. I rang for breakfast trays, they'll be here momentarily." He left the room.
Servants brought the trays and placed them across our laps. By the time I finished eating I was feeling much better. Genya looked at me with large eyes. "Do you think he's mad?" She whispered.
"I'm not sure."
She poked me in the arm. "Go find out, I'll stay here."
"Coward," I teased, but I got up and padded out of the bedroom, shutting the door behind me.
Aleksander was sitting at his desk, riffling through a stack of papers. I saw no point in beating around the bush. "Are you angry?'' I whispered.
He gazed steadily up at me. "Do I seem angry?" He asked in his smooth, cool voice.
I shrugged. "I don't know. You're being rather stern."
He smirked. "I wanted to watch the two of you squirm. Do you really think I've never been drunk before? I'm just glad you did it here, where it's safe." The bedroom door opened a crack. "Come on out, Genya. It's perfectly safe," Aleksander called.
Genya tiptoed out and hung her head. "I'm sorry, moi soverenyi.
He held up his hand. "There's no need to apologize."
Genya appeared as though she might collapse from relief. "I'll just…um…I'll just see to my duties then."
Aleksander's lips twitched, just as they had the previous night. "An excellent idea."
"Good day, moi soverenyi." She scurried out the door.
Aleksander turned in his chair and pulled me down into his lap. "It was all I could do not to let you two see me laugh last night."
"So, you're truly not mad? Not even a little bit?"
"Why should I be? You are at perfect liberty to celebrate with your friends. Get black out drunk if you choose. I'll happily bring you tonics and order you breakfast in bed. Eat yourself sick on sweets. Just promise me you will always do it here."
"I promise," I answered and kissed him.
"Now, I believe you are scheduled for private training with Botkin this morning."
I groaned. "If you're not angry, why are you punishing me?"
He chuckled. "I didn't schedule this, my love, you did. Last week, remember?"
"Well, current me wants a word with last week me. I am no longer the same person."
He laughed. "Go on, or you'll be late and Botkin will take it out on your face."
I twined my arms around his neck. "I'd rather stay here with you."
"I'm sure you would and I would be happy to meet your needs, but unfortunately we both have responsibilities. You have training with Botkin and I have a meeting to attend."
I groaned again, but dutifully kissed him and got to my feet. According to Aleksander, we would have thousands of years together, if not eternity. I supposed I could wait a few hours.
