Rose.
"You live here alone?" were the first words to leave my mouth when I caught my first glimpse of the Residence of His Royal Majesty.
The Vajrayudhana
Vajra in sanskrit meant 'diamond'. A suitable name, given the way the palace was glimmering against the dusky sky.
Pure white walls outlined by a dark, rich tone of blue was another indication as to why it was called 'diamond'.
The walls of the palace seemed to glow with a heavenly light. Closer look revealed tiny, hazy lights embedded on the walls, illuminating the walls cleverly. Some of these tiny lights formed patterns of blue on the white walls.
With expansive grounds stretching up to infinity on the three sides, the palace stood a little distance away from the edge of the cliff overlooking the ocean. The by-the-sea charm worked perfectly for the palace, enhancing it's beauty by leaps and bounds, at least where I was concerned.
The Vajrayudhana, called 'Vajra' for short, was one such palace which was regularly featured in magazines and TV shows dedicated to exploring the architectural wonders of the world.
It was widely believed that The Vajra was one of the best buildings in Russovia, second only to the grand Central Palace. While I'd not yet visited the latter, I realized that it really must be something otherworldly for it to beat this beautiful palace in front of me.
Dimitri drove the car through the never ending driveway, his form more relaxed than I'd ever seen. Smiling slightly at my question, he said, "If you don't count the staff, then yes, I live here alone."
Gracefully steering the car with one hand, he reached over to tuck those silky strands of hair behind his ear while shooting me a curious look. "Why do you ask?"
I shrugged, observing the grand fountain ahead. It split the driveway into two separate paths, which merged again as soon as they crossed the fountain.
"Doesn't it get lonely?" I questioned but only part of me was paying attention to our discussion. The rest of me was busy taking in the scenery.
My eyes swept over the well lit grounds which, like the palace, seemed to glow with an ethereal light.
It was as if we were no longer on earth.
Rolling my eyes mentally over the sheer cheesiness of that thought, I returned my gaze to Dimitri.
Faint light for outside illuminated his profile, highlighting those sculptured cheekbones and full lips. Gorgeous seemed to be an understatement. But that wasn't what caused my breath to hitch. It was the realization that this man, his amazingly beautiful man was all mine.
He was promised to me.
The best part? Not his wealth or his looks.
It was his heart.
Grinning goofily, I fought the urge to hit myself over the head in an attempt to snap out of this cheesy as hell mood. But I had to laugh when Dimitri shot me a puzzled look, undoubtedly confused about the cause of my mirth.
"You asked me something?" Dimitri prodded as he parked the car in front of the majestic porch which had broad stairs leading into it, flanked on either side by small white statues perched atop the banisters.
"I asked you if you get lonely here," I said when Dimitri shut off the engine and turned to give me his full attention. "Doesn't it get boring, living in this huge palace by yourself?"
I knew his answer before he even spoke the words.
"I prefer not to be surrounded by people all day," he confessed just as I expected. "But why do you ask? You live in Nakshatra by yourself."
I nodded. "That may be so but it's tiny. At least, in comparison to your palace."
"I think I prefer Nakshatra," Dimitri said with a laugh as he stepped out of the car. I got out hastily before he could come around to open my door.
"I would think that a princess would wait for doors to be opened for her," Dimitri noted, his eyes twinkling in amusement.
I shot him a dry look. "You would think that."
Taking my hand in a casual way that suggested that he'd been doing this for years, Dimitri led me up the porch, choosing to stay silent when I looked around.
Sweeping grounds rolled on as far as the eye could see, on the right, front and back of the palace. The terrain was incredibly level for a place that stood on a edge of a cliff. The ground must have been leveled when the palace was built.
To the right, I glimpsed a great lake at a distance, glowing dimly against the darkness. Again, a clever use of concealed, embedded lighting.
White fences lined the left side, cautioning against the fall from the cliff side. A pebbled walkway led from the palace to the gate set against the fence, maybe providing a pathway down the cliff.
"Yes," Dimitri nodded when I asked him about the pathway. "It leads to a narrow stairway down the cliff."
"Okay," I breathed out, looking at him with poorly concealed excitement. "I'm totally sold now."
Dimitri laughed. "Now? The beach is what seals the deal for you?"
"Yup," I nodded solemnly. "It's just the beach, nothing else."
"Then, you'll love this." He gently tugged me towards the left edge of the porch; the end that was closest to the cliff-side.
"Wow." My breath left my body in a rush when I looked over at the endless ocean shimmering in the moonlight.
We were standing at a perfect vantage point. From this spot, you could easily ignore the fact that there was a strip of land between you and the ocean.
It was almost as if we were standing at the tip of a ship...a very titanic-like moment.
Laughing under my breath, my eyes slid shut as I lost myself to the moment.
Fierce but gentle wind caressed my skin and lifted the strands of my hair in a wild dance. The sound of the ocean was relaxing, peaceful even despite the mighty rumble of the waves. My skin prickled with cold but Dimitri's warmth heated my skin, the electricity battling with the cold.
Perfect.
This was perfect.
Warm arms snaked around my waist, the action so natural and right that I couldn't help but lean back against him.
Dimitri rested his chin on my shoulders as we both stayed silent, looking over at the spectacular sight in front of us.
But most of my concentration was centered on the person holding me close. How and when did this happen? When did this closeness, this synchronicity develop? When did we start acting like a married couple? We've only known each other for a few months...
I had no answers.
But I knew, without a doubt, that I wanted this.
My best hope for my marriage had been to get an agreeable partner who wouldn't treat me like dirt. Someone who actually valued my opinion and with whom I'd get along well.
With Dimitri, I'd found all that...and more.
A good friend was what I'd always hoped to find in my future husband.
When did it change to more? When did I start wanting more?
I didn't know…
But I wasn't about to waste time contemplating it.
Smiling, I rested my hands on his interlocked arms and leaned back further against Dimitri, breathing in deeply and taking in the faint fragrance of the ocean and Dimitri's own heady scent.
I was wrong before.
This was perfection.
Traasa.
Gregory wiped sweat off his brow as the sun glared down on the earth. The air seemed dense and stifling, the wind neither gentle nor cool. It was not a day meant to be spent outdoors but people rarely ever listened to nature.
Especially not people who were hell bent on rebelling against their own country.
Against their own leaders.
Gregory and the other members of the terror outfit they'd aptly named traasa were assembled on the rocky terrain within the dense forests of Russovia.
Squinting against the sun, Gregory's keen eyes swept over the mass of traasa soldiers gathered, his lips twitching up in a smile as he took in the scene.
Their numbers were growing per day.
Perhaps that what his leaders wanted to talk about, Gregory mused as he stood waiting for the leaders of traasa to speak.
Or maybe they wanted to speak about the destruction of Halvi.
Gregory could barely contain a shout of glee at the fond remembrance of what they'd done to Halvi.
What they'd done to Belikov.
What they would continue to do to that man who had the audacity to rule a free country like theirs.
Gregory was pulled out of his celebratory thoughts when his leaders climbed up the massive rock and stood glaring down at everyone.
The stout man, who was called Papa Narak and the hefty man called Vinashak were present. The third leader, the masked man, was absent.
The masked man, Anaama, did not stay in the traasa camp like the other leaders. Being one of the important ministers in Belikov's cabinet, Anaama had duties to take care of. He couldn't keep visiting the camp.
Which was why Gregory cherished each and every visit by the masked leader.
It was during these visits that Gregory knew he was contributing to their cause.
He was training to be a spy under the master spy himself.
If things went well, Gregory knew he'd end up being drafted to work in the Royal Court as a spy.
He couldn't wait to fight.
He couldn't wait to prove himself.
But most importantly, Gregory couldn't wait to take down the royalty.
But for now, he had to be patient. He had to listen to his leaders and do as he was told.
"All my brothers of traasa!" The stout man, Papa Narak began the speech while the hefty man, Vinashak took turns at staring down each initiate. "Listen while I speak."
If Gregory had any sense of humor, he'd have laughed at the way Papa Narak puffed out his chest as he spoke. But Gregory was a man who saw his leaders as gods, the people who would one day liberate Russovia.
He respected them to the point of hero worship and beyond.
"I know all of you have been training with utmost dedication," Papa Narak continued. "Indeed, it is through your efforts that we are inching closer to our goal. Soon, my brothers, soon a time will come when all of you will get a chance to fight this great war against royalty!"
A cheer rose from the traasa soldiers. Gregory pumped his fist in the air as he imagined slaughtering the royal family.
"We have already succeeded in blasting a bomb in the country of Loha," Vinashak took over. "We have succeeded in reducing the town of Halvi to ashes. We've showed that traasa is much bigger, much greater than anything Belikov ever imagined."
The cheer grew in volume.
Vinashak raised his hand and instantly, the soldiers quietened. "But the time has come to move to bigger and better things."
Pin-drop silence fell over the camp.
"Next week, we'll be drafting a fresh batch of spies to the Russovian Court," Vinashak said. "You see, two days later is the day of shravana. The royal ladies will be spending that day in Fort Shyala."
Gregory frowned, puzzled.
"The spies drafted will find out all the details about that trip." Papa Narak said. "All details. Using that, we will attack Fort Shyala!"
Gregory grinned as his fellow soldiers cheered.
Attack Fort Shyala?
Situated two hundred kilometers from the capital Magadha, Fort Shyla has always been the destination for the royal family on the day of shravana. The ladies of the royal family, accompanied by a fraction of Russovian guards would stay there for a day or two. It would be easy to overpower the guards accompanying the ladies. The army couldn't reach there in time since the nearest army base was Magadha itself which was two hundred kilometers away.
Attacking the Fort would be easy, Gregory realized.
He hoped and prayed with all his heart that he'd get a chance to fight.
If he did, Gregory knew he'd dedicate each and every drop of his blood to ensure their victory.
But spilling blood would hardly be necessary, Gregory thought smugly. After all, they just had to finish off the few soldiers escorting the ladies.
Then the ladies would be fair game.
By any chance, if any of them caught his fancy, he'd take the merciful road and make her his.
It was a win-win situation.
Rose.
The tall entrance doors swung open when Dimitri placed his palm against a discrete sensor placed at the side of the doors.
My breath hitched as I took in the grand entrance hall which was designed in the same colors as the exterior: pure white and sapphire blue. The colors gave a calm and cool touch to the otherwise regal hall. Each corner of the room, every nook and cranny seemed to be cleverly planned with intricate designs in diamonds and sapphires.
The floor was covered by a magnificent midnight blue rug; the patterns emblazoned on the rug highlighted by the bright light emitted by the crystal, three tiered chandelier that hung from the ceiling.
"Wait here," Dimitri murmured. "Don't step in. I'll be back in a moment."
He was gone before I even had a chance to say anything.
Turning back to the entrance hall, I let my eyes feast over the tapestries hung elegantly from the ceiling. Each tapestry depicted a state in the empire of Russovia. I recognized it easily, thanks to the endless hours I'd spent pouring over maps and books of Russovian history, civics and geography.
But what really captured my attention, and the attention of anyone who has ever entered this hall, was the large, bright blue representation of the glowing sun - on the wall directly opposite the front door.
The sun was the symbol of the Belikov family, used since the time of Nicholas Belikov the fourth, Dimitri's great great grandfather.
Dad would be so proud if he knew that I'd actually payed attention when he'd tried to teach me about Belikov family history.
Dimitri's reappearance brought me out of my recollection of those afternoons I'd spent in my father's study, deliberately riling him up and getting under his skin whenever he'd tried to teach me about the kings of the old.
Dimitri stepped over the threshold and bent down to place a small glass on the thin strip of marble separating the hall from the outside. The glass was full of raw rice grains.
"What's this?" I asked Dimitri curiously when he leaned back with the smile.
"Ritual," he replied, standing up and moving back a few paces. "When the bride enters her new home for the first time, she does so by spilling a glass of rice."
Powerful words.
I'd never imagined that a few words, thrown casually, would stun me speechless. But that's what happened when Dimitri's lips formed the words 'bride' and 'new home'.
With reference to me.
Blinking, I buried the strange, weird embarrassment that was shooting through me by noting, "But we're not married yet."
"No," Dimitri agreed. "But this is your first step into your future home. So, you need to do this."
There he goes again. Future home.
It was one thing to think those words in the privacy of my own head. It was entirely different to have your fiance speak them aloud.
How can he throw words like that so casually? Does it not affect him?
I was determined not to show how much it affected me either. "So, what do I do?"
"Nudge the glass with your right foot," Dimitri instructed. "The rice must spill over."
"You mean, kick it?" I asked with a smirk.
"Nudge it," Dimitri emphasized, shooting me a look that contained both warning and amusement.
"You're no fun," I grumbled and lifted my right foot by a few inches, my hands clutching the folds of my dress to raise them over my foot.
Readying myself, I looked from the glass to Dimitri, just in time to see the brilliant smile he was shooting me.
That caused me to wobble shakily.
I'd have lost my balance the next moment if Dimitri had not steadied me.
My embarrassment made me want to slap his hands away from my body and retort that I didn't need help but I couldn't do so.
Not when Dimitri caught hold of my right hand and gently nodded to the glass of rice.
Holding my dress with my left hand, I locked eyes with Dimitri while slowly lowering my right foot so that the tips of my toes knocked over the glass.
Rice spilled over the rug but neither Dimitri nor I broke the eye contact, relishing in the warmth shooting through the bond between us.
A thousand messages seemed to pass between us at that moment, and I knew...I knew that he wanted this as much as I did. That he didn't understand this thing between us any more than I did. But he was ready to experience life with me...
The shrill ringing of a phone brought us out of the trance we seemed to have fallen into. When Dimitri retrieved his phone to answer it, I tried take a few, discrete deep breaths to calm myself. This was the second time we'd been interrupted by his phone, the first time had been when we'd visited the dhaara waterfalls back home.
If things continued like this, his phone might mysteriously find itself flushed down the drain.
"I had to take it," Dimitri said apologetically after pocketing his phone.
"No problem," I said glibly and changed the topic to something I'd been wanting to ask for a while now. "You know what confuses me? This hall doesn't seem to be leading anywhere. No doors, no stairs..."
I trailed off when Dimitri walked over to one of the tapestries and pulled it away from the wall to reveal a concealed door.
"Ooh," I walked over to inspect the door. "Secret doors, eh? What's it hiding?"
Dimitri rolled his eyes. "It's not hiding anything. The secrecy is for protection. This door-" he gestured to the door in front of me. "-leads to the official residence."
I nodded.
In Loha, we had one main palace where Mom and Dad lived. The palace had separate sections for official purposes. Dad's living quarters was in a different wing, away from the official parts.
Though Magadha had the Central Palace for official use, it was kind of a norm for King's personal residence to have an official section.
"And this-" Dimitri said, leading me to another hidden door situated opposite the first one. "-leads to the private apartments."
"Wait," The metaphorical wheels in my head turned as I analyzed the placement of the door. There was only one conclusion that could be drawn. Trying not to whoop in glee, I sought to confirm my suspicion. "Tell me it overlooks the ocean."
Dimitri just grinned and placed his palm against a sensor that stood next to the sapphire studded door.
The door swung open with a click.
"Whoa," I commented, looking around the striking room we'd stepped into. It was light and airy, resembling the entrance hall but without the heavy emphasis on grandeur.
What caught my attention immediately was the waterfall wall which ran through the entire right side of the hall. Water spilled gently over the clear surface of gold patterned glass. A narrow pool stood at the base, filled with dark pebbles and underwater lights.
"I've always wanted to install a waterfall wall in Nakshatra," I told Dimitri, listening to the pleasant tinkling sound of the falling water.
"Why didn't you?" Dimitri asked, leaning against the wall.
I shrugged, taking in the rest of the hall. Unlike the exterior, this part of the palace was modern, with state of art facilities interspersed by archaic decor.
"I never did figure out where to put it," I replied, eyes on the soft golden tiled floor embellished by small, swirly, dark brown designs that nicely complemented the off-white, chocolate brown and gold theme of the room.
"Oh, Rose." Dimitri sighed, shaking his head. "Just say that you did not have the patience to spend time thinking about where to install the waterfall wall."
I looked at him in shock but really, I had no reason to be.
Of course he'd guessed right.
He really did know me well.
Dimitri took my silence for confirmation. Smiling that wonderful half smile of his, he strode over to sit on a high backed chair.
With deep golden color and embroidered with chocolate colored designs, the furniture followed the color theme of the room.
Turning away from Dimitri, I strode over to the floor-to-ceiling windows set opposite the entrance door. They provided a marvelous view of the ocean. The darkness had fallen completely now but the ocean was illuminated by the moonlight.
My view was abruptly cut off when soft, golden drapes descended from the narrow, dark brown ridges that intersected the long windows at the top.
When I glared at Dimitri accusingly, he chuckled. But his fingers glided over his phone and in reply, the curtains and shades drew open again.
He also seemed to have adjusted the lighting of the room through his phone as more lights flickered on in the rooms which I could glimpse from the hall.
When Dimitri tapped on his phone once again, blazing fire ignited in a long, narrow, open air modern fireplace on the left wall, set beneath an expansive TV screen.
"The main kitchen's in the basement," Dimitri told me as he led me through the hall to an ostentatious kitchen and connected dining room. "This kitchen is only for our use; for emergencies."
"I'm not so sure about the emergencies part," I told him, eyeing the dark brown and golden theme of the kitchen which contrasted well with the breezy theme of the hall.
Dimitri smirked. "With your appetite, I have no doubt that it will be used."
I punched in arm impulsively, smirking when he let out a laugh.
He sure seemed to be laughing a lot today. I wasn't really sure how I felt about being the source of his amusement. Oh, who am I kidding? I'd do almost anything to hear his rich laugh.
Still chuckling, Dimitri led me into a room which had walls made of stone. At the center of the room was a huge indoor pool which was lit by many twinkling underwater lights.
"There's a pool at the back too," Dimitri told me as I stood mesmerized by the whole 'secret cave' theme surrounding the pool. The pool itself was shaped unevenly with a small platform at the center containing a table and few chairs. The walls resembled the walls of caves with well maintained creepers grown on the sides.
"I think you'll have to drag me out of here," I said, flopping down on one of the long, beach chair at the edge of the pool.
Dimitri shook his head. "The outdoor pool is better."
With that, he hauled me up.
Or well, he tried.
But I resisted, trying to stay seated.
A small tussle broke out between us; a tug of war.
"You won't take me alive!" I snickered, trying to free myself from his iron grip.
Laughing, Dimitri pulled me to him forcefully, making me fall against him.
Forever graceful Dimitri tried to balance us but failed to do so. He lost his footing and as a result, we both collapsed on the floor.
I actually collapsed on top of him while Dimitri's back hit the floor.
I shifted to look down at him, laughing the next moment when I took in the expression on his face.
He looked totally put out by his lack of coordination.
Unable to help myself, I leaned over and pressed a quick kiss to his cheek.
"Come on," I said, freeing myself and helping him up. "We still have a tour to finish."
Dimitri led me through six guest bedrooms, a spa, steam room, a wine cellar, a mini-theater, a games room and a library that stretched between two floors. There was an elevator we could use to move from one floor to another.
What impressed me the most, after the indoor pool and the awesome kitchen, was the state of art facilities in the gym. It was easily twice the size of my gym back in Loha. I was already looking forward to training here. After all, Dimitri had promised to teach me Silat, the deadliest form of martial arts.
After almost dragging me away from the gym, Dimitri led me to the master bedroom that occupied the entire top floor.
I was a little nervous to enter it. Thoughts of sharing this room with Dimitri flashed through my mind, warming my cheeks.
It had been happening all evening, these thoughts of what it'd be like to live here, with Dimitri. But it was fully sinking in now, when I was about to step into the room that would shortly be mine too.
But all thoughts fled out of my mind when Dimitri opened the door.
It was a large sitting room, a hall even, given its dimensions. It was furnished with black leather furniture. The gray, white and blue color scheme along with brushed metal and wood accents used gave off a modern and masculine feel. An elaborately designed coffee table stood at the center of the room, surrounding which were a single curvy black sofa and a C-sectional sofa, piled with soft white and blue pillows.
"This room screams you, comrade." I retorted, looking around.
"That's the idea," he said dryly, earning another punch on the arm.
Two doors stood on the right wall and the left wall had a cozy fireplace, flanked by two dark la-z boys. But what really sealed the deal was a narrow strip of water, encased by glass and embedded onto the floor, bordering the room. The water shone with a soft blue light, the glass covering it was clear and transparent.
"Dimitri, this is awesome." I told him in a hushed whisper as I crouched down to look at it. "It's such an innovative idea. It's like an aquarium but on the floor."
Dimitri's soft, agreeing chuckle reached my ears.
I exhaled and turned to look up at him. "Show me more!"
Dimitri inclined his head. "As you command."
He pointed to the two doors on the right wall. "This one leads to the dressing room and that's the bathroom."
Then, he opened the tall double door situated directly opposite the entrance of the sitting room.
"What's through that door?" I asked though I had a good idea. It must be the sleeping quarters.
"Come on," Dimitri said in reply, disappearing through the double door.
Swallowing nervously at the prospect of seeing such an intimate part of Dimitri's life, I walked over to the door, my mind intent on reminding me that I'd have to share the room with him...share the bed with him.
Oh god!
"Rose?" Dimitri called from behind the door.
"Coming!" I hurried through the door, only to find myself in a hallway.
Oh, but it was no ordinary hallway.
A narrow strip of wood stretched between the two ends of the hallway. On either sides of this path were long, rectangular pools which were lit in soft blue light. The walls were designed to resemble the rough carvings of stone, found in palaces of the olden days.
If the hallway was so stunning, I couldn't imagine how amazing the bedroom would be.
With that thought, I hurried through the hallway and approached the impressive set of double doors made of black wood.
When I pushed open the door, the scene that greeted me wasn't close to anything I'd thought I'd find.
"What on earth...?" Shocked, I turned around to face Dimitri. "It looks like a nuclear bomb exploded in here."
Dimitri only just managed to keep a straight face but his twitching lips betrayed him.
"It's been like this for a while," was all he said.
"Okay, ." I frowned, walking into the room.
It was huge, almost the size of the entrance hall. The top of the room protruded out, pyramid-style, with diamond shaped skylights set in the ceiling. But the room was almost demolished...torn paint had peeled off the walls and the wooden flooring had been removed halfway through. My nuclear explosion comment wasn't really that far off.
It definitely was not a room someone could inhabit, much less the bedroom of the king himself. "Tell me what happened here."
Dimitri strode to the center of the room and turned to face me, his hands in his pockets. "Did you know that my father used to stay here before?"
I raised my eyebrows, urging him to continue.
Dimitri sighed, looking up at the ceiling. "This room...it was his sleeping quarters. This is where he stayed - with my stepmother."
There was tinge of bitterness in his voice that made me flinch.
"I remodeled the entire palace to my liking," Dimitri continued, his face blank. "Even the hallway outside the room. But I couldn't bring myself to touch this room. It's too much."
There was a brief pause while I searched for something to say. His father had always been a bittersweet topic for Dimitri. While King Feodor had been a good father, he had been miles away from being a stellar husband to Olena. Dimitri would usually avoid talking about him so I could understand why he'd found it difficult to plan the renovation of this room.
"Where do you sleep then?" I asked quietly.
"The guest room I showed you," Dimitri replied, averting his eyes from mine. "It's my temporary room."
The guest room? Yes, there was one in this side of the palace. It was a rarity, really, for the king's private quarters to have a guest room. It was only ever situated in the official part of the palace. But it made sense that Dimitri had planned one for himself.
He didn't want to be in this room.
But what about later, after our marriage?
I wanted to ask him but the look on his face cautioned me that it would not be a good idea.
What do I say to him? I hated seeing him in such a depressing mood..
"Tell me about this day of shravana," I blurted out, remembering something Viktoria had mentioned. "Why do the women of your family go to Fort Shyala?"
Dimitri's shoulders relaxed as he let out a breath, happy that I wasn't pressing the topic.
Well, I wanted to.
But I hated seeing him gloomy. Maybe I could bring it up in a better time...
What's happened to me? Months ago, I wouldn't have bothered about waiting for an answer. I'd have questioned Dimitri endlessly and pushed him to tell me the reason. I've always hated being left out of the loop. I needed to know everything, every time. That part had not changed but what had changed was my approach.
I knew better than to pester Dimitri about it.
Now.
Dimitri's honey-like voice, a touch gruffer than usual, brought me out of my musings. "It's a tradition for the women of the Belikov family to celebrate the day of shravana in Fort Shyala."
"Hold up," I interrupted him. "Women of the Belikov family? How many exactly?"
Dimitri's eyes lit up with that spark of amusement he always seemed to have around me. "When I say Belikov family, I mean all the relatives. All the women who are connected by birth or marriage to the family. As of now, it's only me and my siblings who carry the Belikov name, except for a distant uncle and two far relatives. But we consider everyone when we say 'royal family'".
I snorted. "I know what you mean. Everyone wants to be linked to the ruling family."
Dimitri nodded. "You know how it is."
"So, what does this celebration at Fort Shyala entail?" I asked curiously.
"Nothing much," Dimitri replied easily. "Just a few simple rituals. But my mother's particular about it."
"And?" I pressed, knowing there was more to it.
Dimitri's lips stretched into a small smile. "And nothing. I want to cancel the trip this year but mama will never agree."
I crossed my arms over my chest, leaning against the wall as I listened to him.
Dimitri kicked a small roll of plaster aside. "It's just that Fort Shyala is in Naveli province, nearly two hundred kilometers away from Magadha.It's a village, for the lack of better word. The citizens of Naveli reject the modern inventions and cling onto the past. So, there is no network for phones or television...not even a military base."
"That means vulnerability," I realized.
Dimitri flinched, a minute movement that I doubt anyone else would have seen. "Yes. It does mean that. But my hands are tied."
I swallowed, wanting to reassure him.
But I couldn't.
Dimitri did have a reason to worry if Olena carried through with her plans.
Traasa was growing stronger by the day. We couldn't afford to take chances but how do you dissuade your own mother from following through with something she's been doing for ages?
Dimitri could not do anything but I could.
"Olena invited me," I told Dimitri, walking over to him and laying a hand on his arm. "She didn't go into details but she said that I have to be there. So, I can assure you that I'll let no harm come to them on my watch."
Dimitri cupped my cheek gently. "Thank you. But please, be careful. I wouldn't want anything happening to you either."
"You know me," I said softly, entranced by his dark eyes. "I'll be fine."
"I hope so," he whispered, closing his eyes and leaning his forehead against mine. "I hope so."
