Page 76 of A War Apart

“Not at all. They’re heading toward Sevken. Their path shouldn’t take them anywhere near your home.”

I filed that bit of information away for later. “So you’ll be heading toward Sevken, too, if the baron goes.”

“Much as it pains me to be from your sunny countenance…” He grinned as I pursed my lips. “Yes, if Lord Kazimir is sent away, I’ll go with him. Wherever he’s sent.”

And if the baron chose to attack another defenseless woman?

The thought came from nowhere. Alexey hadn’t been with the baron when I was attacked. He would have stopped it. Not like the soldiers who’d been there. I would never forget their faces, the bloodlust in their eyes. How they did nothing as Lord Kazimir murdered my housekeeper and beat me. How they’d held me down for him, helped him violate me and murder my son…

“Sofia?”

I flinched. My nails dug into my palms where I’d clenched them, and bowls of solyanka sat on the table between us. When had the barmaid returned? I forced my muscles to relax, inhaling a deep breath of the salty, vinegary steam rising from the soup before me. “Sorry. I was lost in thought.”

He reached out and took my hand. “Is something wrong?”

I smiled brightly at him—possibly too bright, given the curious look he gave me. “I’m fine. How long have you been working for Lord Kazimir, anyway?”

“Four months now.”

Just after the attack. Had he been nearby? In Tsebol, or possibly even closer? No, he’d told me at one point that he’d never been to Tsebol. I scooped a spoonful of sour cream into my soup and took a bite.

While we ate, he kept the conversation light, entertaining me with stories of his childhood in the capital. When we finished eating, he stood and held out a hand. “Come. I want to show you the best view in the city.”

He led me back outside and toward the city proper. The capital wasn’t silent—it never was, even when the court was absent—but we walked down side roads, away from the noise of the busier streets.

As we walked further from the city center, the sound of crashing waves grew. The air was thick and wet, and the smellof salt was stronger than at the palace. The temperature had dropped; I tugged my coat tighter around me.

“Close your eyes,” he said.

I narrowed them suspiciously at him before doing as he asked. He guided me a few more steps, around a corner, and stopped.

He let go of my arm. “You can open them now.”

We were on an ocean overlook. A stone wall marked the edge of the cliff, and down below, white-capped waves crashed onto the rocks. The full moon lit up the scene in brilliant light. I gasped. “It’s beautiful.”

“Yes, it is.”

I turned to see Alexey staring, not at the scene in front of us, but at me. A laugh burst from my lips.

“That is the most ridiculous, trite thing you could have said,” I told him, still laughing. “Did you honestly think I would fall for that?”

“Ridiculous, trite…and true.” He brushed his thumb over my cheek, the corner of his lips tugging upward. “How could I look at the moon when I have the sun standing next to me?”

“I believe you are teasing me, sir.” I tried to keep my tone light, but the earnestness of his gaze made my breath catch in my throat.

“Not at all.” He stepped closer, and I took an involuntary step back. “Do you have any idea how beautiful you are?” He put a hand under my chin.

I should have stopped him, but I was transfixed. His dark eyes held a passion so intense it was almost frightening. His thumb brushed my bottom lip. “You are divine. Whenever you’re near, I find it impossible to look away.”

Warmth flooded my body. This wasn’t supposed to be happening. I was using him. I wasn’t supposed tofeelanything. But I didn’t pull back from his touch. He smiled that half-smile and leaned closer. I closed my eyes.

Then his lips were on mine. He wrapped his arms around me and pulled me close, his kiss both soft and demanding. I opened my mouth, letting him in.

He pushed me up against the stone wall, and I was trapped. His breath turned foul, his hands suddenly larger and more forceful. I shoved him off with all my strength.

He stepped back, holding his hands up. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have—I’m sorry.”

Alexey. It was Alexey in front of me. Not Kazimir Vladimirovich, not him and his vicious companions. “No.” I shook my head, hands clenched in the folds of my sarafan. “Not you.” I stared at the ground, counting pebbles as I took deep, gasping breaths, my whole body shuddering. “Wasn’t you.”

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