Page 24 of Cry of the Firebird

Anya shut the book loudly,startling Yvan awake. He shifted in his chair and rubbed at his face.

"What is it?" he murmured.

"Baba Yaga was right. Eikki didn't want to train me because I'm too much like Yanka."

Yvan ran his hands through his dark curls. "Why would he think that?"

"It says it here—I was too much like her. He also mentions some woman called Zosi, but I don't remember her," Anya said, opening the book again to point out the paragraph she'd just read.

Yvan scanned the lines, his frown deepening. "There are certain people who could take your memories away. There wouldn't be many who are still alive who knew Yanka. If Eikki were anything like Ilya, he would've been reluctant to share things that were too personal. He must've trusted this Zosi to show you to her. I don't know what this prophecy is that he mentions either."

Anya threw her hands up in frustration. "But why would it matter if I was like Yanka? What the hell did she do to make them fear her? I can't remember what I did to make Eikki go to Zosi! It's just another thing I feel I should know, and it's missing."

Yvan said, "Yanka's history is sketchy at best. I know she was a Power here in Skazki, and her battles with Baba Yaga were known from one side of Skazki to the other. Ilya avoided any wars between Powers, even though he was probably asked more than once to ally with them. He was determined that his family would be neutral. It's possible Eikki didn't want another war andthought you might start one if you came completely into your power."

Anya brought her knees up to her chest, trying to breathe and ease the ache inside of her. Eikki had been afraid of her? She couldn't remember anything that she could have done to upset him.What other memories had he taken from her?

"How did Tuoni know about the memory spell too? He did something to break it, Yvan, because I felt it… I'mstillfeeling it every time I get a memory back. What if I did something horrible, and it's better that I don't know?" she asked. Yvan sat down beside her and rested a comforting hand on her back.

"I don't know much more than you about what's going on, but I'm going to take you to someone who might. His name is Trajan, and he's an old friend of mine. Someone who also knew Ilya," he said gently. "It's possible that he knew Eikki too. He's going to be able to help us."

"Yvan, you've been asleep in that egg for over a hundred years. He's going to be dead, not helpful," Anya pointed out.

Yvan smiled. "Trajan doesn't age like the rest of us, don't worry. If he's in Skazki, I know where to find him. We will get to the bottom of this, Anya. I promise. We got away from Vasilli for the moment, but we can't wander about Skazki without knowing what's been going on while I've been in the egg," he replied, brushing the hair from her face. "Hey, look at me. I've only known you for a few days, but I know that you aren't evil or malicious. A pain in my ass, sure, but not evil. I doubt there's any memory that comes back that you won't be able to handle."

Anya managed a smile. "Thanks, Yvan, you're a pain in my ass too, but you're okay."

"Stop reading this tonight and try and sleep," he said, closing the journal and putting it in her bag. He moved back to his chair, and Anya stretched out in the bed, hoping that, for one night, the dreams would leave her alone.

Yvan stayedup and watched Anya toss and turn in her sleep, debating whether he should try to wake her up. Anya was dreaming again, but she wasn't producing any magical beacon, thank the gods. She was already attracting too much trouble, but leaving her to fend for herself was unthinkable.

Yvan would need help protecting her, and with any luck, he would find Trajan quickly. Yvan paced the room, considering his options. He didn't know if bringing another person into their mess would be a good idea.

They will hunt her mercilessly once her potential is known, the firebird whispered through his mind.Whatever your misgivings, you will need help and what I offer. Let me out, and I will cry tears of pearls to pay for the protection if she needs it.

Why are you so concerned about her wellbeing?Yvan demanded. It was unlike the bird to care about any human.

Her touch woke us from our long slumber, and her power broke our prison. That's not a debt quickly repaid. Besides, you will not leave her. You are too honorable for that, Yvan Tsarevich. What affects you will also affect me. You are becoming too fond of her, thus, so am I.

Yvan didn't reply but looked at Anya's tangled mass of fair hair. Maybe the bird was right. The firebird impatiently stretched itself underneath his skin, so Yvan shut his eyes and waited for the pain to begin.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Anya woke at dawn and looked blearily around the room. Her head pounded painfully when she tried to sit up, so she sagged back down again with a groan. After a few minutes, the door opened, and Yvan appeared carrying a food tray.

"Good morning," he said, placing the tray on the edge of the bed. Anya groaned in reply. "Here, drink this, and you'll feel better." He waved a small cup of black coffee under her nose. Anya sat up slowly, resting her back against the wall. The coffee seared her mouth and throat before flooding her stomach with warmth.

"God, that's hot," she said, screwing her face up.

"It will give you an appetite." Yvan smiled and drank his own.

Anya looked at the dark circles under his eyes and his messy morning hair. "You look terrible, Yvan. Didn't you sleep at all?"

"A wooden chair isn't the most comfortable thing to sleep on."

"You could've pushed me over the other side of the bed," Anya said, the coffee finally starting to wake her up.

Yvan shrugged his big shoulders. "It would've been inappropriate, and a gentleman would never presume to fall asleep beside a lady without her permission."

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