Page 240 of Lodestar

Me:From?

Maxim:Moscow.

Me:And you’re not in danger from them?

Maxim:Of course. But they would marry you off in an instant to a Pakhan under their control.

Maxim:I am a relative stranger to you, Victoria. Yet you know the truth…

Me:What truth?

Maxim:That I have killed to keep you safe.

His words made my shoulders sag.

Beyond, I could hear the outer door slam and the rabble of voices stirring in the hall, but it was nothing to the chaos in my head.

I wanted to be the woman Savannah was cultivating—independent, strong, self-assured—but that was at odds with an archaic future that involved a marriage of convenience for my protection.

But… it wasn’t a convenience for him, was it?

He could cut ties.

Marry whoever he wanted.

I was young. He had to wait for me to be of age, but he should marry sooner and have a family so he could prepare to cement his power base in the future with children who could forge alliances.

But hewaswaiting.

For me.

Maxim:Katyonok?

Despite his assurances, I needed to ram something home.

Me:I want to go to college.

Maxim:That can be arranged.

Me:And I want to be courted. Inessa didn’t even meet Eoghan until her wedding day.

Maxim:You have already met me.

Me:I want more.

Maxim:More is something I can try to give you but I’m not a pervert. These types of conversations need to happen when you’re older. I would never have spoken about any of this.

Me:I forced the conversation.

Maxim:You did.

Me:I won’t bring it up again.

Maxim:That is wise.

Maxim:I know that boy Harris has been sniffing around you… Take care of yourself, katyonok. You are aware of the consequences to those around you if you don’t.

The threat was both reassuring and annoying.

---