The Unfailing Light

In the end, the empress was not that cruel at all. The spell was lifted, and my mother and brother arrived at Smolny to pick me up the day the Christmas holidays began. Maman seemed nervous as she came to my room to oversee my packing. "It is freezing in here, Katiya! How do you sleep at night?"

I didn't know if she was sensing anything supernatural or not. I decided not to mention the ghost to her, for surely she would want to hold a seance. Petya was waiting in our family carriage at the gates. I gathered up my belongings and hurried downstairs. We had almost made it to the door when I saw Elena's brother and sister in the hallway.

"My lovely duchess, Katerina Alexandrovna," Crown Prince Danilo said, taking my hand. His warm lips lingered on my skin. I tugged my hand away. "And your beautiful mother is with you."

Maman curtsied. "Your Highness." He did not take her hand, I noticed.

Anastasia of Montenegro, now the duchess of Leuchtenberg after her marriage to my uncle George, smiled at Maman. "Our mother is anxious to see us all home. She delivered a healthy baby boy last month, Prince Petar."

"Please give both of your parents our warmest congratulations," Maman said.

My brother took my bag when we reached the carriage and helped me and Maman into our seats. It was good to see them both. Petya looked as if he'd aged years since I'd seen him last. He was thinner, with several lines etched in his face that I had never noticed before. I hoped he would have time to talk to me about the Order. Maman babbled the whole ride home about the servants and Papa's ongoing plans for his Institute of Experimental Medicine. I leaned against the window and stared out at the snow-covered streets. It had been months since I'd been outside of the school. It felt wonderful. And strange.

"I suppose you will not want to attend Miechen's Children's Ball," Maman said with a sigh. "She was so looking forward to seeing you. But I told her you would probably think you were too old."

"That's fine, Maman. I'll go," I said, still gazing out the window at St. Petersburg. My city was beautiful in the winter. A new snow had fallen overnight and blanketed everything in white.

"Wonderful! You'll have the chance to see all of your cousins," she said, not pausing to breathe. "Of course, you'll need some new dresses made. For evenings at the ballet too."

Petya was staring out the window as well, and did not seem to be paying attention to a word Maman was saying. We passed a patrol of imperial soldiers. I glanced at my brother. I was dying for a chance to talk to him alone.

Betskoi House looked the same as it always had. Papa came to the door to meet us, along with several servants. Anya was there and gave me a hug before Papa could. "Duchess! It's so good to have you back!"

"I've missed you too," I said, even though I thought she was safer here at home with my parents than she would have been at Smolny.

"How's my girl?" Papa said, embracing me in his strong arms. His mustache tickled my cheek. He smelled wonderful, like fine tobacco and old books. "I'm so sorry things did not work out this year the way we'd planned," he whispered.

"I'm fine, Papa. It's all right." I didn't want him feeling guilty about anything. It had not been his fault. "I'll make it to medical school one day."

He gave me a tender squeeze before letting me go.

"Anya, is the tea ready?" Maman asked. "We are freezing to death."

Everyone hurried inside, and I finally got Petya to myself as we lingered in the front hall. "Have you heard from George Alexandrovich?"

He frowned. "No, but I have heard several stories about him and the Order's Inner Circle. Katerina, I wish I'd not involved you with any of this."

"With any of what?"

"I fear you have grown too close to the grand duke, Katerina. No doubt our parents would be pleased with such a match, but I do not want to see you get hurt." He frowned before adding, "I worry that he is too dangerous for you."

I had to laugh. I was much more dangerous to George than he was to me. "I thank you for your concern. But what stories have you heard?"

"Katiya? Petya? Where did both of you go? The tea is ready!" Maman called to us from the top of the stairs.

I grabbed my brother's arm as he turned to go up. "Tell me, please."

He shook his head. "Later. I promise. But please stay away from the grand duke if you can."

There was no way I would stay away from George. If he was in the city, I had to see him. I needed to know what the Paris wizards had done to him. If it meant endangering myself, then I didn't care.