Free The Morning Star by Robin Bridges Page A

parents?”
    “Do you think I will be happy if I continue to obey their every wish for the rest of my life? This is my life, and yours. And I want both of us to be happy. Together.”
    “Did you just decide this?” I asked. “I thought your parents were waiting for me at Gatchina.”
    “They are.” He smiled. “But I began to make plans of my own last night, when the guards notified us that the crown prince had returned to St. Petersburg.”
    “What does this have to do with Danilo?”
    George held my hands up between us, the silvery fae sparkle in his eyes flashing in the darkness. “I know he’s been in contact with you. And I know you are frightened of him. He will always thirst for your blood, Katiya. The bond between you two must be severed somehow. I don’t know if it’s even possible while both of you are alive.”
    I felt chilled. “Are you saying you want the crown prince dead?”
    George let out a frustrated breath. “That would make our lives simpler, wouldn’t it? But no. I just do not want him anywhere around you. I’m taking you to Paris, where I can keep you safe.”
    I’d always wanted to see Paris. But not like this, running off in the night like a thief. And certainly not without the tsar’s permission.
    “We have passports,” George said.
    “But mine is issued under my father’s name.”
    “Not any longer. You are listed under mine, as my wife.”
    Women and young girls were not allowed to leave Russia without their father’s or husband’s permission. I found it barbaric that even at the end of the nineteenth century, I was considered a man’s property. Still, the thought of running away from all of our problems sounded so tempting.
    George was stroking my hand again. “We’ll be married before we reach the border. An Orthodox priest will meet us in Riga at dawn.”
    I leaned back and closed my eyes again. I knew my parents had a country estate near Riga. “What if our families come after us? And the imperial guard? Or even worse, Konstantin?”
    “Trust me,” George said, his mouth suddenly very close to my ear. My body flooded with a tingling warmth. His lips moved from my earlobe to my cheek and then down my jawline. His hands cupped my face, pulling me toward him. I kept my eyes closed and dwelled solely on the physical sensations. My fingers brushed over the medals on his coat, the golden fringe on his shoulders.
    “Katiya,” he murmured. “Once we’re on the train, we’ll have a whole night to amuse ourselves. What will we do?”
    I blushed. “Sleep, I’m sure.”
    He laughed softly. “Duchess, I love you so.”
    It felt so good to hear his laugh. At that moment, I knew I would risk everything to have a life with him, just as he was risking everything for me. “I love you too,” I whispered, pulling him back to me.

I insisted we sleep in separate berths, for I was terrified that the train would be stopped and boarded by the imperial guards or that our families would find us.
    George was more concerned about the lich tsar. He insisted on sleeping in the berth below mine. I’d never slept so close to a boy before. Just knowing that he was lying beneath me, listening to his breathing all night long, filled me with fear and excitement. I was terrified and anxious for what the morning would bring. And I wondered and fantasized about our sleeping arrangements the following night.
    The rocking of the train lulled me to sleep much faster than I’d expected. I dreamed of the lich tsar and his wife, Princess Cantacuzene. She was laughing at me and telling me that my time was up.
    I awoke to bright sunshine and the sound of George coughing.Immediately, I pulled on my robe and slipped out of my sleeping berth. I needed to find him something to drink.
    “Katiya?” His voice was weak as he emerged from his berth. “Did I wake you?”
    “Of course not,” I lied. “Let me ring for the porter. I’ll get you a glass of water.”
    He reached out and touched my sleeve.