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Ana’s bodyguard touched her arm, albeit briefly, and glanced towards the rear door of the room, before heading towards it. Ana followed reluctantly. She’d given her word. Another security person, this one a man, fell into step behind her. They stopped at the door itself.
Half in, half out, allowing her a view of Casimir still. Casimir caught her gaze and held it for a heartbeat. And then he turned back towards the screen.
A new photo came up, a shot of Ana. Make-up-free and with her hair piled high atop her head in a messy ponytail reminiscent of Sophia’s, she wasn’t looking straight at the photographer, but rather appeared to be staring intently at something in the distance. Ana tilted her head and tried to place the background. The park in Geneva, near where she lived? No. The walled garden at the winter palace? Ana frowned. The cloistered walkway? Yes.
‘There’s one more person I’d like you to meet. Not in person today, but soon. Her name is Anastasia Victoria Douglas. She’s twenty-six, of English and Russian descent, the mother of my child, and one of the strongest women I know. Which is good news for me and for Byzenmaach. A strong royal consort is a blessing for all.’
Cas looked her way again and a flicker of some undefined expression crossed his face. Sorrow? Apology? Royal consort? What was he doing?
‘We will be married within the year.’
A picture of two children racing through a garden came up on the screen, a huge wolfhound loping alongside them, and for a moment Ana would have sworn the girl in the picture was Sophia. But it wasn’t Sophia. It was Casimir and his sister.
‘He’s finished,’ murmured the bodyguard. ‘Go.’
The door closed behind them and minutes later Ana was back in Casimir’s office, with the bodyguards stationed just outside. Casimir joined her not thirty seconds later and shut the door behind him.
Ana took one look at him and felt her self-control shatter. ‘What was that? What the hell was that?’
‘Necessary.’ Casimir wasn’t in the mood for criticism. He’d done what he had to do. He’d gambled it all.
For a woman who looked alarmingly pale, her voice certainly seemed to radiate a lot of heat. ‘I refused you. In what world does no translate into I’m marrying you within a year?’
‘You’re not indifferent to me, Ana.’ Surely she could do him the courtesy of admitting it. ‘You could come to love me. You’re already halfway there.’
‘I know that. You know that. Every man and his falcon at the winter fortress knows that. Doesn’t mean I said yes.’ She started pacing and he leaned back against the edge of his desk and watched her work off some of her temper.
‘You gave me permission to destroy your reputation in order to preserve mine.’
‘Still not a yes!’
‘It was a foolish offer and I refuse to do it.’ He crossed his arms, trying to get a read on the extent of her distress but she wouldn’t stand still long enough for him to properly see her face. ‘I want my people to value and protect you, Anastasia. I want stability for Sophia. This is the way to do it.’ He drew the ring she’d admired from his pocket and held it out to her.
‘No,’ she snapped. ‘Hell, no.’
‘You liked my mother’s ring more?’
‘Casimir, I’m not doing this.’
‘You want love as well,’ he said. ‘I’m getting there. I’m willing to work towards it.’
‘It’s not work,’ she grated, and then his office door opened and Rudolpho stormed in.
‘What the hell was that?’ the older man said, and then his gaze took in Ana and the ring and he paled. ‘God have mercy. You haven’t asked her yet?’
‘I’m doing it now.’ Obviously. ‘So if you’ll excuse me, I’ll get on with it.’
Rudolpho closed his eyes and put both palms to his face. He let out a laugh that sounded ever so slightly hysterical and then wiped his face. ‘Your Majesty, I’ve known you since you were a baby. I’ve bounced you on my knee. I taught you everything I know about statecraft. And less than a week into your reign you invite the northerners back to our table and announce a wedding when you haven’t secured the bride yet? Are you deliberately trying to end your reign? Because I know I taught you better than this.’
