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The men remained silent, but their attitudes had changed considerably at the revelation that they were going to get a raise.
Dmitri turned his eyes on his father and knew that a discussion was about to happen that would most likely determine if he was going to inherit the title of ruling head or not.
So be it.
He walked past Vasili into the large receiving room beyond the terrace doors, finding Semyon already seated on a sofa, waiting for them to join him.
Chapter 13 - Alina
The room lay in absolute silence.
She couldn’t bring herself to take her gaze off her father’s, even though he didn’t seem about to offer her so much as a smile. In fact, he looked as bitter as ever. As though he was quietly blaming her for forcing him into this position.
Still, the sound of his familiar roar over the treetops and the sight of him streaking across the sky had brought tears to her eyes. Of gratitude and joy at how he’d not ignored her after all. He’d showed up to help save the day, his men helping to secure the house and the grounds. She’d seen familiar faces everywhere as she’d approached the house at Dmitri’s side. Heavily guarded and grim-faced hitmen who had been in her family’s employ since before she was born. It had sent elation through her, but she’d checked herself at how secure she felt with these men around.
Remember, she’d thought,that it begins and ends with you—not them.
She had to take responsibility for her own safety. And she supposed the moment to start was right now because she was about to break away from needing her father’s approval as a safety net for her life choices. No matter what Semyon Kumarin thought of her true mate, she was his. And she was staying with him.
There would be no arguing to be had on that point.
She was sitting on an elaborate antique chair, one of a matching pair, Dmitri seated next to her on the other. They were high-backed, intricately carved things that were exceedingly uncomfortable. She wished she’d chosen the velvet settee instead. Her father was on a sofa that looked as hard on back as the chairs were, while Vasili had chosen a leather armchair to her right. His legs were crossed, his hands loosely resting on his lap. He was watching his son the way her father was observing her; all of them waiting to see who would be the first to speak.
She supposed the stand-offish nature of their interactions was a bit reductive, and so she said, “I didn’t think you were coming.”
Her father didn’t move a muscle to show how her lack of faith affected him. She wondered if he even thought he was responsible for it, or if she should take responsibility for it herself. He had never seemed very attached to either of his offspring. But hehadshowed.
“I didn’t think I was either,” he said. “But when a ruling family is threatened in this unusual manner—though I think it’s been at least a thousand years since an underling tried to step up and steal a mantle—the others have always heeded the call for assistance.”
So, it hadn’t been out of love for her. She finally moved her eyes away from his to hide her disappointment, but his next words brought her gaze back on his.
“But, to add to that, I have to say that I’m proud of you, daughter.”
The words made her raise her eyebrows, soft confusion swirling through her chest. Why would he be proud? She’d made a mess of everything.
“Vasili has told me how you’ve comported yourself,” Semyon stated. “You saved his life.”
Oh.
She’d forgotten she’d stopped Gregor’s arrow from hitting its mark. So much had happened since that, it had completely escaped her how she’d actually moved when it mattered most. She felt her father’s pride in full then, and accepted it, offering him a trying smile.
For the first time since they’d sat down, she saw the glimmer of a smile in his eyes.
“I owe you a great debt,” Vasili said.
“No, that’s…” she trailed off, knowing that denying it wouldn’t really get her anywhere. These things were settled over decades, sometimes more. If she ever found herself in impossible circumstances again, she knew she could ask him to repay his debt and he wouldn’t so much as bat an eye, no matter what shape that repayment took. “Thank you,” she said.
Vasili bowed his head that it would be his pleasure.
She wondered if it would be. Perhaps she’d never have to cash in. Then an idea came to her that was impossible to ignore.
“Actually…” she said, glancing at Dmitri. “I would ask it of you now,” she finished, fixing Vasili with a look she hoped was steady, convincing.
“What is it?” Vasili asked.
“That you arrange a sit-down with my father and don’t leave the table until you’ve both hashed out whatever this old beef is between you,” she stated.
Dmitri turned his head to her in surprise. Her father grumbled under his breath, then huffed, shaking his head. Vasili narrowed his eyes at her.
