✧ ♥ ✧

Radomir Garin. In Katya's family, the eldest son was always named Radomir, a tradition that went back for as long as anyone could remember. It was her father's name, and his father's, and his grandfather's.

Was Luda then Katya's great aunt many generations back?

Aleksander's Luda had lived when the Fold was created, and according to this book that was four hundred years ago. She had known he was old, and that his power made him nearly immortal – but that old?

The thought was mind-blowing.

Katya recalled the night before; Aleksander's strong, attractive body and youthful behavior. Did his age really matter to her?

No. It didn't matter at all. In his arms she felt safe and cherished, and that was all she cared about.

Katya had never been very religious, but now for the first time she wondered if fate had placed her here with Aleksander. That maybe the Saints wanted to give him a chance to redeem himself after the tragedy he caused when he lost Luda.

It was almost as if she could be a new Luda, his reincarnated lover. Rationally, she knew this wasn't the case – Luda was her ancestor, and it was only logical she had inherited some of her traits – but yet she couldn't quite shake off the feeling of significance.

Resolutely she picked a new book from the crowded shelf and turned up the first page. She had been insistent on helping and supporting Aleksander before, but now her determination had become tenfold.

✧ ♥ ✧

Katya was so engrossed in the book that she forgot to pay attention to her surroundings. It was the smell that first alerted her, that nauseating odor of old tombs and incense; the Apparat had moved so soundlessly she hadn't heard him come.

Snapping the book shut, she turned around to face him. "What do you want?" she asked with a boldness she didn't feel.

The Apparat pulled out a chair and sat down much too close for her liking. "What do you read?" he countered in a conversational voice.

"Not your business. Now leave me alone."

"Still feisty. I like that." He flashed his yellow teeth. "It's unwise, however. Do you like birds?"

Katya ignored him, and tried to move her chair a bit further off.

"I see you are resolved not to be curious. Again, unwise. You see, a bird might sing – sing a little song about someone's secrets." He paused, apparently expecting an answer, and when he got none he continued: "You have grown important to the general. He's training you personally, and they are jealous of that – your little Grisha friends, I mean. But if they knew the truth... Well. They would draw their own conclusions about the cause of his interest. They'd be certain that your summoning ability has nothing to do with it. – Oh, I see that I've got your attention now. Good. Better. You should listen closely to what I say, for I have the power. The power over your reputation."

"What do you want," Katya asked again, suppressing the desperation she felt.

"I just want to be your friend." He licked his lips and edged his chair closer. "Be friendly, and I shall make sure the bird stays silent." He placed a thin finger on her hand, caressing it lightly.

Katya forced herself to remain still and not snatch her hand away. "What exactly does this 'friendship' involve?" she asked between clenched teeth.

"Good. Good girl. Finally asking the right questions." He slowly traced her inner arm. "I think you like it rough. I could tell you to bend over this desk and let me take you like the general did."

Katya shuddered despite herself. "Never."

He chuckled. "Fear not, sweetheart. I'm not that forward. I won't push you... Not until you're ready." He cupped her cheek with clammy fingers and turned her face his way, forcing her to meet his gaze. "If you knew me better you'd realize I can make you happy. Really, really happy... But let's take it slowly and start with a kiss."

When his face came closer it took almost all Katya's willpower not to recoil. Then his cold, wet lips touched hers and a wave of nausea hit her. Giving the man a hard shove, she jumped to her feet and hurried out of the library.

"You'll regret this!" he called after her. "The bird will sing. Oh yes. It will sing a pretty song indeed!"

✧ ♥ ✧

In the corridor outside, Katya nearly crashed into Aleksander coming the other way carrying a stack of dusty books. He looked unusually pleased, and Katya quickly rearranged her features so he wouldn't notice her dismay and get worried.

"I took the opportunity to scour the king's own library when I was in the palace today, and found some books that seemed interesting," he said. "I took them with me so we could go through them together – if you have time?"

"I'd love to, but let's read them in your office instead of the library," Katya hastily suggested. At his questioning face, she bit her lip and added: "I prefer to be at a place where we can't get disturbed."

"I see." His dark eyes glittered. "But there's a risk that we won't get much work done if you're going to look that sexy..."

"That's a risk I'm willing to take." She forced her lips into a smile, feeling false for not being honest with him. Yet, how could she tell him what the Apparat had done? If she did, he would most likely kill the man, and that would ruin everything Aleksander had here. The king would arrest him, or even drive him away, and the Grisha would be without their leader and protection.

Therefore, when Aleksander bent down to kiss her she returned it, forcing away the memory of another man's slimy lips against her own.

While walking after Aleksander to his study, Katya pondered over the encounter in the library. Would the Apparat really tell the other Grisha about Aleksander and her? If he did, he'd have no more power over her. Would he throw that opportunity away so soon? If she was lucky, he'd stay silent a while longer, hoping to threaten her into doing what he wanted.

Maybe she could seek him out and trick him somehow...? Making him believe she would grant his wishes if he gave her time. Then she could simply stay out of his way – and remain close to Aleksander whenever she had to leave her room.

It was a risky plan, but it was the best she could think of right now. It had to work.

A/N:

Will it work, do you think? Or will the Apparat spill the beans?