Anya

Chapter Forty-One

Chapter Forty-One

   Anya heard Nikolai's words and she couldn't help but agree with everything he said. Dimitri was a special kind of person. He was kind, he always thought of others before himself and he always felt like he had to protect everyone. He had a funny side, he wasn't dull like Mikhail was and he had charisma. He really was a one of a kind, as cliche as that was.

   "I don't care what you think Nikolai, you and your family are all murderers and nothing you say or do will make me change my mind." Brokova repeated again. Brokova was getting tired with having to repeat himself. How long was this charade going to last before he was able to leave this room. 

   They had been in it about an hour and Brokova never liked being in the same place for too long. He got agitated and he always felt like there was always something more important to do. This little conversation he was having was so low down his list, it didn't even make the bloody list!

   Nikolai was at a loss for words. He didn't know what he could do to change his mind. Surely this constituted in his son's eyes as him trying to bargain with him before they killed him? They can't play this cat and mouse chase for much longer, can they?

   Nikolai's eyes went to the Queen's. She wasn't looking at anything in particular but when she saw that he was staring, she gave him a sad smile. She was sorry that this was what it had come to but not even she could change his mind. 

   "Think about the past Brokova. Just think about what it was like before the accident." Nikolai told him. "Sure, we weren't best friends or anything, but I have saved your life so many times. This is the first time in nearly thirty years that I have managed to speak to you. You have to do this for me."

   The Queen looked at her husband, she gave him a short nod that only her husband caught. She was telling him that the sorcerer was true. 

   "Brokova, you would never have made Ivan's birth if it was not for this man. You have to at least consider what he is asking. All he wants is his family and friends out of Anceps. He doesn't even care about himself - even his son is willing to give his freedom up just for the rest of their family to be safe. His eldest two children were born in this palace. You have to think carefully about this."

   Secretly, Olga was scared for her life. She was not showing it but Nikolai looked like a man who had lost everything. She used to be close to Irina, his wife before the accident happened and everything spiralled out of control. It had all happened so fast and before she knew it, the whole family were on the run and they never saw each other again.

   Now, a family got a trial before being sent to Anceps. She had to admit that it was very rare for a family to win their case but with the Kanatova's, they didn't even get a say. Nikolai managed to fend them off for a good few years but when Irina gave birth to Katia, Nikolai let his guard down and they were captured.

   Olga had never been scared of him before but she was frightened now. She had to do something before Nikolai acted impulsively and killed her husband. If Brokova died, she didn't know how she would cope. She still saw that young man, the one who loved her with everything they had. The man with whom she had four beautiful children and six grandchildren. She was no going to let him die because his pride and stubborness got in the way. 

   She wanted to tell him to think about her but she didn't want Nikolai to think that she knew he was going to kill him. If she started weeping at his feet, begging him to give in to them. If it looked like she was saying her goodbyes, she would give Nikolai a reason to kill him.

   She had been Queen for forty-five years and she had learnt a few tricks between then and now. She had to keep her composure and yet she also needed to show compassion and show the role of someone who cares. She had to be strong and show an united front with her husband.