Russia, 1525
The Grand Princess Salomonia screamed when the soldiers came for her. She had cloistered herself deep in the woman's quarters, in a windowless room that glowed red from the wall hangings she had made herself. Salomonia backed into a corner, stumbling over her long skirt.
"Where is my husband? Where is Vasily? I demand to see him!"
Silently, two tall guards took her by the arm. She wrenched away, her long veil flying out.
"You cannot do this! I am the Grand Princess!"
"Not any longer, my lady" Another man stepped into the room. His beard spilled onto his chest, and with a grave expression, solemnly confirmed Salomonia's fears. "The Grand Prince of Moscow, Vasily III, has divorced you."
"No."
"On grounds of barrenness,"
"No! It is God's will I will not bear a child! Vasily cannot divorce me for this!"
"You will be sent to a nunnery,"
"No, no, no!"
"And will be treated with all due respect."
"He cannot do this! You cannot do this!"
She raged all the way. The soldiers dragged her through low doors and narrow halls. The Kremlin fortress shook with her cries.
"If you should do this evil thing, you shall have an evil son!" Salomonia shrieked. Spittle formed at the corners of her mouth, and her hair hung wild and free. "Your nation shall become prey to terrors and tears! Rivers of blood will flow, the heads of the mighty will roll, your cities will be devoured by flames! You will have a son, and he will be evil!"
The former Grand Princess was bundled into a carriage, cursing. By nightfall all of the Kremlin and Moscow had heard of the Grand Princess's prophecy. But the Grand Prince Vasily turned a blind eye and wed again.
He would name his son Ivan.
YOU ARE READING
The Romanov Bride
Historical FictionBefore there was the Grand Duchess Anastasia Romanov, there was Anastasia Romanovna, the nobleman's daughter who would be the first tsaritsa of Russia, and the woman who set the stage for Russia's last dynasty. Chosen from among a thousand noble gi...
