Once Upon His December

Chapter 18 - The Feast

Nikolai

Our ride back was in comfortable silence.  Kira snuggled up to my side as snow lightly fell around us. When the carriage pulled up in front of the palace, I sensed her hesitancy to break our cocoon of warmth.  I was too, but it was warmer still inside.

I rose and turned toward the door but stopped.  My eyes narrowed, glued to the front doors.  Kira must have seen  my body stiffen.  She pivoted to see what I was looking at.  There she was, the last person I wanted to see shivering in the cold, winter night air like a predator.

"They aren't supposed to be back," I gritted out. Moving again, I opened the door for Kira.

Kira was shaking, her eyes wide.  "I-is he-"

I lifted her down, firmly holding her by the waist.  I kept her close in front of me even when her feet were on the ground.  "If Theodore is here, I won't let him near you."

Offering my elbow, Kira took it with a soft smile.  I led us up the steps of the palace as if we had done this together for years.  Lada's face went lax at seeing me walking with Kira.

"Happy Christmas, Your Highness," Lada chimed sweetly as she gave a deep curtsy.  She made sure to dip low enough to give a perfect view of her bosom.

"Happy Christmas," I responded with a dip of my head but my voice was cold and clipped.  I didn't even bother to make eye contact with her.

Instead, I offered Kira a ghost of a smile.  I unclipped her cloak then removed my own and passed both cloaks, gloves and hats to a servant to hang them up. 

My breath caught in my chest taking in her form in the lovely pink dress.  Lada meant nothing to me. She never had been anything more than a nuisance.

Continuing on our path toward the dining and dance halls, one of Kira's fellow singers hastened to catch up with us.  We both heard the running footsteps and turned to see who it was.

"Your Highness," Henry, the tenor bowed and greeted.  "May I come get Kira when it is time for our quartet?"

"Of course," I responded, nodding my head.  "I won't keep her from singing for me."

"Thank you," Henry bowed again, giving a subtle wink at Kira promising to tease her about this later.  Kira rolled her eyes.

"Dance with me," I ordered softly, holding my hand out which Kira willingly took.  The warmth of her hands travelled up my arm as I led her to the dance hall.

The concertino of strings was already seated ready to begin playing.  They positioned their instruments when they saw me pull Kira into a hold for a Viennese Waltz.

"Have you learned the Viennese Waltz, принцесса?" (Princess) I asked softly near her ear.  Her fingers curled in my shoulder.

"Yes, Your Grace," Kira answered.  Her voice flirtatious on its own accord.  I felt her cheek muscles tilt into a smile.

With Kira's hand on my shoulder, my hand on her back and our other hands joined, the music began.  I led us in twirls and turns then into progressive lines to move around the floor.  Many other couples soon danced with us.  All combining into quite a beautiful sight.

Just because I enjoyed hearing her laugh, I lifted Kira from her waist into the air and spun.  Hands on my shoulders, Kira would lean her head back and let out a melodious laugh then come back down smiling with flushed cheeks.

As we twirled, spun and progressed through the floor, Kira's eyes suddenly began to grow heavy. She squinted her eyes closed and shook her head as if trying to clear fuzziness.