Once Upon His December

Chapter 25 - Only Hope

Three Years later

Kira

Fresh rain had fallen overnight. It left a crisp, clean smell to the air.  I was enjoying it out in the garden.  Nikola just turned three last summer.  A fiery child, she was so much like her father.  Sometimes,  I couldn't breathe.

With strawberry blonde hair and my button nose, at first glance she looked just like me.  However, one look into her steel gray eyes with a slight smirk tugging at her rosy lips, Nikolai was looking back at me. 

I walked through the snow dotted gardens with Vlad by my side.  He had been for much of the last three years.  My truest friend, ally and Uncle to my daughter.  Through all the heartache, Nikola had been given every benefit of being the Tsarevna. 

It helped when Vlad secretly explained that whether raised as a princess or grandchild, Nikola's title actually wouldn't change. The one title I missed more than anything was Nikola publicly calling me мама.  In the privacy of our rooms, Nikola called me mother. However, when others were around, Anya was mother. I was simply Kira, the trusted nursemaid.

Nikola skipped happily through the garden, picking flowers and pulling the petals off.  She would toss them above her, gasp then fill the air with a melodious laughter.  It was similar to my own.  The sight of my daughter so deeply happy made it easier for me to bare our unusual situation.

"Kira," Vlad prompted.  I hummed my response and he continued.  We strolled arm in arm following my strawberry haired sprite.  "I uh...actually needed to talk to you about something.  It's quite serious."

We both stopped walking.  I turned to face Vlad, my dearest friend and confidant.  My brows furrowed.  He rarely was this serious.

"What is it?"

"Father told me earlier," he paused, taking both my hands in his.  "That Theodore is returning to court," Vlad stated, speaking the words quickly.  I paled instantly.  "He has fulfilled his mission and claims to be rehabilitated. Father is granting him an invitation back to court."

"No...no, no, no," I mumbled, feeling suddenly very dizzy.  For over four years I had lived in peace, no fear of his manipulative behaviors.

"I have an idea, Kira," Vlad continued, gripping me by the arms to steady my swaying.  "It's a wild idea but I think it could work.  It would likely be your only hope to protect you from Theodore."

"I'm listening," I conceded.  I was willing to do anything to be guarded from Theodore.

"Marry me, Kira," Vlad queried.  My brows rose, mouth dropped open.  He wasn't deterred.  Vlad knew me well and must have fully expected my shock. "I know you don't love me like that and probably never would.   I love you dearly, but as a sister.  However," he exhaled a heavy breath through his nose.  "I can never be with who I want, so I am willing to offer you my protection through marriage."

I frowned in confusion.  "Why can't you be with who you want?"

"It's not acceptable, Kira," Vlad whispered. 

Even as he did, those blue shining eyes flicked to a guard walking through the garden.  I followed Vlad's gaze noticing the man Vlad was giving a longing look toward.  I smiled sympathetically.

"Does he know?" I whispered.

Vlad nodded slowly.  "He agrees and supports this idea. We would still be expected to...consumate to ensure it is a legal union and absolutely indisputable.  Especially by Theodore but I would fight beside you to help raise Nikola as my own.  God knows I love her already."