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The grand duchess Miechen was dying She was bleeding heavily froe of her twins Even Dr Badmaev orried that he would not be able to save her My rand duchess the herb-laced potions the Tibetan doctor had prescribed for her I stayed at home to take care of Papa and ro , and Princess Militza of Montenegro marriedhad taken place secretly during the confusion i the battle with Konstantin The couples had left on their wedding trips and the Montenegrin king and queen had swiftly returned to Cetinje with their son

The tsar&039;s friendship with King Nikola turned frosty when he heard about Danilo&039;s ascension ritual and Militza&039;s new position as ruler of the St

Petersburg va to discuss any treaties with her when she returned fro I would never have to see the Montenegrins again

Papa foundout theinto the courtyard The roses were just beginning to blooht several of them inside to fill the parlor with their heavy scent

"Katiya, you have been ," Papa said "There will be other handso men to catch your eye I believe the crown prince&039;s proposal was only the first of rand duke&039;s offer of e I tried to force a smile "You truly think so? What if I said I preferred to stay here with you and Mahted, but I believe your randchildren for her" He sat down in the chair next to me with a letter in his hand "Katiya, the time has come for you to make serious plans about your future It appears that your years at the Smolny Institute are almost over" He handed me the letter It was postmarked from Zurich "You o?" he asked

Nodding, I opened the envelope and read the letter "It&039;s an acceptance from the University of Zurich," I said, stunned "They have an opening for me in the fall I&039;ll have to take a course in natural sciences before in, butI would be on my way" Papa looked at me cautiously "We have a fao with you And your mother and I would come to visit often"

"Oh, Papa!" I threw my arms around his neck I was torn I wanted to accept, but I hated to leave Russia Everything I loved was here

And everyone

I shook my head "What about the tsar?" I asked "Will he allow it?" Papa released me and looked down at me "Katiya, you knoas proud to serve the tsar in the Order of St John when I was younger, and I am proud of Petya as well I even served a term within the Inner Circle" I looked at hihed "Not at all Only the Koldun has the authority to study the arcane ics The other members of the Inner Circle are merely loyal ic to the Koldun I helped the Koldun raise protective wards around the city after the assassination of Alexander the Second What I as will always perform our duty to the tsar and to Russia You have a unique opportunity to serve hiift" His face looked troubled as he searched for the right words He took hed This was the conversation I had been dreading ever since George had spoken to Papa at Peterhof I pulled my hands away and moved to the"I didn&039;t want you to know," I said, looking down at the rosebushes below "I never wanted anyone to know"

"I will ad, and there are many ould try and force you to use it for evil"

I turned to look at hiood man, and I will always help him, but I don&039;t want anyone else to find out, Papa"

"I think that is wise Your brother and I will keep your secret And perhaps one day, ill tell your mother" He smiled "But I believe you would be safer abroad The tsar can always send for you in Zurich whenever he has need of your talent"

"What about Konstantin? He is still out there so for him as we speak Once they find him, the Inner Circle will be ready with a ritual to banish hiatyr to fight hiain?" Papa sat down on the velvet settee and beckoned for me to join him

"Katiya, I do not believe our tsar has the physical strength to becoain anytime soon The Inner Circle atyr"

I was filled with fear for the tsar "Perhaps I should stay here, then I could protect the tsar with the shadow spell I could look up more spells to keep him hidden from Konstantin"

"Do you really think the tsar is the kind of hed "Katiya, do you want to rees with us, or do you want to eo of superstition and backward folk rew sad "Your future lies in Zurich, not here in St Petersburg" I nodded, realizing he was right But why couldn&039;t there be a balance? Of old ways and neays? What would becoot theatyr? And ould become of me?