“My lord?”

Ivan blinked, pulling himself back out of his thoughts and to the servant that stood before him. With an effort he sat up straight, the heavy tome of magic in his hands falling to the floor where he left it.

“What is it?”

“There is a lady here who wishes an audience with you, my lord.”

Ivan closed his eyes at the sharp pain and rage that flooded through him. “I have no wish to see anyone, especially not a lady. Tell her to go away.”

“I think you should see this one.” Came a deeper voice.

Opening his eyes Ivan stared at the tall man behind Aubrey. Byely’s eyes were dark and unreadable. With a sigh Ivan nodded. Both guard and servant slipped away and he allowed himself to sink back down in the chair, staring back into the fireplace until the distinct sound of someone clearing their throat caught his attention.

“What is it?” He snapped, not deigning to face whomever it was.

“I . . . I must speak with you.”

New rage flared up and he snarled. “I told you, Maryushka, that if I ever saw you again I’d kill you!”

“I know.” Came the quiet reply from behind him.

Ivan stood and whirled upon her. “Then leave me . . .” His words froze at the sight of what she carried. In her arms a small child yawned and Ivan gasped as it opened golden eyes and peered up at him.

Maryushka stepped towards him, holding the child out. “I cannot care for him, my lord.” She whispered, “I do not know what else to do.”

Ivan shook as he held out his hands. Gently the lady placed the child in his arms and stepped back. It was awkward for a moment but eventually Ivan found the correct way to the hold the child and he was granted with a lazy smile before the golden eyes closed and the child drifted off to sleep.

“It is his?” He asked quietly.

The lady nodded. “The Koshchey would have used a spell against me. It was the only way to keep it from working. Don’t be angry with him, he did not wish to do it.”

Ivan ran his knuckles over a pale cheek, marveling at the softness of the pale skin. “Does anyone else know?”

Maryushka shook her head. “No one. I left Tsar Afron’s palace as soon as I realized that I was with child and I used the money you had given me to get a small house. My spinning and embroidery earned enough for me to get a midwife and the story of a dead husband made those that were curious stop asking their questions. I . . . I tried to care for him but I cannot offer him a true life, my lord. And I thought that you might want him.”

Ivan nodded, sinking down into the abandoned chair and holding the child close. “You give up your rights to him? To both of them?”

The lady nodded. “I have no means to care for him and his father was never mine.”

Ivan considered for a few moments. “There will be much to do. I will need your cooperation for some of it.”

“He gave up everything to help me, my lord. Even when he feared that it would cause him hardship if you ever found out. It is only fair I do the same.”

“Bring Byely to me and have someone send for the Grey Wolf. We must start now.”

Maryushka nodded and slipped out of the room. When the door closed the child in his arms awoke with a start and peered up at him. For the first time in nearly a year Ivan felt the beginnings of a smile tug at his lips as he brushed his fingers along the baby’s arm. The child gurgled and he allowed the smile to soften his features. Silently he promised that he’d protect this child better than he had protected the father and that one day father and son would be together.

He swore it with all his heart.