the latest society gossip, while Galina and her father sat nearby at the large maple desk, murmuring occasional sounds of assent in her mother’s direction as they worked. Very occasionally, Galina’s mother would pause in her ramblings to say in a dreamy voice, “Oh, my beautiful Galechka, how we shall miss you when you leave us…” Galina would look up from transcribing her father’s work, and smile at her. Then Galina’s mother would sniff a few times, dab at a nonexistent tear, and continue her rambling.
It was fairly obvious that her mother’s change in attitude stemmed from the realization that once Galina married Sebastian and left Roskosh Manor, she would no longer have to compete with Galina for Lord Prozorova’s affections, a contest that had rarely come up in her favor. But Galina was grateful for this new peace, regardless of its cause, because it allowed her to focus on helping her father with the great work of preserving Izmorozian culture.
While Galina felt that her work with her father was of profound importance, she was also committed to her other great work, gently guiding her betrothed, and all the power he possessed, away from the empire and over to the side of Izmoroz and its people. Though she had vocalized it to no one, not even her father, she sometimes fantasized that with her intellect and his magic, the two of them might be able to finally liberate Izmoroz from imperial rule. Galina was honest enough with herself to admit that such potential was at least part of why she found Sebastian so appealing.
When Masha entered the library, apologizing for the intrusion and asking if Galina was free to speak privately to Captain Portinari, she did not hesitate to comply. In her mind, she was performing her duty both as future wife and future savior of Izmoroz.
But Galina paused when she entered the drawing room where Sebastian waited for her. He hadn’t noticed her arrival yet and he was pacing uneasily back and forth in the small room. His blond hair was more unruly than usual, and his military coat, which he typically took such impeccable care of, was streaked in dirt and grime, as were his usually spotless boots. When he turned to her, his face was gaunt and lacking its usual olive-tinged glow. His eyes looked bleary, with dark, heavy lids, as if he had not slept in quite some time.
“There you are, my dearest Galechka!” He took her hand and stroked it tenderly but anxiously, as though it were a beloved cat that was known to be fickle in its affection. “How are you feeling today, my love?”
“Very well, my sweet volshebnik, except for my present concern for you. Have you been pushing yourself too hard?”
He laughed, but it was only a short burst, and seemed more uneasy than mirthful. “I suppose I have, my love. It… has been a difficult night.”
“You mean day, my dearest?”
He blinked at her in confusion for a moment, then gave another quick laugh and nodded. “Yes, I suppose I do.”
“You mean to say you did not sleep at all last night? Please, my dear volshebnik, come sit with me. Rest your weary head.” She gently led him over to the nearest sofa.
“I am a bit tired,” he admitted as he sat down next to her.
“Come, I insist.” She pressed his head down into her lap. For a moment he resisted, but then it was as if all the anxious energy he had been expressing suddenly left him and his head weighed heavily on the tops of her thighs.
“There now, isn’t that a little better?” she asked as she stroked his hair.
“It is.” He closed his eyes.
“Now, won’t you please tell me what troubles you? I could not bear it if my own sweet volshebnik were to hide things from me.”
“The life of a soldier is… filled with profound hardship, my beloved Galechka.”
She wondered if he was already nearing his breaking point. It would be an additional challenge, not to mention exceedingly awkward, should he leave military service before the wedding, considering Commander Vittorio was paying for a great deal of it. But she was confident that with her father’s support they could make it work, albeit with far less pomp.
“I can only imagine the challenges you must face daily, my dearest,” she said. “But know that as your betrothed, I am here to support you, no matter what.”
He turned his head slightly so that he could look into her eyes without