and it was arguable whether he had announced the tsesarevich or Vika with more reverence. “Good gracious.” Renata trembled beside Nikolai. “No wonder you feared her the first time you saw her.” But fear no longer described how Nikolai felt. As soon as Vika floated into the ballroom, he’d felt her pull. She was the sun, and he was a mere rock, drawn in by her gravity. He needed to be closer, to feel her magic, to touch . . . her. He trembled at the thought. And he took a step in her direction. Renata reached out and placed her hand on his shoulder. “Be careful. . . .” And then she let go. For
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