Page 46 of Crimson Oath (The Firebird and the Wolf #2)

Tatyana

W hen Tatyana woke that night, her trailer was parked in an entirely new location.

She opened the door and saw a field of poppies that sloped down a gentle hill where the tall grass had been trimmed by workers holding curved sickles.

The darigan were building a bonfire in the center of a field as humans set up blankets and seats in a meadow where a gentle stream trickled through.

“Tatyana!”

She turned to see Radu walking toward her.

“Radu.” The jovial head of the kamvasa had continued to impress her with his thoughtfulness and humor. “It’s good to see you.”

He stopped in front of her trailer and put his fists on his hips. “How are you tonight?”

“I’m well. Another beautiful landscape that looks like it came out of a picture book.”

Radu winked at her. “The darigan take good care of us, do they not? ”

Tatyana felt a genuine smile spread over her face. “I truly believe the Poshani have no equal in hospitality.”

He put a hand to his chest. “If there is one compliment that will warm our still hearts, it is that one. Thank you.”

She nodded toward the mowers. “What is going on?”

“Ah, the clan is starting to gather for the Vashana Zata. Kezia told you about it, I’m sure.”

Odd that Radu assumed that, but perhaps he’d seen them together. The vampire appeared distracted, and his energy was… strange.

Tatyana sensed his amnis in an entirely new way. Oleg’s blood? It was the only explanation.

“I did hear about the Vashana Zata. Lucky for me that I happened to choose this year to join your caravan. It sounds like a very special festival.”

“And we are pleased that you will join us in our celebrations. The festivities will start to increase soon, but tonight a brother of ours has brought fireworks to enjoy.”

Tatyana looked around at all the wildflowers and long grass. They were still green but drying as the summer waned and the autumn season started to turn.

“I see from your eyes that you anticipate the same thing I did,” Radu said. “The grass is getting dryer this late in the summer.”

“Would you like me to keep an eye on the fireworks tonight?” she asked. “I know you don’t have many water vampires in the clan.”

“You are correct, but of course, you are our guest first, so feel free to refuse.”

“I don’t mind.” She waved a hand and gathered a bit of mist from the air. “It’s an easy thing.”

“Your heart is a generous one.” Radu’s eyes were warm. “It is no wonder that you have won the affection of so many of the people here.”

“I consider a number of them friends,” Tatyana said. “Being here has truly been a wonderful respite. ”

A jolt of fear stabbed her heart. Her time with them was coming to an end. After the Vashana, there were only six weeks left before the kamvasa stopped roaming for the season.

Radu must have seen the worry in her eyes. “Do you have plans for the winter?”

“My mother has a farm,” she said. “I might return to visit her.”

She didn’t even want to think about Oleg yet, what a return to his territory might mean.

“Ah.” Radu’s face brightened. “So your mother is aware of your…”

“Yes.” Tatyana smiled. “She knows what I am.”

“And the rest of your family?”

“It’s just my mother.” Tatyana was quick to add, “She is a favorite of Oleg’s, so they’re friendly. Despite living alone, she always seems to have one vampire or another coming by.”

Hopefully that would let Radu know that her mother was well-protected. She didn’t want to distrust him, but when it came to Anna, Tatyana trusted no one.

Except—by some twist of fate—Oleg. Who seemed to hold Tatyana’s mother in some strange and inexplicable regard.

“I see.” Radu’s eyes were laughing at her. “I have known your old boss for many years. Oleg is able to charm women of every age.”

“But my mother has no use for charm,” she said. “I think that’s why he likes her. She insults him to his face.”

Radu threw his head back and laughed. “Yes, I think he would enjoy that.” He cleared his throat and hooked his thumbs in his pockets. “He is coming to the kamvasa soon. For the Vashana Zata. I invited him months ago, long before we knew…”

“The Poshani people have been more than welcoming to me.” Tatyana was quick to reassure him. “I feel very secure here. Please don’t be concerned about my comfort.”

“The knyaz of the Kievan Rus has visited us many times.”

Oh, you have no idea.

“Of course he would. He must be a very close ally. ”

“He is.” Radu nodded. “But I didn’t want you to be surprised by an unexpected face.”

“I appreciate that.” She motioned toward the stream. “When the fireworks start, I can go down by the stream. That way if any sparks are lit, I can put them out quickly.”

Radu pressed both his hands together and bowed a little bit. “You are a credit to your clan and your sire, Tatyana Vorona.”

She had no clan.

She had no sire.

Her heart twisted in her chest a little bit, but all she could do was smile.

Tatyana was nearly at the position she’d chosen near the stream when she felt a hand grab her arm and yank.

She sucked in a breath, and the amnis in her veins jumped to life at the threat.

Quicker than a blink, she whirled around, only to be met with nothing.

Darkness.

Then a whistle from above.

She looked up and saw Vano sitting on the roof of a nearby vardo.

Wind vampire.

“You walk very comfortably through our camp, Miss Vorona.” One dark eyebrow arched up. “You should be more careful.”

It was another warning, another attempt to push her under his thumb.

“Radu and Kezia led me to believe that my security is absolute within the kamvasa.” She looked up and caught the silhouette of a Hazar hovering in the distance. “The Hazar are always watching.”

“They are, and I am the one who trained them. In fact, many of them share my blood.” Vano looked down at her as if she were a curious insect.

Tatyana had the distinct impression he was testing her.

“So they report to you?” She lifted her chin.

“Should I go to your brother and sister and let them know that I do not feel safe?” Her amnis reached for the water nearby, and the mist in the air clung to her hands.

“Perhaps I should ask Madina or Darius—René DuPont maybe—if they’ve also felt unsafe. ”

He didn’t try to hide his fangs. “That would be unwise. After all, if you feel unsafe, it’s likely because you are welcoming an outsider into your trailer when all are forbidden.”

Oh, he was good.

Tell on me, and I’ll tell on you.

Too bad Tatyana was a professional at hiding her true feelings. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Vano left the roof of the trailer where he was perched and hovered over her, making Tatyana crane her head to keep him in sight.

“So you deny that a vampire is sneaking into your trailer before dawn?”

Interesting. He had some of the information, but not all. He apparently thought Oleg was staying with her.

“I share my day chamber with no one.” She stepped backward, away from the narrow alley between the trailers and toward the creek. She could feel her amnis become stronger every step that she took toward her element. “I don’t trust easily. Especially vampires.”

“Perhaps I’ve been misinformed.”

“Maybe we should both meet with Radu and Kezia,” she blurted. “I’m sure they want to know that you have safety concerns just as I have concerns about vampires treating humans as lesser Poshani and telling them not to feed hungry children.”

Vano smiled. “You think you have something there, don’t you?”

“I think you told me to mind my own business.” Tatyana finally reached the end of the trailers and backed her way into the meadow, keeping Vano in sight. “You should take your own advice and mind yours.”

She was going to have to tell Oleg that at least some of the Hazar had spotted him and those Hazar had reported him to Vano.

Maybe that meant that Oleg wouldn’t be able to “court” her any longer, but the last thing she needed was a bloody and fiery vampire battle on her conscience.

Vano flew toward her, and before she could blink, he was in her face. So close that Tatyana felt his breath on her cheek.

“You should be careful, Tatyana Vorona.”

She froze, and her hand curled into a fist. “So should you. You should know that I have friends, and some of them have very…” She turned and met his black gaze. “… hot tempers.”

It was only her reluctance to provoke violence that had saved Vano from Oleg’s wrath before. She didn’t want to provoke a conflict, but if he continued threatening her like this, she wouldn’t have a choice.

The corner of Vano’s mouth turned up. “I see. Thank you, Miss Vorona. You’ve been very informative.”

A bell rang out in the meadow, and when she blinked, Vano disappeared.

She spotted Benjamin Vecchio as he wandered through the crowd, chatting and making conversation like he was some kind of club promoter. Everyone seemed happy to see him.

Except his mate.

The petite woman was sitting in a small group near the center of the festivities at Radu’s table with René, the French vampire, on one side and Kezia on the other.

Kezia and Vecchio’s mate were leaning together and talking in whispers. If anything, it appeared that they were telling secrets behind the American’s back.

It wasn’t like any mating Tatyana had seen. She was accustomed to Kato and Alexander, who were practically joined at the hip. Benjamin and his mate seemed to avoid each other.

What would Oleg be like as a mate?

Tatyana banished the thought from her mind. By his own admission, Oleg’s dead mate had been a nightmare. The last thing he likely wanted to do was take on another one.

“What are we now?”

“Us. Just… us.”

And that was likely all they ever could be. Or maybe they wouldn’t even be that after she told him Vano had spotted him.

It was probably for the best.

As much as Tatyana desired Oleg, if they kept going the direction they seemed headed, he would take over her life. He was a king. A knyaz . She didn’t hate him for it. She didn’t even resent him anymore.

But she didn’t want or need a king.