“Well, this time we are making that choice,” Dimitri said through gritted teeth. “This time we say you are not going anywhere.”
Rune gazed back and forth between the two uncompromising faces. How did she tell them that she couldn’t stay? How could she help them accept that there were some things beyond even their control? She had less than ten days left. Shaking her head, she watched as the thick snowflakes that had hung heavy in the clouds began to fall outside.
“I do not want to spend the time I have with you fighting,” she replied. “Let us take each day as the gift it is meant to be. We never know when our time will come. There is no sense getting upset about something we have no control over.”
Sergei’s mouth tightened before relaxing. “Agreed,” he said, ignoring Dimitri’s furious look. “Now, I believe your stomach was growling just moments ago. How about dinner?”
Rune bit her lip and cast them a hopeful look. “And a movie?” She asked. “There is a new Christmas special coming on tonight.”
Sergei laughed and shot Dimitri a look that told him the topic was not forgotten. Dimitri gave him a brief nod to let him know that he understood they would talk later. For now, it was time to pick their battles if they hoped to win the war.
“We can eat in the den,” Dimitri suggested.
“Yes!” Rune said with a happy smile. Dancing between the two men, she looped her arms through theirs. “Can we have popcorn too?”
Both men groaned in despair realizing they should never have introduced her to the treat. She was becoming addicted to the buttery popped corn. Her laughter filled the air at their reaction.
Chapter 22
Sergei carefully climbed from the bed. He had to unwrap Rune’s arm and leg from his before he could move. She spread out the moment Dimitri got up. Even with the pillows pressed against her, she lay in utter abandon.
They had discovered if they pressed her between them she was less likely to travel in her sleep. She liked to snuggle against them. She always had her arms and legs entwined with theirs and when she slept, she slept deeply.
Sergei pulled on a pair of dark gray sweatpants. He glanced at the bed and smiled tenderly as Rune rolled over onto her stomach, half on his pillow and half on the one Dimitri had pressed up against her. A light snore echoed in the room. They had done their best to wear her out tonight. She had taken everything they had given her and more.
He walked on silent feet to the door leading into the sitting room. He closed the door quietly behind him so they wouldn’t disturb her when they discussed what they had seen earlier. Dimitri stood with a glass of brandy in his hand next to the fireplace, staring moodily into the flames. Walking over to the bar, Sergei poured himself a glass and drained it. He poured another before walking over to the chairs positioned in front of the fireplace.
Sitting, he crossed his feet at the ankles and sipped on his liquor. He didn’t say anything. He knew when Dimitri was in this type of mood it was best to wait for his friend to tell him what was on his mind.
“We have to do something,” Dimitri murmured in a low voice. “She has to understand that we won’t let her go.”
“I have been thinking about that,” Sergei said thoughtfully. “In all her previous lives, she prevented harm from coming to those she came to help. It is time someone protected her. We will simply keep her here, where she is safe.”
Dimitri glanced over at Sergei before releasing a deep sigh and crossing over to sit in the chair next to him. He was still reeling from what he had seen in the snow. He had been shocked by the image. He knew Sergei had felt the same way. Rune had been oblivious to what they were seeing. In her innocence, she just accepted that was what a snow angel would look like.
“How long do you think she will accept us keeping her a virtual prisoner?” Dimitri asked bitterly. “We do not even know for sure her saving your life is why she was here. What if she is here for someone else?”
“Dimitri,” Sergei said sitting forward and resting his elbows on his knees. “Think! She appeared in our home when we were here. The only other person she met before us was Micha. She has only been with us. She was there when the shooter fired on us. According to Pierre’s report, I would have been killed and you seriously injured if she had not pushed us out of the way.”
Dimitri released a low curse. “Pierre, damn it. He called earlier but we were outside. I forgot to return his call. I’ll have to do it in the morning. He may have more information on who the ‘old woman’ was that the boy kept rattling on about.”
Sergei scowled. “The kid was high on drugs,” he said dismissively with a wave of his hand. “I want to make sure it has nothing to do with our traitorous informant.”
“It doesn’t. I am positive of that from all the reports from the investigation,” Dimitri said with confidence. “So, the only plan we have is to keep Rune locked away in the house until we feel confident any threat to her is eliminated?”
Sergei grimaced. “It doesn’t sound like much of a plan but it is the only one I can think of that will guarantee nothing happens,” he admitted. “At least until the New Year. She appears to believe that she will not be here that long. If we can keep her safe until the New Year, I feel confident she will remain with us.”
“Sounds good to me,” Dimitri said tiredly. “How is the other surprise we have for her going?”
“Micha said it is almost finished,” Sergei. “The last of the plants arrived today. He said the only thing that needs to be completed are some touch up painting.”
“She always talks about her garden,” Dimitri murmured. “She will love it.”
“I love her so much, Dimitri,” Sergei admitted in a hushed voice. “I can’t imagine a life without her filling it.”
“Then we won’t,” Dimitri said, standing up. He set his glass down on the small table between the chairs. “We don’t leave her alone and we don’t let her leave the house until we know she is safe. I am going back to bed, if she hasn’t taken up the whole thing.”
Sergei chuckled as he stood as well and stretched. “Are you holding her down this time or am I?” He asked.
“I will,” Dimitri grinned. “She likes threading her fingers through the hair on your chest.”
“Hey, it keeps her hands still,” Sergei replied, running his hand over the dark hair coating his chest.
“Yes, but not her feet,” Dimitri shot back with a satisfied smile. “You get those as well.”
“I’ll have to remember that in our next snowball fight,” Sergei said ruefully.
Dimitri paused at the door to the bedroom. “I don’t remember ever laughing so much as I have in the past two weeks.”
“Or feeling so alive,” Sergei whispered as he pushed the door open. “How angry do you think she will be if we wake her up again?”
A glimmer of a smile curled Dimitri’s lips. “How passionate do you think she will be?”
*.*.*
Late the next morning, Rune was once again being led blindfolded through the huge former summer palace. She had eaten breakfast with Sergei that morning in the small sunroom off the kitchens. He was teaching her how to speak Russian and she was practicing with him and the servants who chuckled and grinned as she asked them questions. Outside, the snow had stopped and everything was covered in layers of shimmering white.
“You both have given me a beautiful gift already,” she protested. “How can you give me anything else?”
“You will see,” Sergei told her as he guided her down another corridor.
“Is it much further?” She demanded. “Where is Dimitri? Is he going to be there?”
“I am here, маленький огонь,” Dimitri replied, coming up behind them. “I would not miss this for the world.”
“Я рад, что. Я скучал по тебе на завтрак этим утром,” I’m glad. I missed you at breakfast this morning. Rune said slowly in Russian.
“Ах, малышка. Ты заставляешь мен?
? так счастлива,” Ah, little one. You make me so happy. Dimitri said brushing a kiss across her lips when she turned her face toward him. “I love you, my Rune.”
“I love you too, Dimitri,” she sighed. “I only understood a few of the words but I’m getting better. Now, can one of you take this damn scarf off my eyes? I want to see what you’ve done now!”
“Impatient little thing,” Sergei chuckled as he slid his hand over her ass. “Perhaps we should remind you of what happens when you are impatient.”
Rune shivered. “Sergei,” she moaned.
“I want to take her like this,” Dimitri whispered in a hushed tone near her ear. “From behind while she is sucking on you, Sergei.”
“She is beaut….” Sergei started to say when one of the servants came out of a door leading from one of the lesser sunrooms.
“Простите, господа,” Pardon me, sirs. The woman muttered in a soft, polite voice.
“Let us go,” Dimitri said with a slight frown as he watched the woman hurry down the corridor behind them. He shrugged when she turned the corner. “Let’s see if she likes her new gift.”
“Just being with you two is gift enough for me,” Rune admitted with a smile. “But, if you insist on surprising me again, I’ll just have to accept it gracefully.”
“Her true nature is beginning to show,” Sergei teased as he took her hand and wrapped it around his forearm. “She speaks smooth words before letting us know she enjoys gifts as well.”
“Let’s see if she likes this one,” Dimitri said untying the scarf.
“Oh my,” Rune whispered, staring in wonder at the sight in front of her.
The atrium had been restored to its glory days. Brilliant colorful flowers bloomed in abundance while the waterfall along the northwest corner flowed down over the rocks. Large ferns were embedded into rocks and a colorful rainbow formed from the mist of water splashing down as creatively placed lighting gave the impression of natural light.
“You have told us about your garden,” Sergei said as he grasped her left hand and pulled her further into the beautiful garden. “We wanted to give you a place where you would feel at home.”
“Sergei,” she said in awe, looking up at the huge trees that stretched toward the stained-glass ceiling. “This is incredible.”
“Micha has been overseeing everything,” Dimitri said.
“Micha?” Rune asked looking around as she walked along the stone path.
“A garden fit for an angel,” Micha said, stepping out of a small area of freshly planted ferns.
Rune turned and gave the old man a watery smile. “You have created a paradise, Micha. This is beautiful,” she murmured, unable to resist giving the old man a hug and a kiss on the cheek. “Show me what you have done,” she said, sliding her arm through his.
Sergei and Dimitri followed Rune and Micha around the huge atrium as Micha described how he had taken details from the history of the palace gardeners and used it to help him recreate the gardens. They stopped several times so he could explain an unusual plant to her or how he was able to create a certain effect. He also explained that all the metal work and fountains had been restored.
“It did not hurt that Мистер Vasiliev and Мистер Mihailov gave me unlimited funds and workmen to complete the task in such a short time. They insisted it be completed by the time you returned home,” Micha explained.
Rune glanced over her shoulder and gave both of the men following her a shy smile. She turned back when Micha pointed out several new plants. They were walking on the path that circled back around near the small office Micha used. Rune laughed as Micha told her how the men had a terrible time catching several of the small birds that had escaped as they were being placed in the cage.
Her eyes swept the manicured gardens before pausing on the Christmas Rose. Her smile died as she stumbled to a stop. Her heart skipped a beat when she saw that only three blooms were left. She took a slow, hesitant step forward.
“What is it?” Sergei asked when he saw she had become very pale. “Are you alright?”
Rune didn’t respond. Her throat felt like it was swollen. She reached out a trembling hand to touch a delicate petal. She pulled back quickly when it fell off, leaving only two of the beautiful blooms. She took a step back as Micha bent down stiffly and picked up the fallen bloom.
“I keep these for you,” Micha said quietly, holding the fading flower out to her.
Rune opened her shaking palm and accepted the gift. She closed her fingers around the petals and held it against her chest. Drawing in a deep breath, she looked up at the beautiful ceiling. Snow had begun to fall again.
“Måtte snøen falle som kronbladene av en blomst før du slår til tårer av gudene som de våke over den mektige krigeren som han kommer hjem,” she whispered in her own language. “May the snow fall like the petals of a flower before turning into the tears of the Gods as they watch over the mighty warrior as he returns home.”
“Rune,” Dimitri said, suddenly concerned as she swayed. “What is it, малышка?”
Rune looked at the crushed petals again before looking up at Dimitri with a smile. She didn’t want her last few days shadowed with regret and sorrow. She shook her head and threw her arms around his neck, pressing a kiss to his lips before turning to do the same to Sergei.
“Thank you both for the best gift any girl could ever wish for,” she said. “Now, I would like to see those mischievous birds that like to escape.”
Micha chuckled. “Originally, there were two large cages now only one remains,” he explained as he turned down another path.
The rest of the morning was spent sitting, sipping fresh coffee and listening as Micha shared stories of his days at the palace. Rune sat snuggled up on one of the lounge chairs under a blanket listening to the water and the birds. Her eyes began to droop as she relaxed back against the cushions. The men talked quietly in a mixture of English and Russian and she gave up trying to concentrate on what they were saying. Instead, she just let their husky voices wash over her, soothing her. They had woken her up twice during the night and again early this morning. She finally gave up trying to stay awake and fell into a light sleep.
*.*.*
Time seemed as if it was suspended. She could feel herself being pulled into a familiar dream world. One that she knew but was always a little different than before. It was as if she was caught between two worlds - one that was real and one that was make-believe.
She lifted her face to the warmth of the sun with a frown. Where had the sun come from? She thought it was snowing. Opening her eyes, she saw the familiar fields of her homeland in the warm months of summer. Turning, she blinked several times until she could see clearly.
“No!” She cried out softly. “I don’t want to leave. Not yet.”
“Rune!” A voice called out excitedly.
She twirled around at the sound of her name to see a young boy running toward her. Her breath caught when she recognized Olaf’s lanky form. A moment later, strong thin arms wound around her waist and lifted her off the ground.
“Olaf?” She whispered, touching the long brown hair of her little brother. “What? How?”
She was confused. She had never seen any of her family before that she could remember. She looked around to see if her parents or sisters were there as well.
“You were thinking of me,” he said, releasing her. “I could feel you.”
“Where are we?” She asked. “Mother, father, Aesa and Dalla?”
“Only mother and father are here,” Olaf replied. “Where have you been?”
“I... don’t remember,” she whispered, frowning as a sense of panic swept through her. “I don’t remember!”
“Do you want to see mother and father? Perhaps mother can help you remember,” Olaf said.
“No, this isn’t real,” Rune said, shaking her head as she took a step back. “I saw you die. I saw all of you die.”
“Rune,” Olaf pleaded,
reaching out to her. “It will be alright. Mother can help. Come with me.”
“No!” She shook her head back and forth again. “No, I need to... I need to...”
“RUNE!” The echo of twin deep voices pulled at her.
“Come back to us, little one,” one of the deep voices pleaded. “Wake up!”
“We will not let you go,” the other voice said harshly. “Wake up now!”
Rune jerked as she felt a pair of strong arms grip her and shake her. She reached out briefly to touch Olaf once more as he began to fade. She whispered her regret before letting herself be swept away from her dream.
“Tell mother and father I am sorry,” she called out softly. “I should have protected you better.”
“Rune!” The voices bit out harshly as she jerked awake.
“Sergei? Dimitri?” She gasped blinking in disorientation as she opened her eyes. “What is it?”
“You were...” Dimitri started to say in a shaky voice as he brushed her hair back from her face with an unsteady hand.
“Where in the hell were you?” Sergei demanded in a harsh voice.
“I...,” she looked around the atrium. It was just her, Dimitri and Sergei. “Where is Micha?”
“Rune, answer me,” Sergei bit out in a harsh voice, shaking her lightly. “Where were you?”
Rune pushed her hair out of her eyes. “I didn’t go anywhere. I fell asleep.”
“You were fading,” Dimitri said quietly. “We could see right through you. Where did you go?”
Rune’s eyes fell to the crushed bloom of the flower laying on top of the thick wool blanket draped over her. A shiver of anticipation swept through her. She reached out and touched one of the soft silky petals.
“Home,” she murmured. “I saw my brother, Olaf. He said my parents were there but I didn’t see them.” She raised her head to gaze at the two sets of eyes staring intently back at her. “I couldn’t remember you for a moment. I couldn’t remember anything and I hated it. I didn’t want to be there! I want to stay here, with the two of you.”