I helped Augusta stand up and together we went to visit Sister Anna, a nun who had been sent to Smolny by the empress to minister to the sick girls. Sister Anna had little medical training, and instead believed that all illnesses could be cured by fasting and prayer. I worried that Augusta would not be strong enough for any fasting. Or for kneeling on the cold floor for any length of time. What we both needed, in my opinion, was either some strong tea or a long nap.
Sister Anna was sitting at her plain wooden desk, writing in a large journal. She smiled when she saw us. “Good morning, girls. What brings you to see me this beautiful day?” She was a small woman, dwarfed in her white woolen habit. She wore a very severe black wimple that hid all of her hair.
“Madame Tomilov sent us, Sister. She said there are many of us that have been feeling poorly today.”
Sister Anna shook her head, her thin lips pinched together. “A bunch of nothing, I believe,” she said with a heavy peasant accent. “Let me have a look at you.” She gestured toward the hard wooden chair next to hers.
I nodded at Augusta to sit down first. I was already starting to feel a little better. Not quite so achy and tired anymore.
“Hmmm,” the sister said, as she felt Augusta’s wrist for a pulse. “Open your mouth.” Augusta did so obediently, with a bewildered glance up at me.
“Nothing more than a guilty conscience, my dear. What have you done?”
Augusta looked frightened. “I am so sorry, Sister. Please forgive me.”
Sister Anna nodded and patted her hands, encouraging her. “What do you wish to confess?”
Augusta’s shoulders sagged. “I sneaked into the kitchen last night and found the basket of cherries meant for today’s dessert. I ate half of the basket all by myself.”
I sighed. No wonder Augusta looked awful. She’d been up all night, overeating.
“Gluttony is a terrible thing, Augusta. I want you to go to the chapel and pray for two hours.” Sister Anna turned to me. “And now, let me look at you.”
I took the tiniest of steps backward. “I am feeling much better already, Sister. I thank you so much.”
“Wonderful. Off with both of you, then.” She picked up her pen and returned to her writing.
I walked with Augusta to the chapel. “Are you really feeling better?” she asked me as we turned the corner and got out of the sister’s hearing.
“I’m just tired,” I said. “I had difficulty sleeping last night.”
The Bavarian princess grabbed my sleeve. “Me too! That’s why I went to the kitchen to begin with! I kept being awakened by something. And it wasn’t Erzsebet’s snoring.”
That strange, cold prickle on the back of my neck returned. “Did you find out what it was?”
“No. It must have been hunger. Oh Katiya, those cherries were delicious. I hope the cook has more. I hope there is pie for dessert tonight!”
Augusta went off happily to the chapel to pray for her bellyache, and I hurried on to arithmetic class.
In class, I took the letter from Petya out of my pinafore pocket and carefully placed it in my textbook, rereading it instead of listening to Madame Orbellani’s lecture. I stared at the number three at the bottom of the page. Was it a key to a code? Petya had always been interested in secret codes when he was younger. I overheard Papa discussing it with him one day, saying that the Order would have a perfect use for his talent. I glanced up at the front of the classroom, at Madame Orbellani. She had written several numbers on the board in an equation and was crossing out digits on both sides of the equal sign.
It gave me an idea. Starting with My Dearest Katiya, I crossed out every third word in my brother’s letter. I hoped that it looked like I was doing my arithmetic problems diligently. It worked perfectly. The words I crossed out sent a chill down my spine when I read them together:Katiya, there is treachery within the Inner Circle.The tsar is in danger. It is not safe for me to sendword directly. Warn the tsar, Sister.
Mon Dieu, what kind of danger threatened the tsar? I’d never even heard of the Order having an Inner Circle. I gasped out loud.
“Katerina Alexandrovna, do you wish to share your answer?” Madame Orbellani asked. “Please remember to raise your hand first.”
My mouth went dry. My brother did not realize I was trapped at Smolny behind the empress’s spell. He was hoping I would be able to slip away and send word discreetly to the tsar. What could I do?
“What is the answer, Katerina?” Madame Orbellani asked again patiently.
I was not in the mood for mathematics. “Forgive me, Madame, but I am still unwell. May I return to Sister Anna?”
Madame Orbellani sighed. “Of course. I shall expect to see your mathematics problems correctly answered in the morning.”
“Oui, Madame.” I hurriedly closed my books and gathered them up. I hated lying to my favorite teacher. But perhaps in the quiet of my room I would be able to send a warning to George. I knew he was thousands of miles away in Paris, but hopefully he would still be able to pick up on my thoughts. It was the only way I knew to discreetly inform the tsar of my brother’s warning. I had to try.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Aurora and Elena had French lessons at this hour, and then they would be going to lunch. Alix was in music class. Our room would be empty for hours, I hoped.
I had tried listening for George’s voice many times at night, while I lay in bed, but there was never any message from him. As I did not share his faerie gift for telepathy, I really did not expect it. Perhaps today would be different. Even if I could not receive a reply from him, I hoped he would hear my thoughts, and at least become aware of the danger Petya mentioned in his letter.
I crawled into bed and slipped under the covers, knowing that if anyone did come in, they’d assume I was feeling poorly. I really wanted to be left alone. I desperately needed the sleep, anyway. I only hoped I could stay awake long enough to get my message to George. I closed my eyes and concentrated on the grand duke’s beautiful face. George Alexandrovich, Your Imperial Highness, I have urgent news for you. My brother, Pyotr of Oldenburg, sends this message. There is treachery within the Order. He says the tsar is in danger. I hesitated, then added, Please be careful.
There was, of course, no reply. I heard nothing but the distant clanging of the chapel bells. Even the halls of Smolny were quiet. I felt a little foolish, but I continued. George Alexandrovich, Your Imperial Highness—
“He cannot hear you, my love.”
My blood turned cold. I bolted up straight in bed, looking around my room in terror. The voice in my head was not that of George. But it was familiar just the same. Get out of my head, Danilo.
The Montenegrin crown prince’s laugh made me shiver with disgust. “The empress was very wise when she cast the spell over your school. Do you think she knew it would prevent you from communicating with her son?”
I sighed. You know no such thing. Why is it that you can hear me, then? And that I can hear you?
“A Vladiki’s blood bond is more powerful than any other magic, my dear. Even your empress’s fae charms. And now you cannot warn your dear grand duke of the danger his family is in. I’m sure of it. And at a time when the threat is far worse than your brother realizes.” His voice was taunting. He enjoyed telling me this news.
I wanted to scream. What do you know of the Order? I don’t believe anything you say to me, Danilo.
“I know much more than you do. Much more than you ever will. Not all of the wizards in the Order are loyal to the tsar.”
Who is the traitor? You must tell the tsar this!
“Why should I?” Danilo asked lazily.