Page 50 of Bedazzled
“Okay, so I’ve been researching Catherine Palace since I found out that’s where the ball’s being held.” Tania’s beautiful face was alight with excitement. “Do we get to see the Amber Room? The Eighth freaking Wonder of the World?”
“I believe you are more excited about the Amber Room than the most prestigious event in St. Petersburg,” I said, enjoying her smile.
“Balls, schmalls,” she waved her hand impatiently. “That’s rich people dressing up and getting drunk. The Amber Room, though…” she sighed reverently. “Even though the Nazis stole the original room, I know the recreation will be magical.”
“I never fail to be impressed by the depth and breadth of your knowledge,” I mused.
She settles herself, facing me with folded arms. “So, here’s the important question.”
“I am bracing myself,” I said wryly.
“Do you think that the dismantled original was destroyed when the Royal Air Force shelled the shit out ofKönigsberg Castle, or do you think it was on board theWilhelm Gustloffwhen it was torpedoed by the Soviet submarine?”
This was the Tania I adored, who could become utterly enraptured by both the mysterious and the mundane, and her enthusiasm would bring everyone in her orbit along for the ride. Her beautiful eyes glowed and she waved her hands wildly as she delved into her theory. How could this woman be so full of life?
“I mean, if the Nazis had the specialized team all ready to go to dismantle an entire room filled with ancient amber within thirty-six hours,” she argued, “they had to have a bulletproof plan for it, right?”
It took me a moment to realize she was expecting an answer, this felt so good, the memory of all the animated conversations we had warming the cold, broken places in me.
“I must admit,” I said, “that I am surprised that you are focusing on the Amber Room and not on what I thought you would target first.”
“Which is?” she prompted.
“That Catherine Palace was the summer home of Catherine the Great.”
“Oh, you thought I would go for the easy joke, right? Maybe wondering if it’s possible to sneak off and take a roll in the hay in her bedroom? Get it?” Tania giggled helplessly, “Roll in the hay? Catherine the Great? Horses?”
“Nowthereis the Tania I know,” I chuckled. “You will have Gavrill as your personal bodyguard. This is our first public outing and I am taking no chances with your security.”
“The poor man definitely drew the short straw with having to shadow me,” she cackled heartlessly.
“Tania.” I pointed my fork at her, “You will not torture him and try to sneak away. He has pledged his life to keep you safe. Do you understand?”
“Well, when you say it like that…” She narrowed her eyes at me.“Fine.”
Chapter Seventeen
In which there is a magnificent ball, sinister machinations, and Catherine the Great’s horse.
Yuri…
On the night of the ball, I knocked on my wife’s door.
“Come in!” Tania sang out.
“Hey Anya, thanks for bringing up the-” I smothered a chuckle. She was lifting and settling “the girls,” as she called then, into the highly structured cups of her strapless gown.
“Oh!” She fussed with the neckline of the dress for a moment before facing me. “Just um… just getting everything squeezed into where they’re supposed to go in this dress.”
She was exquisite.
I have seen Tania dressed up, naked, and everything in between, but with her hair pinned up in glossy curls and this gown… no one could be more lovely.
“You are beautiful,” I blurted.
She flushed, smoothing the skirt. “Yeah? Well, thanks.”
The dress was the darkest shade of green with black and gold beadwork on the hem and the corset top. The beading lit her eyes to a brilliant shade of golden yellow. Her breasts-bozhe moy,my god, her satiny skin glowed and they swelled against the tight fit of the dress. My hands twitched, wanting to pull them back out of the cups and suck and bite on them until she begged me to fuck her.
