Page 84 of Marrying the Savage

“No one does. That is why it has flourished.”

I cross my arms. “Is he always like this?”

“Damir?”

“No, the horse.”

Grigori shrugs. “The horse is more reasonable.”

“So Damir is always impossible.”

“That depends on what you mean by impossible.”

“Controlling. Arrogant. Terrifyingly calm. Capable of turning a normal sentence into a household command.”

“Yes.”

“At least you’re honest.”

“Sometimes.”

I study him. He’s easy to talk to. Too easy, maybe. There’s a looseness to him that makes me want to ask more. A dangerous temptation. I know better than to mistake friendliness for innocence, especially in this family, but compared to Damir’s silent storms and Mikhail’s polite watchfulness, Grigori feels like an open window.

So naturally, I walk straight toward it.

“My uncle told me Damir killed his wife,” I say.

Grigori’s smile disappears. For one second, the room becomes colder than the corridor outside. I regret the question immediately, which is annoying because regret usually waits until after I have made things worse.

Grigori straightens from the doorframe. “Maksim likes company in the afternoons,” he says. The change is so abrupt it feels like a door slamming.

“Grigori.”

“If you want to see him, tell Marina. She will bring you.”

“You’re not going to answer?”

“No.”

“At least you’re honest again.”

His eyes meet mine. There’s no humor in them now. “Some doors in this house are locked for a reason, Sofia.”

My stomach tightens. “And if I want the key?”

“Then be careful who you ask.” His voice softens slightly, but not enough to make it comforting. “And be more careful what you do with it if someone gives it to you.”

Before I can reply, he turns and leaves.

I stand alone in the little sitting room, surrounded by toy soldiers and the aftermath of a cushion dragon war, with my heart beating too fast.

So. That question has teeth.

Good to know.

For approximately ten minutes, I try to make sensible choices. This is not one of my talents, but I do make an effort.

I go back into the corridor. I pass one guard, then another. I consider returning to my room, calling Anya again, or finding Marina and asking whether there is a less emotionally complicated part of the house I can haunt.