Chapter 18 Katerina

• Wall-to-wall dresses line the parlor. It’s an army of silk and chiffon, the bodices glimmering as they stand at attention, waiting for me to choose one of them. The sight of them makes my tired eyes blur further.
• “Well?” Ulyana prods. She’s hovering near my elbow, watching in that expectant way of hers. “Go on. Examine them.”
• “Yes,” Sasha agrees. “Show a little excitement.” He’s sprawled on the velour sofa in the corner, his legs stretched out across the floor. He’s so big that his arms dangle over the back, dwarfing the furniture.