Chapter 20 Sasha

• My shoes crunch on the loose gravel that covers the path. One of the white roses has begun to shed its petals. Bending down, I lift one up, holding it up in the sunlight. It's as pale as she was. I'm not a fool. I know Katerina doesn't want to marry me. I gave her a ring, not a choice. I refuse to consider her wishes in the matter. I've fought too hard to get close to defeating Yevgeniy. Katerina's stage fright isn't my concern.
• "The weather is finally getting too cold for them," Ulyana says behind me.
• Dropping the petal, I turn toward her with a shrug. "It was only a matter of time. Did she pick out a dress?"