The Sparrow in Hiding by J. Kathleen Cheney

Author:J. Kathleen Cheney [Cheney, J. Kathleen]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fantasy, Imperial Russia, Fairy Tales, J. Kathleen Cheney
Publisher: EQP Books
Published: 2016-10-18T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 6

* * *

EVGENY WENT ABOUT his normal tasks in silence. Irina thought he simply wanted her presence—he wouldn’t have told her about the bird, otherwise—but he wasn’t ready to talk about his brother yet.

The cock preened and strutted for the hen, as prideful as a peacock, his weird call the only sound in the aviary. She worked for a couple of hours, in the end completing a drawing of the pheasant cock that was a perfect complement to the sketch of the pheasant hen she’d done earlier. She closed her sketchbook and packed up her pencils. “I’ll go back to the house now,” she told Evgeny. “If there’s anything you need, just ask.”

He nodded once. “Good afternoon, then, Irina Alexeievna.”

His voice was hesitant, and she feared he would walk away from her now. She left the aviary, with every step feeling further from that easy companionship they’d had the day before.

When she entered the kitchen, the household staff was in an uproar, rushing about. Some news had come with the post, the cook told her, and Illarion was preparing to dash back to St. Petersburg that afternoon. Given the sudden furor among servants who usually strove for invisibility, Irina was shocked.

She headed up the stairs, saw Kolya, and knew it was something bad.

And all her questions about him vanished. He was merely Kolya, the Kolya she’d known most of her life. She didn’t care if he’d once been someone—something—else.

Kolya was furious. She’d only seen him that way a few times. When he was angry one couldn’t tell. He would seem fine save for an edge to his voice. But when he’d found her in forest after Sergei had beaten her senseless, he’d looked like he did now—jaws clenched and nostrils flared, his green eyes all but burning. Heaven protect whoever was the source of his anger.

He spotted her there in the hallway and strode toward her. “Where is Evgeny Vorobyov?”

“The aviary,” she said, “or he was a few minutes ago. Why? What’s happening?”

Kolya scowled. “Ilari wants to take him to St. Petersburg with him.”

Irina shook her head, baffled. “Why is Illarion going to St. Petersburg? Is this about Evgeny’s brother?”

“What? No. It’s Lysov,” Kolya said tightly. “He wants me back.”

“Oh, no.” Irina laid her hands over her face. “What will we do?”

“Ilari says he has a plan, and he needs your paramour’s help.” Kolya threw up his hands in disgust or helplessness, she wasn’t certain which, and then headed down the stairs past her toward the aviary.



There hadn’t been time for any preparations other than to open all the aviary windows and put out as much seed as he had to fill the bowls for his absence. He’d spilled seed about in the process, his hurried one-handed efforts sloppy. He left a note excusing the smith’s son, who would come Saturday afternoon to see if Evgeny needed help with any chores. Half an hour later he sat in a carriage across from a brooding Illarion, heading toward St. Petersburg.

This venture would distract him from mourning his brother.

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