Chapter One Hundred and Thirty-Six

Dimitri

I woke to the sound of voices.

Alexei and Irina, talking quietly in the next room.

I could not make out the words but the tone was calm.

I got up slowly, my ribs protesting with every movement. The medic's painkillers were wearing off.

I walked to the doorway and stopped. Alexei was standing by Nikolai's crib. Irina was beside him.

"He looks peaceful," Alexei said.

"He is," Irina replied. "He has no idea what happened today."

"That is for the best," Alexei said. "He should never know what his uncle had to choose."

"Or what his father sacrificed," Irina added softly.

Alexei looked...