Slowly I turned, step by step. Inch by inch.

My lovely Yekaterina. It is through the grace of a loving God that you are not here tonight sweet Alix, or you, the foreigner reigning over these imbeciles might also fall to the fate they have planned for me. You were there at my door that night. I don’t recall where your husband, my brother-in-arms, Tzar Nicholas was, but it did not matter. I gazed upon your face, the look of innocent desire and gratitude in your eyes, the set of your aquiline nose, in your proper night dress... your beauty is matched only by that of the Mother, and I felt an immediate need for you.

“Staretz, I apologize for the late hour, but I would be remiss if I did not once more extend my gratitude for your service to the country and myself.”

The words flow from your tongue like the sweetest honey, your voice with its accent tinged by both the vulgar German and the expressive English quavering in... was that awe? I did not know or care, my eyes were only for your lips, those cerise pillows of bliss that my strongest desire then and there was to roughly bruise with my own. But at that moment I contented myself with the back of you hand, bussing it with my lips and feeling the almost hidden shiver when my whiskers brushed the soft skin of it. “My Empress, I am but a tool of the Will of God. It is to Him that your gratitude should extend.”

Your eyes fell and a slight flush crossed your cheeks. “Still, you put yourself through considerable hardship on the account of my family. My son. Even if you are but God’s instrument, still tools need looking after too or they can no longer do the work required of them.”

Your hand was warm, still held in my own, Alix; I could feel the perspiration brought on by... was it fear? “I require little care. I am little more than a hammer compared to the gift that I wield in the name of the Father.”

Your eyes rose to meet mine, “I would know more of your... gifts.” A wicked smile was now showing on your lips. I could see a desire that matched my own rising in them...

“And which of my gifts would you know, Empress?” This last I said with a hint of mockery. You were mine even then. I slowly rose from my knee to look you hard in the eye, as if trying to **** my own thoughts on you, tell you without words the only boon that would do.

“I have heard of one specific gift from my husband’s cousins... I am... curious as to it’s veracity. “

My laugh rose without volition. I had heard the rumors, as you well know now, and was quite aware that I was being short changed in them. “Far be it from me to deny the Tzarina’s curiosity.”

Still I held my spot and your gaze. If I was misreading your entendre then dropping my robe would soon be followed by another short drop at the gallows. No, sweet Alix, you had to make the move.

You did, your hand straying from mine to run your fingers over my arm and up my shoulder, staring deep into my eyes, your gaze now determined. That determination turned quickly to shock when your hand found my manhood, quite erect from your attentions. This was the moment of truth. You were no stranger to male anatomy, having already borne Nic five children, but as I have since seen the proof, the imperial staff isn’t as impressive as it’s reputation.

The determination came back, and your tiny fingers curled about my rod. With that I could no longer restrain myself and I grabbed you by the shoulders, pulling you into a tight embrace and mashing your lips with my own. I knew in that moment you were mine.

I know full well that I’m not really talking to you, my Empress, my lover; that this is but the poison seeping through my bloodstream and killing my brain. Still it comforts me to express this to you as I die.