The Shadows of God - J. Gregory Keyes [136]
The metropolitan nodded rapidly. “Yes, of course. I only want what is best for the souls of Russia.”
“Well, Golitsyn?”
“I suppose you propose to take the throne from your cousin.”
“I do. It is mine by right, not hers. I also intend to strengthen the senate into a more representational body. Your family may or may not be included in that body—it depends much on your own actions today.”
Golitsyn sighed and nodded. “What you offer is generous— if it is true. I suppose I can have this in writing, with the personal word of the French king to assure it?”
“Of course. But I warn you, Prince— cross me, and you will wish my father were still alive. Even he would be more merciful.” She smiled. “Why, look, I suppose we speak of mercy after all.”
A few moments later, when the prisoners had been led away, the tsarevna turned to Adrienne.
“That was well done—Empress,” said the Frenchwoman.
“I am not empress yet. Indeed, there is one other who might try to claim that title, hmm?”
“Me?” Adrienne asked. “No. I don't have the right or the desire. You will make a fine empress. Once I could not have said that.”
“I owe it to you, Mademoiselle. You have shown me what a woman might do. I will not forget it.” She looked suddenly shy. “Will you stay with me, help me?”
Adrienne shook her head. “I cannot. I feel, somehow, my place is here. But I trust you, Elizavet. You have your father's strength; and the soldiers adore you. If you need my aid, I will give it. But I will no longer dwell in Saint Petersburg. It can't be my home.”
“What will you do here?”
Adrienne smiled and shrugged. “I will find something.”
They embraced, and Adrienne found in that moment, despite it all, not only hope but excitement. She had lost much, and her mourning would not be set aside soon. But now, for the first time since her childhood, she saw how much there was to gain as well. Finally, through years of wandering, she had found it, her third path. Her path.
Two weeks after the battle, Franklin found Voltaire and Euler playing cards in a darkened apartment. They both looked up at his scratch.
“Mr. Franklin,” Voltaire said.
“Gentlemen,” said Franklin, “may I observe this hand?”
“Indeed, if you wish to see me in ignominious defeat,” Voltaire declared. “Please, take that seat there.” He continued to study his cards. “Come to apologize, have you? Well, I accept your overture, sir.”
“That's very gracious of you, considering.”
“I understand something of affairs of the heart, Monsieur, and understand as well the terrible threat that my wit and good looks pose to the ordinary sort of man. But I hope you also understand that I do not treat friendship —with man or woman—lightly. It is far more valuable than sweaty exercise, however delightful that is in its moment.”
“I have much to learn about friendship,” Franklin admitted. “God has given me better friends than he has given my friends. As in many things, I shall try to do better.”
“Yes, well, perhaps as a friend, you can console me. See, Mr. Euler has triumphed once again, and wins the gold watch the king gave me.”
“Another man I owe an apology,” Franklin remarked, turning to Euler.
“None needed,” Euler replied, folding his cards onto the table. “In fact, I deceived you, though I felt it necessary. You were right to doubt me.”
“I always suspected something strange about you. After all, if you were rid of all malakim influence, why should my compass have found you? Are you still—”
“We are still one. The great lady became flesh with me, and flesh she remained when the world became new.”
“No wonder you are so adept at cards,” Voltaire said. “You see beyond me.”
“No.” Euler's voice was drenched with sorrow. “No, I am like you now, flesh and nothing but flesh. I see no more than you do.”
“And your brethren? What of them? What became of the malakim?”
Euler picked the cards up and tapped them into a deck again. “I do not know. The change Mademoiselle Montchevreuil caused was not one any of us anticipated. But nothing created by God is ever truly destroyed.”
“Is there a God?