When We Meet Again Read Online Free PDF

friends and allies." Dimitri said staunchly. Alexei laughed, a harsh, deprecating sound. "In the world we inhabit, Dimitri, loyalty between countries has more to do with power than friendship. Avalonia's power has always been tenuous, consisting of nothing more than the strategic nature of its geographic location in the world. I have long known and accepted, as my father did before me and his father before him, that our very existence was contingent on the benevolence of those more powerful countries around us." The muscles in his jaw tightened. "We can thank Napoleon's rampage across Europe for Russia's decision to annex Avalonia to secure its own position before Prussia or Austria chose to do so."
    "Damn the French." Dimitri muttered. "And the Russians as well."
    "It does no good to condemn half the world, Dimitri." Roman said coolly. "Although I admit to sharing your feelings, they neither change the situation nor help."
    "We should have fought to the death." Dimitri blurted, then caught himself. Regret reflected in his eyes, and he bowed toward Alexei. "Forgive me. Your Highness. I did not mean—"
    "You most certainly did, and I cannot fault you for it. You have showed remarkable restraint in recent months in not pressing the issue. It is duly noted and appreciated more than you can know." Alexei blew a long breath. "I myself shall regret every moment, with each breath that I take until the end of my days, that we did not fight to retain our independence."
    "To what end. Your Highness?" Roman's voice was low and intense. Roman had always been a diplomat. Dimitri a warrior. Roman alone understood full well the decisions Alexei had made. The reasons behind them and the dreadful cost.
    Russia had announced its intention to annex Avalonia within days of his father's death, before Alexei could be crowned king. The tsar's representatives had given him a choice no man who was born and raised to rule his country and serve his people should be forced to make. Alexei could still ascend to the throne, but he would be nothing more than a ceremonial leader, a figurehead to be displayed at state functions and formal celebrations. Not even a puppet with the pretense of authority. No more than a symbol of a country that would, for all intents and purposes, no longer exist. Or he could choose exile. Leave Avalonia forever and forfeit all claims to the throne.
    "To what end indeed." Alexei said more to himself than to the others. His younger brother. Nikolai, had urged full-fledged resistance. Nikolai had demanded they take up arms against Russia and fight to the last Avalonian left standing. Alexei had been forced to send his brother out of the country for his own safety.
    Nikolai was young and impetuous. He had not spent his life in training to rule and to put the welfare of his people above all else. Russia had stopped Napoleon's progress when the rest of the world had failed. Avalonia would have been nothing more than a minor and short-lived irritation beneath its feet. The country would have been crushed, the land laid waste, the population decimated. Fighting the Russian Empire would have accomplished nothing more than the final satisfaction of being able to die for one's country. What little country would have been left.
    The threat of rebellion was precisely why Alexei had chosen exile. As long as he remained in Avalonia there would be the possibility of revolt. He would have been a constant reminder of what had been lost. Those loyal to his family and to an independent Avalonia would have used him as a symbol around which to rally forces for rebellion. And ultimately, his people would die, and his country would be destroyed. He had had no choice. To save his country and his people, he had to leave it forever. Pity he could not take his heart with him.
    Alexei was more than willing to die for his country. He would have considered it an honor, even a right. But he would not allow his country to die for him.
    "The world has moved on,