irst star of the Savior rose. Azovka and I set the table with sochiva, a special Christmas Eve meal of wheat grains, nuts, and ho

copper-white skin dressed in a beautiful chrysolite gown. She had a green kokoshnik with pearls and emeralds

ger’s mining crew. They had put on a grand show for the Romanov barons as Alexei summoned a grand stone of granite in the midst of the frozen lake. It had

my best friend opening the woodstov

is nice, just the two of us this past December – no men to bully, brag, or

nning away when we turn eighteen?” I rib

ntina. Then, we get a wagon and donkey and travel all of Russia. I’ve never seen the world, always locked away in Podentsky like royal chattel.” She gazed out the window at the holly hedge covered in frost and snow. “Wha

ver once you are Mistress of Copper Mountain and I am your Copper Guar

avest woman I know! I know dedushka just wants to keep me safe. Not like Aunt Cecilia. Us Copper Women, we have jealous hearts, like how our stone enchants a miner, and d

mentina was a wild woman, after all, and played P’yanitsa with Baba Yaga, feasted in Koschei’s halls, rode brooms with Morena. I think, even if we met Lady

smells delicious! I am glad for our friendship, Katya,

om. It was growing larger by the

berry gems and setting them with claret stones, the latest fashion of the gentry. What a strange, daydream of a man! I fancied him like I fancied Azovka.. but I would have Mis

amovar dedushka gave mother as bride price. That was the

me of our Lord. Saint Elijah the Thunderer rode his cart of goats across the sky, and thunder roiled as he hammered Saint Nicholas down towards Podentsky, to deliver a sn

food, Katya! We

ught you two well, my little dumplings,” she smiled, her creaking patin

embracing her. She helped Rubenya into her walker

e was a jewel among women. And you have King Alexei’s head. With Katya by your side, and Podentsky ever faithful, we will prosper under your reign, my Aztinka – long after Al

ve you!” Azovka an

Patinko massaging Danilo Nedokormysh’s shoulder as he paused from carving the slag. She must be reme

said. Maybe that’s why the girls all hated Azovka – jealous of her beauty and power, how she made all the townsmen swoon – but none were bold enough to chase her, only stare at her longingly, fawning

ur forefather Ural. Carved of the bones of wicked dev Azraka, the Urals were King Ural’s creation. Homay had been a wounded swan in King Ural’s arms. I felt enchanted like the Daughter of the Sun, whom

she was so happy. Save the Snake Festival, Christmas Eve was Azovka’s favorite day. Mine was always Easter – I liked to pretend I had a Faberge egg. Or m

rkraut. Meat pies, pickled apples, expensive mutton. Oh, and my favorite – the festive drink zbeetyn’ of spices and honey that P

called, hustling

lain man as I to be treated to such royal food? Fee

e quit-rent, boy, with your wonderfu

y take after their moth

vka is just like my Elisa. Oh, we are

for the ages, full of drinks, mirth,

piled up in two beds. Rubenya got the spot for the elderly atop the b

t bliss. “Katya, you know wh

not have to wed blasted Misha! He called me a heifer the other day at our forced teas, told me he would fatten me up even more with twelve children –

eed to tell