Alexei was already dismounted and turning to face Zephyr before the carriage stopped. Reaching up, he gripped the reins, holding them tight, waiting for his kinsman to dismount. Zephyr was an amazing animal, but he was a lot like Thor. At times they allowed others to ride them, but other than himself and Nikolai, it was always a 50/50 chance that they bucked their rider. Poor Nikolai would be horrified if Zephyr threw Pavel.<br/><br/>"That's a good boy," Alexei cooed, stroking the horses nose. "Don't want you throwing some of that famous stubborness PAvel's way," He teased the animal, patting it on the side of the long head. He smiled when Zephyr snorted. The smile turned into a laugh when he felt the bump against his back. "I haven't forrgotten about you, beast," He grinned, reaching over to pat Thor against his head. "No need to be jealous, my friend, you know you're my boy," he reassured, rubbing over the small white spot on the bridge of Thor's nose.<br/><br/>"Sometimes I think you like those horses more than you do people," Pavel smirked, enjoying the sight of his cousin so happy.  It was something that caused a constriction in his gut. The realization that Alexei had had very little in his life to be happy about. A Beast of a father that tortured him both mentally and physically whenever possible, a sister just like her father in every way....and being isolated from a mother Pavel knew loved the boy, and then the man, more than Alexei realized.<br/><br/>"Yes, well, the horses have better personalities than most humans I know," Alexei scoffed, both men knowing that he was referring to Lord Brogin and his followers. It seemed that someone was always plotting against the Romanovs. And Alexei took it upon himself to protect his Czar and Czarina, no matter what the cost to himself.<br/><br/>"You'll get no argumant from me there," Pavel replied, understanding the sentiment all to well. "We should return to our women," he suggested, glancing over at the pair talking, just in time to see Ingrid throw her cloak over the injured woman in Nikolai's arms. It warmed his heart to see that Alexei's future wife had maintained her empathy, in spite of her situation. He would never forgive himself if he had sadled his kinsman with someone like Olga. He also saw the spark of a connection between his wife and their new family. Good, Liz would be a good ally for her. "It's good to see the two of you hitting it off," Pavel said warmly, extending his arm to his wife and tucking her delicate hand in  the crook of his elbow. "Come Ingrid, we weill show you to your rooms," he instructed.<br/><br/>Alexei had followed wordlessly, still not sure how to talk to the woman he would wed tomorrow. In station, she was his equal, that was something he was not used to. Not to mention the fact that this was not a girl who would just warm his bed. She was to be his wife, and his own religion determined that once they were wed, for better or for worse, it was for life. If she gave the Romanovs an heir, they were stuck with each other. If not, there were possibilities of getting the marriage annuled. But that weight hung mostly on her. And for that fact alone, Alexei found himself wanting to really give this a shot. But he meant what he said to Nikolai. What the hell did he know about being a husband?<br/><br/>Pavel led the way through the palace, toward their own rooms. He stopped at an ornate set of souble doors. Opening the doors, he revealed a lavish sitting room, leading off to more rooms.<br/><br/>"These are yours lady," he smiled warmly at Ingrid. In his heart, he was hoping that the need for them would be temporary, and like his own wife, eventually she would end up sharing Alexei's living space. "My own living space as well as Alexei's, are just down this hall," he added,motioning in the right direction. Truthfully, he wanted to place her closer to them, than to Olga. That was all they needed, was for their own bad seed to corrupt this gem. "That being said, there is another matter we need to discuss," he took a deep breath, meeting Alexei's gaze, and seeing his anger boil, knowing the other man understood. When the General nodded, he continued. "The man you marry tomorrow, has an older sister....Olga. She is very beautiful, and very dangerous. She would bring myself, as well as your husband down without a moments hesitation," he sighed, hating to speak ill of any of his family. "I intentionally kept your arrival from her....she will not like you. Do not take it personally. Until now, because of Alexei's marital status, she has fulfilled a great many duties that will now be yours." He chuckled when Alexei cursed loudly, the irritation that the mere mention of Olga's name brought, clear on his face. "Quite. There is no love lost between the siblings. You are an intellegent woman, Ingrid. I trust you understand what it is I am trying to tell you?"