"He has served countless kings, faked countless deaths, and bided his time, waiting for you. Once he takes control of the Fold, no one will be able to stand against him." Baghra stated.
"And how is he supposed to do that?" I asked curiously.
"With the Fold in his power, he will spread destruction before him. He will lay waste to the world, and he will never have to kneel to another King again." Baghra answered.
"Baghra, you helped me find my power and I am really thankful for that but-"
"Child, I helped you so you could help yourself, not help my son ruin the world! He is using you to make it happen!" yelled Baghra.
I was startled. "I am thankful that you helped me but I need to think about it, I am not running away without putting my head into what you just told me." I said and didn't bother to wait for reply and ran out of the room.
I found myself running to my chambers. Just as I closed my chamber doors I dropped to my knees and felt overwhelmed with all words Baghra said to me. It was just whirling in my head. I used my strength to walk over to the window and sat looking at the moon. I remember the day I was introduced to the King, his wet lips kissing my hand, everyone arguing what class I should walk with, and the darkling walking next to me to the King. What if Baghra was just lying to me? But why would she? She helped me find my power and she would never lie to me. If she was telling the truth what should I do? The darkling asked me to trust him and I am starting to like living in the little palace. He brought me to my happiness and what happened a while ago with him had to be something. But Mal, what he said hurt me and I don't want to go back to my old life, I am happy here. I decided to take a cold shower; I put on my black silk and lace nightgown that is half the length of my thighs. I sat on my bed about to lay down till a soft knock sounded on my door. I hesitated for a while thinking it would be Baghra. I decided to face her and walked to the door.
Just as I opened the door a tall figure slipped through my door. The Darkling.
"Are you going to sleep?" he asked looking from my toes to my face. I flushed realizing what I was wearing.
"Sort of like that, I seem to be caught up into thought at the moment." I replied.
"Thought? Is this about earlier? If it is, I am sorry I went too far" He said.
I walked to the fireplace and sat down on the couch. "No. It's not about that," I said. I wasn't sure if I should tell him about Baghra, but his voice is always in my head. You have to trust me. "Did something happen?" he asked concerned sitting next to me but not too close.
"I was told you made the fold and you are planning to rule Ravka and destroy the world using me and my power!" Just like that I snapped.
The darkling stood and ran his hands through his hair which made it all ruffled up. I stared at him; he looked young that way but still beautiful with his sharp jaw and handsome face. After a few seconds he turned with his hands behind his neck and we made eye contact.
"Who told you this?" The Darkling asked.
"Your mother, Baghra." I replied. "She asked me to leave tonight."
"But you ... didn't, or are you going to leave? " He said.
"I want you to tell me if it is true. I trust you and I don't want our trust to end by Baghra. I want you to trust me the way I trust you and I was never planning on leaving. I like it here." I said looking at the fire.
He walked gracefully in front of me, knelt and took my chin in his hand to make me look at him. "Alina, I am thankful you trust me and that you didn't run," His face serious but there was something in his eyes that seemed... worried.
"I do trust you, what Baghra said is true. But I do not wish to destroy the world, only to make it better with a better King," The Darkling added.
"And the better King is you, and you are making me your slave who you can use whenever you want."I stated.
"I do not wish to make you my slave. I want you by my side when I change the world. Remember when I said Grisha is slowly dying. This is what I plan to do to stop that. I also plan on making everyone ally. No Fjerdans, no Kerch, no Shu Han." The Darkling said.
I can't imagine a world without my powers, I was just getting used to them, and maybe the Darkling is right, this world needs to change.
"Do you now understand me Alina?"
All I do is nod.
"Alina, I don't want you to tell anyone. Can this be just between you and me at the moment?" The Darkling added.
"Of course." I said.
"We can change the world Alina, Just you and I." He leaned close to me and kissed me; a soft, gentle kiss. The Darkling leaned back and raised both his eyebrows. "Is something else bothering you?" he asked while rising to his feet and to sit next to me on the couch.
I lay my head on his lap and rest my legs on the remaining space. "No, nothing is bothering me." I look at the fire while he strokes my hair.
He lets out a soft chuckle. "You are a terrible liar Alina." "No I'm not." I say rising myself from his lap on one arm. "Yes you are, don't get me wrong, it's a good thing. But you are very quiet so I know there is something bothering you. " He said with a smile.
"I'm going to sleep" I get up and walk to my bed till he gets hold of my wrist to stop me. He wraps his arms around me from behind. He whispers in my ear. "You can tell me anything Alina."
"I know, I saw Mal this evening," I said. "The tracker" He said, and I nodded. He drops his arms from around me and sits on the edge of the bed. I walk towards him and sit next to him. I looked at his grey eyes and saw jealousy? "We had a fight about me and...you" I tell him while reaching for his hand. We coil our hands together.
"He doesn't seem to care that I am happy here and with you. He just thinks that this is not a good thing for me."
He looks at me cupping my face with his free hand. "If he doesn't care about your happiness, you should just let him go. It is just us now." The Darkling said smiling.
I lean over to him and give him a kiss. The kiss was gentle and it started to get intense. I wrap my arms around his neck and let my hands ruffle his hair. His hands roam on my back and then he holds my waist.
I lean back and lower one of my hands to the small of his back. The soft form of his mouth was brushing my neck. I tilted my head to give him access. I could see the smile on his face as he licked my neck and kissed it lightly. I sighed at the gentleness and I knew then I wanted him.
He continued playing with my neck while his hand ran smoothly up my upper leg slowly. I felt my insides heating up to his touch. His thumb started a slow circle just below my crotch on my leg. I bit my lip to hold back a moan. His lips were back on my mouth and we rolled so I was on top. I sat up putting my hands through his shirt and kissed him. He sat up with me on his lap; his hands were on my hips. I wrapped my legs around his waist His hands were caressing my body. We kissed strongly like we were hungry for each other. He pulled back and looked at me with a gaze of lust but sad at the same time.
"What's wrong?"I asked
"I can't seem to control myself around you," The Darkling said with a smile. "I came to check up on you and tell you the news."
"Oh" I said disappointed. He seemed to see it on my face because he cupped my face said.
"It's not that I don't want you. I want you so much it makes me weak." He placed a kiss on my forehead.
"So... you came here to check on me and tell me news. What's the news since you already checked on me?" I asked.
"The reason you saw the tracker or trackers was because they reported to me that they found morozova's herd. You have your amplifier Alina," he said excitedly. "We are so close in making our plan come true."
"That is great news." I said and kissed him.
"Alina, we leave in a week, so I want you to get your things ready for when we leave.. I have to take care of Baghra." He said Baghra's name like it disgusts him.
"What are you going to do to her?" I asked worrying that I put my mentor in danger.
"I am going to give her what she deserves. She tried to lose Grisha's only hope. She should be punished Alina."
"She is your mother.'' I said shaking.
"I promise I won't kill her. I just want to give her a punishment.'' The Darkling said and then kissed my cheek. "You better go to sleep then, you had a long day." He placed me on the bed lying down. Just as he was getting up to leave I got hold of his hand.
"Please stay with me tonight, I'm just worried Baghra will come to my room."
"Of course." He lays next to me and turns me to face the way he is looking and wraps his arm around me. "I will never let any harm get to you." He whispers in my ear.
I remember the day we were attacked by Fjerdans, The Darkling came to my rescue and sliced the man in half. I now know why he did it and I am thankful he saved me now. I snuggled in the Darkling's arm and let sleep take me.