The Darkling had gone back to the domed hall to check up on the others. I sat in my room, near the window, still looking at the lake. I could still feel the Fjerdan's hands on me and it gave me shivers. I tried not to think of it but it played in my head over and over again.

The moon gloomed its bright light and I stared at it. I felt like I was in a trance.

I silently got up and went outside to the lake. I continued to stare at it. I could feel the cold breeze course through my nightgown that Genya helped me put on. I closed my eyes and breathed in the cold air around me. I shivered a bit and concentrated to bring my light.

I could feel the warmth on my hands and I looked down and saw it.

Now, why could I do this now but not when I was attacked?

I was angry with myself but mostly disappointed.

"What are you doing out here?" his voice rang behind me but I didn't turn around, just continued to stare at the light.

I could hear his footsteps walking closer to me and then stopped.

"Alina, what are you doing out here?" he asked me again.

"I thought that I should get some fresh air," I made up something. I just came out here because of the moon.

"You're going to freeze if you don't come back inside," the Darkling softly said to me. I turned to him, the light disappearing from my hands and dropping them to my sides.

I looked him in his eyes, his beautiful, hypnotizing eyes. He stared back at me, his eyes searching my face for any emotions or actions. He stepped closer to me and put his hands on my arms. I could feel the warmth of his hands making tiny tendrils of electricity course through my body.

"Let's go inside," he whispered but I didn't make a move.

"Why do you like me?" I asked out of the blue. He looked surprised but then settled himself and closed the distance between us to wrap his arms around me.

"You're my hope, you trust me more than anyone here, and you can see me better than anyone else. You're one of a kind. I love you," he whispered the last part and I froze. He loved me. He actually loved me. I had never had another man love me before, only Mal and his friendship wasn't love just best friends that cared about each other; but it didn't count as love, right?

I leaned my head up and kissed him gently. The kiss lasted only about five seconds and when I pulled back, his eyes were filled with lust and desire.

He led me back inside and when we went inside my room, I pulled him in a quick embrace and held him tightly.

He was surprised at first but hugged me back. He made me feel safe but there was something in his posture that made me feel unsafe but I pushed passed that and treasured this moment.

"Don't worry Alina, I'll get the stag's antlers and you'll have your amplifier and everything will be back to normal, the Shadow Fold will be gone, and I'll be by your side," he whispered and he led me to my bed and lay me down and pulled the blanket over me. I looked into his eyes.

"I love you, too," I told him and he gave a small smile. He kissed my head and started to leave.

He stopped at the door and turned to look at me, "Goodnight, Alina." He left and I felt sleep take over me, consuming me in the darkness.

Darkling POV

I walked to my quarters and the trackers were already seated at the tables. I had asked Ivan earlier to gather them, to see of their progression.

I sat at the end of the table and that was when I saw the blue eyed boy, the one that was attacked by the volcra, the one who had an argument with Alina.

"What's your progress with the stag?" I asked them.

"We're having the sense that the stag may be somewhere near Tsibeya, may be feeding off there and coming out since the cold winter is passing and the sun is starting to come out," one of the trackers said but I paid my attention to the blue eyed one. He stared back at me, somewhat challenging me.

"When will you leave to find the stag?" I asked.

"Maybe tomorrow, we may have luck on finding it right away," the blue eyed one said.

"Fine, but, bring the stag here alive, I will deal with it when you have arrived with it here," I ordered. "Now, leave but not you," I said to the blue eyed boy.

Everyone left in a hurry and the boy sat where he was.

"Why do you want me here?" he asked me, his tone snarky.

"You've upset someone dear to me," I told him. He snorted and I scowled at him.

"Of course, she would tell you what had happened between us," he muttered.

"She only told me you two had an argument, no more than that. Now what were you talking about?"

"It's none of your concern."

"Since I care for Alina, it must concern me," I said to him, gripping the table.

"What are you going to do about it? Kill me, then do it and let your Alina see how much of a monster you really are," he barked at me and I felt rage coming up from inside me.

But he did have a point, if I had killed him right now, Alina would never forgive me.

"What was it about?" I asked him, controlling my voice.

"I told you -,"

"Tell me, or I will banish you from here and you will never see Alina ever again," I said sternly and I saw a look pass over his face. I laughed in my head, but not for long, if I were in his shoes, I would be broken if I wouldn't see Alina ever again. I did love her but I knew if I told her the truth, she would hate me.

"Fine, we were talking about you. How you practically own her, all of us. You control what we have to do here and do whatever you want or say," he spilled and I was frozen.

"Go," was all I said and he got up and left, not looking back.

I looked at the table, my hands gripping the table, still, so hard that my knuckles were white. I was angry but, again, his words were partially true. I got up rapidly and knocked my chair over. I was tempted to mess the room but I couldn't now, I had a feeling someone was waiting for me outside. I knew that feeling, I always felt that feeling when she was around; of course we are related.

I walked out of the room and walked out of the Little Palace, and there, in front of the Little Palace was her, my mother; Baghra.

Alina POV

I was almost fully asleep, when someone knocked on my door. I got up and rubbed the sleep from my eyes. I got up and opened the door and there stood Mal.

"What are you doing here?" I asked him, looking side to side in the hallway.

"I needed to talk to you," he said and I opened the door wider for him to come in.

"What do you want to talk about?" I asked him. Everything was suddenly so awkward but we did have a little fight and I was still mad at him.

"I miss you, Alina," he sat on my bed and looked at his hands. My face softened a bit.

"I missed you too," I said softly. He looked up at me and there was something in his eyes: pain.

"Is it true?"

"What's true?" I asked, confused.

"Do you care for him, like he cares for you?" he asked me, his voice pained.

"Yes," I answered.

"Why, why him; what in the name of Kribirsk, made you care for him all of a sudden?" he asked venomously.

"So, you came here to talk to me about my feelings with him?" I tell him, incredulously.

"Well, it's obvious that I didn't come here to talk about my feelings for the Darkling, " he said darkly and I glared at him.

"Why would you care?"

"Because I'm responsible for you," he said with possession.

"Since when, Mal?"

"Ever since I saw you the first time; I had been the one who always saved you from something or had to help you with the smallest things," he said to me and stood up and walked in front of me.

"You are not responsible of me," I growled.

"Then is he responsible for you then?" he asked.

"Get out," I ordered.

"Or what?"

"Get out! I don't want to see you here anymore. Leave me alone!" I screamed at me and he looked taken back.

"Alina," he said.

"Just go, Mal. Just leave," I sighed. I was tired and stressed out. I opened the door for him and slammed it shut behind him. I flopped on my bed. I relaxed and closed my eyes but I couldn't go to sleep yet. Even if I was tired I couldn't sleep. Mal and the Darkling kept passing over my head but they were two different boys that I cared for so much but I had to care for one more than the other.

Everything was so complicated.

Darkling POV

"What are you doing here?" I sneered at the old bag.

"To put some sense into you, boy," she said.

"What do you want?"

"You care for her, no?" she asked me and I was surprised.

"What does Alina have to do with this?"

"Alina has so much to do with this, boy. You are playing your charms to get her to obey your every command but you hate it all at once. You don't want her to hate you but you want to use her. It makes you angry, doesn't it?" she asked me and cocked her head to the side.

I didn't say anything. I stared at her and she stared right back.

"Why can't you just tell her the truth, boy? Are you scared to tell her?"

"I can't, it will ruin my plans."

"But you don't want to lose her. What happens when she realizes that you had just used her and she starts to pull away from her? She may be under your control with her power when you put the amplifier on her but you can't control her emotions towards you."

"Be quiet," I snarled at her and she smiled.

"You know I am right. It's either that you tell her the truth or she will hate you," she said and left in a black cloud.

I walked back inside to Alina's room and silently opened the door and saw that she was fast asleep. Her breathing soft and steady; I walked over to her. I sat gently on the bed and brushed and strand of hair out of her face. She opened her eyes when my fingers brushed her skin.

"What are you doing here?" she asked me and I smiled at her.

"Just checking up on you," I said and stretched out, holding her in my arms.

"Oh," she yawned and nuzzled her face in my neck. I held her tight. Tell the truth, I just had to tell her. Now, when was I nervous? Of course, I would be nervous, I care for her and she makes me feel different.

"Alina, can I tell you something?" I asked her and she made a noise.

"I, um," I sighed, "I love you."

"I love you, too," she said and she fell asleep. I would tell her the truth but not now, but soon.

I updated and i hope you like this! Not much said but i hope you review.