A/N: hey guys, hope you had an amazing holiday and sorry for the long wait until i updated. Oh and sorry about Genya's death (I cried to ) but it was something that I felt had to happen.

Warning: *sex* towards the end.

Thanks for all the amazing reviews from last time.


Patience

Nikolai POV

"You said I could trust the Apparat," I said," That I could rely on him to retrieve Alina but yet it seems that I have been misled."

I was in my chambers at the palace of Ketterdam and Tamar and Tolya were standing in front of me, their arms folded behind their backs.

"I will get him to try again," Tamar said, stepping forward.

"No," I said. "He has failed too many times."

I turned my back to them and poured myself a glass of brandy. " You will arrange a meeting, between me and the Apparat. Only then will I decide if I want to continue this alliance."

Tamar nodded. "There's also the matter of Shu Han princess."

"What about her?"

"You agreed to marry her in exchanged for an alliance with the South or have you forgotten?"

"Of course I haven't forgotten," I said, getting annoyed. "Has she arrived yet?"

"She arrived this morning, " Tamar said. " She has been asking for you."

"Well, We mustn't keep her waiting any longer," I said and downed the rest of the brandy. " If there's one thing I've learnt about women, is that they are very impatient."

I walked over to the door and then stopped." What's her name, again?"

"Lucya," Tamar said.

I nodded my head." Pretty," I said, running her name through my mind." Remember the Apparat. We cannot afford to waste time." I offered them one last glance and then left.

I followed the marble floor until I came to the princess's rooms. I offered a slight smile to the guards posted outside. "I'm here to meet the princess," I said.

"State your name," the guard with the slanted eyes said.

Obviously the wings weren't enough. "Nikolai, future husband to lucya, the Princess."

They took a moment to move aside but even then I hesitated to enter. Would I Like I see? Marriage was never part of the plan, but all future kings have to make sacrifices. I pushed aside the doubt and entered. The room was beautiful. Everything in the room was bright and cheerful, there was none of the darkness that I had become accustomed to. I found the princess lounging on a divan, surrounded by ladies. Her dark eyes connected with mine and she smiled, as if pleased with what she saw.

"Your Highness," I said, offering a small bow.

"Leave us," she said to her ladies.

Many of them stared as they left, taking in the giant black wings. Moments of silence passed between us before she spoke again, "You look nothing like the rumours I've heard." Her voice was soft like petals.

"And what did these rumours say about me?" I said, moving closer.

"That anyone, who looks upon your wings, turns to stone," she said, with a slight smile. " And that your body is covered in scars, that shine in the moonlight."

"And do you believe these rumours?" I asked curiously.

"No."

She rose from the divan and moved over towards the window, staring out towards the blue crystal sea. She was beautiful. Her black hair was soft like silk and trailed down her back. Her skin was the colour of sand and it shone in the sunlight.

"Your room is lovely," I said, unsure of what to say.

"I hate it," she said. " Its too bright and I feel out of place."

The conversation dropped again and silence return in its place. My wings ached to break free from their restraints.

"We are to be married?" She said, turning to face me.

"Yes,"

"Am I what you expected for a bride?" She asked.

Alina flashed through my mind, but I pushed the thoughts of her away.

"Am I what you expected for a husband?"

"Honestly no," she said, moving closer.

I found myself displeased with her answer. "Show me around," she said.

"There is not much to see," I said.

"It's still better than four walls."

She linked her arm through mine. "Shall we?" She asked.

I smiled. Maybe I would like her after all?

"I told you there was not much to see," I said, walking beside her through the market square, centred in the middle of town. The market was packed with people. Row after row there were stalls that sold, relics, maps, jewellery, paintings and food, that was too salty. Children played in the mud and thieves lurked in every shadow."Not much to see in your eyes," Lucya said as she stared in amazement at the goods the merchants were selling. She walked ahead a few spaces, her blue dress trailing behind in the dirt. A man with white hair offered me some kind of tobacco, that smelled like strawberries, but I politely refused, he scowled then went back to bargaining with others. I turned my attention back to Lucya, but she was nowhere to be seen. My eyes scanned the crowd, panicking as there was no trace of silk hair. I pushed my way past buyers, some paid me not attention while others called out in annoyance and whispered in secret behind my back. Finally, I caught sight of her further up the aisle. She went from table to table, looking at all the items for sale, greetings the merchants as she went. When I got closer to her I grabbed her by the elbow and pulled her into the shadowy gap between the stalls.

"You shouldn't wander off like that," I said, annoyed with her recklessness. "There are thieves all over this place."

"I have nothing worth stealing," she said, pulling out of my grip.

"There is more than money and jewels that thieves would steal."

There was that suffocating silence again that made me feel awkward and uncomfortable. It was only now that I realised how close we were. Her body was pressed against mine and I could feel her breath on my neck.

"Thank you for your concern, but it is not needed," She whispered and then pushed her way back out into the busyness of the market square.

"Are you coming?" She called back.

Leave her, she can look after herself like she said.

She called again.

I swore and then followed her.

An hour later I found myself in a meeting with the king and his most trusted politicians. The topic of discussion was the war with the Darkling and how we were going to act. "The only way to get entrance into Os Alta, is through the South," I said, to the peering eyes of the politicians.

"We don't have an alliance with them yet," Gregori said, itching his beard.

"Yes we do," I corrected.

"Have your married her yet?" Gregori insisted upon knowing.

"No."

"Then we don't have one," Gregori said with a snide of his lips.

"Marry her quickly," The King said. I turned my head in his direction. The king looked older, the stress of war had lined his face with creases, his cheeks were too red and his hair was receding fast. " I don't care if you know her or not, if you want us to win this war you'll do it."

Hatred burned through me, but I retained myself. Power is Alliance. "Of course, Your Majesty," I said.

"Has there been any news from Os Alta?" The king demanded to know.

"None of late, "said Burian, clearing his throat. "But I received a letter just yesterday from one of my spies from within the capital, stating that the Sun Summoner has taken the crown."

My heart twisted. How could she, especially to him? You knew it was only a matter of time, you lost your claim on her the moment you became this thing.

"Witch scum!" The king spat. "Think they can rule. If it was up to me I would sell them to the highest bidder for the largest profit."

"The Darkling has more followers and more of an army than you do," I said. "He is more of a considerable contender to rule than you are, if even you are king."

The person next to me gasped.

"How dare you insult me!" barked the King. "I am the king."

Continue down this route and you'll lose the only main alliance you have.

I took a deep breath. "I meant nothing by it. Only that the Darkling outnumbers us by hundreds, even thousands."

The king regained his composure, a vein throbbing at his temple. "Oh," he said, smoothing the folds of his uniform. " Once the South has pledged themselves to our course, we will have more."

"Yes," I said, my tone soft. "But even then, the Darkling will have Grisha and we'll be powerless to stop him."

The King blinked. "I will not negotiate terms with witches," he said. " Having you is enough."

I was annoyed with his ignorance. "Even if it means winning?"

"Yes"

The topic turned to defence if the attack was to come to us and military strategy. Once the meeting had finished, I made my way to leave. Before I could get to the door I was cornered by one the nobles, I recognised as Dimitri.

"I admired you confidence," Dimitri said. " It has been awhile since anybody has stood up to the King."

"It didn't do anything though," I said.

"Yes but it was a start," said Dimitri. " and like many changes that occur, they all start with a spark."

I studied him. "We're going to be slaughtered like sheep if the King continues on this way." His voice was hard." It's time someone did something."

He couldn't possibly mean overthrowing the king? But would that be a bad thing?

"I can't help you, " I said honestly. I had no desire to be king here.

"That's a shame," Dimitri said." You know where to find me if you change your mind."

He left and so did I.

"Are you sure the Apparat said to meet here?" I asked Tamar.

"Yes," Tamar whispered.

We were in an abandoned church just on the edge of Ketterdam. The church had turned to ruins over the years, the roof was half caved in and the sounds of rats lurked in the dark. No one would look for us here and I found peace in the quietness. Minutes ticked by and still the priest didn't show.

"He's not coming," I said.

"Patience," Tamar said.

I contemplated leaving when I heard the sound of voices coming from below us.

"The Apparat has tunnels all over Ravka," Tamar said.

The sound of worn hinges became clear and the ground beneath us opened up. I took a step back and saw the Apparat emerge from a trapdoor. At least some things didn't change. The Apparat still looked the same. His beard was still long and dark, his robes were brown but any trace of the worship to the Sun Summoner was missing, her symbol was gone. Two guards also came forth from the trapdoor and took their place behind the Apparat. I heard a scrape of a match and light bloomed around the church.

The Apparat stared in awe. "It is a miracle," the priest said. "To be blessed with such a gift as to fly."

Or a curse.

"I didn't come here to speak of miracles," I said." I came here to speak about your failures with the Sun Summoner."

"Do not speak of her," he said." I gave her my faith and she trampled it. She is no longer Sol Koroleva, she is a monster."

If she was a monster, then aren't we all monsters in a way?

"I asked you to retrieve her for me, that was our deal," I said.

"I cannot help her reluctance to come," the priest said.

I breathed in frustration. "No but your lackeys managed to kill someone in the process."

"It was fate."

I laughed. "You talk too much of fate."

The Apparat stepped forward, his hands clasped behind his back."People are beginning to worship you." His voice was cunning. " You are their new symbol of hope for a better world."

"I did not ask for their faith," I said.

"No, but they are giving it either way."

I looked at Tamar beside me. Her face was plain, no emotion could be detected.

"The people rally behind you," the Apparat said. "They rally behind the man with wings, who soars the sky in search of a heaven."

Did people really think I could save them? It was too much. Was this how Alina felt having everyone relying on her? I only wanted revenge.

"I need an army," I said. " Can you give me one?"

"I am a man of faith not violence," the priest said. " But the people are eager to help. They burn with faith."

"Good," my voice was full with satisfaction. " Make sure they are trained?"

"Yes."

"We meet again a week today," I said.

The Apparat nodded. " Have faith my friend. A new age is coming."

I looked at him one last time and then left, Tamar following close behind.

I recounted the meeting with the Apparat to Toyla. Tamar left to go on guard duty.

"Do you trust the Apparat?" Toyla asked.

"No," I said, handing him a glass of kvas."The priest might be a liar, but he's not an idiot."

"And what are you going to do now?"

"I'm going to take everything the Darkling has." My voice burned with determination.

"And Alina?" Toyla asked

"I'm going to forget about her," I said, even though I didn't quite believe my words.

"How?"

I downed the rest of my drink and made my way out of my chambers and towards my future wife's, leaving Tolya's questioning face behind. The guards posted outside lucya rooms were mistakenly absent. Probably off gambling and chasing whores. I knocked on the door and waited. The door opened. She looked even more beautiful than earlier, how was that possible?

"Nikolai," Lucya said, surprised. "It's late."

Don't think. Don't think. Don't think.

I didn't think and I kissed her. My senses came more alive, as each second ticked by. I felt her hands in my hair and I pulled her closer towards me, my hand sliding around her waist. it felt good, nice, to be wanted this way. She pulled back." Do you treat all your women this way?" She whispered.

"No."

My lips began to trail along her jaw, her ear, her neck, anywhere that skin was visible. I heard the door shut behind us. Her mouth found mine and her legs became wrapped around my waist. Each kiss was better than the last. I pushed her onto the bed, easing my body over hers, feeling the softness of silk sheets. I pulled her robes off, letting my fingers trail over the smoothness of her skin, touching and tasting every part of her. Her scent suffocated me. I pulled back to remove my shirt. My wings unfurled and surrounded her small frame. She smiled, touched every feather and ran her hands over my chest, down my back. Her touch made me shiver, but I welcomed it. I drew closer to her, felt her shudder as our bodies came together, skin against skin, felt the heat of her lips, her tongue. All I felt was her body beneath me, all I saw was her face. At first the rhythm was awkward and strange, then slow and steady as the summer breeze. It was all I wanted, all I needed and I embraced every second of it.


A/N : Hope you liked it. Please review, favourite or follow. x :)