Festering
Alina POV:
My heart raced in my chest as I ran through the forest. I didn't dare look behind my shoulder for the fear of seeing him. "You can't run from me, Alina." Nikolai voiced echoed through the trees. "I will always find you" The barking of hounds grew louder and nearer. I ran faster and faster until I could no longer breathe. I tripped on fallen branches and went tumbling down. The forest floor was cold against my cheek. I closed my eyes, welcoming the coolness against my burning skin. Maybe if I stayed perfectly still, I could become one with the forest. Maybe the dark roots of the trees would take pity and devour me, mold me into one of their servants until eternity had passed and I was free of Nikolai. Free of everyone. However, that was just a fantasy, an illusion, my mind had created to keep the fear of dying at bay. I forced myself to my feet. The wind blew straight through my nightgown, leaving me cold to the bone.
A twig snapped.
"Broken so easily, Alina," Nikolai said. His voice was cold. His hounds have started to circle me. Their canines sharp and glistening in the moonlight. My body was fixed in place. There was no light to call upon to save me. No darkness to bury myself into. I was truly alone. The hounds snarled, ready to feast on my flesh and bones. They were hungry and I was their meal. "I expected better from you." Tears flowed freely down my cheeks. He whistled and the hounds pounced.
I jolted awake. My breath came in a heavy gasp as my blurry vision began to readjust to my surroundings. Aleksander laid sleeping next to me. His body naked beneath the blanket of heavy furs. I wanted to reach out and touch him, to make sure he was real and alive beneath my fingertips. I resisted the urge and instead swung my legs over the side of the bed. I picked up my robe from the floor and made my way outside. I needed air. The wind blew with a vengeance tonight, and storm clouds gathered in the distant sky. I wrapped my arms around myself to shield my body from the icy winds and started to move away from camp and the brightly lit fires. We were to leave for Ketterdam in the morning and the thought of confronting Nikolai again sent chills down my spine. Right now, what I want is Nikolai dead. Ketterdam in flames. A perfect revenge. And no one will be able to stop me.
The faintest drops of rain began to fall as I stopped just a couple of miles away from camp. I knew I shouldn't be out here alone. Aleksander would be furious with me for being so foolish. Anyway, a part of me liked being alone, liked the quietness that the dark brought with it. The rain began to fall heavier now. I was tempted to turn around and return to camp, to return to Aleksander and the warmth of his arms. I'm sure that if I woke him, he wouldn't deny me the pleasure of himself. I felt my cheeks flush red and my body tingle from remembering the wild acts we committed earlier. I was selfish and greedy when it came to him. I wanted to drown in our love for each other.
The Rustling of leaves pulled me from my thoughts. I was suddenly filled with the sensation of dread. The hair on the back of my neck stood up on end. I was not alone after all. "Who's there?" I said into the dark. No one answered me. Maybe I was still dreaming or maybe I have actually started to lose my mind. I hadn't had time to ponder further on my insanity before a shape appeared out of the shadows.
Zoya.
Even in the rain, she was still beautiful. I felt a pang of jealousy deep in my heart and I hated the feeling. I hated her. My eyes wander to the blade she held in her hand. The Grisha steel newly sharpened and ready for use.
"I take it you're here to kill me," I said with complete calmness.
"I'm here for your heart," Zoya said. The hatred in her eyes was impossible to miss. " I won't leave without it. I promised Nikolai."
My anger flared with the mention of Nikolai' name. "Are you his pet now, Zoya?"I said, baiting her. "Does he pay you well?"
She stayed silent.
"He sends you to do to his dirty work for him." I kept pushing her. I wanted her to attack me. I wanted to release this built up anger festering inside of me. " Is he too much of a coward to come himself?"
still, she was silent.
"Maybe I shall pay him a visit," I said with a snarl. " He used to be very fond of me. I bet I can make him feel that way again."
Zoya snarled and charged at me with the blade held high above her head. I dodge her attack and the second one. When she came in close this time, I hooked my leg around her ankle and send her down hard to the forest floor. The blade dropping from her hand. Zoya sat up, her expression furious, her arms slashing through the air. I felt myself, lifted off my feet and slammed into a tree. Blood trickled down my forehead and my breath came out in short gasps. She did it again and again. I felt something crack as I was dropped to the ground. I could taste the wetness of the rain mixed with my blood.
"What's the matter, Sun Summoner?" Zoya said, toying with me. " Broken so easily?"
I snapped. I called forth the light resting peacefully inside of me and sent it in the form of a sharp dagger towards Zoya. The light blinded her, making her stagger backward. I used those moments of distraction to pick myself up from the ground, ignoring the stinging pain in my side. I would not be broken so easily. I sent the light in a blazing fury towards her. Everything will burn beneath my touch. I will set this whole forest ablaze if I have to.
"Do you really think you can defeat me?" I spat at her. " I am more powerful than you will ever be."
I slashed out with the light again. It circled her in bright rays. I heard her wince and scream. I took joy in her pain. I smiled. I could kill her right now. I could use The Cut and have her in pieces before me. Then why don't I? I think back to the last time I had seen her face and the way I had easily shot her. I did not take her life then and I won't now, even though I want to badly. Instead, I will use her to get to Nikolai. I will show her what it feels like to be afraid and alone. I will torture her until her soul is dead and she begs me to end her life.
The light fades.
The rain stops.
Guards are calling my name from Camp. Aleksander must've woken to my absence.
Zoya is on her knees, gasping for breath. Her face pouring with blood. Her robes are soaked from the rain and cinched from my light. "What are you going to do with me? She chokes out. I kneel down beside her and whisper, " I'm going to do many monstrous things to you."The expression in her eyes is indescribable." Until I'm finished with you. "
I scream out to the guards that are already searching for me. They find us easily and are shocked to see Zoya wounded and on her knees. "She's a prisoner," I say to one of the guards. I can't remember his name. "Chain her and lead her back to camp." "Yes, Moya Tsaritsa." Replied the guard. " The Darkling is also requesting your presence." "Tell him I will be with him shortly." My voice was direct. The guard nodded and then led Zoya away. Only then did I allow myself to give in to the pain that burned through me.