You win, of course; because you are Light and he is Dark, you are Good and he is Evil. And that's the way the world works. AU.

"His name was Aleksander," Alina murmurs one day, and Nikolai understands that she's given him a piece of herself that no one else has ever seen.

(part one of Alina & Nikolai series) "You'll probably point out how ridiculous I'm going to look sitting next to you," I added, shifting uncomfortably in the dress. "Alina," he said, clear hazel eyes dancing playfully, "anyone would look ridiculous sitting next to me."

I waited for her to draw back and when she didn't, delight and hope flickered inside me. "I love it when you quote me," I whispered, because I really did love it. Immensely. (A scene from the prince's point of view. Rated T for just a little bit of language. And you can blame Nikolai for that XP)

Right as Alina raised the blade to kill him, the Darkling saw the shadows and stopped the dagger.

Drabble for the one-sentence prompt: "Can I tell you a secret?" for The Darkling/Alina, originally posted on tumblr and AO3. Major spoilers for the final book, so be warned.

"Blue sky," I said, staring up at it. A lump formed in my throat. Darklings weren't supposed to cry. "Alina." (The Darkling's final moments, from his point of view)

And other love stories. 50 sentences on Alina and Nikolai.

After the events at the Spinning Wheel, the Darkling calls to Alina in his grief. This time, she answers.

Ruin and Rising spoilers/alternate ending: It takes her three hundred years to love him again. Darkling/Alina. With Alina/Nikolai, and minor Alina/Mal.

Chiaroscuro; the use of strong contrasts between light and dark. Fifty sentences on the relationship between Alina and the Darkling.

"I was the Darkling. I would rule Ravka without mercy. And if Alina dared to stand in my way, I would break her until she had nothing. But in that moment, in that quiet room, I was almost begging her." (ever wonder what the Darkling was thinking when he told Alina his name?)

My epilogue for R&R.