"Back, forward, back, forward…"

Alina heard Jesper's voice. Then, an excited voice, undoubtedly Inej's: "I'm getting it!" Then, "ow."

"You two having fun?" Alina asked, grinning at them. Jesper and Inej looked up. The intense gaze with which he'd watched her four days ago was gone.

"Wylan!"

Inej raced over and hugged Alina. Alina hugged back.

"You look much better. Today is the day of the ball! Are you excited?"

"Very much," Alina smiled at the Suli girl.

Jesper beamed as he walked over. "I can't wait! We're all gonna look great!" Jesper clapped Alina on the back, and Alina yelped and stumbled forward.

"Oops, sorry," Jesper said. Alina straightened up and whirled round to face Jesper, a hand on her hip.

"You're stronger than you look, Fahey," she teased. "One day, you'll rule the whole of Novyi Zem."

"That's the dream," Jesper said with a wink, and Alina laughed.

Things are getting better after all.

"Mrow."

Alina looked down and beamed when she saw Oncat rubbing her head against her trouser leg. Alina picked Oncat up and scratched between her ears. The orange cat began to purr, nuzzling Alina's face.

"Aw," Inej giggled, stroking Oncat. Oncat nuzzled Inej's palm with her head, and Inej smiled giddily, like a little kid who had just gotten a lollipop. "Do you think Oncat will be dressed to the nines too?"

"Hey, that's not a bad idea," Jesper chipped in. "She can even check our IDs."

Alina snorted. "Maybe she's planning to overthrow the party with a cat revolution."

"That would be glorious," Jesper declared, and Inej laughed.

The trio heard footsteps and turned around. Alina grinned when she saw Tamar and Nadia walking towards her.

"Helloooo," Nadia said, throwing an arm around Alina's shoulder. "Aren't you guys going to get changed? The party's in a few hours!"

Alina looked around and saw that people were setting up buffets and tables, and putting up decorations.

"Oh yeah, we should probably leave," Alina said.

The hours passed. Alina worked on her maps, talked with friends, and got ready for the ball.

When she had wrapped her hair in a matching sparkling blue and gold headwrap, Alina looked at her desk. Still no response from Kaz, she thought. What's taking him so long?

Maybe he had found out. Did he already know? How had he guessed? And if he had...why hadn't he said so?

Forget that, Alina told herself firmly. Just enjoy the party.

The former sun summoner went downstairs to join the others. Genya smiled at her, dressed beautifully in red and gold. David was matching. Alina ran over, and Genya hugged her, then whispered, "there's someone waiting for you in the foyer. You should go meet them."

Alina wondered who it was. Jesper? Inej? Tolya? David?

You just SAW David, Alina.

Alina rushed to the foyer, nearly tripping on her dress. She gasped when Leoni turned round, beaming at her. Leoni looked beautiful, stunning. She had gold shadow, winged eyeliner, and sunflowers in her hair. The makeup and accessories matched her outfit perfectly.

I truly am lucky to have Leoni by my side.

Alina walked towards Leoni, grinning. Leoni beamed back.

"I'm your date! Sorta. Adrik is my date too. I'm gonna be switching between you two for different dances."

Alina beamed and waved at Adrik, who waved back.

"Treat her well," Alina teased.

Adrik bowed. "Always." He brought Leoni's hands to his mouth and kissed them, and Leoni laughed happily. Alina smiled widely.

The three made their way to the ballroom. It was set up marvellously. There were decorations hanging from the ceiling and on the windows, musicians, tables, and most importantly, food!

Alina took some food from the buffet and sat down at a table with Genya, David, Nadia, Tamar, and Inej. Jesper was at the table with Leoni, Adrik, and Zoya, conversing with them. Alina felt like she couldn't stop smiling.

"I'm excited," Genya beamed. "I haven't been to a ball in a long time...oh, doesn't Leoni look lovely David?"

"Yes, my love," he said, smiling at her and then smiling at Leoni. Alina sighed, putting her chin on her hand as she watched Leoni laugh.

Definitely a sun maiden.

"So," Tamar said, clapping her hands once everyone had finished eating and rested. "Shall we dance?"

"Yes!" Nadia said, pulling her wife to her feet. Tamar laughed as she was spun round, then spun round Nadia, whose laughter was contagious. Alina and Inej found themselves laughing too, and Inej grabbed Alina's hands in hers. The Suli girl leant forward and kissed both Alina's cheeks, giddy with excitement.

"Wylan, have fun! I'm gonna go with Jesper."

Alina sat at the table, watching Inej and Jesper dance. She smiled. It was sweet, watching them dance together.

Adrik and Leoni were dancing too, and Alina hummed to the tune the musicians played as Adrik swept Leoni around the room, his girlfriend's eyes sparkling with happiness. Then, he dipped down to kiss her, and Alina beamed, ignoring the whistles that came from the other guests.

When it was Alina's turn, she stood up and made her way to Leoni. Leoni needed a few moments to gather herself. Alina didn't blame her. If someone had done that to her, she would be out of breath, too.

"That was amazing!"

"It was," Alina grinned. When five minutes had passed, the orchestra began to play a slower song, and Alina held out her hand.

"Shall we?"

"We shall," Leoni teased, and Alina smiled.

With one arm behind her back, Alina led Leoni to the ballroom floor. She put an arm around Leoni's waist, then slipped her hand into hers. They then began to dance, and Leoni spoke.

"Did you get any more information?"

"No reply yet. I'm nervous." Alina spun Leoni round, then pulled her back to her, stumbling back a bit but keeping her dancing partner upright. "It doesn't seem like the type of thing Kaz would do."

"It's taking a bit too long, isn't it?" Leoni asked. Alina nodded. She remembered her ballroom training, and moved in time with Leoni just about perfectly. "It is taking too long. Every moment I wait, my nerves just become more and more twisted."

"Let's just hope he's taking too long because he has other assignments to do."

Alina nodded.

At the end of the song, the former sun summoner took Leoni's hand, stepped away from her and bowed, whilst Leoni curtsied with one hand on the skirt of her dress. They were about to part when someone walked up to them.

"Zoya," Alina smiled. However, her face fell when she saw Zoya's grave expression.

"There's a letter for you, Wylan."

Alina gently let go of Leoni's hand and took the letter Zoya was holding. She opened it and stared at the words.

Wylan,

I want you back. We have to talk. You have three days. If you do not set off for Ketterdam in the time slot allocated, I will take action.

Kaz

"No," Alina whispered. Her heart beat fast. She took deep breaths to calm herself. Something tingled beneath her skin. It took everything she had not to let it out.

"I need to go," Alina said quickly. "I'll tell Inej and Jesper."

"We're going with you," Adrik said. Alina looked up, eyes wide.

"No, no if Kaz sees you, he'll-"

"What? He doesn't hate disabled people, does he?"

Alina thought of Kaz's cane, his limp. She shook her head. "No, he doesn't. Keep close to each other. Stay on the ship. Ketterdam isn't Ravka."

Leoni nodded. Alina leant forward and kissed her cheek, then ran off to tell her other friends.

"I'm coming with you, if only to see you off," Inej said. She was already packing her stuff by the time Alina had told Genya and David.

"I'm coming too," Jesper said. "Adrik and Leoni need someone to show them Ketterdam. I can help them get a room near the Crow Club, or even at it. I'll keep threats away from them."

Alina hugged Jesper. "Thank you, Jesper," she said. Jesper smiled and hugged back.

"Anytime, Wylan."

Alina stared out of the window, suitcase packed.

Ketterdam awaited.