Chapter 1
"General Kirigan is sending me away on a mission."
Nina Zenik broke the news to her younger sister, Annika, who was laying on her side of the bed reading a book; a romance novel with underlying hint of comedy. The younger Zenik's preferred genre.
The Zenik sisters— Nina and Annika are different in every aspect. As Grishas they're both Corporalki; with Nina being the Heartrender and Annika being a Healer, although still in training.
In terms of appearance: despite being beautiful in their own ways, the two sisters look very different. The pale skin and the shape of their brow are the common features they share. Other than that, Nina has dark-brown, straight, waist length hair. Annika has straight but black hair that almost reaches the hips. Nina's has hooded, light blue eyes. Annika has the almond shaped with the rare violet colour. Nina's face is small heart shaped. Annika's is longer and oval shaped. Nina has the perfect curves sitting at the right places whereas Annika is basically skin covering the bones.
Personality wise: Nina is loud and lewd, which also makes her quite popular with the Grisha's of opposite gender. Annika on the other hand still has a lot to learn from her older sister. But for now, she is someone who prefers turn away from the reality to live in the fantasy.
"What kind of mission?" Asked Annika, turning over to the next page. She wasn't quite bothered, after all Nina was a girl, surely the Darkling wouldn't assign her into something dangerous. So she blissfully assumed it was more like running some errands.
"I have been tasked to find and dig out information on those smuggling Grisha from Ravka."
Now that didn't sound like running some errands. Although Nina tried her best to make it sound like it was no big deal.
Quickly, closing her book Annika sat up and shot her sister a curious stare, demanding she explain more. But Nina was busy undressing. Shrugging the red Kefta off of her shoulder she carelessly tossed it somewhere on the floor. Then proceeded to remove the rest of her garments while making her way towards the bathroom. Successfully ignoring the pair of eyes burning at the back of her head.
Annika left the bed and followed her sister's trial. "Why does it sound like you're going away for a long time?"
"Because I am."
Once stripped off of everything the blue eyed sister climbed into the bathtub, whilst the one with the violet eyes remained at the entrance.
"How long are we talking about?"
Nina let out a frustrated sigh. She didn't want to think about the reality she must face starting tomorrow. But her naive little sister wouldn't stop with the interrogation either. Then again she also knew it was unfair to put the blame solely on Annika. She was still quite young, with no one to call her own other than Nina… and now once again they'd be separated. Just like how they have been forcefully taken away from their families after Annika's healing abilities were discovered by one of their neighbour's son and the rest is history.
"I don't know. I have to travel to many different places, step into the enemy territories in disguise. Chances are I might never come back… this might be the last time we see each other."
The information slowed down the aforementioned female's heartbeat.
Sensing what was happening the Heartrender craned her neck to check if her little sister was alright.
"But Nina…how will I live if something happens to you?"
"You will survive, you have to Annika! This is our life. We are soldiers."
A deep frown took over Annika's face. She couldn't even imagine life without having Nina by her side. But there was little to what she could do. After all who'd dare defy the General's order.
"Hey! Can you stop making such a face. Frowning like that will only give you wrinkles." Nina's scolding snapped Annika out of her chain of thoughts.
"Besides you should know me better, it's not so easy to take me down. Especially when the opponent is of male gender."
"What if you are caught by the Drüskelle?" Annika asked, having the worst of ideas taking over her mind.
"I maybe a Grisha, but I'm no ugly woman." Nina scoffed. "Besides, why do you think General Kirigan specifically chose me for this mission? He's a man with perfectly working eye-sight; he knows how a beautiful woman with the advantage of being a Heartrender can—"
"When do you depart?" Annika abruptly cut in.
Nina has the habit of beating her own drums and sometimes it goes too far. And right now wasn't the time for that.
"Tomorrow."
"Tomorrow?!" Annika exclaimed in disbelief. "And you're telling me this now!"
"The General just told me a while ago. Oh by the way, can you sleep somewhere else tonight. I invited Dimitri on my way back."
"Dimitri?! Are you serious! Nina! He's a creep and who lies to lure women into his bed." Annika retorted. It was beyond her brain's capacity to grasp why her sister would lower her standard by getting into bed with Dimitri Kasolov.
The latter happen to be the most popular young Inferni at the Little Palace. His increasing popularity comes from the handsome features he possesses and the added bonus on top is his resemblance to Darkling. Take away ten-twelve years from the face, shave off the stubble clean and make the hair slightly longer— the Darkling would transform into Dimitri Kasolov.
Although the resemblance is truly uncanny. But Annika strongly believes it to be a mere coincidence and nothing more! However, the imbecile has had quite the success. One of her close friend and three fellow healers that she works with unfortunately fell for the garbage that comes out of his mouth. And after learning the truth lived in despair for many days. This is why the younger Zenik's harbours particular dislike towards the guy.
"Do you really want to spend your last night at the Little Palace, in that creep's arms? Don't tell me you're also starting to believe he is General Kirigan's brother."
Nina rolled her eyes at her sister's attempted reasoning. She didn't even bother to turn instead picked up the wash cloth and started to scrub herself.
"Listen child do you really think I care how he is or who he claims to be? I've heard from reliable sources that he is good in bed. End of the day that's what counts. I could care less whether he is the General's brother or son—"
A knock on the door interrupted them.
"That must be him!" Nina said, chirping like a happy bird.
"Should I tell him to wait? Clearly you're not done bathing."
"It's fine. He can join me in the bath. I heard he give impressive back rub; this is my chance to test it out."
Annika turned with the intent to leave but stopped realizing they haven't come to a conclusion about her accommodation for tonight.
"Wait… what about me? Where would I sleep tonight?"
"Go into Zoya's room. I have already spoken to her, she assured me you can sleep in her room for tonight."
"And where would she sleep?"
"Zoya isn't sleeping tonight. She has made plans to ride General Kirigan all night."
The young Healer's face contoured in disgust. She never understood the obsession some ladies here had with General Kirigan— the man who should have been like a father figure to them. Instead, these ladies preferred to have him as a lover. Maybe if she wasn't so young and closer to their age perhaps Annika could have seen what her sister, Zoya and some of their other friends saw in the Darkling.
"Now go shoo and bring my guest in. Zoya wasn't too kind to share the General, so I'm left with no choice but to take his little brother."
Rolling her eyes Annika left to answer the door.
She walked across the room in hurried footsteps as the knocking became more urgent.
Someone's impatient. The thought crossed the younger Zenik's mind as she answered the door.
"Good evening." Greeted Dimitri, slouching against the nearby wall. His blue Kefta undone, a small smile tugging the corner of his lips and his dark brown eyes gazing at her from top to bottom.
"Nina's in the bath, waiting for you. Please feel free to join her." The Healer spoke through gritted teeth and stepped away, inviting the Inferni inside.
"Why are looking at me with such disgusted eyes Little Annika?" She never understood why he called her 'Little Annika' but never bothered to find out either.
"Because you are disgusting! And thanks to you I have no place to sleep tonight."
"Oh no! Too bad." His hand reached out and caressed the girl's face. "Only if you were slightly older I could have invited you to join Nina and I. You see… my brother wouldn't appreciate if I start to take very very young girls to bed."
"Oh please! Save those crap for someone else."
Annika slapped his hand away as it was about to descend to her neck and existed her room. Once outside, she turned and watched Creepy Dimitri (the nickname she had for him) shut the door on her face after flashing a flirtatious grin alongside a dirty wink.
Not sure where to go, the young Grisha wondered off through the dark corridor of the Little Palace.
"Annika?!"
Luckily she didn't have to wonder around for long. Turning, the dark haired female noticed the Grisha in purple Kefta approaching.
"Viktor…? What are you doing up so late?"
"I was at the workshop with David, assisting with him with the rings General Kirigan asked him to design. And you?"
"I got kicked out of my own room. Nina decided to spend the her last night at the palace in Creepy Dimitri's company."
The male Grisha couldn't suppress his laughter and spoke in between it. "It's the saddest thing I have ever heard." He laughed again. "Oh Nina! Her absence will truly be felt at the palace. Anyway," clearing his throat he proceeded. "Did they kick you out just like that?"
"Nina told me I could sleep in Zoya's room, as you know… but I don't feel comfortable. We're not that close."
"Then come with me. You can sleep on my bed." The Fabrikator wrapped an arm around the petite girl's shoulder.
The offer earned him curious look from her. "Where would you and your brother sleep then?"
"David will be spending the night at the workshop. He plans finish the rings by tonight." He said pulling her along, as they headed for his bedchamber.
Annika released a sigh of relief. At least she found a far better place than what she was expecting.
She observed him fix the pillow under her head and pull the cover over before he walked into the bathroom to change into his night attire.
Within minutes Viktor came out, now dressed in a pair of dark trousers and white cotton shirt that had the first couple of buttons undone; giving a perfect peek of his smooth tanned chest.
Annika could feel the blush creeping up on her cheeks. But there was nothing she could do to prevent it. Furthermore reason to hate her pale complexion. Quickly, she pulled the covers all the way up to her nose to hide the sight of her heated cheeks. While most ladies in the palace would swoon over the General Kirigan and his knock-off Creepy Dimitri. Annika personally thinks no one comes close to Viktor. Yes, in appearance he is quite similar to his older brother David Kostyk but unlike David, Viktor has curly hair and hazel eyes.
"Don't hesitate to wake me up if you need anything." The Fabrikator told the Healer getting under the cover himself.
"Sure…" She ducked down more under the cover. Her blush redder than ever.
Having a friend like Viktor was a blessing indeed. And Annika prayed, she prayed every night for it to escalate into something more in the future, than just the friendship that they had now.
The group consisting of— Zoya, David, Genya, Marie, Nadia, Fedyor, David, Viktor, Annika and Creepy Dimitri gathered right at the entrance of the Little Palace to bid farewell to Nina.
Saying goodbye to Nina was hard. But even harder was having to watch Annika desperately clutch onto her sister and refusing to let her go.
There was a lot that came out of the younger Zenik's mouth but the older one held herself together and didn't breakdown. She pressed a firm kiss on her little sister's forehead and made the promise to see other again someday.
Then mounted onto the horse and with one last glance at the Little Palace and waving farewell to the group, galloped away.
And Annika who was being tenderly hugged by Genya, cried into her chest.
That night as the younger Zenik lay awake staring at the empty side of the bed, realization hit her like ton of bricks—
she was alone once again.
A.N. Thank you for reading.