Alina woke to the sun shining through the thin curtain, the bright light warming her face and her eyes fluttered open. Her head was rested on the soft pillow underneath and her naked body covered by the black sheets. After blinking herself awake, she softly groaned as she shuffled underneath the heavy arms wrapped around her body tightly. She couldn't help but smile, seeing those strong arms holding her tightly. His fingers were curled around her stomach and chest pressed to her back. His head lay behind her on the pillow, soft breaths tickling her neck. His legs were tangled over hers, trapping her in his embrace.
Aleksander slept beside her, spooning her and holding on tight as if he wasn't going to let her go. Alina could barely move from his tight embrace but she wasn't complaining. She loved the feeling of being wrapped up in his arms, his protection keeping her warm and safe. They slept like this every night. Aleksander always slept behind her or had Alina's head on his chest. Neither of them could sleep unless they were wrapped up in each other.
It had been months since the two of them had destroyed The Fold. Ravka had been brought peace and Alina and Aleksander were there to lead the country. The sun and shadow summoner together, helping Grisha live a peaceful life without fear of being hunted and killed. Yes, there were still people out there, trying to attack and kidnap Grisha to experiment or execute them for being witches. But Alina and Aleksander were going to change the world. The Aleksander in charge of the second army, and with Alina by his side, he was able to protect his people.
Alina hadn't quite gotten use to being treated like this. Having maids and servants on hand and foot. In fact, she didn't much enjoy it. She felt silly having to ask someone to bring her a snack or if she wanted to go out, she'd have a guard accompany her. She didn't feel human. She knew she was important, being the sun summoner and with Aleksander as her soul mate for life, but she didn't think it would be this exhausting. It rather infuriated her that she wasn't able to be alone for more than a few seconds. There had been many times she'd given them the slip and ventured off on her own, much to Aleksander's dismay. Aleksander on the other hand was the complete opposite. The servants and maids were there to serve the general and his soul mate. He had countless arguments with Alina about her slipping past the guards and potentially endangering herself. If it were up to him he'd never let her leave the palace but this he couldn't very well keep his wife locked away; as much as he wanted to. His need to protect her and keep her safe grew more everyday.
As much as Alina liked being folded in her husbands embrace, she felt her neck starting to cramp and she desperately needed to move. Alina slowly pulled her arm out from Aleksander's hold and covered his hand with hers, his heat from his skin warming her hands. As she went to move his arm away, his body moved behind her and only tightened his grip on her. She rolled her eyes, smiling and when she tried once again, she felt his warm breath behind her, his voice groggy and soft.
"Don't" he whispered and she giggled softly.
"My neck is hurting" she said, grinning as she spoke.
"I'll call one of my healers" he murmured, his eyes still closed and his arms still holding her.
"It's not like that…besides I need to get up, I'm going out at dawn". Alina had planned a ride with Mal. She hadn't spent a great deal of time since… well since everything. She was looking forward to spending some time with her best friend. Aleksander's eyes shot open and he shuffled behind her, releasing his death grip on her and he turned Alina onto her back, his eyebrows furrowed.
"Going out where?" He asked, his fingers tracing the side of her face, tucking a few strands of hair back.
"Mal and I are going for a ride, I told you the other day, I said we'd leave by nine" she smiles softly and Aleksander frowns a little.
He was never the biggest fan of the tracker. Since Alina had come to terms with her powers, Mal had difficulty relating to her, now that she was Grisha. Aleksander was the only person who was equal to her, that there was no one else like them and never would be. His feelings towards the tracker were not all approving. He had nothing to be jealous about but that didn't stop him. The idea of Alina hanging around with the Otkazat'sya didn't settle with him. But as her husband, he couldn't keep them apart. He was her best friend and as much as he didn't want him anywhere near his sun summoner, all he could do was smile and pretend to be alight.
But the news of Alina going out with Mal had only stirred up the possessive feelings inside him ad he couldn't help but argue back.
"I think I would remember if you told me you were leaving?" Alina rolled her eyes playfully, shaking her head.
"I'm not leaving, I'm going out, there's a big difference, besides Mal and I never get to see each other, it would be nice to actually catch up with him" Alina places a finger on Aleksander's chest, trailing it across his warm skin and tracing his abs.
"Well he is in my army, he has work to do?" Yes, Aleksander had recruited Mal as his top tracker in the second army, much to his dismay again. But it was Alina who had persuaded him. As much as he hated the idea, he wanted his wife happy and that was what made her happy.
"Not today he doesn't" she said smugly but Aleksander doesn't show a hint of amusement.
"I'll have Ivan come with you" Alina groans softly, her smile fading. She knew he was going to be like this. His protectiveness could get out of hand sometimes and almost every time it ended in an argument.
"I don't need him to come with me, I'm fine, I can take care of myself" she replies but Aleksander gives her a warning look, his head tilting to the side.
"Alina" his voice is hard and forceful, as if he was telling off a child for being naughty.
"Beside Mal is there and he can fight anyone" she shrugs, looking in the opposite direction.
"Alina" he repeats, bringing her attention back to him.
"What!" She snaps and Aleksander sighs. He didn't want to have an argument first thing in the morning but he wasn't going to not put his point across.
"You know how I feel about you going out without protection, there are people out there who will do anything to get their hands on you" he warns.
"Even so I can look after myself, I've defended myself before, I can do it now" she says angrily and Aleksander bites his lip to prevent him from what he wanted to say.
Your not going and that's final was what he wanted to say but then he'd never be forgiven.
Silence fell between the two and Alina sat up a little, looking up into his dark eyes and her hand reached up to run her fingers through his black messy hair.
"I know you don't like it, but you can't keep me in here forever, I'm not a prisoner here, I can do things if I want to… would you rather I just sneaked out behind you and let you worry sick about me" she whispered and Aleksander raised his brows.
"I'd rather you stay here with me all day" he replied and Alina couldn't help but smirk.
So possessive
Aleksander sighed, his hand reaching to cup her face, his thumb brushing her skin and over her sweet lips.
"I know you are not a prisoner and I don't want you to be miserable in here, as much as I hate the thought of you out there without me and I certainly don't want you sneaking out" his thumb runs over her lip, tugging it down and letting it flop back.
"Just promise me you'll be careful" he whispers and Alina pushes herself up, her head leaning up.
"I promise" she smiles and kisses him softly. As she pulls back, her head is thrusted back onto his lips by his hand and he kisses her hard and possessively. His teeth tug at her lip and he growls into her mouth. Alina moans and falls back on the bed, his arms snaking around her as he kisses her. His noses burgess against hers and their foreheads touch as he breaths deeply over her mouth.
"I want you right now" he whispers and Alina nods her head, another moan escaping as his lips press to her neck. Tingles shoot up her body and she feels a shock down there, her legs tangling with his under the black sheet.
"Me too… but I have to get ready" she moans, her eyes shutting as Aleksander trail his hand down her body.
"Not yet" he moans and Alina gasps as he touches her there, her body lighting on fire and she falls into the bed sheets.
Alina pads out of the palace, the fresh air hitting her and the chill from the breeze making her shiver. She expected it to be warm from the sun shining on her this morning but coming out in just her kefta and clothes underneath made her realise it was colder than she thought. Her long black hair trailed over her shoulders and two plaits were on either side of her head leading around the back. Her black kefta reached just below her knees and her black boots clunked on the gravel. She and Aleksander were the only Grisha to wear black. She was certain at first but Aleksander insisted she wear it. It only made him more possessive, seeing her in his colour. It was a touch different from his. His was all black whereas Alina's was black and gold, symbolising her sun summoner.
As she reaches outside, she spots Mal stood by two horses, one black and one brown. Of course Alina was given her own horse, directly from her husband. She remembered the day he gave it to her. It was a present from him after the destruction of The Fold. Aleksander showered Alina with gifts and the horse was a beauty. A pure stallion with long mane and dark as night coat.
Alina waved at Mal as she rushed over to him, her smile growing as she reached him and she threw her arms around him, Mal twirling her as they greeted each other.
"Jesus, have you put on weight" he jokes and Alina scoffs, shoving him playfully.
"How dare you" she says in a fake hurt tone. Mal laughs, shaking his head. He had changed appearance since Alina last saw him. He was much broader and had more muscle. Working for the second army was a demanding job and he had to keep up with training. The only thing that hadn't changed was his shaved head, the fine hair sprouting out the top.
"It's that bloody thing you are wearing" Mal nods to the kefta hugging her body and Alina sighs. She had to admit, she wasn't use to the kefta either.
"Tell me about it, this thing adds like 10 pounds, probably why it's bullet proof and all" she looked down at herself and then back at Mal.
"Who needs that when you have me, besides I'm sure you could just blind them with your fire" he shrugs.
"It's not fire, it's light and for your information that was a one time thing, I will never do that again" he was referring to the time Alina had blinded someone using her light against them as they had tried to attack her once. Aleksander was more than pleased she had managed to fend him off.
Mal shook his head chuckling.
"Well I know never to piss you off" he says.
Alina was so glad she was finally able to catch up with Mal. She had so much to talk about and couldn't wait to have good times with him like she use to back in the orphanage.
"That would be wise, come on let's go" she smiles and reaches to take the reins of her stunning stead. She pets his nose gently and pulls her foot up to mount her horse when a voice stops her.
"Alina" she turns and see Aleksander walking out the palace, standing just by the entrance. He nods his head for her to come over and she drops her foot.
"Sorry, one second" she apologies to Mal who sighs softly but doesn't let his annoyance show. Mal had the exact opinion on Aleksander. He couldn't help the jealousy inside him whenever he saw the two of them together. His feelings for Alina were deep and he wished that Alina wasn't with him. As her best friend, he couldn't do anything about it but just smile and try to not let it get to him. He wanted so bad to just giving the general a punching but that would end badly for him. When he found out that Alina and him were soul mates, he was heart broken. His worst fear was that Alina and him would grow distant and she'd live a better life in the palace and forget about him. When Alina suggested they go on a ride, he was ecstatic and he finally felt like his best friend was back.
"It's fine" he murmurs and Alina quickly rushes over to Aleksander, standing close to him as she meets him.
"What's up?' She asks and she notices the long black coat in his arms.
"It's cold out there, you'll need this" he holds up the coat and Alina narrows her eyes. The coat he held in his arms wasn't hers… it was his.
"This is your coat silly, not mine" she says and Aleksander smirks.
"I know" he whispers and with a swift flick of his arms, he drapes the long coat over her body, the black material falling to the ground. The fur around her shoulders tickled her neck and the coat instantly warmed her up from the freezing breeze. His fingers button the front and he tugs it on, checking she is fully covered before snaking his arms around her once more. Seeing her in his coat was a turn on for him and his possessiveness simmered down. He felt a hundred times better knowing she had a piece of him there.
"Are you going to miss me?" She teased.
"I'll be watching from the window until you return" he murmurs and she giggles, shaking her head.
So protective
"What are you doing today?" She asks. She hoped he'd be keeping busy so he didn't worry too much about her.
"I have some boring reports to get through so should keep me busy" he shrugs and Alina smiles.
"Good, the more you work the less you'll think about me".
"Oh Alina, I could never stop thinking about you" he whispers with lust.
The sound of horses whinnying turned her head and she saw Mal had mounted his horse, ready to leave. She didn't want to waste any more time away from her day with Mal.
"I have to go now" she looks up at Aleksander, her eyes staring up into his dark ones.
"Be careful, stick to the path, don-"
"Don't get off my horse unless I need to, don't talk to strangers… yes you told me this morning" she interrupts him and Aleksander smiles, shaking his head. He had bombarded her this morning with what not to do and what to do while on her ride and Alina could only roll her eyes and pretend to be interested. She knew he was only looking out for her but deep down she knew she wasn't going to follow his rules. What he doesn't know won't hurt him.
Oh my cheeky sun summoner, what am I going to do with you?
"Just checking' he whispers, his hands pulling her closer and he leans down, giving a soft but deep kiss. Alina closes her eyes and settles into the kiss. As she moves to pull away, Aleksander pulls her back and kisses her more, his hand reaching up to cup the side of her face. His eyes slowly wander to the side to catch a glimpse of Mal watching.
That's right tracker, she's mine
Alina pulled away slowly, her eyes wide and lips slightly parted. She could easily bring him in for another kiss but she didn't want to keep Mal waiting.
"Have a nice ride" he says and Alina turns to leave him, only to be tugged back, not realising her hands was in his. Her eyebrows shoot up with question as he pulls her back to his chest once more.
"Be back before sundown" he whispers and before Alina can argue he kisses her once more, his possessiveness taking over and she moans.
"I love you" he murmurs against her lips.
"I love you too" she smiled sweetly and before he knew it, Alina had slipped away from his arms, a feeling of emptiness around him and he urged to pull her back but he knew he couldn't. He didn't look away as he watched her mount her horse with skill and ride off with Mal. His face turned hard and dark, watching as his soul mate rode off with another man he didn't like and with a sigh, he turned on his heel and padded back into the palace.
Please be safe