Alina had returned to her spot beside Kirigan's throne, her knees once again numbing and her hands resting on her thighs. She couldn't shake the image of Mal out of her head.

He looked weak and skinny, probably from a lack of sleep and food. Of course he wouldn't be receiving five star treatment, especially under Kirigan's orders. She wondered where he got the bruise from. Had he done something to piss someone off? More than likely, this was Mal we are talking about. He wouldn't let Grisha rule him.

A flashback of a young Mal back at the orphanage fighting one of the other boys and receiving a caning from Ana Kuya brought a smile to Alina's face, the first smile she had actually brought since her time here. Mal was always one to fight back, he was so good at it. Alina could imagine he'd be fighting every single Grisha he could if he wasn't in prison. She remembered watching him shoot his way through the crowd on the skiff and try to take down The Darkling but his Heartrender was too quick.

But seeing him so dishevelled, so broken was unnatural. She barely recognised him. If only she could have reached him, touched his hand, said something to him. But at the same time, she didn't even want to look at him while Kirigan forced her powers to kill the Fjerden. She didn't want Mal to see her like that… a slave.

"What are you smiling at?" His sinister voice brought Alina out of her day dream and she glanced up. Kirigan stood in front of her, head held high and eyes focused on her. She hadn't even noticed he had arrived.

"Nothing" she answered quietly, nerves getting the best of her and Kirigan raised an eyebrow with concern.

"Nothing… Moi tsar" she answered again, bowing her head softly. A small smirk appeared on Kirigan's lips, pleased with her address. He was the king and he would be address properly.

"You did well down there, I'm pleased with you" he smiles, stepping forwards to stand closer to her. His scent filled her nostrils and Alina lifted her eyes up to meet his. He was referring to the Fjerden.

I didn't have a choice

Was what she wanted to say but she knew her backchat would get her in trouble. Maybe not her specifically but someone would get hurt… Mal.

It was easy to keep Alina in check. All Kirigan had to do was threaten to hurt her best friend and she would do whatever he wanted. She wouldn't let this monster hurt him, even if it meant she took the aftermath.

"Thank you" she whispered and kept her head down. She felt so intimated by him. It was only months ago she had actually been attracted to this man but now she only felt nervous and dominated. Her submission to him had grown since The Fold and she was trapped under his control, fearing of what would happen to Mal if she disobeyed.

Kirigan's hand gently cupped her jaw, his fingers curling around her chin and lifted her head up to meet those dark eyes of his.

"You are so good for me Alina, remember, it's just you and me, we are made for each other, we are equals in this, I need you and you need me" the words he spoke were soft and gentle, his thumb brushing against her skin softly. Alina felt a pull, letting her head fall into his caress and her eyes fluttered close.

No… he's lying… he's deceiving you again

If they were equals, she wouldn't be a chained slave to him. He would have let her take down The Fold and they could have ruled Ravka together. She didn't need him, she needed Mal. Her eyes opened up again as she remembered the weak and tired Mal hunched in the corner of the cell. The bruised and frail boy she hardly recognised. She wanted to pull back, she wanted to throw a beam of light at him and send him to the other side of the palace but she knew she wouldn't be able to… he'd stop her in a heartbeat.

"Yes… you are right, we are all we need" she whispered but the words felt like venom in her mouth. If Mal had heard her say that, he'd never forgive her. Kirigan smiled, once again pleased with his sun summoner.

"You don't know how happy that makes me" he murmurs and he leans over, removing the chains from her wrists and pulling her up from her knees. Taking her hand, he pulls Alina down the corridor, passing the doors that occupied other Grisha. Alina glanced around her, trying to keep up with Kirigan and her eyes widened as they reached the double doors she knew all too tugged her inside, slamming the door hard with his hand.

The dark walls of his bedroom were lit up by several lanterns as he waved his hand, sending a flutter of light that had come from Alina to light the room up. Alina felt a pull on her body as the light left her and she relaxed as Kirigan released his hold on her, padding his way to golden hook on the left wall. He slipped off his black Kefta, hanging it gently and his head turned to see Alina still standing by the door. She was frozen and her hands shook slightly.

"Come" he ordered and she took a shaky breath in before answering his command. She didn't want this… she wanted to go back to her spot at her throne. At least there she was able to think for herself.

Alina stopped in front of him, her eyes looking up as he towered over her, his hands reaching and brushing her face softly.

"Tell me you are mine" he commanded in a whisper.

Alina gasped quietly, her eyes fixated on his.

Just think about Mal, you are doing this for him… if you do this, you may have a chance to see him.

'I'm yours" she whispered and before she knew it, his lips were attacking hers, his hand reaching behind and grasping the back of her head, removing any chance of pulling away. Alina breathed as his lips took over hers, his tongue inching inside and she felt a tingle inside. The bond they had formed was growing, a warm sensation telling her body that she needed him even though she wanted nothing but to throw him off.

Without warning, his hands removed her Kefta swiftly, throwing it to the floor and her bare neck revealed her collar. That collar that gave him the control. His hand brushed over it, a shock sending through Alina and she gasped, pulling back.

"Shhh, it's okay" he whispered, his affection dark and Kirigan slowly rounded behind Alina, his hands brushing her shoulders as his lips took over her neck. Alina held back the tear she felt behind her eye, and closed her eyes, trying to think of Mal and the orphanage.

The two of them running through the field, hand in hand, staring into each others eyes as they hid from Grisha examiners.

"My sun summoner" he whispered and kissed her temple, his hand brushing down her chest and over her stomach. Alina glanced down, watching as his hand sneaked down to the hem of her trousers, his fingers crawling inside and touching her there.

Alina squeezed her eyes shit, the image of Mal entering back there but Kirigan's voice distracted her.

"What would I do without you" he whispered and pressed further on her spot. Alina gasped as warmth shouted up in her body, her behind pushing back and Kirigan gripped her tightly. His hand wondered over her body, touching and feeling her skin, brushing the collar and gripping her neck.

Suddenly she was turned and pushed onto the bed, her back hitting the mattress and Kirigan stood before her, eyes filled with lust. He leaned over, one hand resting beside her head and the other at her was it. His lips pressed back to hers, drinking her in. Alina felt the pull again, bringing her closer to his bond and she felt an urge for him.

No… I don't want this… I want Mal

The bond was strong though and she wasn't sure if she could resist it. Much like when he used her power, she was incapacitated. She had no control over it.

Kirigan kissed her again, his nose pressing hard into her cheek and his hand reached to slip back into her trousers when a loud knocking sounded. Alina looked over in shock, the knocking sounding again when it wasn't answered to and Kirigan growled.

"Stay here" he ordered and he stormed up to the door. Alina pushed herself up, her hands reaching to cover herself as she felt exposed. Kirigan ripped open the door, demanding what the problem was.

"What?" He gritted.

"It's the tracker Sir, he's escaped".

Mal

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