Alina stood at the wash basin, rubbing her hands to rid the dirty away. The water turned grey as she washed them thoroughly, soap tricking down her wrists and wetting the cuffs of her kefta. She was still in shock from the journey across The Fold. The screams of the baby Volcra replayed in her head, images of Mal shooting it with the bow and arrow, capturing it for Kirigan.
What does he want with the Volcra?
If anything he is a beacon for them. He'd be ripped to shreds if it wasn't for Alina. Funny how the very thing he created would kill him within a second. They obviously aren't on good terms with their master. The monsters themselves were terrifying and even Alina was anxious on the skiff even with the creature trapped in a shadow cage. But it was only a baby and therefore restless and scared.
Of course Kirigan would use Mal to hunt one, being the best tracker there is in Ravka. Alina hadn't seen Mal since she was pulled off the skiff and brought back to the Little Palace. She also hadn't seen Kirigan as she was pushed inside his chambers and locked away. She wasn't complaining. Any chance she had at not being near him she would take. He must be with the Volcra.
Whatever he wants with this Volcra, it must be sinister
Alina stopped the tap and picked up the fluffy hand towel hanging on the gold bar. She rubbed her hands gently, drying them and suddenly, she felt large hands snaking around her shoulders, fingers pressing into her collar bone.
"You were very good earlier, I'm pleased with you" his voice whispered and Alina wanted nothing more than to shove him off and use her light to blind him. But Mal.
"Thank you" she whispered and his hands wrapped around her waist, turning her to face him. His dark eyes were filled with lust and his lips held that smirk. Before she could react, soft lips pressed onto hers and she whimpered softly underneath. He gently pulled back, staring down at her as his tall statue towered over her and Alina could only let out a deep breath.
"As you know I am a man of my word… I did promise a reward for your good behaviour" he smiles and Alina looks in shock.
"Oh, and what will that be?" She asked curiously. Kirigan only smirked as he took her hand in his, leading her out of his chambers. They walked together down the Little Palace and turned a corner, coming to a familiar door. With one hard push, the door swung open to reveal the steep stairs and Alina followed inside. The darkness consumed them and the only light available was several candles.
Alina's heart thumped against her chest as they made their way down the steps and she felt her hands become sweaty. As they reached the bottom, her stomach did a flip and when Kirigan brought her to the cell, Alina's eyes widened.
Mal was sat in the cell he had most recently escaped, hands chained to the floor with thick shackles. He sat cross legged and his head was hung down, only to shoot up as he heard the sound of shoes scuffing on the floor. Like Alina, he too looked shock to see her just beyond the bars and silence fell in the room.
Excitement filled Alina as she hoped this was her reward.
Is this even real, or is Kirigan just playing me?
Kirigan turned to Alina, eyes softer and a small smile on his lips.
"You can have 10 minutes, Ivan will be watching so don't try anything" he gestures to the Heartrender stood in the corner of the cells. Alina couldn't speak, and as she stared at Kirigan, she couldn't help the smile appearing on her face.
"I won't" she reassures and with one last look, Kirigan brushes past and ascends up the stairs, the door creaking shut.
"Alina" her frozen statue is broken and Alina turns to Mal, falling to her knees as Mal scoots over to the bars, his hands pushing through them to touch her hands.
"Mal" she breaths and tears start to form behind her eyes.
"Are you alright, has he done anything to you?" She rambles, her eyes looking over him to look for any wounds.
"Nothing yet, what about you?" He asks, his throat clearly dry and hoarse.
"Nothing" she shakes her head. Kirigan was not one to cause Alina harm, he already was in control.
"This is crazy isn't in" Mal said and Alina nodded.
"I don't even know what this is anymore, I had no idea he was going to capture a Volcra, he said he was going to put you on a mission but I didn't know it was that?" She said. Mal sighed, shaking his head.
"He said if I didn't do it, he'd make sure you pay for my actions… Alina he's mad, he wants all this power" Mal grunted, furious with Kirigan.
"I know, I know he won't stop until he has it all" she said sadly, her eyes cast down. Their fingers tangled in each other's and Alina glanced back up.
"At least he's letting me speak to you" she smiles.
"Did he know about…" Alina knew what Mal was referring to. This kiss they shared in Kirigan's bedroom would have set him off if he knew about it.
"I only said we talked, that you wanted to see if I was okay" Alina smiled but frowned when a flashback of Kirigan kissing her in front of Mal on the skiff came back. She could see the anger in Mal's eyes, the fury inside him that was waiting to be released.
"I suppose he trusts you" Mal shrugged.
"Not as much as I would like, he knows the way to get to me is by you, threatening to hurt you, he knows exactly how to control me" Alina whispered, her eyes falling down as the tears started to seep from her eyes. The idea that Alina would be under his control forever dawned on her. The idea of her never having any freedom again and that she would be a slave to Kirigan for the rest of her life. There was nothing that could save them now.
"Hey, look at me" Mal pressed and Alina looked up. Mal stared with big wide eyes and he softly spoke to her.
"I will not let him have you, we're going to find a way out of here, I promise" he whispered, hoping Ivan wouldn't hear. He glanced over to see the Heartrender only staring at the two but it didn't look like he was listening.
"Mal, there's nothing we can do, you already tried to escape once and he caught you, you don't know what he's capable off" she said and Mal scoffed.
"Does it look like I care… Alina I will not let you be a slave to him any longer, your power should not be controlled by someone else". As much as Mal had trouble understanding Alina and her power, the betrayal he felt when he found out she was Grisha and he was nothing, he wouldn't allow his friend, the person he loved the most to be subjected to a life of being told what to do and how to use her power. Being forced to use it when she didn't want to and being forced to live beside The Darkling.
Alina felt her hands being squeezed by Mal and she stared at him, her lips creaking into a smile.
"And I won't let you live your life behind bars" she said.
"Together we can do this, we can escape his hold and destroy him once and for all" Mal insisted.
"But how?".
Before Mal could speak, boots scuffed on the floor and Ivan stood beside the two, hands in front of him and eyes glaring down.
"Time's up, let's go" he ordered and Alina sighed.
"Be careful, don't get into trouble" she warned and Mal smirked.
"Trouble is my middle name" he said and Alina giggled. She felt the desire between the two of them, her need to kiss him growing inside but her arm was grabbed by Ivan and she was hoisted up and off the floor. Their hands were tugged apart and Alina felt empty and cold as she left Mal behind the thick bars, darkness descending on her as she was pulled out of the cells.
Alina was once again back at Kirigan's throne, hands once again chained. Kirigan was nowhere to be seen and that meant Alina was alone with her thoughts.
What plan does Mal have to escape?
It would have to be a pretty good plan in order to escape Kirigan. Right now he was the most powerful Grisha and person in the country. With his hold and control on Alina's power, he could do anything. The only way to truly escape would be to destroy Kirigan. They couldn't just run off, he'd find them. If they could reach The Fold before he does and cross it, then they would have a chance of getting out. But that was a pretty big if.
"How was your friend?" his voice caused her to jump and Alina looked over to the side, Kirigan stood a few metres away. She didn't know how long he had been stood there. Alina gazed at him, her heart pumping faster and she swallowed the lump in the back of her throat.
"Fine" she murmured and Kirigan started towards her, his boots clinking on the palace floor. She was nervous, thinking if Ivan had heard any of their conversation, had he told Kirigan.
"Thank you for letting me see him" she hated the way she sounded. Thanking him like a slave. Yes, she was one but she didn't like the degrading it brought upon her. Kirigan smiled as he reached Alina, stopping in front of her.
"Well I can be reasonable too, you did as you were told and I am always a man of my word, you should know that" he whispers. He was right, he did always fall on his word. At the killing of the Stag he promised to heal Mal and he did so.
"I do" she nods.
Kirigan stepped to his throne, sitting back in the chair and resting his arms on the side. He closed his eyes to relax and took a deep breath in. Alina couldn't help but wonder what his plan was for the Volcra he had captured.
"What are you doing with the Volcra?" She asks and Kirigan's eyes snap open, head turned to stare down at Alina.
"What?' He says.
"You captured a Volcra, I'm surprised you were able to bring it out of The Fold" she said.
"The Volcra thrive on darkness and shadow, as long as it's kept in the dark it will be alright" he shrugs.
"So what are you going to do with it" Alina furrows her brows. What purpose did he have for the hideous creature.
"That is for me to know and for you to not worry" he looks forward and Alina blinks.
"Why, obviously I'm going to think about it, what purpose does it have being here at the Little palace" Alina felt a rush of adrenaline as she spoke up, her body turning slightly. Kirigan sighed in frustration.
"Enough Alina" he said calmly and Alina scoffs.
"No, tell me what you are doing?" She raises her voice, she didn't want to let this go. Kirigan stands, pushing himself off the throne and steps in front of her.
"I said enough!" His voice booms in the palace and echos off the walls. Alina glares up at him and shakes her head.
"Whatever your plan is I won't help" she spits and Kirigan blinks.
"I'd be careful what you say Alina, remember your friend, his life depends on you".
"I don't care, hurt him, kill him if you have to, I'll never go along" she didn't mean a word of it. She would never let Kirigan hurt Mal but her fight instinct had kicked in and she wasn't backing down.
"You really mean that?" He questions and Alina only glares. Kirigan steps forward and crouches in front of her, eyes hard and dark. Alina pulls back, her eyes never leaving his.
"You are mine Alina, your power belongs to me and I can use it with or without your cooperation" he says quietly and with that he stands and walks away, leaving Alina by herself.
Hey so I hope you like it, please leave a review and let me know what you think