Chapter 11: In through one ear, out through the other
"I think those gloves were great but just, not fit for that sort of presentation yet."
"I understand."
"But I really liked them, and I'll work with them on the future."
"They´re yours, after all."
There was a moment of silence.
"You know, Genya really liked them too. She was just so intrigued by them."
Nothing.
"Maybe you could spare some time and talk to her."
"I shall put it in my schedule, yes." David nodded, still not looking up from whatever he was reading. Alina sighed, dejected, and placed her spoon down. "It will probably be a short talk, Miss Safin is quite smart."
"She is!" Alina tried to grab onto that bit with claws and teeth. "I'm sure the two of you will have plenty to talk about."
"She's just a Palace servant." an Alkemi said from across the table, frowning. "She has no business with Materialkis."
A few of the purple-clad Grisha nodded their agreement. Alina knew she had to be careful; she needed friends, but she wouldn't let a nobody talk like that about her best friend, especially behind her back.
"Yes, she has the honour of serving the queen herself. It is quite the win for Grisha, a good sign of favour."
"Favour from the king, maybe." snorted a different Alkemi, her brown bangs almost covering her eyes.
Alina wanted to choke the bitch.
"Besides," she added, turning to David. "Tailors belong to the Corporalki and Materialki, right? Which means that she's quite rare and far above even my station as an Etherealki."
It went unsaid, but everyone got it.
"And she's far, far above a simple Materialki."
She didn't truly mean to put an Order above the other, but when it came to Genya, she would do anything to protect her.
Someone had to try.
The Alkemi stared at her and Alina stared back, silently daring him to say something.
He turned back to his meal and kept his mouth shut.
The Darkling was giving her a lesson on Grisha theory as they strode through the snow-covered gardens.
Alina couldn't help but wonder. She drank every bit of information as if she hadn't had any water in days.
Saints, he managed to make her understand way faster than some of those books at the library of the Little Palace; he even knew of things that weren't in them.
He also spoke of the many myths of the Sun Summoners. So scarce had they been through the life of the universe, that most of the things they could do sounded like magic or a child's story.
"Grow life out of light?" She asked him, her arm entangled with his as they advanced through the snowy scenery. Alina snorted. "But I burnt and scorched the gardens a few months ago."
Kirigan contemplated this.
"Maybe they used Merzost."
"What's that?" She asked.
He remained silent for a few moments, surely gathering his thoughts.
"Merzost is the power of life over death. Some call it 'magic', but most call it 'abomination'.
"Why?"
"Do you remember the story of the creation of The Fold, Alina?"
The Summoner nodded, her gloved hand tightening over his forearm.
"He tried to create an army of his own to fight the king, didn't he?"
The General nodded grimly.
"He used Merzost, recklessly, to create, and create he did." he looked down at her eyes. "There are those who say that Merzost cannot be used correctly, but I disagree." he leaned in, his breath mingling with hers. Alina's heart wanted to jump out of her chest. "But I must ask you that you keep my opinion on the subject a secret. Anything you want to ask, ask, but never let it travel to foreign ears."
Alina nodded eagerly, almost hypnotised by his mere stare.
"Of course."
He smiled, just a little, one corner of his mouth lifting up, and she felt ashamed for almost forgetting about Nina and jumping onto him.
Alina looked away, trying to clear her mind.
"Have you ever used Merzost?"
There was a pregnant pause.
"Yes."
"Is that something I should know about? You know, since The Fold was created with Merzost."
"I personally think you need to know, yes."
"Will you teach me?"
He paused again, their walk also coming to a stop. Alina turned so she could face him.
He truly saw her when he looked at her, every time, Alina could tell, and she could never get enough.
"One day, when you are strong enough."
Alina bit her lip, and he squared his shoulders.
"Ask."
"Will it kill me like it killed The Black Heretic?"
"I will not let that happen." he answered with intense clarity, making her feel as if nothing could hurt her. She trusted him, she trusted him not to let harm come her way.
"What will happen once The Fold is gone?"
He smirked and opened his mouth, but then caught sight of something behind her and rose an eyebrow.
"Yes, Fedyor?"
"Everything is ready, Moi Soverennyi."
"Very well. Dismissed."
Alina barely had time to turn and wave her hand in greeting before the Heartrender was gone once more, as silent as when he had arrived.
"I will let you ponder on that on your own, Alina. Now, here." she turned to him and saw him manipulating shadows with his hands. Her breath caught in her throat as she realized what he was doing, and she tried not to gasp as the perfect black rose was offered to her. "For you."
"To remember you by?" she asked in a low voice, reaching out to take it. It was as soft to the touch as the other one, and as detailed.
"Yes."
"As if I could forget." she huffed a laugh, looking up at him with squinted eyes. "You're leaving again."
"I must return to Tsemna, but I do not think I will be gone for as long as the last time."
"Good!" she beamed, then blushed. "I-I mean, it must be tiring to travel so much."
He chuckled, taking her hand in his.
"I am used to it, you need not worry for me." he said, placing a gentle kiss to her gloved knuckles. Damn her and her cold hands! "I leave you in the care of Miss Safin; should anything happen, I will have word of it immediately."
"Of course."
"And here," he took a small piece of paper and offered it to her. "Reading material."
Alina took the paper, almost smiling at how elegant his handwriting was.
"Will you test me when you return?"
"Indeed, so you better study."
"Don't worry," she did smile this time, although on the inside she was already grieving their separation. "I think I've been an apt pupil so far."
He returned the gesture.
"You have."
A few days passed by when Genya told her that a certain Durast would be turning 30 within a week's time.
The friends smiled at each other knowingly. Alina gave Genya a few orders, tasks to be made by others, while she set herself to work at her desk, putting a small vase with two black roses in the corner of the wood piece after locking the door.
And so, she began to write invitations.
Konstantin Zagitov was quite surprised when the Sun Summoner approached him to kiss his cheek and wish him a happy birthday, and even more so when she told him of the party to be held in her rooms that very same night.
Nina had mentioned hers were the biggest, fanciest of the Little Palace, so it could probably host all the Grisha in there.
"Wh-what?" he asked. "B-b-but it's not allowed-"
"Nothing much." Alina dismissed him, waving her hand to rest importance to the matter. On the inside, she was a wreck of nerves. She needed her stupid idea to work, and she hoped The General didn't find out. "Just a few of us, some food and drinks. You'll love it."
"But The G-"
"Trust me, Konstantin." she took a step closer to him and smiled gently, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Everything will be fine, and you'll have a fun night."
Not many people showed up at the party, but Alina wasn't too surprised. They loved their General as much as they feared him; she only needed the first of those feelings at the moment.
The musicians Genya had gotten were skilful and joyous, and despite there being no more than maybe a dozen other Grisha for a feast thought out for half of the Little Palace's population, the ambience was relaxed enough to allow Konstantin and his friends to enjoy themselves.
Genya was bitterly absent, but Alina tried not to let that affect her.
Next to her, Nina placed her glass down and linked their arms together. Alina's eyes darted towards the locked drawer of her desk, where she kept The General's roses, for only a moment. The key to the drawer hung beneath her kefta from a thin chain.
"I must say;" the Heartrender began, entwining their fingers. "I didn't think anyone would show up. Congratulations."
"Thank you for the vote of confidence."
"And it's all pretty entertaining actually. I didn't expect that either."
"Wow," Alina answered dryly as Marie and Nadia entered the room with a few more Etherealki in tow. "I can feel the everlasting love."
"Speaking of everlasting…" Nina said, and when Alina turned towards her, she saw her face grow serious. "I'm leaving. Fedyor and I got a new assignment."
Alina's smile dropped.
"When?"
"Well, now, actually." Nina did try to smile as she began to walk towards the door, dragging the dark-haired woman behind her. "Wanna walk me to the carriage?"
The door closed behind them and numbly, Alina walked alongside her…partner? lover? They had had so little time together; she didn't know what to call it.
"Where are you going?"
She sighed.
"Novyi Zem first, then The Wandering Isle." Nina said, descending the never-ending stairs. "Fedyor and I are on recruitment duty now. These sorts of missions tend to be long."
"Recruitment?" Alina asked, dumbly.
"The General always has teams going around every nation rescuing Grisha." she explained, holding onto Alina's hand. "Mostly to Fjerda and Shu Han since they're closer and, well, not very kind to us, but also in places farther away."
"Is it like when they test ravkan children?"
"Not at all, most of the time. We bring in Grisha from all ages who are willing. First, they stay in a safehouse near Ryevost for recovery-"
"Recovery?"
Nina gave her a sad look.
"Most of the time they don't arrive in the best conditions."
Alina felt her heart dropping at her feet. She understood that Ravka was the only nation relatively safe for Grisha, but behind the Palace's walls, she hardly gave much thought to how other places treated people like her until recently.
For a moment, she could hear her mother yelling at her to run, and feel the smell of smoke and heat of fires.
"They need some time to recover before being bought here."
She breathed out more easily.
"So, you liberate them?"
"I'd say we chain them to an army in an endless war, but sure."
Alina frowned. She didn't like what Nina had just said.
"Better serve an army than being drained of my blood like a pig or sold like a slave."
Nina pressed her lips together, a sudden tension falling over them as they reached the entrance to the Little Palace.
Alina could see two carriages waiting, Fedyor stood against one patiently next to three Healers and a few Etherealki.
"So, you'll be gone for a long time?"
"I can't exactly tell how long, but yes. These things take time…and patience." She turned to Alina then, her face almost devoid of any emotions. She took her hands in a soft grasp. "Listen carefully, Alina."
The Sun Summoner nodded, her attention suddenly shifting completely to the woman in front of her.
"This is a dangerous place."
"I know that."
"And Like calls to like."
"What?" she had no idea where this was going.
"Like calls to like, Alina. It's the basis of Grisha theory, and Shadows and Lights can't exist without each other." Nina looked at her as if she were searching for something. "You don't think my leaving for so long it's just a coincidence, do you?"
An idea began to take form in her mind, and she didn't want it to.
"What are you talking about?"
"I will be plain: The General protect us, but he is dangerous, and he wants you."
"He already has me."
"Yes;" Nina smiled, sadly. "But not in the way he wants."
"Are you saying-?"
"That he's sending me away to keep you to himself? Yes."
Her heart truly was about to jump out of its cavity this time. She felt like she was buzzing with energy, while Nina looked somber and concerned.
"If I had it my way, sun bean, we would´ve had more fun together." she leaned in and hugged Alina tightly. The Summoner returned the hug. "Be careful with him, Alina." she whispered in her ear. "Don't let him consume you."
But that was exactly what she wanted. To be consumed by him; for him to be consumed by her.
Nina took Alina's face in her hands and kissed her one last time. Slowly. Deeply. Like she truly cared.
Alina wished she could care as much. …Maybe if she had been kissed before being given the news…maybe if she had tasted Nina's lips before the General's …
They separated, both breathless, although due to different reasons.
There were two black roses in her rooms, hidden, locked away from prying eyes, and she couldn't wait till the cover of night took over so she could admire them.
"Alina," Nina insisted. "Thread carefully around him, do you hear me?"
"I can handle it." she said, easily, smiling.
This only made the Heartrender more concerned.
"I think you already lost it." she whispered, fearful.
Alina smiled.
"Come now, have some faith in me."
Nina's lips twitched.
"I do, but you need to have faith in yourself before anyone else's."
Alina kept on smiling. The General wanted her. Her. The little, sickly orphan from Keramzin turned into a powerful Grisha.
She almost felt bad for saying her goodbyes to Nina in such a way, but as she had her own new thoughts, so it seemed did Nina.
"Promise to stay alert."
Oh, she'd be alert, alright.
"Don't forget yourself."
How could one forget one-self?
With one last squeeze of her hand, Nina parted, her red kefta willowing behind her as she approached the group of Grisha.
Alina waved absentmindedly as the carriages were led outside the Little Palace's grounds.
She turned, remembering there was a party going on in her very own rooms.
Was there really a reason to celebrate?
She smiled like an idiot.
Maybe Nina's warning had come a little bit late, or maybe it was a lost cause.
Alina didn't care.
All she cared about was the key to her roses, warm underneath her kefta, and the man who had given her such delightful secret to keep.