Disclaimer: I don't own the Grisha Trilogy and its characters – it belongs to Leigh Bardugo. I do not own the Shadow & Bone TV series, which was developed by Eric Heisserer for Netflix and based on Leigh Bardugo's books. Any recognisable dialogue is from the books or TV show – some lines may be included verbatim, others in an amended form.
Interlude: Genya
Alina knew.
No. No. No. No. No.
Genya never wanted her to find out. It was so lovely to have someone who wasn't aware of what the King did to her, to see a friendly face not marred by disgust or disdain or sympathy.
Why couldn't she have that one thing?
It hurt to have to explain things to a concerned and confused Alina, to try and make the younger girl understand that it wasn't as simple as asking for Genya to be removed from the Queen's service.
I am a soldier. I will have my revenge. I am a soldier. I will have my revenge.
Maybe if she thought those words often enough, then one day it wouldn't be so painful.
Genya closed herself off, made it clear she didn't want Alina to ask any further questions.
She didn't want Alina to be more upset than she already was, and she didn't want to think or talk about the King any more than she absolutely had to.
"I can bear this," she whispered to herself when she was alone once more, "I will bear this. And one day I will make that vile, unworthy man they call King suffer."
The picnic for Alina's Birthday had been a wonderful idea, a chance to smile and laugh and enjoy themselves. Still, the number of guards made it impossible to forget the dangers that could lurk even within the walls of the Little Palace.
Guards that, it quickly became clear, would be extremely necessary.
Genya had heard about the Drüskelle, but she'd never seen them up close, had never dreamed that they would manage to enter the well-protected Little Palace grounds.
Saints, when the Darkling discovered this then heads would roll (probably literally).
There was really no time to think about how this had happened, though, not with the Drüskelle bearing down upon them.
They were energetic, well-armed and clearly targeting the Sun Summoner. This wasn't an attack of chance, it was well-planned.
Genya didn't attend Botkin's classes with her peers, but she saw the combat instructor privately when she had time. She could hold her own in a fight, even if she didn't have any experience in the field. She could buy Alina time if she needed it.
Still, Alina seemed horrified at the idea that Genya would sacrifice herself to keep her safe. Her best friend never saw herself clearly, didn't ever seem to think she was worthy of all that was bestowed on her. Genya would give her life for the Sun Summoner but, more importantly, she would give her life if it saved her very best friend's.
In the end, it wasn't needed. The Darkling arrived with reinforcements and Alina cut down the man in front of her with a blade of light that was as beautiful as it was deadly.
Alina was too focused on the body next to her to see the look in the Darkling's eyes as he wielded the Cut with deadly accuracy against the remainder of the Drüskelle. Genya had seen his face clearly, though, and had shuddered at his terrifying fury.
By the time he had reached Alina, Genya could see his expression had returned to something more coolly impassive.
Their General went to a great deal of effort, she thought, to hide the worst of his temper from the Sun Summoner. Of all those who could claim more than a passing acquaintance with the leader of the Second Army, it seemed to Genya that Alina might be the only one who wasn't at least a little scared of him. She had no doubt that Alina had a healthy level of respect for the Darkling, and that she was aware of his dangerous reputation, but she was given leeway no one else was.
For the most part, the Darkling didn't appear to care whether people were frightened of him, in fact he often reveled in the reputation that only grew as time passed. However, it seemed to Genya that he didn't want Alina to fear him.
And what did that say about his plans for Alina? She was the Sun Summoner, the only one who could equal him. But, when the time came, would her best friend even have a choice?
They rode back to the Little Palace together, Alina trying very hard to appear ok even when it was clear she wasn't.
"Genya, stay with Alina," the Darkling told her, once they had all dismounted at the Little Palace entrance, "I will deal with the Queen if she calls for you this evening."
He turned to the two Heartrenders who had hurried down to meet them as they arrived back at the Little Palace entrance, "Ivan, go and help Elena with the prisoner. Get him situated downstairs but do not start the interrogation without me. Fedyor, I want to know how they got in without being detected any earlier."
He paused for a moment in contemplation before speaking again, "and Fedyor, get in contact with the First Army Generals – I want their six best trackers here as soon as possible."
Trackers, she thought to herself, what does the Darkling need trackers for?
Their General rarely used otkazat'sya soldiers for any mission of importance, so there must be something special he needed trackers for. Not that she would ever dare to ask him.
"Genya," the Darkling called out as Dimitri and Pavel began to help Alina back to her room, "make sure Alina is ready for dinner in a few hours."
She frowned, "moi soverennyi, does she really need to be in the dining room tonight?"
Surely the Darkling could see how affected Alina was by what had just happened?
"Yes," he replied shortly, clearly with no interest in explaining himself to her.
"Alina," Genya said, "she's not …"
Not used to being attacked. Not as comfortable slicing a man in half with a blade of light as you are doing the same with shadows. Not ruthless.
"Not what?"
"I think she's a little shocked by everything."
The younger girl had been shaking as they rode back. Perhaps Alina hadn't even realised it was happening, but Genya recognised the signs of someone who was still trying to process a traumatising event.
"We all have our roles to play, Genya. Given a few hours of rest, I'm sure Alina will be ready to attend dinner."
She nodded at his words. There was no use trying to argue with him and she knew that the oprichniki would ensure she followed his instructions.
The Darkling knew best, as always.
Alina got a little rest, to Genya's great relief, but the poor girl still looked pale and drawn when Genya helped her with her hair.
It was clear to see that Alina would rather skip dinner and Genya felt terrible having to tell her that she really did need to go. She only hoped the Darkling would be satisfied by his Sun Summoner's appearance for the evening meal and not require anything else of her until she'd had some more sleep.
The Darkling was in the dining room.
Genya tried to remember if she had ever seen him eat with them, but she couldn't recall any such an occurrence during the time she had been at the Little Palace. With the new chair, obviously meant for Alina, next to his, it was clear he had decided to make a statement.
Genya nudged her friend in the direction of the Darkling, before going over to sit next to Fedyor and Ivan.
Dinner was quiet. The students and older Grisha chatted among themselves, but most of them also watched the Darkling and Alina nervously, clearly unsure about if they should do anything differently considering their General was joining them.
Alina seemed ill at ease to begin with, but then she seemed to relax a little, talking with the Darkling as she ate her meal.
There was a brief moment where the Darkling's expression darkened, and Genya could see a few of the Grisha sitting nearby look as if they wanted to flee the vicinity, but soon enough he became as calm and collected as he usually was and it seemed as if he and Alina had lapsed into silence.
It seemed as if the whole room let out a collective sigh of relief when the Darkling left early, flanked by Ivan and a number of oprichniki.
When Alina stood up a few minutes later, Genya hurried over, closely followed by Fedyor. Between the two of them, they managed to coax some smiles and laughs out of Alina on their journey back to her room.
Fedyor left them at the door with a friendly goodnight, and Genya said she would spend the night.
Alina looked pleased and relieved at her words and Genya was inordinately glad that the Darkling had arranged it so that she could stay with her friend – cold as he could be, he clearly recognised that Alina needed some company.
They were both quiet as they got ready for bed. She was normally up much later than this, but Alina looked like she was half-asleep already and Genya had a feeling the younger girl's night might be disturbed by bad dreams.
"Genya," Alina whispered as they climbed into bed, "I could have died this afternoon. You could have died."
It was true. It was also something Genya felt she was far more prepared for than her friend. She had long known she might one day be called upon to lay down her life for the Sun Summoner, but this was the first time Alina had ever faced a death threat head on and it had understandably scared her.
Genya squeezed her hand, "you're ok, Alina. We both are."
The two of them were alive and physically unscathed after a confrontation with Drüskelle – that was definitely something to be proud of.
"I knew the dangers. Saints, I've known for years. Everyone talks about the safety protocols so often it's become normal. But I don't think I ever really understood, not until today."
Alina's tone was bleak. The Darkling had been repeating his concerns about her safety for years as an explanation for why her movements were restricted in a way no other Grisha's were, but Genya imagined that the earlier attack had truly hammered home for Alina how much danger she was in because of her status as the Sun Summoner. The poor girl still seemed to be in shock, and Genya detected a note of guilt too, which wouldn't do at all.
"I can hear you thinking," she told Alina, "you don't need to be sorry about what you did. Those Drüskelle were monsters."
Fjerdan Drüskelle, Shu scientists, the seedy underworld in Ketterdam that promised Grisha freedom and instead tricked them into indentures … all of them were monsters that Genya would gladly destroy completely if she could.
Alina admitted feeling overwhelmed and Genya tried to comfort her as best she could. It took a while, but her best friend eventually fell into an uneasy sleep. She tossed and turned in the bed as Genya, always a light sleeper, watched in concern.
Perhaps she should ask an oprichnik to fetch a sleeping draught? Or perhaps it might be better to let Alina work through her feelings naturally.
In the end she attempted something she hadn't tried too much, placing one of her hands on Alina's arm and trying to soothe her. She had a little training in Heartrending, something the Darkling had suggested as a precaution, and while she wasn't nearly as practiced as the fully trained Heartrenders, she could manage to calm one person's heartbeat.
Alina looked at her with a raised eyebrow and she shrugged, explaining she had a little something of a Heartrender's skill.
Alina's expression was still strained, but her thanks were genuine.
"Sleep, Alina," Genya whispered, "we're ok."
She only hoped that would continue to be true.
"What's happening?"
It was early in the morning and a half-asleep Alina had stuck her head out of her bedroom door, addressing her question to the two oprichniki outside her door since she didn't realise Genya was there.
Genya's best friend was completely unkempt and her hair was an absolute disaster. She sighed – no matter how much she nagged, Alina only remembered to brush her hair before bed about half the time.
Alina rubbed sleep out of her eyes, blinked a few times and then finally seemed to realise Genya was standing in front of her.
She couldn't contain her excitement any long and gestured to the servants moving a bed, table and small wardrobe into a previously unused room, "oh, it's wonderful, Alina. I'm going to be sleeping in the room next to you for a month or two."
In an embarrassing turn of events, Genya had almost cried when the Darkling told her the news, which was probably why he hurried her out of the War Room as soon as possible. She would have to continue to assist the Queen, of course, but staying at the Little Palace meant she would be free of the King during the night.
She was sure it was all thanks to something Alina had said and she was immensely grateful for it. It surprised her that the Darkling had agreed, considering how useful he found the information she overheard in the Grand Palace, but she wasn't about to complain.
Alina beamed and ran forward to throw her arms around her, "is it really true?"
Genya nodded, "the Darkling has arranged everything. He promised it was all agreed."
It's only for a month or two, she reminded herself. Her reprieve from the King's unwanted attentions would not last forever. The Darkling had explained all this to her with a sympathetic expression that she really wanted to believe was real and not just a mask.
Still, any amount of time where she could sleep undisturbed was welcome, knowing she wouldn't wake to the sounds of the door creaking open, the King's heavy footsteps getting closer, wine or kvas on his breath, his grasping hands all over her body.
She shuddered slightly and tried to think of happier things.
"I'm glad, Genya," Alina hugged her even more fiercely, "so, so glad."
Neither of them said anything else. Genya hated to talk about the King and Alina clearly sensed that.
"Come on," she said to Alina when they broke apart, "we absolutely have to do something about your hair."
Alina looked sheepish, "sorry, I forgot to brush it last night."
"I gathered," Genya rolled her eyes affectionately.
She couldn't stay long, needing to go and attend to the Queen, but she chatted happily with Alina as she wrestled her hair into submission. She felt lighter than she had in ages, comforted by the knowledge that the King almost never came anywhere near the Queen's chambers during the day.
Later, as she was wiping away the Queen's wrinkles and removing any grey hairs, Genya found it easier than usual to ignore the woman's unsubtle jibes and insults.
After all, once her job was done then she could return to the Little Palace, could laugh and smile with Alina and Fedyor rather than spending half her time wishing she could barricade her room in the Grand Palace against the King.
Still, she wanted half a dozen times to give the Queen a crooked nose, chapped lips, blotchy skin, grey hair … the temptation was always there to make the Queen look as ugly on the outside as she was on the inside.
As she left the suite of rooms, she heard two of the Queen's ladies muttering to each other about her. Once upon a time she had been hurt and bewildered to be called a whore and other derogatory things. Now she barely paused, didn't even bother to look at them. She walked out with her head held high, knowing they were petty, small-minded women whose opinions didn't matter.
Still, she waited and hoped for the day the Darkling promised would come, the day when she would have her vengeance on those who had wronged her.
The King was the worst and she would revel in the pain she caused him, but she would not forget the Queen and her insipid ladies.
She would never forget.
Thanks for reading. Hope you enjoyed it.
The next chapter should hopefully be out on Friday.