Chapter 1

It was already several hours past a reasonable time to be asleep, but Aleksander sat at his desk pouring over books on the Stag and amplifiers. He had read them all before; he even had some memorized, but he kept hoping that he would glean some hint he had missed before or understand a detail in a new light after recently reading something else. It was likely a futile effort, but he kept trying.

The night before, Alina had stumbled into his war room. He had been distraught over the likely loss of Nina. The rumors of West Ravkans helping the Druskelle capture her, of them turning on Grisha as their kin had before … they were enough to pull him back into the nightmares of the past. But then she had just been there, standing in his doorway. As embarrassed as he was that she had seen him lose control of his power and seen his eyes fill with tears, having her there was exactly what he'd needed. She had reminded him that he wasn't alone anymore, that he didn't have to fight to save Grisha with his power alone anymore. He had hers now. The strength of her light, her warmth when she grabbed his wrist was amazing. It had been enough to banish his shadows away. She was getting more powerful as she adjusted to using what she had always hidden. Together they were strong, but it still wasn't enough. But if they found the Stag and he worked with her, together they would be powerful enough to protect Grisha. Not to mention what an amplifier that strong would do to her lifeline.

A soft knock at his door surprised him. He'd sent Ivan to bed hours ago. Perhaps an update on Nina? "Come," he called.

"Alina," he couldn't help the smile that came over his face at seeing her standing in his doorway. "Come in."

She looked more comfortable tonight entering his rooms. He liked that she seemed more at ease with him and his proximity. Gone were the days of her backing away in fear when he moved towards her. Tonight, though, she seemed different than even the night before, more confident somehow. Perhaps it was just that Genya had retouched her undereyes to get rid of the tiredness there, but that wouldn't account for her more relaxed body language.

"Still having trouble sleeping?" he asked with concern. "I can get you some kvas," he offered, rising to go get her some.

"No, thank you. I … I'm feeling much more relaxed tonight, actually."

So he wasn't imagining things. "To what do I owe this pleasure, then? Don't get me wrong. I'm glad you're here. But, two visits in two nights, careful, I might come to like this," he teased.

She matched his smile but blushed a little. It looked good on her. "It sounds silly when I put words to it."

"Tell me," he commanded.

"I just wanted to check on you," she admitted. "I talked to Genya, and she said she'd heard rumors that you often have trouble sleeping, weight of the world on your shoulders and all that. I hope you don't mind that she shared that. She was just trying to put my mind at ease. But, last night you just seemed … Well, I worried you might need a little light tonight." She glanced nervously over at him for his reaction.

All he could do was laugh. "You're checking up on me?" It was unbelievable, unexpected, and adorable.

"Are you laughing at me?" she demanded.

He shook his head. "I'm laughing at me. Here I'm worried if I intimidate you, and you think I need tucked in for the night."

"What? Is the great General Kirigan too important to have someone care how he's feeling?"

"No," he whispered, amazed at how she had this way of cutting right through to him. "Not at all. Quite the opposite." It was just that no one ever cared to even notice, unless you counted when the others feared they would anger him.

"Please, join me," he offered. He pulled a chair for her next to his at the desk.

She took it and glanced at the desk full of books. "You're interested in the Stag, too!" she said with surprise.

"You know the lore of the Stag?" Of course he'd seen her sketches and read her letters, but he wasn't sure how much she actually knew about the object of her dreams.

"Must you always be shocked when I know history? I am educated, you know. Perhaps not as a Grisha, but I am well-read."

"Perhaps you'd like to help me, then," he offered and gestured at the pile of books. "I've read them until the words swirl in my head, but maybe you have a different perspective. You might notice something different."

Her eyes scanned the books and one of them caught her eyes. "This one," she said, pulling a book of text written entirely in Old Ravkan.

He remembered Genya mentioning in one of her debriefs that Alina spoke Old Ravkan. It was a useful skill for the court, but their accents grated his nerves. Alina's voice, though? He smiled at the thought of speaking Old Ravkan with her. "So, read it to me?"

He closed his eyes as he listened to her beautiful voice read to him in his native language. "This is different from my dreams," she murmured as her fingers brushed a line.

"You dream of the Stag?" He hoped she would open up and tell him more.

She nodded. "I know it's silly. Mal would tell me it's just a fairytale, but …" she trailed off.

"It's a sign, Alina," he said with confidence. He reached out and took her hand. "I believe the Stag is real, and I believe it's meant for you. People might think me a fool, too, but I can feel it. It's meant for you. Your dreams just prove it. I want to find it for you, to amplify your powers. I know you're scared to face the Fold, but with me and the Stag, you will be powerful enough. For the first time, Alina, I have hope."

She was still frightened, unsure if she would be enough; he could see it in her eyes, but it was less so than before. "I did much better calling the light on my own today," she shared.

"You did? Show me."

She looked a little nervous, but there was more sureness in her as she stood and called a large ball of the light. "I know it's not a lot yet, but I'm getting stronger."

"I can tell. You're doing great. Do you mind if I ask what changed? You do seem different tonight."

She took a deep breath. "I think I just had to accept who I am, to stop hiding her. I've spent my entire life hiding. I had to accept I am Grisha, and I have a place in all this."

He wanted to say 'by my side' but he worried it would be too much for her. He had probably said too much thanks to the kvas the night before, not to mention nearly kissing her. And, yet, look at how she had responded. Strong. Confident. It suited her. "Together we will have the strength to make sure Grisha never have to hide again." He looked her in the eye. "I will not let us fail. Now, tell me about your dreams."