In The Shadows

by xXdreameaterXx

He hated to see her go – and he hated that he hated it. Her mere presence gave him a glimpse of what it would mean to no longer be alone and he found himself wanting more like a greedy mortal who was aware of the ticking clock heralding his demise. He had lived for centuries, so what was another year, another decade? He could wait. A collection of OneShots for Darklina Week 2021.

4. Day 4: Colours

Day 4: Colours

Set during Siege & Storm.

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Nikolai was Blue. The thought came to Alina quite suddenly as she watched him move among the soldiers of the First Army. She wasn't sure where the thought had come from, but if she had to choose a colour to associate with Nikolai, it was Blue. He radiated confidence and even though it was a nuisance to see him so full of himself at any given time, there was something reassuring about his confidence, like it rubbed off on the people around him and gave them faith in return. Even on the run, even while preparing for a war against the Darkling and his forces, there was something about Nikolai that made her feel secure and Alina suspected it was what drew the others to him, too. His intelligence was a weapon in their fight, and even though he might use it against his friends and enemies alike, Alina somehow knew that she could depend on him. However, that didn't mean she didn't want to punch him from time to time. With a smile, Alina settled on it. Nikolai was Blue.

Her head turned towards Mal who seemed deep in conversation with another soldier and with a pang of guilt, she realised that he was a soldier no more – thanks to her. If he was lucky, he might get away with his life for it. Mal was Red, she decided then and there. He wasn't Grisha, but that didn't mean he had no power of his own. Aside from the gift of tracking any animal he set his mind to hunting down, Mal had the strength of his muscles that had kept him alive against all odds. He was passionate and ready to fight whoever stood in his path, but that wasn't why Alina had settled on Red for Mal. She felt love for him. She had ever since their childhood days and even if she lived for centuries, she knew that there would always be a part of her that would feel love for him. It had been a part of her so long that even centuries would not be able to erase that.

Suddenly, Alina's thoughts turned to the Darkling. Black was what came to her mind, she realised with a sense of bitterness. Like the dark of night, he had drawn her in, seduced her, wrapped her in a cloak of false security and she still cursed herself for it. But despite it all, she couldn't deny the pull she still felt towards the mystery that was the Darkling. There was a sense of power in the dark, protection only the dead of night could offer and even now, even after everything that had happened, Alina felt it in her bones, despising herself a little for it. But within the Black, there was the tiniest sliver of Silver, too. A gracefulness, an elegance, a tenderness he had shown towards her. Whether it was a lie or the truth buried deep in his ancient heart, Alina didn't know. And if she was honest with herself, she was afraid to find out.