Chapter 4

Aleksander was struggling to keep the darkness in check long enough to interrogate the suspect. His anger at the attempt on Alina's life demanded that he unleash it, but he had to maintain his calmness long enough for him to get information from this man who fit Nina's description of the Conductor. It was worth holding off his revenge long enough to try to get information on who else was involved in this assasination attempt and if this man knew anything on what had happened to Nina.

When it became apparent that he might actually not know what had happened to Nina, then there was no further reason to stop the shadows. A simple hand on Ivan's shoulder and his heartrender understood the warning to get out of harm's way. He appreciated that level of understanding.

He laid his accusations out before the man. He didn't need Ivan to confirm anything. He already knew from the rumors of what was happening in West Ravka and the clear motive. The Conductor had been sent by General Zlatan to kill Alina for what she was. He had not expected to be told the Conductor had agreed over money. Rage overcame him. A million kruge for the life of a saint. As if she were nothing. As if she weren't everything.

He wanted to stay and watch the man suffer as he had planned, to truly enjoy his pain, but he was anxious to get back to Alina to ensure her safety now that he knew there was a price on her head. Feydor was trustworthy, but Aleksander wouldn't feel she was truly safe until he was by her side again. He moved his hands to call the shadows and then collapsed his fingers to cause the strangling. The shadows would obey his command even if he moved on.

"Search the palace and the grounds for any sign of his companions. They will be long gone, but we search anyway," he informed Ivan and Zoya as he entered the hall. "Detain anyone who is spotted somewhere they don't belong. I don't care the reason. Ivan, keep one of your personal guards with Alina at all times that she is not directly with me. I don't want her alone under any circumstances. Only people you personally trust," he insisted.

"Sir." Ivan nodded his acknowledgement.

He paused, thinking of Alina. "Alina can't know about Marie. They were becoming close friends." He stopped as he thought about the loss. A strong Grisha gone for hate of what they were. Alina had been bonding with her. Marie had brought Alina happiness. "It would destroy her to know a friend died for her. I will not put her through that pain." It was a pain he knew all too well. How many Grisha had he lost? Good people who cared enough to die for him. The closer he was to them, the more it hurt.

He shook the dark thoughts off. "She was close to Nadia. Find out what Marie dreamed of. Tell everyone she was attacked and fought bravely. As a reward for her heroism, she is being given a trip to the destination of her dreams. We will bury her privately at night. I still want it done properly. She died for Alina."

"Of course, sir," Ivan agreed.

He resumed his stride to return to Alina.

"There is one other matter."

"Oh?"

"The tracker."

"Oh, yes, the tracker." How had he forgotten? He was off his game. Was he distracted by the beautiful woman in his bed? Or perhaps the dark memories that the killing and hunting of Grisha were causing him? Getting the Stag was absolutely paramount, now more than ever. Without it, Alina was too fragile. "Well, I suppose my plan of having Marie disguised as Alina meet with him to get us the location of the Stag is no longer an option."

"I can do it, sir," Zoya volunteered. "I'll pretend to be her to get you the Stag."

She would like that, wouldn't she? To be the one to get him what he wanted. She didn't realize she would always be nothing compared with Alina, but there was no harm in using her motivation. He stared at her as he thought it through. "You haven't been around Alina enough to pull off her mannerisms or speech pattern."

She shrugged. "We will keep it short, say I am meeting with ambassadors and have Ivan come sweep me urgently away as soon as I have the information."

He nodded his agreement. "Very well, but after Genya feels up to it. We can stall him with the promise to see the Sun Summoner soon until Genya is up for the task. After we have the information, have him stationed nearby. We should be able to find the Stag with his information, but he could prove useful in case it's elusive."

They parted ways as he reached his ready room and returned to his bedchamber. "Fedyor, how is she?"

"She sleeps well, sir. She is dreaming."

"Thank you, Fedyor. Go get some rest. I will likely need you to stay with her tomorrow."

"Do you want me to wake her?"

He shook his head. "Let her do it naturally."

Alone, he stared at her. He wanted to rush back to her side to feel her warmth, but he found he could not move. She had nearly died tonight. He had almost lost her. If that had happened … He could not think of it, but he also could not stop thinking of it. If he hadn't asked Marie to be a double, what hope would any of them have now? So close to losing everything. They had to find the Stag. And he would be hard pressed to let her out of his sight for any reason anytime soon. At least he knew he could trust Ivan and Fedyor to protect her, but after nearly losing her … He wasn't sure he would feel safe until she had antlers around her neck.

She stirred. How long had he been staring?

"You never sleep. Why do you never sleep?" she asked as she stretched on his bed, still covered only in that beautiful black kefta.

"I sleep," he corrected her.

"I have been in your chambers at all hours of the night over the last few weeks. You never sleep."

"Ah, I don't sleep well," he emphasized. "That is quite a difference."

She laughed, and his heart relaxed just a little. "So, what is stopping you from sleeping well now?" she asked.

He sighed. He did not want to have this conversation with her, did not want to bring this darkness into her light, but she would notice Marie's absence. There was no way to fully keep it from her. He moved to the bed to join her, noticed again how she looked exposed in the black kefta, and then quickly grabbed his robe to wrap her in. He could not have this conversation with her body and vulnerability distracting him. He pulled her into his lap, pressed his forehead to hers, and let himself absorb a bit of her warmth before he spoke. "There was an attempt … Our enemies were ready to kill you for what you can do before we even gave the demonstration."

Alina gasped. "Marie?"

"Good thing she's an inferni. I'm letting her have the trip of her dreams to thank her for protecting you. It's not enough, but it's the best I can think to give her."

She leaned her head against his shoulder. "I could be dead right now. That's twice you've saved my life."

"Alina, we need to increase your security. Our enemies will not stop with this attempt. I'm going to have Fedyor or Ivan or a very few select guards stay with you at all times."

"But …"

"You are too special to lose, too important. We need you. I need you."

She looked into his eyes and nodded. "Okay."

"There is one other thing. What would you think of permanently staying here in my rooms?" He held his breath, afraid she wouldn't want to constantly be with him. He wouldn't force this one. It would just logistically be so much safer. "You end up visiting my rooms most nights anyway. I can keep you safe. If you're with me, then I can let the guards rest at night and keep the number of people I trust to protect you during the day limited."

"You're asking me to move in with you?"

"Only if you want to, of course," he emphasized. If she still wanted her privacy, he would understand.

"For security. Not because you want to? I mean if I'm going to be disturbing you …"

"I would like it very much," he admitted, a small smile playing across his face at the idea of her in his bed every night, at knowing she would be safe with him. "You could never be a bother to me, Alina." It was the damage from her past that made her think that she would be in the way, unwanted. He vowed right then and there to dedicate himself to banishing those feelings inside her. "You belong here beside me."

"Then, yes," she said, nodding her head.

"Yes?"

"Yes," she said with a smile. He leaned in to kiss her, softly, gently. They would be okay. She would be safe in his bed every night. Ivan and Fedyor could protect her in the day until they found the Stag, until he could be assured of her safety forever.

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