"Does it have to be visible?"

"No. You can hide it under your kefta for now, and when we get back to Os Alta, I'll buy you as many scarves as you like. One in every color and hue. One for every day of the year."

I huffed in amusement. "Ridiculous man."

Aleksander laughed. "I can't say I've ever been called that before."

"Everyone else is too afraid to say it." He laughed again and I reveled in the dark, silky sound. "You don't laugh nearly enough."

"Neither do you, " he countered.

"True."

We were back in the coach on the way to Os Alta. "Did you know what would happen? With the oprichniki and the Grisha, I mean?"

"I had a very good idea."

"And you don't mind?"

"I told you, Alina, you're my equal. Eventually we'll lead the Grisha together."

"Ivan will be thrilled. Do you think he'll throw a parade?" I smirked.

"Ivan will learn to love it."

"Zoya might well throw herself off a cliff, or throw me off a cliff."

"Let me worry about Zoya."

I remembered my behavior with the stag and cringed. "I'm sorry for my hysterics back there. Probably not the best way to gain their allegiance."

"You have a kind and gentle heart, Alina. I am glad of it."

"You are?" I tried to hide my surprise.

"Yes. You are my equal…and my balance. The light to my darkness, the kindness to my ruthlessness, the mercy to my retribution. We were made for each other." This only served to further entangle my confused feelings. I stared down at my hands. "Alina, will you wear the black kefta for me now?"

"All the time?"

"Well, maybe not all the time."

I feigned an outraged gasp and smacked his shoulder. "Lecher!"

I was rewarded with another dark laugh. "You said Baghra was good for me, but I think you are good for me. No one else makes me laugh as much." His expression turned serious. "It's what I've wanted from the beginning, Alina. Will you wear it?"

"Can I think about it?"

He sighed. "Of course, but I hope you'll say yes. "

"We'll, then." I snuggled into his side and nuzzled his neck with my nose. "You smell good." He did, like a Winter wood with snow on the bare branches, crisp, clean, uniquely him.

"Really? After all this time on the road?" I nodded. He pulled me onto his lap and buried his nose in my hair. "You smell good, too."

"Liar," I scoffed.

"You do." He took my hand. "Alina, may I try something?"

"What?"

"Just relax." I felt my power being drawn up then the coach was filled with light. With half a thought from me, it was gone.

"You called my power?" I gasped.

"Yes, and you stopped me. Give me another moment this time." I felt him pulling on my power again and the light burst forth. At first I didn't try to stop him as he called up more and more. Enough, I finally thought, and the light faded.

"Is this because we killed the stag together?"

"Yes."

I felt glorious, sweeping relief rush through me. He could call up my power, but I could easily stop him. I laid my head on his chest and smiled.

On the evening we reached a village near Ryevost, I climbed down from the coach to find Mal brushing down his horse nearby. I had not forgotten his attempt to comfort me in the woods. I was determined to make him talk to me and try to set things right. As I started towards him Aleksander grabbed my arm, but I yanked it away. "I'm going to talk to him, Aleksander. He's my oldest friend. For a long time he was the only person who cared about me at all. I have to try and fix this, and it might be my last chance."

He lifted a brow. "I have no intention of stopping you, but hear me when I say this, Alina. I will not stand idly by if he hurts you again."

"I understand."

I walked over to Mal, my stomach in knots. Before I could even open my mouth Mal blurted, "I'm sorry, Alina. I'm sorry for what I said at the Little Palace, and I'm sorry for the last few weeks."

"I forgive you, but why wouldn't you talk to me, Mal?" I could feel Aleksander's eyes on us, but I ignored him.

He swiped a hand down his face. "I don't know, Alina. You were like a sister to me and I thought…I thought you had just forgotten about me…because of him."

Like a sister. So, he had never returned my feelings. I thought of how wrong his hands had felt on me when he tried to comfort me in the woods. I found the thought of him never having romantic feelings for me carried no sting. I sighed. "I wrote to you, Mal, so many letters."

"Like I told you, I never received any of them."

"Fine, if you say you didn't receive them, I believe you. So what now?"

"Are you happy? Does he make you happy?"

I considered telling him everything in that moment, but I knew Mal. If I told him, he'd never be able to stay out of it. He'd probably do something incredibly stupid and get himself killed in the process. So I lied to my oldest friend. "Yes, Mal, I'm happy, but that doesn't mean I don't miss you."

He gave me a small smile. "I miss you, too, Alina. Friends?"

I gave his arm a quick squeeze. "Always. So what now? Do you return to your unit?"

He raised his brows. "I thought you knew. I'm returning to Os Alta with you." He nodded towards Aleksander. "Apparently he has another assignment for me."

"Good, maybe we'll get some time together."

"Maybe so."

I returned to Aleksander feeling as though a huge weight had been lifted from my shoulders. We turned towards the small inn where we'd be spending the night, and he studied me intently. "It went well?"

"Yes, we worked it out. You'll be glad to know he said he's always thought of me as a sister."

Aleksander huffed in amusement. "Good. A brother I can manage."

"Oh?"

"He'll be one more person trying to protect you. Never a bad thing."

I smirked. "And what if he decides I need protection from you?"

"Then I'll just have to convince him otherwise."