AN:
how i wish i could have used all that free time i had since u last heard from me to write. instead, i hit a huuuge writer's block with how the chapter begins (all my fault. every time i hint something that's to come next, it ends up biting me in the ass. like recently, i knew the time has come for something i referred to in my head as "The Clean-Shaved Darkling Strikes Back", which was a small fluffy sweetness i wrote instead of, like, chapter four, at a time, and that i now had to radically change so it would fit the timeline. and the further i went, the more awful it seemed. i hope that the final product is not as terrible as i fear)
oh, earlieri forgot to say: welcome to the UST nightmare that all my fics end up as
if someone binges this fic and notices there is sth wrong with timeline, let me know
anyway-
Aleksander looked coldly around the room.
"I don't want to hear your excuses," he drawled. "The harm is done – the Sun Summoner has been found by the otkazat'sya and you weren't smart enough, quick enough, to intercept her. She's now within the court, almost out of our reach." He let it get to them, before continuing.
"There cannot be any mistakes now, remember that. No careless steps, no hasty actions. You're better than that," he let the shadows sink back into the walls. "You're Grisha."
After all these years Aleksander was a master multitasker – on the outside, he was the perfect general, preparing his people for the long game they had to play, on the inside he let the discomfort numb his eagerness when he came to the end of the list of those present.
Mother, of course, wouldn't show – she fiercely hated any impression that he could order her around. But it wasn't Baghra's absence that bothered him.
His eyes unwillingly went to an empty seat at his side. Further down the table, Ivan and Fedyor seemed to be both listening to him and staring at the entrance.
It would be a shame if Aleksander's latest fashion statement remained without an echo.
Where was she?
The next morning, Alina overslept and ended up half an hour late to the gathering at the dining hall. She was out of breath and her face could rival Ivan's new kefta when she took her rightful seat at the Darkling's right. All the Grisha who arrived on time to receive their respective orders and discuss the shiny new Sun Summoner, paused to stare at her. Either because she dared to be late on such an important occasion... Or because of who she was and where she sat.
Inferni hid her self-satisfied smile, looked adoringly up at the General, and froze.
She saw something she'd never expected to see. Somehow, it had never even crossed her mind that he could-
The Darkling must have felt Alina's eyes on him, because for a moment he looked down at her and flashed that quick, boyish smile at her all along lecturing members of the Second Army how important it was to save poor lady Vasilissa from any harmful otkazat'sya influence...
Alina was now solely focused on the reason why that smile of his was sweeter than ever - the Darkling's stylish, carefully kept beard was gone. For all these years that she knew him (or knew about him), she had seen the Darkling's chin and cheeks covered by hair of different thickness or shape, but it was never completely non-existent! She was not prepared for this and in that moment Alina Starkov realized that she might not be that fond of changes after all.
Fury (or indignation, or both) clutched her chest. It didn't take her long to find who's fault it was.
Grigoryevna.
Of course - the Darkling looked so much younger now, clean shaved like that. It will be easier to charm a nineteen years old – for that's how old Grigoryevna was rumored to be – with such an angelic, innocent, boyish face! It was strangely... becoming, despite Alina's long standing efforts to ignore the terrible distraction that his physicality was to her. Not that it was worse than the feel of his Shadow Summoning power, but today she was definitely caught off guard.
The man in question was now pointing at the southern border displayed in detail on a map, a segment nearest to Alina's elbow, for a moment forgetting their Sun Summoner issue and asking about a suspicious absence of Shu bounty hunters in recent months. He was close enough to touch. Not that Alina would be in such a public display, at least not any other day when she wasn't so... distracted.
By the time he tried to get back to his seat, gone were thoughts about Vasya and the promise of a vengence – gone were any thoughts, really. What Alina did was a matter of momentary insanity, maybe a failure of motoric skills - or that's what Ivan would later try to convince everyone of.
In front of almost every single Grisha of the Little Palace, during a painfully public meeting that was supposed to focus on them securing an alliance with the Sun Summoner, Alina reached slowly and let her palm cup that clean shaved, ridiculously soft cheek of her soveren, and then stroke it with her thumb.
The Darkling stopped in mid-sentence, hoovering over a map.
The rest of the Grisha forgot how to breathe-
There was this shine in his eyes, one that somebody could even call murderous. But the looks they exchanged were less... malevolent than that, albeit equally intense. Something possessive warmed Alina's chest when they remained like that, frozen in time, and she began to toy with the idea of pouncing at him despite her problematic position. She wouldn't even mind sacrificing those precious maps...
Alina might have forgotten where and when they were, but the Darkling eventually remembered. He covered her hand with his for a brief moment, then guided their entwined hands underneath the table and continued his speech evenly, turning back towards their audience as if nothing unusual happened. In her shock, Alina didn't notice the smug smile that stretched his lips. She was too busy looking away, trying to compose herself.
Even much later, her skin burned with something way different than the Small Science.
"Sun Summoner this" and "Sun Summoner that"... Even Alina's very personal interest was no match to the boring discourse that began between three Councilors. . Did they really need all of them present to proceed with the arguments about how they should lead Grigoryevna back into the herd? They didn't even spend much more time watching Vasya than Alina and the Darkling – apparently, last night was the longest any other Grisha had a chance to see the woman.
Alina rolled her eyes at elder Etherealki's antics and ignored Ivan's pointed glare. She was utterly unimpressed, and it made her feel like a stupid brat, bored by the adults.
"Sweet Heretic, please, save us all..." she muttered to her left and miraculously, the General answered her pleas instead. He took over – again – and began to distribute tasks between the Orders. Commanders of each unit would spread them further, unless you were outside the food chain.
Like Genya.
The only order the Tailor took was that from the Darkling himself, "to continue taking care of the Sun Summoner'', as vague as it sounded. For the first time, Alina realized how thankful she was to be a part of something, one of the many Inferni, even if she was a captain now and the Darkling's second most trusted (or maybe third, she thought). There was safety in numbers after all, and unlike lonely Genya, Alina had a group of people she could rely on, even if she left most of them at the northern front, meanwhile Genya was on her own at the Grand Palace, among the otkazat'sya.
Alina looked around the dining hall. Compared with Shu or Fjerdans or others, of course she had warmer thoughts on all Ravkans, but those gathered here – clad in blue and red and purple, watching the Darkling with admiration and focus, creating that comforting feeling that the Little Palace gave off, one that had nothing to do with luxury and food – those were her people. When the war is done and Ravka is safe, the otkazat'sya may turn their back on Grisha again, even more than ever, but the difference between past and future was that this time there will be Alina to take care of her and hers. Soon, her kind will be in position of power. She wouldn't just finish what the Black Heretic had started – she will outshine his ambitions.
Alina sighed happily at her daydream, and continued glaring at the perfect jaw and sensual lips of her soveren, so evident now, as if they offended her.
She must have made some kind of noise, for the Darkling stopped his final preach abruptly and asked her to repeat. Zoya snickered in the background.
Alina blushed furiously, hating her traitorous mouth, but then raised her chin proudly and cleared her throat. She could come up with something right now, for example...
"What about the Fold?" She could almost feel Ivan roll his eyes. The Darkling didn't seem too happy with her, either, but she continued boldly (or foolishly).
"Do we know if lady Gri... Vasya will be able to join us inside the Unsea? Have you planned some tests, moi soverenyi, or will we just let the Lanstsovs suck her dry and waste her Summoning on entertaining the courtiers?" Alina already had to make few changes in her plans when she discovered her own powers, and having two Sun Summoners wouldn't disrupt them much, but the General didn't know that, right?
The Darkling frowned at her, but then his eyes flashed knowingly and he smiled. Again. What was going on with this man today? He stroked his chin, as if to distract her with his face, the bastard.
And it was working, damn all the volcra.
"As I was saying about twenty minutes ago, commander Starkov," not a smile, really, it was a stupid smirk now, "Our first and most important mission is to make sure lady Vasilissa leaves the harmful influence of the court to move into the Little Palace, and then our people will take care of all the training needed. We will prepare a special crossing for her once we're sure she will survive it. Soon, the time will come for the Second Army to lead all Ravka towards the bright future..."
And so it went.
Alina yawned tactlessly and earned a few glares, none of which were gray, though. She should have stayed in bed, really... "Bright future" turned back into debriefing, and finally, finally they were free.
At least she was – the last time she saw him, the Darkling was ambushed by a flock of little Grisha, freshly released from their classes, every single one demanding to know why there was no bedtime story last night, and when exactly they see the Sun Summoner.
If anyone expected the things to quickly move along once the Darkling was back at Os Alta, they were severely disappointed. What happened since the first official meeting was a series of otkazat'sya events – unfortunate events in Alina's opinion, since it meant frequenting the Grand Palace – aimless talks, coy flirts and finally walks around the Palace Gardens, with our lucky Inferni playing the chaperone, thanks to Genya whispering the right words to Queen's eager ear. Tsarina agreed that this scary looking woman would make sure lady Grigoryevna's virtue remains intact, the lady hoped it will not, Alina knew for the sake of Grisha it should not and yet it certainly will, Genya had Alina all figured out – at least where it mattered for the continuity of the dynasty of the Darklings (which shall not lose the good hair gene), and a certain plotting someone was just happy that the Darkling was to remain occupied.
Alina was dressed in a brand new kefta, made of the most delicate silk she had ever seen ("The Darklin's orders" according to David. And, at the Materialnik's initiative, with back twice as secure as a standard one. "In case of knives." How reassuring.) and was currently practicing her most stern and respectable expressions.
"What are you doing over there, Alina?" Inferni winced and blushed slightly at the sudden appearance of one Genya Safin.
"Mastering my chaperone look and putting on some make-up... It wouldn't do to show my face to our mighty Sun Summoner without at least half the customary otkazat'sya war paint, otherwise I might scare her off, away from our fearless leader before it's time." The two women exchanged knowing looks and cackled.
Alina thought that they went quite the way since her teenage self explained to the Tailor exactly how much she cares about David and what would happen to someone who hurt him in any way. It must be love after all, since the other Grisha wasn't scared away by such a murderous, flame-throwing threat embodied. And there had to be a reason why David was so euphoric to be back at the capital. All's well that ends well...
Genya wouldn't take no for an answer and demanded Alina to let her do something fun with her hair. Few moments later, Alina's dark hair looked shinier than ever and was arranged in a complicated braid-crown... Or whatever that was called. It did look impressive, especially combined with Alina's latest sour expression based on her vague memory of the orphanage matron.
"Ah, I knew you'd be the perfect chaperone for our two lovebirds..." Genya muttered, meeting Alina's eyes in the mirror and patting her head distractedly. She cocked her head, as if listening to something else, and abruptly placed her delicate hands near Alina's cheeks, alarming the other woman, and raised her voice slightly.
"Now, let's see what I can do to cover those scars of yours..." Before Alina could protest, the door to her chamber creaked and fell open, revealing their General, slightly flushed, emerging from the shadows of the corridor. In a blink of an eye, he batted Genya's hands away from Alina's startled face. "None of that! We are late for the walk already, and there is no need to make it worse by performing any useless Tailoring on Miss Starkov." he huffed and puffed at Genya, before blinking stupidly at Alina and adding softly, "You're perfect the way you are."
"But those burn marks-" Genya protested half-heartedly.
"No fire could have made these," The Darkling reached out tentatively, and traced the lines of scar tissue on one side of her face. His eyes met hers. "Only volcra."
Alina could only flutter her eyelashes at the Darkling before he led her out of the chamber, hoping he ignored both the way her cheeks reddened and the Tailor's sudden, sly smile as well.
She had no idea what Genya was about, but forgot the matter by the time they walked out of the Little Palace. Inferni gazed longingly at the stables while trying to catch up with the General's long legs.
"Why couldn't you take lady Grigoryevna out here, on our grounds? I bet you'd like to ride Vasya already," she laughed at the indignant look on his face when he stopped and turned towards her. The quickest way to the Palace Gardens led by the side of the Little Palace, from where they stood Alina could almost see the woods and the path to a certain horrible hut.
"Miss Starkov," he sighed. "I hope you will remember to contain your... specific... humor when near lady Grigoryevna. We cannot have any accidents like the first night, now can we?"
One of her fists involuntarily clenched. It's not like she had any chance to interact with the other Sun Summoner... yet. If that chaperoning won't give Alina what she wants, she will simply have to take it on her own – she will finally sneak into the Grand Palace and take a closer look at her kin. Perhaps she could reveal herself...
But first they had to get there.
She pretended not to notice Baghra, who had just emerged from the woods close enough to notice them.
Alina smiled innocently up at the Darkling and reached towards his shoulders. Anticipation flashed in his gray eyes, but she simply smoothed out his black kefta in her best impression of Ivan's thoroughness.
"Don't you worry, moi soverenyi," Alina practically purred. "I would never humiliate you. Unless you'd want me to..." The Darkling licked his lips and closed the small distance between them. But that sword had a double edge, and she found herself mesmerized by a combination of a soft fabric and unyielding body. Alina was just feeling up the fabric, for science...
"Have you come back from the meeting with the Sun Summoner already, moi soverenyi?" Zoya's nasty voice separated them. Alina fought the urge to groan out loud. She shouldn't have expected anything else... The Squaller acted more glum than ever for quite a while already. Rumor said it was caused by a lack of letters from a certain tracker. Inferni would never understand how such a bland, boring man could become an object of obsession. There were so many more exciting candidates out there...
But Zoya's snooping did actually save their chance to meet Vasya today, so Alina rewarded her ex-nemesis with an indulgent smile. After all, a good leader shouldn't disregard useful soldiers because of some old animosities... But the Squaller just sneered at her, so maybe the feeling wasn't that old after all. With her heart a little bit lighter, Alina followed the Darkling.
Apparently, being a chaperone included following five steps behind the young couple – as young as it was, considering the Darkling couldn't be older than a hundred* - and trying to pretend you're not eavesdropping. That wouldn't be so bad... had Vasya wasn't acting from the start like Alina didn't exist, and if their conversations weren't so boring. In her humble opinion, Alina wasn't that much of a flirt, but she still thought she would do better than this. Better than the Darkling, at least. Was he trying at all? Because Vasya definitely seemed interested, despite the General suddenly acting like a coy maiden.
Maybe Alina was missing something, maybe that was how the otkazat'sya courtiers did it and the Darkling was simply trying to fit in with Vasya's expectations... But compared to his supposed courting of the Sun Summoner, his typical day with Alina seemed like an orgy!
Alina snorted loudly, reminding the lovebirds of her presence, and then happened to stumble over the long hem of Vasya's gown. Inferni fell on freshly watered soil, spreading it everywhere.
Grigoryevna shrieked.
The Darkling twirled, clearly missing his dramatic cape, with an honestly worried look on his face. Not looking at his companion, but focused on Alina.
"Are you alright, Alina?" He reached out with his
Vasya turned back as well, curled her arm around the Darkling's torso, cocked her strawberry blonde head and echoed, "Yes, Alina, are you alright?". The other woman's voice sounded sincerely when she blinked those blue eyes innocently down at her.
What didn't seem innocent was that for the first time since they saw each other today, Sun Summoner initiated physical contact with the Darkling. The way she wrapped her arm around him was so possessive, the mere sight of it left a bitter aftertaste in Alina's mouth.
When she first saw Vasylissa's ridiculously high gloves, she only laughed inwardly at the court fashion, but despite the other woman's bold tongue and shameless flirting, she avoided even the most innocent touches of the Darkling like a plague. To contrast his almost shy words, the Darkling seemed to be seeking any occasion to touch Vasylissa. Not for the obvious reason, but rather because he too got impatient after days and days of no accurate Sun Summoning display, and decided to take the matter finally into his hands. The Lantsovs really didn't know what they were doing, baiting the Darkling with a Sun Summoner just out of his reach, and once he finally gets her-
Something cold coiled inside Alina's chest and an emotion she thought long forgotten came over her, along with an awareness as clear as the morning sky.
I'm going to fucking destroy her.
And she knew it had nothing to do with her muddied kefta and a yellow material, conveniently dragging on the ground. Inferni almost pursed her lips. If the other wanted to be a brat so badly, why didn't she just blinded Alina a bit with the Sun? It would be funnier at least.
The malicious twinkle in Vasya's blue irises turned into one of irritation when Alina let the Darkling pull her up.
"Yeah, I'm fine. Don't mind me, my lady." She winked at the King's pet Grisha and flashed her teeth in what could hardly be called a smile. Just stop fucking touching him already.
As if she knew what Alina really thought of her "lady", Vasylissa smiled sweetly and clinged to the Darkling's kefta like the most annoying ivy ever. At least the General seemed to forget his intentions of "accidentally" amplifying Vasya for the rest of the walk. He didn't turn back either for a while, and thank the Black Heretic for that, or else Alina's furiously trembling fists and menacing glow of her skin would give her away with the worst possible timing.
And such dance continued for the next few weeks. Vasylissa avoiding skin on skin contact with the Darkling but welcoming some touchy-feely pilgrims that the Apparat delivered like a clockwork machine; the Darkling trying to seduce her, as subtle as a knife; the Lantsovs showing her off to courtiers and gentry, while keeping the Sun Summoner on a tight leash - away from Grisha but almost at their reach; the Second Army growing impatient... and Alina getting more and more suspicious.
If there was one good thing in all this, it would be her relationship with Genya. The two of them spent some of their free time gossiping and complaining about the annoying Sun Summoner in a way they would never speak with the Darkling. Mutual respect and alliance that through their student years could now develop into a real friendship, and Alina was surprised how much she enjoyed having a girlfriend. There were just things that she couldn't discuss as easily with David as she could with Genya... Not that she was neglecting her best friend. Only now she had more fun watching the awkward romance between the Tailor and her Durast.
With two weeks left until the Summer Solstice, both Palaces were bursting at the seams from all the preparations, and that gave Alina a perfect opportunity to finally go for a longer night walk.
She couldn't really blame Vasya for a silly hatred that the woman seemed to harbor for her – if anyone tried to chaperone her time with the Darkling, Alina wouldn't stop at small spitefulness and childish plays. The list of offenses just grew larger each day – obsessive secretiveness, haughty behavior, bossing Genya around, being Lantsovs' good little pet, groping the Black General when no one noticed...
Moreover, Alina didn't like how Vasylissa made the words "Sun Summoner" mean a mere political pawn, a useless courtier instead of powerful, proud Grisha. She would have to undo all of that damage before she could reveal her own powers. So far Vasya only proved to be a disappointment and quite the inconvenient one, to be fair. It would take a miracle to turn this situation to the advantage...
So that's how Alina found herself walking the golden corridors of the Grand Palace late at night, searching for the chambers of Vasylissa Grigoryevna.
There was just something exciting about sneaking around important places at night, invisible, able to pluck out secrets from the unsuspecting night owls. All that secrecy, as natural as breathing... That was where she thrived. Sometimes Alina wondered if she shouldn't have been born a Shadow Summoner instead.
Eventually she found Vasya's territory in the very same wing as that of the Crown Prince. Safety of the bended light couldn't give her an excuse to open the heavy door, but she slipped in after a servant. Once inside, the skinny girl in white went into what must have been the bath chamber , while Alina ignored the living area, all done in yellows and whites and gold, instead creeping towards the only other door left ajar...
Should it be a simple reconnaissance, or maybe a direct confrontation? She toyed with the idea for weeks, but now that Alina would be alone with Vasya, she felt the urge to barge inside and demand some much-needed answers. She gathered the light and prepared to-
There was a male voice coming from the bedroom, "-enduring his advances for much longer, my love." Alina slowed down, reigned herself, and peeked through the gap. Her mouth fell open before it closed and curled into a vicious smile. Well, well, well... She's found more than she was looking for.
"He's such an odious man, I don't understand why your mother seems to be so fond of him, your Grace..."
Either she was lying, or she was a great actress. Or both.
The Darkling, odious? Was she blind or simply insane?!
Alina breathed slowly through her nose. No time for that. Time for spying. Be sneaky. Be smart. What would the Black Heretic do?
Once again she made sure she's completely invisible. Good.
"- all those simpletons wrapped around your little finger and the freaks will be at your beck and call soon enough. You've done so well... Exceeded expectations..."
Alina wasn't even surprised by the wet smack of skin on skin. She wanted to hum victoriously. Scandal and disgrace in Os Alta! What would poor Tsarina say...
Now, Vasya seemed to be quite collected-
"According to my benefactor, we are not ready yet. The Darkling must remain... occupied... for as long as we can make him."
"Don't forget who your new... benefactoris... All the supplies... All these little witty tricks... I've made you a Sun Summoner, no one else has... such power."
Vasya let out few clearly exaggerated moans and claimed in a masterfully trembling voice,
"Yes... moi tsar... tsarevich!"
Now that was an impressive one. Alina nodded to herself. She seemed like a skilled actress, Vasilyssa Grigoryevna... If that was even her real name. Perhaps she thought taking a name straight from the folk tales - Vasylissa the Brave, Vasylissa the Beautiful... - might have helped in a longer game.
But the game of hers won't be long. Alina will make sure of that.
Knowing she won't hear anything useful tonight, Alina slowly backed out and dared to open the heavy door to the corridor on her own. Heart heavy in her chest, she sneaked out from the Grand Palace using one of the secret passages that Genya showed her, and finally emerged into a familiar staircase.
Someone dared to plant an impostor, a fake Sun Summoner, in the heart of Ravka. The gall... She would admire it, had there been different people to suffer the consequences. But of course, only Grisha could lose in this case.
Was she even a Grisha? Perhaps an unfortunate Inferni... That would be poetic. Alina laughed bitterly before she could stop herself. The sound echoed ominously.
Vasya's true identity didn't really matter, now did it? She was no Sun Summoner, and that was it. They needed to expose her as soon as possible without humiliating all the Grisha. But Vasya wasn't exactly theirs... No... Actually, it could help the Darkling's goal of undermining the Lantsovs...
It was all coming together so nicely in Alina's head when she reached his chambers. Perhaps she should have slept with it first, and prepared some plan of action to present to him... But she was too excited to hide her revelations. The best plan would be crafted by them working together, there was no doubt.
Alina let go of the light earlier, so the two Oprichniki guarding his door noticed her from afar, but after all those years of kicking their mates' asses she was so infamous that they didn't try to stop her from interrupting General's beauty sleep. Good for them.
The Darkling wasn't asleep anyway – she eventually found him lying on his bed with some scroll, hair in a lovely ruin but eyes clear enough. Alina hesitated – they mostly spent time in his War Room, and the bedchamber seemed somehow too... intimate. She met his hungry stare in the large mirror, suddenly aware that her outfit of choice for tonight was a certain black robe and nothing else. Wishing the Small Science could help her get rid of traitorous blush, Alina cleared her throat and announced:
"We're being scammed."
He stopped looking her up and down, noticed her somber expression and sat up, placing the scroll carefully on the top of the black covers. "Perhaps we should-" he motioned at the door. Alina obediently led him to the War Room and once the door closed behind them, she began to circle the chamber furiously. The Darkling sprawled on his chair and watched her cautiously.
"Now, Alina, tell me what this is all about..."
Her breaths were shorter, her confidence renewed, but when she turned to face him, Alina had no smart, composed speech. Instead, her words came out chaotic and her voice overager. Not her best form.
"That woman... Grigoryevna... she is not a true Sun Summoner! This was all a ruse... a scam, some tricks of light and... and religious propaganda! The Lantsovs are conspiring against all of us-"
He shook his head kindly.
"They wouldn't dare, not against me" Alina tried to interrupt him, but the Darkling pointed a finger at her, suddenly agitated. "They wouldn't dare. Ravka is nothing without the Second Army and believe me, such a plot would be the gravest disrespect they could manage. They fear us too much to pull out something like this... And you seem to be overestimating those stupid otkazat'sya anyway. Maybe a Grisha could come up with such a scheme, but here is where the snake bites its tail – none of ours would dare to come against me."
"And you're so sure... That she's the one Ravka has been waiting for... That Vasya must be the Sun Summoner?" Those gray eyes of his shone almost triumphantly now – whatever she said that pleased him so greatly out of the sudden, the Darkling pulled her gently towards him and sneaked an arm around her waist, making Alina slither onto his lap. "Do you think that I wouldn't recognize the Sun Summoner even if they were right in front of me?" She wanted to laugh at him so badly but managed to keep her face straight. She shivered both at the feeling of his lips tracing her jaw – "Don't you believe in me, Alina?" – and at his sheer stubbornness.
"Of course I do."
Most of the time.
His face softened again but the look he gave her bordered on indulgent. "There could be no scam – the signs were all here. Worry not, my Alina – we will get the Sun Summoner on our side soon... And I have a perfect idea how."
She didn't like that self-satisfied smile he gave her, not at all. Part of her wanted to yell at him for being so arrogant, to argue with the Darkling until he saw the truth. But Alina knew now that he would be too stubborn to believe her. She learnt once in the classes about unmovable objects. Like those, the Darkling's obliviousness would soon meet its own unstoppable force - the truth. And if Alina crafted the spectacle of revealing the impostors and schemers to be even more dramatic and painful than she would have otherwise planned, only so that her Darkling doesn't commit such a grievous mistake in the future, well... He shouldn't have ignored her warning like that.
As if she was still a child.
As if she wasn't his equal.
(To be fair, he didn't exactly know about the latter, but Alina wasn't in a fair mood right now.)
So she nodded at her soverenyi and agreed with him and was the perfect picture of an obedient little Inferni, all the while plotting and planning and worrying. Later when she left the Darkling's chambers, something just kept bothering her - the signs were all here – so instead of her room, Alina sneaked into the library and looked underneath a certain floorboard. In a hole where she'd once hid books from the Apparat, there was nothing but dust.
So they had access to the Little Palace.
"You know, if you wanted us to have a secret meeting, we shouldn't be doing it in the middle of the training grounds!" Ivan hissed at Alina and received an odd sneer. Had Fedya been here, he would probably say it was modeled after Ivan's, but he wasn't invited. Actually, a scrap of paper that Ivan received from some excited teenage Inferni (since she came back to the Little Palace, Alina has apparently founded a cult or something) specifically said not to let Fedyor follow him here.
The Heartrenders were already busy trying to convince everyone that Alina wasn't going to become next Mrs. Darklingova - and failing miserably (last he heard, they called it Darklina). Now Ivan just wanted her to say whatever it was that she wanted to say, and get back to work. The Darkling was making some big announcement today and probably won't be able to decide which kefta to wear. Ivan missed the days of his innocent youth when he thought that being in the Second Army would provide him with some exciting challenges. Maybe the only good thing that happened to Ivan was his husband... (And one bratty Inferni - on rare days when she had no scary ideas.)
"It's better to meet in a crowded place... Less suspicious for her plotting... You'd be surprised which walls have ears inside the Palace," David muttered. Ivan cursed internally and once again promised himself to never underestimate Durast. Behind that vulnerable face of a dreamer was a mind sharper than any blade.
"Now that we're all here," Alina beamed beatifically at them, "Let me tell you how good our soveren is at taking advice when you mention Sun Summoner..."
Ivan carefully listened to a terrifying tale of spies, lies and imposters. Now that he heard Alina say it, he couldn't believe they were all so stupid. The mysterious origins, the way they have never seen Grigoryevna Summon out of the strategically placed position in a ballroom... And no one ever thought she could be a fraud. The Ravkan Church had her icon made!
For all these years, even before the Fold, the Sun Summoners were creatures of myth and sacrum to all Grisha. No wonder they've never considered a possibility of such a felony – the trio agreed that it could only be an idea of the otkazat'sya, although Alina was convinced that they had to have a Grisha collaborator – but why was that, she did not explain. Let her keep her little secrets, Ivan thought, but then had to protest when she carelessly mentioned her own Sun Summoning powers. She noticed his glare and shrugged. "It's not like David doesn't know – he probably was the first one to learn the truth."
"And how could that be, if I was the only one there when you've discovered-"
"Please," she drawled. "He probably knew long before I did."
David only smiled mysteriously and Ivan suddenly remembered all the mirror gadgets that the Durast showered Alina with at some point when they were still students.
Ivan sighed. These two.
And of course, a mere twelve hours after those life-changing revelations, Alina already had prepared another of her crazy plans. He had no doubt it was all going to work out the way she wanted it, just like everything else eventually did. Perhaps the real Sun Summoners were something of a divine kind after all. And as always, it would be up to Ivan to make sure that the balance between the night and the day – between Alina and the Darkling – was maintained. To think that the future of Ravka depended on one Heartrender's diplomatic skills...
They watched Ivan disappear back into a crowd of Heartrender trainees.
David sighed.
"Why do I have a feeling that my job will be even worse?"
"Because you know me well enough." Alina opened up her sketchbook and showed him a very vague representation of the true core of her latest genius plan.
"Here's what we're gonna do..."
It was quite the surprise when the Darkling announced he was leaving the captital at such a vulnerable time to hunt for the legendary amplifier. There weren't many Grisha who knew that once he wanted it to belong to a very different woman than their Saints-given lady Vasilissa Grigroyevna. At the King's court it would only be known that the General went to secure some fancy gift for their Sun Summoner, but the residents of the Little Palace were aware of what was going on. The ancient tradition of gifting amplifiers as a courting gift was well known among them (except, of course, if you were a bored young woman who slept on lectures).
Apparently the Morozova's Herd has been already located – Zoya Nazyalensky looked as smug as if she found it herself – and there was only a matter of carefully choosing the members of the small enough hunting party. Apparently, the Darkling didn't want any otkazat'sya to suspect anything before it was too late and the promise of such an amplifier finally convinced the Sun Summoner to leave the Grand Palace.
To nobody's surprise, Alina Starkov was the first to apply, and her fierce glare prevented anyone else from trying to follow.
"I think it should be just the two of us, moi soverenyi, because of our... shared experience. With the Stag."
It was the first time any of them have seen the Darkling blush from being flustered rather than angry. They reasoned that he was only a man, and the Inferni commander's smile and body language left nothing to imagination.
Their General composed himself eventually, and suddenly decided they simply needed to take David Kostyk as well. He didn't seem to notice the Inferni's brief triumphant expression before it turned back into sly one, but Genya did. And she had to wonder what Alina had in mind.
Funny how such a simple use of light could manipulate even the most experienced of men. Alina walked the corridors of the Little Palace with a smug smile. She had all the pieces she needed... Of course, they would be accompanied by Oprichniki, like every time the Darkling left home, but his bunch of fiercely loyal otkazat'sya personal guards would not be able to stand in her way.
Ivan had to stay in Os Alta to prepare the ground for the exposition of the imposter...
Fedyor couldn't know a thing in case it all backfired...
Genya was too close to the Darkling for Alina's liking, still able to search for some innocent clues about Vasya's co-conspirators but without learning the whole truth...
And David would be right at her side, where she needed him the most...
She entered her room and met the excited brown eyes in the mirror at the top of the vanity.
You're a genius, Alina Starkov.
"You're a fool, Alina Starkov."
She jumped and looked around. There, in thick shadows further from the window stood the old woman in graphite colored robes. Alina recognised her immediately.
"Baghra," she hissed.
The hag had the experience and power, but Alina had the youth and the advantage of the surprise. She quickly went through her abilities while Baghra showered her with the usual insults (good to know some things never change), but then the Shadow Summoner demanded, "Take a walk with me, Alina."
Inferni followed, eyeing the curls of shadows dragging after Baghra. They walked in silence, broke only by a tapping of a cone on the floor and various muffled sounds of life at the Little Palace that went on as if Alina wasn't just being kidnapped by an old lady.
It turned out all of the creepy walk was to get to that damned hut of hers. Alina rolled her eyes and Baghra motioned her to one of the chairs.
Once there, the hag focused her gray eyes on Alina.
"You're in love with my son," she stated bluntly.
Alina snorted, and crossed her arms on her chest, trying to will the blush out of her face. The crone continued, "I've seen the way you act around him... And the way he looks at you, like you were his long awaited dessert," she taunted. Alina just observed her silently.
"Well, girl, sorry to interrupt the fairytale, but I know my son. He has no warm feelings for you, only he must have come up with some creative idea to use you. All the Darkling wants is power... and you obviously lack it. His heart is black and hard like a stone," she went on, clearly loving the sound of her voice, and Alina sat there with polite interest on her face until the hag got enraged with a lack of reaction, and exclaimed, "My son is the Black Heretic!"
Alina wanted to laugh, but she composed herself.
If Baghra knew her better, Inferni would have thought it's some matchmaking attempt. But no.
How does she expect me to react? Most importantly, who does she see me as?
Easy – an idiotic, besotted child.
And what would the Black Heretic do?
"No," she whispered, before repeating it in a trembling voice. "No! It cannot be!"
Baghra only nodded solemnly, and placed something on the table. It was an old-looking, sketched portrait of a man with the Darkling's face and much longer hair. The tiny braids were done in especially impressive style, and Alina needn't have faked an interest when she grabbed the paper, all along crying out and cursing the object of her affections.
"But he looks so young! And pretty!" she let a lonely tear travel down her cheek. She might have not been the best actress, but Baghra was eating all of it up. So much for experience...
Baghra kept on talking and showing off some nicely prepared documents, and Alina couldn't help but wonder whether the hag was such an excellent liar or did she really believed it? She must have been old enough to let the madness come despite her powers. That was just sad, and for all the hate Alina had for the woman, she still pitied her.
"The time has come. The Black Heretic wants to use a young, naive Sun Summoner and bind her power with the cursed amplifier..." Then Baghra proceeded to explain exactly why she thought the Morozova's Amplifiers were things straight from hell. Alina got a little dreamy at the thought of merzost but managed to hide it rather well.
"You're going there with him, aren't you, girl? You cannot let him get control of the Stag, otherwise we're all doomed!"
Alina nodded frantically. "A monster as evil as him should never have so much power!"
Baghra stared at her intently.
Alina blinked innocently.
Triumph shone in the old woman's eyes. "If you won't be able to stop him from finding the stag, kill it yourself. And then run.
Alina couldn't help but squint. What idiot would do it?
Baghra quickly added, "I will find you then and help with leaving Ravka safely... Maybe find you a place in Novyi Zem... You must realize how important it is to stop the Darkling for good!" The hag seemed impatient already and Alina knew she had to go at it.
"Of course!" She clutched Baghra's cold hand in hers. "I promise you that, lady Baghra. I will stop at nothing to make sure the Darkling gets what he deserves!" She let the amplification help her glow as subtly as ever, so that the Shadow Summoner wouldn't notice what she didn't expect, but still be able to involuntarily calm down and relax at the feeling of complementary power of Sun.
The hag closed her eyes in relief. "Good, good..." she muttered. "Off you go, child. You're on a sacred mission now... The fate of Ravka is in your hands..."
Alina curtsied, all the while keeping up a fierce, determined, heroic expression of a martyr on her face, and didn't dare to even exhale louder until she was safely back inside her chamber, after making sure no stray shadow had followed her. Finally alone, she surrounded herself with a sphere of light for a few seconds. Instead of throwing herself on the bed, she went to start packing for the upcoming excursion. When Alina remembered Baghra's ominous speech, she let out a snicker that eventually turned into a deep, uncontrolled, hearty laugh.
The Darkling shall get what he deserves, indeed.
She just couldn't wait.
AN:
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*canonically, according to what i've glimpsed when reading some random darklina moments instead of fully committing to a reread, Alina considered Darkles to be 120+ long before Baghra's cockblocking scheme. Take that, antis...
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again and again, excuse my poor writing and this unbalanced chapter. it's not just everything looks so much better inside my head (and i've been daydreaming about this part of the story for like, more than half of a year) but whenever i come up with some decent line of dialogue or plot, they're not there when i write the chapter. hopefully everyone still found something they enjoyed in this long, long mess.
i couldnt find a natural place to split it up, so. here we are (my outline had like, three plot points, first one being TCSDSB and the last one being Baghra, and it's not like i failed, right?)
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also: i've said on tumblr some time ago that i intend to have Vasya drama end in #14, but since then the outline changed a lil bit, so it might be in #15
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don't hesitate to tell me what you think (no matter how scared i sound ;))