As I got up from the table I went looking for what I had to wear for the night. I didn't know what kind of weather I was going to be dealing with. Ravka weather was unpredictable and all I saw left that wasn't already worn was the thing Genya slipped in here. I blushed slightly and closed the bag and decided I would just sleep in my clothes. I could just clean up when we got back to the little palace.

Aleksander walked in the area I was in, as he saw me standing up he had given me time to change but I refused to wear what Genya put in there. When I looked at him he seemed to notice and I just shrugged a bit. I knew there was no way around it that I didn't have anything to wear. Walking over he placed his hand on my cheek and had me look at him seeing I was quiet.

"I don't think Genya knew how long we would be gone." I said "I have nothing for tonight so I'll keep my Kefta on."

"You sure? I'm sure one of the first army could find something for yo-" Aleksander said but I cut him off "No, please. I don't want to bother the first army anymore. I don't want to be an inconvenience."

General Kirigan put a hand under my chin as he looked in my eyes and we stared into each others eyes for a while before we started kissing. It felt comforting like I found somewhere I belonged into this whole craziness but I knew that feeling special could change over time. He let my chin go and pulled me close as we kept kissing and I placed my hand on his shoulder and pulled away for air.

"If it gets cold tonight I'll keep you warm Amira." Aleksander said

"I think it would be me who could keep us warm." I said

He merely seemed surprised by my words but I knew that the warmth of the sun could keep us warm long enough for us to fall asleep and maintain the warmth. Once I fell asleep the sun would go away and I knew that. Dark fell upon us and we walked over getting on the makeshift bed that was there. I could feel the cold air around us and I put my hands together as I lifted it up above us. The warmth it radiated was enough to make me sleepy and he seemed to notice as he reached up and closed my hand.

"Don't over do it Amira. Sleep." Aleksander said

I adjusted with my back to him and I felt him pull me close as he wrapped his arms around me. My heart raced a bit as I didn't expect him to do that but I fell asleep in his arms, the warmth between us was enough to help me sleep.

Morning I was still asleep until I felt his movement and I opened my eyes as I covered my mouth to yawn. I looked around seeing he was already looking over a map and I just laid there watching. He seemed to feel my stare as he looked back at me just before I sat up knowing that it was the first time we had laid like that.

"Sorry, you looked peaceful, I didn't want to wake you." Aleksander said

I fixed my hair a bit knowing if I went out there wasn't much for me to do. Genya would say something to me about the way I look later as I walked over seeing the map. I didn't fully understand it but I was able to sort of figure it out.

"Why are you looking at this map? We are heading back to the little palace." I asked

"Your powers are getting stronger, but not quite there yet. Do you really want to destroy the fold?" Aleksander asked

"I would rather not have that responsibility on my hands, too much pressure and not enough time to get it done." I admitted

"What about using the fold as a weapon?" Aleksander asked, which surprised me by his words "that's impossible." I said

"Not exactly. If we get your powers strong enough to make a tunnel in the fold since it was made with shadows. We could work together, bring peace between Ravka and the neighboring cities. End this war for Ravka and Grisha." Aleksander said

"Kill people with the fold? That's a bit extreme." I said "and I don't have the confidence to even be in the fold."

He seemed to be thinking over my words since he could speak freely with me about the fold. I knew he created it whether by accident or on purpose. I put my hand on the map, getting him to look at me. I knew this was my opportunity to ask questions while we were alone.

"Was the fold the intention?" I asked

"No, I wanted to change the king's army into my own. I never planned for it to be this big." Aleksander said then he put his hand on my cheek as if he thought about something before he spoke. "I won't let you ever meet the same fate as her."

"Her?" I asked curiously and I knew he had prior lovers with how old he was. "I learned my mother's lesson about what she meant when she said they die. Healers don't live as long as Grisha but they have the ability to heal. let's get everything packed up and we'll head off to the little palace."

I knew there was something he wasn't telling me and if he refused to tell me I would go to Baghra. She couldn't deny my questions anymore as some of the heartrenders came in and helped with the tent and our things. Once again he was leading me to the carriage and I made sure to grab my flower though it was whilted some.

"I'll find more for you when we return." Aleksander said

"They always whilt after so long." I admitted

Once inside the carriage we relaxed while heading back, since I wasn't tired I was able to look at our surroundings as we went past. I didn't have anything spectacular in my belongings except my sketchbook which I'd been drawing in. I never let him look at it but still I watched what we passed and Ivan was looking at me as I sat back.

"Is something wrong?" I asked

He seemed to look until he looked where my kefta opened, seeing the symbol of the darkling around my neck. He just kept quiet and I knew there had to be something going on here. The heartrender was to keep us safe but he just seemed suspicious to me. Still as the carriage kept going we had to stop suddenly.

"Stay here." Ivan said as he got out first

"Is it safe to let him go out?" I asked

I saw him on guard and I didn't know what to expect as he seemed to be looking out. Watching his expression I could tell this wasn't getting any better. My bag was inside with us as I saw my sketchbook sticking out of it. If we needed to make a run for it I would grab it, I know it could be replaced or if the heartrenders brought our thing I would get it back but Baghra got it for me. It was important I had it regardless of what happened.

"We need to go." Aleksander said as he took my hand and I reached grabbing the sketchbook as he took us out of there. He moved quickly getting a horse free and he got me on it first before getting on behind.

What is going on? I thought

I felt it though before he even touched the reins, his shadows coming and I looked up seeing he was looking over. When I looked I saw Ivan fighting a Fjerdan, I've never seen one before but when Ivan backed off I saw the shadows cut the Fjerdan down as I heard others flee. Ivan came over and he seemed out of breath.

"I'm taking Amira on ahead, get everything and bring it back to the little palace." Aleksander said

"Yes, General." Ivan said

Once he got hold of the reins and had the horse go in a gallop I knew this was going to be a long ride back. I didn't ask and we hardly spoke as there was so much more going on than I was aware. Still when we were halfway there he got down and let me down as I sighed. He noticed the book in my hands and looked at me.

"Is that important to you?" Aleksander asked

"Your mother gave me this sketchbook, I really have tried not to lose it." I admitted

"May I?" He asked holding his hand out

I was hesitant, not for Morozovas stag being mostly in it but because of the sketch of him. Still I knew there had to be trust so I let him look at it and he opened it. Looking from page to page he seemed interested in what I'd do. Big or small sketches the details were there and I knew he was looking it over. When he got to the last page I saw him looking over the details, I could have been something else if I was not Grisha.

"Wow, you do have talent, Amira. Looks just like me." Aleksander said

I blushed and lightly scratched my cheek a little with a nervous laugh. "It was a freehand sketch, nothing really ideal to sketch at the time." I admitted "When I'm stressed, I sketch."

He closed my sketchbook and handed it back to me as I knew that Morozovas stag was the amplifier needed for my powers. I use the time to relax before we got back on the horse and started heading the rest of the way back. Still it was nice not to have to be in a carriage as he seemed to be considering it.

"Have you thought more about an amplifier?" Aleksander asked

"No, I think it is best to hold off and let me train on my own some more." I said "besides, I heard Morozova heard with the stag is hard to find."

"It would be wise to find it first before anyone else, just never know what people could do with that on a sun summoner." Aleksander said

What would you want the stag for? I thought

When we arrived at the little palace he got down and then helped me down as I was glad that everything worked out. No one seemed to notice we were back yet and I was just glad that it was going to work out in the end. I laughed a bit knowing that the way he was when he was alone with me was different in front of other people.

"The King and Queen will be holding parties and events are coming up. You should make sure you're prepared." He said

"I will." I said