I smiled at his compliment even though I didn't feel like telling him about what Baghra told me about. I wondered if he knew though as I know Baghra said it was done when he was a boy. So there was a chance that he knew the truth. Maybe that was why he was always trying to show such a claim toward me even though Zoya was around. Zoya, just thinking about her made my mood mixed.

"Thank you." I said

"I figured you would like something different, do you like it?" Aleksander asked

"I do." I said, "But I have not worn a dress since I was a child."

He led me to the table where food was already prepared and ready along with candles. If I didn't question what he did I'd almost say he was a good romantic. I knew that he hadn't fully let me in on his plans for the fold. I knew he'd told me the truth that it could be weaponized if he wanted to. He led me to my chair and pulled out my chair for me.

"Thank you." I said as I took the seat and he sat across from me.

We ate in silence until he seemed to be thinking of something, I knew that there was something he was hiding from me. I just wanted to get through this dinner with ease as we ate but everything seemed a bit tense. I wondered if there was something that happened while we were away but he didn't seem to bring it up.

"Something on your mind?" Aleksander said

"Sort of. The conversation with Baghra was different." I said

"What did she say?" Aleksander asked

I hesitated telling him as I knew there was so much going on. I just shook my head but I heard him get up and walk around the table as he approached me and had me look at him. His concern in his eyes knowing his mother said something and I wasn't saying bothered him clearly.

"Amira, tell me." Aleksander said

"Your mother..made a deal with my father." I said

"Mother makes a lot of deals with Grisha, what about this one bothers you?" Aleksander said

"It's not just about me, it's about us." I said "She wanted my father's daughter to be your wife. According to her you were just a boy at the time it was done."

My shock had already happened and now it was his turn as he looked at me hearing that this was a bit of an arrangement. Letting me go and walking back over to his seat we both started to eat but he didn't say anything at first. I knew that there was always a possibility that he didn't know and his surprise said he didn't.

"So she goes that far." Aleksander said "and yet she hid you all these years."

"I was a child when I came here but still she did hide me." I said

We both started to eat and for a while it was calm but there was still the matter of his healer. Baghra had mentioned she'd been killed and I could only come to think he loved this healer, his first love. I figured it must have been hard for her but I knew the truth that Heartrenders and Healers were more human than the other Grisha. I took a sip of my drink when I felt his hand on my other hand as I looked at him.

"No rush, Amira. It has to be when you're comfortable and feel it's the right time but that would give people a lot of hope." Aleksander said

I nod "No rush." I said

Aleksander removed his hand and we were finishing eating when the doors to his chamber burst open and I looked up with food on the fork as I looked up seeing Zoya. Zoya was one of the people I avoided since returning but she seemed like there was something important when she looked at me. The black silk dress with my design and the necklace was easy for her to see, I thought her just walking in without knocking was rude.

"Zoya, what is the matter?" Aleksander asked

"Some of the other summoners were in a fight." Zoya said as she was still looking at me, the jealousy in her eyes was evident as I put the fork down.

"I should go." I said

"No, stay here, I won't be long." Aleksander said

I saw him get up and follow Zoya out but I waited for the doors to close as I walked over and kneeled a bit listening. I know that anyone who just walks in without being announced gets in trouble and somehow I wanted to hear her being scolded.

"You should have knocked when I have a dinner guest." Aleksander said to Zoya

"You have her in there, she wears your color. You used to call on me for things now you call her!" Zoya said

"Yes, she wears my color. I intend to marry her Zoya." Aleksander said

Then they started to walk away but I could hear light crying from Zoya. I felt bad for her but now she'd probably make rumors about me. I went back to the table to sit and wait as I took a sip of my drink, I questioned if this was what I wanted. Half of me wanted to and the other half was undecided but seeing or hearing Zoya jealous kinda made me smile after her attack on me. I finished up my food so it didn't get cold but he soon returned and he finished his own seeming annoyed.

"Are you ok?" I asked

"Yes, they tried the same training exercise that you and Marie did and it did not go well." Aleksander said

Marie and I had practiced several times. I've been burnt a few times. I thought

After Dinner Ivan came in like last time and he took the food away as he led me toward the door. I figured he had some more work to do as he leaned and kissed me. I kissed him back as I didn't mind but I knew if I didn't ask now I'd never get the answer.

"Were you in love with a healer?" I asked

"Mother told you that? Of course she did, how else would you have known." Aleksander said his tone was a bit irritated toward Baghra. "Her name was Luda, she was killed by one of the former King's army for being involved with me. Healers don't live as long as us but you and I are Grisha with limitless powers. You won't suffer that fate."

I knew he spoke the truth but I knew that there was still more going on than he was saying. I kissed him of my own choice one last time before leaving and heading to my room. I opened the door as I saw Marie and Nadia in there waiting for me.

"Amira." Marie and Nadia said before they took in my appearance and I walked in as I walked to the chair and sat down.

"Hi." I said

"Well someone is getting attention." Marie joked

"yeah I.." I realized I left my Kefta in his room and if on queue there was a knock.

"Amira, you left your Kefta." Aleksander said

I walked to the door and opened it as I accepted it "thank you." I said

"Good Night Amira." Aleksander said

"Good Night." I said

I closed the door and talked with Marie and Nadia for a bit before they left me to get changed into my night clothes and went to bed. I completely forgot about meeting Baghra at the lake as I was just tired.

A week passed and I was always asked questions when people saw me with the Black Kefta and the necklace. I tried to avoid all questions as much as possible. Aleksander had been called away to another area days ago so I stayed around Marie and Nadia as we spent the days when training got cancelled to ice skate and sled. I wasn't the best Ice skater but I'd been able to fall several times but always got back up. Nights were spent in the domed hall drinking Kvas.

This is his favorite drink. I thought

I missed him more than I thought I would, I had thought having time away from him would be good for me. I could do whatever I wanted without the attention but I missed him so much. We were celebrating the feast of Sankt Nikolai and I was here sulking over Aleksander not being here.

"Amira, are you ok?" Marie asked

"yeah i think I'm going to see if Genya is around." I said

"Why? Stay here and gossip with us." Nadia said

"You both are not alone tonight, I feel out of place. Next time." I said as I started to walk away but Marie and Naida both got by me putting their arms in mine. "We're going to the Benya and you're coming with us." They said

"Ok ok." I said giving in with both of them having my arms.

With that we all walked to the Benya which was where we'd sit in steam until we couldn't take it then run out and jump in the snow. We did this several times before we all called it quits but the last time I did it I laid there laughing a bit at the fun when I heard footsteps above my head and looked up seeing him.

"Al-" I caught myself knowing his real name others did not know. "General Kirigan." I corrected myself

"I came to see if you were alright, I heard you all came out here." Aleksander said "Isn't this a bit risky for our dual summoner?"

"What's life without a little risk?" I said with a joking smile "All things in life are risks."

He helped me to my feet and I think he could tell I'd had maybe a couple of drinks of Kvas. Before I could say anything he picked me up over his shoulder and started taking me back to Os Alta, the little palace. I heard Marie and Nadia giggling and I just glared a little at them with my cheeks burning a little knowing they knew half the truth.

"Bye Amira." Marie and Nadia said