While he walked with me over his shoulder I tried to get free but his hold was pretty good on me that I couldn't break free. My light wouldn't come and I didn't want to hurt him but I knew there was still time to train. He seemed to be sure where he was heading as I put my head down, I started to feel lightheaded until after so long he placed me down on silk sheets. My eyes had been closed but I opened them carefully sitting up as I looked where I was. I blushed to see that it was his room.

"What am I doing here?" I asked

"You've been drinking, best you are where I can keep watch on you." Aleksander said

"If I didn't know any better I'd think you were jealous of other men summoners." I said

I saw him actually look away and I smirked a bit knowing that I was right and it bothered him when he wasn't right. I knew that there was so much more and how much more open he was with me cause I knew the truth of his names. I started to get up but he walked over having me sit down as I sighed.

"You should watch how much you drink." Aleksander said

"I am perfectly fine with handling myself." I said

We argued about it for a while but he eventually got me to lay down and I fell asleep right there. By Morning all I knew was that I was not in my room as I woke up and felt the silk sheets. I turned to look the other way coming face to face with him as I blushed some. When he was asleep he seemed like he couldn't hurt anyone or anything with his shadows.

yet you want to turn the fold into a weapon. Maybe that isn't the best option and neither are some of my choices. Still, if the day comes Morozovas stag is found, I can't let you have it. I thought

I went to get out of his bed when I felt his arms were around my waist, I gently removed them before he woke up. Leaving the room I walked to my room where I let my Kefta fall on the bed as I walked to the bath and got in taking in the heat. It was easier for me to think about everything this way. I needed space from him so I could just relax a bit and not think of what's to come.

Baghra has been preparing me for if I had to go after the stag, what if it's closer than I think? I thought

My thoughts were abruptly cut off when I heard the door to my room open and two sets of footsteps as they opened the bathroom door. Seeing Marie and Nadia there I just looked at them as they smiled and then before I knew what they were up to they started going back and decorating my room. I watched as I had my arms on the edge of the tub while I was thinking seeing they were doing it as a celebration.

"What is today?" I asked

"Your birthday?" Nadia said

"Please tell me two drinks and you didn't forget your birthday?" Marie said

"No." I said lying

"Does General Kirigan know it's your birthday?" Nadia said

"He does not." I said, "I was going to spend the day doing other things."

Genya soon came in as she looked around to see the girls and she seemed to wonder what was going on. Marie and Nadia told her without hesitation what they were doing and she seemed surprised. I finished up with my shower and put on the robe as I walked out there, Genya was very careful with choosing my look for the day.

"Why don't you wear your silk dress today with your Kefta?" Genya said

"I don't know." I said

"Let's see!" Marie and Nadia said

I smiled a little as I went over picking up the dress and then went back into the bathroom before changing into it and walking out. It could have passed for Kefta of it's own but I knew it wasn't still the girls all smiled. I picked up my kefta and put it on but not buckled it as Marie and Nadia helped with my shoes before they rushed me out.

"Hey where are we going?" I asked

"You'll see." Marie said

Nadia covered my eyes so I couldn't see and then when they removed it we were by the lake alone. I was surprised but then I noticed they ran off to do something but I could tell I wasn't alone as I turned around. Baghra was there and she seemed to have a cupcake in her hand as I looked at her.

"Happy Birthday Amira, blow out the candle." Baghra said

I had such respect for her and I closed my eyes wishing the fold was someone else's problem and that maybe I could go home as I blew out the candle. I opened my eyes knowing that it was false hope that either of those two would come true but I wanted it. She looked at me as another Grisha brought a chair by the lake and I sat down.

the Grisha who are loyal to her. I thought

"Some of your fellow summoners know you've been under a lot of stress. They know the General doesn't let you do a lot." Baghra said

"Define a lot." I said

"I think you know." Baghra said

I started feeling hot and removed my Kefta showing the rest of the dress as Baghra took it in and she could tell he was showing his claim on me. She sighed a bit but she never said a word as she stood there. I looked out at the lake though frozen it was going to be something else when it was all done.

"Are you cold?" Baghra asked

"No, the sun is out but not enough to melt the ice but enough to make me hot." I said

"It is drawn to you as your power serves you." Baghra said

I shrugged but we stayed there only for a little bit before I picked up my Kefta and she led me somewhere else. When we came across a room with people in the little palace I questioned what this was until they turned around and I saw it was my fellow summoners.

"A little party. You all work so hard in the 2nd army." Baghra said

The chance to get away and relax with my fellow summoners was great and we all talked while dancing a bit. I was laughing at some of their jokes but mostly it was a tidemaker boy who tried getting close when we heard footsteps. We all looked up to see Prince Vasily Lantsov standing in the doorway.

What is the prince doing here? I thought

"Seems you all are having a little party, what for?" Prince Vasily asked

"Celebrating our Dual Summoners birthday." Marie said

"The Dual Summoner? Yes I believe I heard about her. Which of you is the Dual summoner?" Vasily asked

"I am." I said

The prince walked over and of course, I felt obligated to show respect to him after all he was the next in line for the crown. He seemed to be very polite but I found the conversation with him dull. Aleksander always kept me guessing what he'd do next but I could tell the prince was flirting with me. I was about to say something when I noticed someone walk in and that's when I looked over to see him.

He doesn't look happy. I thought