That morning of the Winter Fete I was nervous about what was going on or what was going to happen. Genya came in with some breakfast so I ate in my room as she got me ready for the winter fete afterward starting with a bath and then she started to do my makeup. My new Kefta for today wasn't here so I walked out of the room for now in my black kefta looking out the window seeing a circus.

"Does it amuse you?" Aleksander asked

I looked seeing Aleksander and then I looked back out there "Can we go out there?" I asked

"Out to the circus the Queen has hired? People might recognize you." Aleksander said

"Please Aleksander. I am tired of being locked up in the little palace and I loved being outside the little palace feeling free." I begged

Aleksander walked over, taking my hand and kissing the top of it as his eyes never left me. As I looked at him he seemed to be debating it in his head before he started to lead me out of the little palace. I noticed he put a cloak over my kefta and then he put his arm around me leading me around. For just a small-time it felt like we were normal, not Grisha in the 2nd army.

I was just all smiles while we were doing this even though he was out of his Kefta too just wearing what he wore under his Kefta people still looked. He was the black General, people knew his appearance and he was escorting me around as I was just taking it all in.

"Wow there is so much going on." I said

For a second we were able to be a somewhat normal couple in the area that he broke his stern look for a few seconds and I smiled. Aleksander and I noticed people staring at me curiously and before I could think of something to say he kissed me. I was surprised even though he did this many times as I kissed him back using the other hand that didn't have the ring on it to touch his cheek. People seemed to think we were just two crazy lovers seeing the circus when he pulled away. I smiled.

"You are making this really hard to say no about the wedding." I said

"You're coming around to the idea." Aleksander said

"A little but I'm not fully on board." I said

Aleksander started to lead me back when the main performance started and we looked over at the stage. The woman had been dressed as a Sun Summoner and the people were clearly supposed to be Volcras as I heard them say my name. I felt displeased with the fact they had only half of me represented and he must have noticed cause he led me back to the little palace. I wiped my eyes which was a mistake cause I smudged the makeup but I felt like crying a bit from seeing it.

"Don't cry, it's not worth your tears." Aleksander said

He led me back into the little palace as he took me to my room where Genya opened the door to see me. I saw her concern but she let me in as I let his hand go and walked in sitting down. Genya went to work fixing my makeup as she noticed I was crying.

"Who upset her?" Genya asked

"I took her outside, she's been locked up for so long she has to get some freedom as the rest of us sometime." Aleksander said

"Well I will have her ready for the Fete soon." Genya said

Aleksander nodded as he walked away and then not long after he left the boxes for my new Kefta was there. Genya took the boxes as she opened them and saw they were black, unsurprising for Aleksander to choose the black. I knew that this was going to be big-time fun for all of us but I questioned what it meant for me. Still, she got me ready for the Winter Fete and I smiled at my appearance in the mirror.

"You look like a Queen in this dress." Genya said

"Nah." I said

There was another knock and when it opened a man walked in with the Materialeki uniform and I was curious about what was going on. Genya's behavior changed a bit. She was staring at him and I wondered if this was DK who was on her wrist.

"Amira, this is David Kostyk. A very good materialeki." Genya said,

"The General asked for this to be made to help your confidence tonight." David said, handing me a box.

As I opened it I saw it was a bracelet with my symbols on it and I knew that he was always thinking about how I felt it seemed. I put it on my wrist as I smiled knowing that he was always having gifts made for me. I also realized that it covered the AM on my wrist and then I realized it was to help maintain his secret.

"It covers the initials on my wrist." I said

"The general said not many should know. Otherwise those with the initials may seek you out." David said

"Ingenious." Genya said as I looked at her seeing the way she looked at him

When David started to leave Genya was quick to say "See you at the Fete."

I laughed a bit amused by this as I looked over myself in the mirror knowing that it wasn't going to be long. Genya seemed to notice and she was doing her own things as I smiled wanting to tease her.

"You like him." I said

"Not a word." She said

"Ingenious." I said teasing her as I turned to her just as she splashed me with water and I laughed.

After that we started to walk, Marie and Nadia were there with me as I walked into the Winter Fete. I felt free and for the first time felt like I belonged somewhere other than being out in the open. At first, I didn't see Aleksander but that was ok as I waited for my turn to perform wanting to stay out of the spotlight but I couldn't resist helping Nadia and the other tidemakers as I used the sun to form a rainbow in their routine.

"Ah there you are." Aleksander said as I looked at him, losing my concentration. "You are breathtaking, Amira."

I smiled at him as he offered me his hand before he led me out to the dance floor since it wasn't our turn yet. As he took my other hand in his we danced to the music with the other royals and I was quite enjoying myself as I knew it was nice to feel wanted. When the song was over and it was our turn Aleksander led me up on the platform for everyone to see and I became nervous.

Aleksander stood down below me as he clapped his hands where it went dark and I closed my eyes knowing I could do this. I put my hands together and started my part of it as I opened my eyes looking at everyone expanding the light and going along with the plan that when it was over I looked at him. He offered his hand to me as I walked down taking his hand and then I started to realize my ring was missing.

Where did it go? I thought hearing people calling me Sankta Amira

Aleksander though started to kneel down in front of me, in front of everyone including the royals and I realized he was making this unofficial engagement now official. I heard the sound of people gasping and I just looked at him knowing that this was the Winter fete. He knew that everyone would see if he did this right here and now.

"Amira Silina, Dual Summoner, will you marry me?" Aleksander asked presenting the ring to me

People are looking and you choose now when it would look bad to say no. I thought

"Yes, General Kirigan." I said

He slipped the ring back where it belonged as he led me through the crowd but many people wanted to talk with me. So he amused them as they were happy a sun summoner was there but they never seemed to be thinking of who I am. General Kirigan would correct them if they called me just a sun summoner and reminded them I was a Dual summoner with the abilities of Sun and Tidemaker. Soon though he must have noticed I was bored cause he slipped us through and we went to his war room.

"I don't remember this on the schedule." I joked

"I figured you wanted away from everyone." Aleksander said

I laughed a bit before I pulled him in for a kiss and he kissed me back, his arms wrapping around me securely so I wasn't going anywhere. I felt him lift me up on his war table as we continued to kiss the emotions going through me were evident. I missed him more than I realized until now and I wanted him as I felt him pull away from me looking at me.

"Are you sure?" Aleksander asked

"Yes, I am." I said

He started to kiss me again as we started to make out again when there was a knock on the door. I felt like it was a mood killer but one of the other Tidemakers was to be my backup with the spy in the little palace. I smiled as we kissed once more before he walked to the door and I stood there but I could hear Ivan.

"The Tidemaker was attacked in the room. Amira was the target." Ivan said, "We have the suspect in custody."

When he closed the door he walked over to me looking serious and I worried about Genya.

"Is everything alright?" I asked

"Wait here guards will be outside the room. Don't leave." Aleksander said as he looked at me putting a hand on my cheek "I need you safe."

I placed a hand on his and looked at him "I'll be waiting and Aleksander I think you're right. Let's get married after the stag is found." I said

Aleksander seemed to like that idea as he removed his hand and started to walk away before he came back kissing me. Once he was gone my smile faded as I knew Nico was here somewhere. He wouldn't find me but if Baghra had him somewhere I would find out as the bookshelf opened and I had my dagger ready to defend seeing Baghra.

"Is it time?" I asked

"It is, come on Marie and Nadia are waiting." Baghra said

I looked back at the door knowing that I wouldn't be here when he returns as I walked with her. I'd hoped and prayed to the saints we would never have to go through this but here we were. Baghra explained that the tidemaker who was impersonating me had been attacked and I knew that was bad. She handed me a change of clothes with my Kefta as she gave me the lamp and led me down.

Sneaking out with a coat and a kefta underneath was easier than I thought as I knew Marie and Nadia were waiting. I walked over sneaking in the carriage as we heard three people talking about a prize of a million kruge.

"Seems the thieves will take the fall." Marie said

"Maybe." I said

The carriage started to move and we tried to stay quiet but somehow the door opened and one of our fellow Grisha grabbed me trying to pull me out of the moving carriage. Nadia and Marie defended me as they used fire and water to knock them off and I held onto the carriage looking back at the little palace as the gates were closing, seeing Aleksander knowing that he saw me.

"Amira!" He yelled

The three at the top didn't look back but they seemed to have the horses go faster so Marie and Nadia pulled me in before I could fall out of the carriage. We stayed there for a while as the carriage kept going and I fell asleep until it stopped. When it did we got out as we came face to face with them.

"We don't want any trouble." The man with the guns said

"Neither do we. So we'll be on our way." I said, prepared to use the light if I needed to as we started to move but the other man with the cane stopped us.

"Clearly you want out of East Ravka, correct?" The man asked

"No, we're on a solo mission." I said

"We can help you." The man said as the woman nodded, "Where are our manners? I'm Jesper, this is Inej and that is Kaz."

"Thanks for the offer but we're meeting my parents and I don't want to risk any innocent lives." I said

"You are Amira, Dual summoner with a hefty price on your head." Jesper said, "So travel with us and everyone gets what they want."

Marie and Nadia noticed I was handling the negotiations here knowing what was at risk. My parents were waiting and we didn't have any luxury to talk to these people as I knew what it would mean if we did.

"No offense but my fiance is going to be hunting me down to stop me. It would be best if you three stay clear and let us pass." I said

"I'm afraid we can't let that happen." Kaz said

"Amira, Nadia, cover your eyes." I said

As they did I used the light but saw Inej bow down to me as she looked like she was worshipping. I nod as I escaped with my friends to head out to find my parents leading the girls away. I had to be careful as Marie showed me what we had to travel with. Quite a bit of gold and each of us wore jackets over our Kefta to prevent the 2nd army from noticing us.

If we keep going we can get there before too long but it's longer on foot. I thought