A/N: Thanks again for reading and reviewing! I hope you enjoy this chapter! Who doesn't love Alina/Aleksander quality time ;)


Chapter 17

Alina walked into the Little Palace and felt safe for the first time in weeks, which she didn't miss the irony of. The last time she was here, she had felt trapped and scared. 'Spending time with the Apparat would change anyone's perspective. And it's different this time.'

She'd only been gone for under a month, but it felt like an eternity. The Darkling led her to her room by himself and her breath caught when she reached the door.

"There will be no guards Alina, as you gave me your word you would be staying," Aleksander said, then turned to go.

"Wait! You are leaving already?" Alina protested.

"Yes, I have things to attend to after my sudden absence. Besides, you have someone waiting for you. I will see you tomorrow Alina," Aleksander said with a smirk. Alina blushed, then walked into her room wondering who would be waiting for her.

"Alina!" someone yelled and smothered her in a hug.

"Genya! I missed you!" Alina said.

"Yes, I heard your only company has been the Apparat, an idiot tracker, and Zoya. Anyone would miss me," Genya said. Alina gave her a playful punch and smiled.

"You are a vast improvement," Alina said genuinely.

"I haven't heard much of what happened. Care to tell me about it?" Genya asked.

"I would love to, but I think it will have to be tomorrow. Getting us across the fold and our journey back took more energy than I realized. We rested for the night at that one inn, but Aleksander was in a rush to get back. I can't even keep my eyes open," Alina said, stifling a yawn.

"That must be why General Kirigan let me have you tonight. He knew you weren't up for much," Genya teased. Alina blushed again.

"I don't know what you mean Genya," Alina said, showing her friend out the door.

"Goodnight Alina," Genya said with a big grin as she left.

Alina made her way to her bed, barely managing to remove her kefta before she was fast asleep.


Alina woke slowly, but sat up abruptly when she remembered the battle. The adrenaline came back to her in a rush and made her heart beat fast, until she was able to take in her surroundings and remind herself that she was safe now. She hated fighting, and especially hated people fighting in her name. Whatever it took, she would make sure it did not happen again.

There was a knock at her door and Genya breezed in. The woman had an effortless beauty and confidence that drew admiration from those around her. Alina envied that confidence.

"Good morning sleepyhead! The general said to let you rest, but it's almost lunch time!" Genya said with a smile.

"Oh!" Alina said in surprise, "I guess crossing the fold really did wear me out. What is the plan for today?"

"I'm to help you get dressed, see you get fed, and then you are going on an afternoon ride with General Kirigan. He said something about you being cooped up for too long, but I think he just wants time with you all to himself," Genya teased. Alina just blushed and ignored her.

With Genya's help, bathing and dressing was a short business. A maid brought in a tray of several pasties and cheeses. Alina devoured them. Meals in the Little Palace hadn't always been fancy, but she had always had enough to eat here, and someone wanted to make sure she had a special meal now. The pastries were divine.

Alina told Genya the basics of her time with the Apparat as she ate. She found herself not wanting to bring up parts of it, especially everything concerning Mal. Genya was shocked to hear what her and the Darkling had accomplished to get him through the fold.

"That is amazing Alina. You know how much General Kirigan values you if he was willing to do that!" Genya said. Alina looked down at her hands. She still didn't trust the man.

"Is Valeriya going to continue my training?" Alina asked. She missed the stern, no nonsense woman.

"I think your abilities might be beyond her now. General Kirigan might be training you himself, but he has a lot of obligations right now. The king, surprisingly, is recovering from his poisoning, but it will take another week at least before he is fully recovered," Genya said.

"So the Apparat did poison the king?" Alina asked.

"Yes, we thought he would die, but we have some very talented healers that were able to bring him back. I am not fond of the king, but the Apparat's plans never have good results. I guess I'm glad this one was foiled."

Genya finished brushing her hair, and with one more hug left, assuring her that General Kirigan would be there shortly. After Genya left, Alina couldn't resist opening her door to look out and make sure there were no guards.

There was no one in sight and she was tempted to go down to the stables herself, just to prove that she could. It was foolish to annoy Aleksander though. He would not be happy wasting time looking for her, and if he thought she had fled, he'd probably murder someone.

Closing the door again, she went and sat at her desk. She was looking forward to riding and being outside again. She had so many mixed feelings about Aleksander. Despite his dark nature, he had saved her and thousands of West Rankan's. She wasn't naive, or rather not that naive: she knew he needed her for his plans. However, she didn't think it was just that.

There was a knock on her door. Genya was right, that had been fast.

"Come in," Alina said. Aleksander opened her door and strode in. She'd never seen the man walk anywhere without a purposeful step and a dominating the whole room intensity. She could always feel his shadows as well. Even when he wasn't summoning, they seemed to dance around the edges of his person.

"Ready to get some fresh air? I know we traveled the past two days, but skiff and carriage are still rather confining in my opinion," Aleksander said with a dashing smile.

"I would love to, thank you," Alina said, following him to the stables. She remembered the last time they had ridden together, that she had not been allowed to have her own horse. Only the Darkling's black beauty was saddled and ready. Alina sighed.

"Go saddle the white mare for the Sun Summoner," Aleksander told a nearby stableman. Alina looked at him in surprise.

"You keep being surprised that I trust you to keep your word. Should I be concerned that you don't intend to keep your promise?" Aleksander said, smirking at her again.

"No! Of course I will! You saved thousands of people and risked yourself for me. I won't run off. I don't want the Apparat using me like that again either," Alina said bitterly.

Aleksander hummed in agreement and helped her onto her horse. It was a tall girl, and Alina appreciated the help, realizing she wasn't fully recovered yet either. When they both were on their horses, Alina remembered she wasn't the only one needing recovery.

"Are you up for riding? The healer on the journey back seemed to think recovery would take a while," Alina said.

"I appreciate the concern Alina, but I'll be fine. It won't be a long ride," Aleksander said, nudging his horse forward. Alina followed. He set a slow pace, which probably meant the pain was greater than he was letting on.

'Who goes on a horseback ride after getting torn up by a volcra? I hope none of his wounds break back open.' She had pried some of the story from Zoya of how Aleksander broke out of the fold, being attacked and bleeding. He had lost his fastest horse as well, but the one he was riding looked like it could have been its brother.

Lost in thought, she barely noticed Aleksander stop, and he quickly got off his horse. She hopped down off hers as well, and noticed they were back at the beautiful lake he had brought her to the last time they rode together. It sparkled in the sunlight, and she found herself staring in wonder for a while. When she looked at Aleksander, he was staring at her.

"I'm glad you like the lake. It's one of my favorite spots to come and think. It is large enough and far enough away from the palace that I normally have it to myself. Although I haven't had any time to come here recently," Aleksander said.

"Yes, I heard the situation with the king has been keeping you busy, but those duties will end soon, right? Genya said the king is almost fully recovered," Alina said.

"Yes, he is getting better and should start seeing visiting dignitaries again starting tomorrow. I also don't have to spend time looking for you anymore," Aleksander said evenly. He still sounded angry about that.

"I know the Apparat was the one who killed the stag and put the amplifier on me, but you were planning the same before I was kidnapped. And you still put the amplifier on yourself so that you can control my powers. Its hard to trust someone that insists on controlling you. It seems all the men in my life want to control me," Alina said bitterly. She hadn't meant to bring that up already. She was grateful for what he had done for her.

Aleksander stared at her with his unnerving dark eyes that made her breath catch. She wished she could read him. Could she feel his emotions through the amplifier they shared? She'd have to explore that later. She hoped he couldn't feel her emotions, as confusing as they currently were.

"Alina, I told you about Luda, my lover, who was murdered before my eyes. Since then my only goal has been to protect the grisha. They are my people, my only family. A part of me always hoped the Sun Summoner would come, to stand by my side. Someone to help me protect the grisha, who have always been persecuted, and someone who could stand by my side when everyone else around us dies. Will you stand by my side Alina?" Aleksander asked.

"I told you I'm not leaving. That was part of our deal, remember," Alina responded a bit breathlessly. He had been moving closer to her during his speech, and she could reach out and kiss him if she wanted.

"I still want you to remove the Merzost," she blurted out before she could get too lost in his eyes.

"Alina, I told you that I would consider it. How about a compromise for now? Tomorrow you and I can go to the library and start to look into it. If we find anything, we look into it and discuss it together. Will that make you happy?" Aleksander asked.

She supposed it was a step forward, although he hadn't promised anything. He was going along with what she wanted to some extent. And he was giving her some freedom. 'My standards are way too low,' she thought sardonically.

"That's a good place to start. Will you help me destroy the fold?" Alina asked.

"You are relentless," Aleksander said with some humor. The way his eyes sparkled in mirth made her want to forget all her questions and just kiss the man already. 'Talking really is overrated.'

She leaned forward and kissed him instead of saying anything else. The rest could wait for a while. He kissed her back and wrapped his arms around her. She felt her light rise to the surface of her skin with his touch; she knew she was glowing. His shadows caressed her, joined with her light, and made her feel complete. She never wanted to leave his embrace.

Not breaking away from the kiss, she undid his kefta and unbuttoned the top of his shirt as she ran her hands over his chest. There was a slight wince. Opening her eyes, she looked down and saw a huge bandage wrapped around a good portion of his chest.

"The volcra wanted to tear out my heart so most of my injuries are on my chest," Aleksander explained. Alina looked at him in concern, but tried to lighten the mood again.

"See, even volcra know you have a heart. You can't keep on denying it," Alina teased. Then placed a small kiss on his chest. Aleksander smiled in return.

"You don't have to be that gentle with me. And I don't think it's fair you get to take my clothes off and I don't get to take yours off," Aleksander said. Alina blushed, but didn't resist when he removed her kefta. She was wearing a thin loose white shirt and snug pants for riding.

He initiated the kiss this time and pressed up against her. Her heart raced at his proximity and her knees felt weak.

"Are you sure you want this Alina? With me?" he asked. It took her a moment to register his question, but he had stopped kissing her and stepped back to hear her answer.

"Yes," she said. She wanted to say more, but his strong hands on her shoulders and perfect black hair were robbing her of more coherent thoughts. She wanted this. She wanted him.

There was suddenly a loud noise to her right, and Aleksander immediately stood in front of her. It was a horse galloping towards them. Alina watched Aleksander relax slightly, and she soon recognized Ivan.

"King Pyotr is dead!" Ivan shouted when he was closer. He hopped down from his horse and slid to a halt in front of Aleksander.

"I thought he had recovered," Alina said in shock, which earned her a glare from Ivan.

"General, his neck was slit. He was just discovered and the men that were guarding him have vanished," Ivan said.

"The Apparat," Aleksander said angrily. "He struck sooner than I thought he would."

"There is a rumor spreading from the Grand Palace to Os Alta. We are assuming the Apparat's spies started it." Ivan only hesitated for a moment, then continued, "They are saying you killed King Pyotr."

Aleksander fumed. A nearby bird that had been singing dropped dead and Alina had no doubt who caused it. She wished she knew what to say.

"We will address this. I have no doubt the Apparat will show up in person soon to save Ravka from me. We will be ready for him," Aleksander said with a deadly calm. "Forgive me Alina. I have matters I must see to," he said, getting on his horse. Alina quickly managed to get on her own mare.

"How can I help?" She asked. Aleksander glanced at her with a slight smile before ordering his horse into a gallop, despite his wounds.

"I will let you know Alina when the time comes," he shouted before he was gone. Alina rode after him, determined to not let the Apparat win.