Chapter 23

The next morning the General awoke first he looked down, saw that she had turned during the night and he was now spooning his wife with one of his hands cradling her bump. He was glad she was safe back in his arms and the babies were okay after yesturday health issues, Aleksander closed his eyes and began to go over yesturdays events ...

When the ship arrived at the Capital he could see smoke from the boat Aleksander looked concerned knowing that Alina was possible near the fire. As soon as the boat docked they he jumped off the boat and ran to where they could see the smoke. When the reached the area Aleksander and Jesper who was quick enough to join him saw the common people and Grisha cleaning up the area, or the healers healing the injured. Aleksander saw one of his heartrenders Sergio and walked to him and asked

"What happened here Sergio?"

"Moya soverenyi," Sergio replies, "the Tsar wanted to execute the Grisha however he failed the Sun Summoner she was so powerful she managed to cut thru the gallows saving them. The people riot but soon she took back control and was names Tsarina by the Apparat"

"well it seems your plans are going ahead with out you General" Mal smirked

Aleksander frowned, "The Apparat is up to something, he hates women in power."

Jesper frowned and asked "so why would he?"

The captain of the boat walked up behind them and spoke, "us meeting up wasn't a coincident General, I was given a letter that was signed by my father but not his handwriting for me to return"

The Captain handed the letter to Aleksander and he laughed when he saw it, "Well that handwriting belongs to the Apparat, so I wonder if he knew of your brothers plan with the Sun Summoner or if he was planning something eles. But what happen to the Tsar?"

"Moya soverenyi, the King is dead not sure how it happened and the prince escaped, not sure where .."

Aleksander pointed at the Capital , "this is the other Prince but for now please keep it quiet"

"Yes Moya soverenyi , the Sun Summoner after everything went with Freydor and others back to the Palace" Sergio replied and Aleksander started to walk off away

"General?" Captain asked as he caught up get away from the crowd

"Nikolai I don't forget faces especially thoes who I use to take care of"

"And its such a pretty face" Nikolai smirked as they walked down a corridor

Jesper scoffed and Aleksander raised his eyes

"Since I'm here now the Apparat might suggest a marriage between my self and the sun .." Jesper then had Nikolai pined against the wall as Aleksander turned and smirked

"Nikolai meet one of the Sun Summoner she friend be glad it's not her best friend" Aleksander pointed at Jesper

"Sorry I don't mean to disrespect her, but this could be good for Ravka, a Lanstov Prince who actually served his country and the Sun Summoner" Nikolai replied sincerely

"She will only every belong to one man" Jesper replied angrily

"what you?" Nikolai smirked at Jesper

"No her husband, her soul mate, her other half seeing them the last few weeks they are meant to be" Jesper smirked and let go of Nikolai

"And who would that be" Nikolai looked at Jesper

"Nikolai" Aleksander said sternly, "please do not disrespect my wife"

"Oh shit sorry General. You know me I like to jest" Nikolai put his hands up

"I love her Nikolai, I chased her over the ocean to get her back"

"Aleksander you spent time with me as a child taught me things, I appreciated that when my father reject me. I'm with you not your enemy"

"Thank you Nikolai let's find something so we can get to the Palace I need to see if my wife is okay and protect her from the Apparat.

Aleksander was glad he made it in time to stop the Apparat maybe his plan was to marry Alina off, as a women some men didn't believe they should have power. Aleksander was different he knew Alina was going to be more powerful then him and he would do everything in his power to make sure she held on to it. He rubbed her belly loving the feeling of the swell of his children inside her Alina moaned a little and he kissed her on the cheek. Aleksander decide to get up hoping Alina would stay asleep, he decided to speak to Freydor about what had happen in the last 10 weeks.

He asked the maids to bring him some food whilst he got changed, then asked one of the guard standing outside the door to bring Freydor to the sitting room that was in the same suite. Aleksander didn't want to be to far from Alina. When the maid arrived so did Freydor and Ivan who was scowling

"Moya soverenyi, welcome back" Fredyor bowed and sat down, Ivan just bowed and sat next to him.

"Thank you and good to see your alive Ivan"

"Sir can I speak plainly, she makes you weak" Ivan said

"Ivan" Fredyor warned quietly

"No she makes me stronger she give me something to fight for"

"She is a baby" Ivan shouted

Freydor looked down, "Moya soverenyi she is 18 compared to you and to us"

"Freydor I expected to find her when she was a child, nurture her and become a parent figure or something ... (Aleksander stood up and started to pace) I even start more with Zoya so I wouldn't feel yo keep my mind off ... But the pull I feel towards Alina it's was, is too great, I was inlove with her the first time I saw her. Yes I made mistake I should have brought her best friend with her so she would feel safer and happier, I shouldn't have left her with Baghra, I shouldn't have ignored her. When I found out General Zlantan wanted Alina dead or kidnapped I saw red and I shouldn't have collared her, even the boat ride, I have apologies to her when I finally found her and I will spend the rest of my life making amends to her."

"Sir .." Ivan looked shocked

"Yes Ivan I was wrong not ever one should have died just the General, does Freydor know the truth"

Ivan shock his head no and Freydor piped up, "It doesn't matter you are all alive and we have to look to the future for Grisha"

"No Ravka is the future and Alina will lead it"

"Sir it should be you" Ivan said annoyed

"No I'm just a general until my wife the Tsarina and the mother of my children say otherwise" Aleksander smiled

Freydor smiled, "Congratulations Moya Soverenyi I heard the extra heartbeats when I was with Alina but I didn't want to say anything. But when did your?"

"Yes thank you and I will let you know later when Alina awakes. Ivan please I know you are protecting me but Alina is it for me"

Ivan nodded, "Okay Sir" was still grumpy but sat down

"please now tell me what has happened in the last 10 weeks"

Freydor than begun to tell the General that after he left the Frejdans and Sun Han sent delegates to talk peace after seeing the fold or heard that the fold had expanded. Freydor was not privy to meeting even thou he was the General second in command in his absence. The Tsar then told Freydor that an agreement had been met and he wanted the top Grisha brass back as back up if anything was to go wrong.

By the time the last of the stronger Grisha were at the Little Palace they were attacked, they didn't have a chance and gave up quickly because Zoya advised not realising she had betrayed them. They were locked up until they were dragged out to the gallows and they found out the same time as the Capital that the Grisha were to die to make the Frejdans happy...