Kirigan didn't mind being interrupted the first time but the second time infuriated him. He already left Alina once and now he had to leave her again.
He stormed to the door and yanked it open, glaring at the Oprichniki on the other side. His face clearly stated how annoyed he was that they were interrupting him and the guard stammered as he spoke.
"Sir, t-the tracker, he's gone" the Oprichniki said with slight fear in his voice.
"So, find him" Kirigan gritted and was about to slam the door in his face but the guard spoke up.
"Sir… Baghra is also gone". Kirigan's face hardened and his eyes widened. This was not a good sign. Without a response, he slammed the door in the guard's face and huffed as he walked back to Alina.
"I'm sorry, I have to go again, something needs my attention" he was furious inside but didn't show it to Alina. he could see the disappointment on her face and she passed it with a single shrug.
"It's okay, go" she murmured and he sighed. This is not how he wanted the night to go. First the attack on Alina's life which turned out to be Marie and now this. He wanted to turn back and order the Oprichniki to deal with the situation themselves but this required his attention.
"I'm sorry, if you want you can return to your chambers" he suggested. He wasn't sure how long he would be gone for and didn't want to keep Alina waiting all night. This would be playing on his mind until it was dealt with.
"No, I'll wait here, just don't be too long" she said with a smile and he instantly cheered up. The second this was sorted; he'd tell every guard and Grisha not to disturb him for the rest of the night.
"I won't" he said and gave her a short kiss before turning and leaving. He ordered the Oprichniki who disclosed the news to him to stand guard until he returned. He didn't want any harm to come to Alina and he certainly didn't want the tracker to be near here if he was still here.
Storming through the little palace, he marched his way to the room where he had Mal placed. He thought the tracker had some nerve, demanding to see Alina in return for the location of the stag. Kirigan knew that her friend was a good tracker, she had told him herself once before and right now he was the only chance of getting to it. But now, his chance had gone, thanks to Baghra.
He didn't think the old woman had the strength in her to actually pull something like this but perhaps he hadn't been as vigilant as he should have been. Of course, he had her train Alina to control her power and maintain it and yes, he did have doubts along the way but all signs pointed to Alina being completely clueless of his mission. If he had any hope of ruling Ravka, he needed to find the tracker and the stag. He imagined Baghra had some sort of ploy to stop him and he was more infuriated then ever.
Kirigan reached the room and the door was open. He stepped inside, seeing the two guards on the floor that had been attacked by Mal. One was half dressed and the other clutching his nose as it bled.
"What happened?" he gritted and the guards looked over at him.
"The tracker, he attacked us, must have run off with my uniform" the one half-dressed said and Kirigan clenched his fists by his sides, darkness evading behind him and darkening the room. He turned without a response and stormed out, making his way to Baghra's hut.
Ivan stood outside, along with a Oprichniki and when he reached them, Ivan spoke.
"Baghra is missing, we believe she set off with the tracker" he said and Kirigan sighed deeply, mouth pressed firmly together.
"I saw the tracker himself; he was asking where Miss Starkov was?" the Oprichniki said and he was rubbing the back of his head. Kirigan glared at him and stepped forward, head held high.
"And what did you say?" he said quietly, his voice dark and dangerous. The Oprichniki sank lower, the intimidation frightening him.
"I said she was with you… at first I thought he was one of us with the uniform but he only had half it on and before I could react, something hit me on the head" he sounded like a whimpering child and Kirigan took a moment to think.
So, he's run of with Baghra, most likely in the woods
"Looks like she took some supplies with her, some things are missing" Ivan added and Kirigan released his death stare off the Oprichniki, turning to Ivan.
"They most likely have gone for the stag" he said.
He was entirely sure what Baghra's plan could be. She was too old and tired to fight him and she certainly didn't need to stags amplifier, she already was one. The tracker wasn't Grisha so it would be no use for him. But whatever their plan was, it would create a stop in his and he couldn't have any more disturbances. He was so close and nothing would stop him now.
Kirigan turned and strolled back to the little palace, Ivan walking beside him.
"I want a team looking for them, we can't let them get to the stag before we do" he ordered.
"What shall we do when they find them?" Ivan asked and Kirigan stopped for a second, deciding on how he should proceed.
"I want the tracker, most likely he'll be leading the way to the stag, once they find them, arrest him. The stag needs to be unharmed, do what needs to be done".
"And Baghra" he asked and Kirigan took a deep breath.
"She doesn't matter anymore" he gave Ivan a hard look and he nodded, walking off in a different direction as Kirigan marched back to his room.
…
Alina wandered around the room once more, taking a peek at the little things adorning it. She admired the small statues planted around the room. Black ceramic shaped into animals. A horse, a bird, a lion. It was the little things that screamed his name. black certainly was his colour and she wondered now if it would be her colour. She did get a little giddy by wearing this beautiful kefta and she had decided now that she would continue to wear it.
This one was slightly thicker than the one Genya had given her for her first ride with him but she declined it. She felt guilty now for not wearing it, instead picking the blue one. But at the time, she still didn't know who she was and what she meant. After tonight, she knew exactly who she was and was going to become. She was the only sun summoner and she would be the only one to harness that power.
Alina stopped at the two doors leading to his office. She took a glance over her shoulder, even though she was the only one in the room but she did listen out for any footsteps that might be coming her way. Her hand rested on the silver handle and she bit her lip. She knew she should be snooping but she couldn't help herself. It seemed that Kirigan could be a while and she was bored of looking at the war room now.
Like a naughty child, she opened the door slowly, peaking her head inside to once again check no one was inside. Of course, there wasn't anyone in but she still felt nervous. The office was small but spacious. A black desk was on the other side, a large black chair seated behind. A fireplace was placed on the right side of the room and the smell of charred wood and ash filled her nose as she wandered in.
There was a long table on the left side with a few chairs, supposedly for meetings she presumed. The office screamed his name, dark green walls and black ornaments. She imagined him spending a lot of time in her, head burrowed in paper work and army reports. It dawned on her that she rarely saw Kirigan since she had got to the little palace. Tonight, had been the most time she had spent with him. But of course, he was always busy with the second army, he couldn't spend all his time with her.
Alina ran her hand over the smooth wood of the desk, her fingers gliding across it and she reached the chair. She smirked to herself and took a seat, her hands feeling the chair. It was hard and rigid, not at all comfortable but perhaps he had gotten used to it.
Alina glanced over at the door, checking for any signs that someone was here and the silence told her that she was safe.
I really shouldn't be doing this
She couldn't help herself. She was like a child, wanting to touch everything she saw. Her hand took one of the silver handles hanging on the draw on the side of the desk and she pulled it open but her excitement was met with stacks of papers. She shut that draw and looked in the next one, this time meeting empty rolls of parchment and black ink bottles and pens.
She assumed that the bottom draw would have similar contents but this time she was surprised. When she opened the draw, she drew herself back a little, her eyes narrowing at what was inside. At the bottom of the draw was a strange box. It was metal and looked to be rusted, the black paint chipping on the sides and flaking off. She reached inside, picking it up and rested it on her lap, inspecting the odd item.
She tried to open it but on the front was a lock that clearly needed a key to open it. She bounced the box in her hand trying to listen out for what could be inside but she heard nothing. The box wasn't overly heavy and so whatever was inside must be light.
What could he be hiding in here?
It seemed strange that the general would keep an old metal box like this. Curiosity grew inside her and she wondered whether she should try and look for the key but she had the feeling that she had spent too much time in here already and quickly put the box back, escaping out the office. It was a good thing she left when she did because as soon as she shut the office doors, the door to the room opened and Kirigan walked in.
Alina dashed to her place and plastered a smile on her face as he walked in. He looked up and noticed she looked slightly flushed, his brows furrowing slightly.
"Everything alright?" it was his turn to ask and she nodded.
"Fine… did you sort out whatever it was that needed your attention" she asked and he stopped in front of her.
"Yes, I promise, no more interruptions, I told them to stay away" he smirked and Alina bit her bottom lip in a sexy fashion, eyes sparkling up at him. He reached up and his thumb pulled her lip down, opening her mouth and he leaned forward, kissing her slowly and deeply. Alina rested her hands on his shoulders, relaxing into the kiss as the pleasure invaded her body.
Hey so I hope you like it, what do you think will happen next, let me know in the reviews