Alina woke to the sun shining through the curtain of her window. The beam of light warmed her skin that wasn't covered by her nightgown and her eyes fluttered open, meeting the white ceiling. It was bright in her room and she wished she had shut the curtains before she had gone to bed.
Her hands glided over the sheets, feeling the empty space around her. memories flashed back of last night and she instantly smiled to herself. The winter fete had been a magical experience for her. Her demonstration to the ambassadors had gone perfectly and Kirigan seemed ever so pleased with her. oh yes…Kirigan.
After he came back, he was right about there being no more interruptions. He immediately took Alina in his arms and kissed her like he wasn't going to see her ever again. But that was it… all they did was kiss. Kirigan thought best that she return back to her own chambers, resting after a long night. As much as Alina didn't want to, she knew it was probably the right thing to do. He escorted her himself to her bedroom, he wasn't taking any chances with the two incidents that had already disrupted his evening. They said their goodbyes and he left… but not before sneaking a small peck from her to which Alina threw herself on the bed in a giddy, screaming inside.
Alina was feeling rejuvenated now and she wondered what would be in store for her today. Baghra would be waiting for her to attend her lesson so she needed to get a move on. You didn't want to get on the wrong side of that woman. Alina sat up in bed, rubbing her eyes and brushing her hair away from her face. A tingle went through her body as images flashed of Kirigan and her in his war room, sat on his table, hands gliding over her body, lips tangled which each other.
She bit her lower lip, closing her eyes as the tingle intensified and she took a deep breath, calming herself down. She was certain she'd feel like this when she'd see him. Her eyes shot open when the door to her chamber opened and she looked over to see Genya walking in, eyes down and a frown on her lips.
"Good morning, I didn't see you again last night, where did you go?" Alina asked as Genya came to her bed. She noticed Genya looking wretched, her cheeks pale and what looked like tear stains.
She took a shuddering breath and sat on the edge of the bed.
"Alina there's something you need to know" she said seriously and Alina frowned.
"What happened?" she asked, scooting closer to Genya, her legs swinging over the side and she looked at Genya. Genya took her hands in hers, giving them a squeeze.
"Marie… she's dead".
What… no
Alina gasped softly, her eyes instantly tearing and she shook her head in disbelief.
"There was an attempt on your life, he followed Maria and I back to the fitting room and attacked her from behind… she didn't have enough time for the healers to come".
"No… no" Alina sobbed, tears now streaming down her face, shaking in shock from the news. Her hands shook in Genya's and her body jolted with every sob.
"I'm sorry, I thought best to tell you today, Maria hasn't been moved yet and I didn't want you to stumble in and find her like that" Genya squeezed her gently and Alina hugged her tightly, her head falling on her shoulders.
"I can't believe this, why… why would they do this?" she asked and Genya sighed.
"They are afraid, afraid of your power and what I means, the assassin has been caught, he won't be a threat anymore" Genya said and Alina pulled back, her eyes soaked and blurring her vision.
"Who was it?" Alina asked frightened.
"We believe he's from west Ravka, most likely working for Zlatan" Genya sighed.
Alina swallowed the lump in her throat, sniffling the tears away. She was stricken. Only hours ago, had she been laughing and joking with Marie. She was one of her only friends her at the little palace and her life had been ripped away because they wanted the sun summoner dead.
This is my fault
"You alright Alina" Genya asked. She had just been staring into space for minutes and Alina turned to Genya, giving a stiff.
"Um… I should get dressed, Baghra will be waiting" Alina stood quickly, rushing into the bathroom to get herself ready.
Alina sat on the tree trunk by the small clearing, the trees rustling in the wind and leaves scattering the ground, staring down into her lap, her thumbs twiddling as the tears continued to fall down her cheeks. Her sobs had turned to silent sniffles now. The sleeve of her black kefta was becoming soaked but she didn't make an effort to move her hands.
The was an ominous feel to the little palace and it was quiet. Alina had taken a walk by herself, retreating to the small clearing and now she was deep in thought. She hadn't stopped thinking about Marie. She felt so guilty, that it was her fault she died. She died because Alina was a threat to the other nations. They wanted her dead and it cost her, her friends life. If Marie hadn't have gone disguised as her, she'd be alive.
I've caused another death
The people on the skiff had died because of her… or that's what she thought. If she hadn't been stupid by going after Mal, they would all be alive and so would Marie.
"Alina" she turned when she heard the voice and looked over her shoulder. Kirigan stood a few feet away, his face alight with worry and he noticed her stained face straight away. Alina stood slowly, turning to face him. He had panicked when he couldn't find her this morning and when Genya told him she had gone for a walk, he immediately left to find her.
"Is it true… Marie" she wanted it so badly to not be true. She wanted this to be a bad dream she would wake up from and find Marie, smiling and laughing at the dining hall. Kirigan sighed softly, nodding his head. He had been putting off telling Alina but he knew he had to tell her sometime. He was quite glad Genya broke the news to her but it didn't mean it was dealt with.
"Yes" he said and Alina shut her eyes, her head dropping down.
"Is that why you had to go, because of the assassin" she said. It made sense now, him leaving her and then coming back frustrated.
"I didn't want to tell you last night; I didn't want to worry you" he said and Alina took a shaky breath.
"What happened with the assassin, did you catch him?" she asked. Kirigan didn't want to go into detail about the assassin but he didn't want to keep anything from Alina. she had a right to know, this was her life that was threatened and if not for Maire, it would have been Alina lying there in that fitting room, her throat slit open and blood drained on the floor.
"He's been dealt with" was all he said and Alina let another tear fall down her cheek.
"This is all my fault" she whispered but Kirigan heard her loud and clear. His eyes widened and his heart clenched inside. It pained him to think Alina thought her death was due to her. Alina had nothing to do with it, she did everything she was supposed to do. If it hadn't been Marie, it most certainly would have been Alina. He wasn't saying he was thankful that it was Marie who died but if Alina had been at the hands of the assassin, Kirigan would never forgive himself for letting her be put in danger.
"No, no, no Alina, this is not your fault" he stormed up to her, his boots crunching on the fallen leaves. Alina stayed staring down at her hands and Kirigan came in front of her, his eyes fixed on her. He instantly took her hands in his, his fingers wrapping around and his thumbs rubbing the backs of her hands.
"It is, she died because of me" she cried and Kirigan shook his head. He didn't want to hear this from her.
"Alina look at me" his voice was stern but not threatening. Alina looked up with teary eyes and Kirigan gave her hands a squeeze.
"None of this is your fault, she didn't die because of you, she died for you. She knew the risks and she took it upon herself to protect you because you are our only hope, without you, Ravka and Grisha will never be safe, we will never get the justice we deserve" Alina stared into his dark eyes, her heart thumping inside her chest and she took a shaky breath.
"it's not just Marie though, I shouldn't have even been on the skiff in the first place, all those innocent people died because of me as well, I chose a stupid decision and it cost them their lives" she frowned and Kirigan furrowed his brows. Since he met Alina, this was the first time he had seen her so broken, so sad and he hated it.
"Alina listen to me" he said softly and she looked back at him, blinking back the tears.
"Those people on the skiff died because of the Volcra, not because of you. Without your light, more of them would have died including you. That would mean I would have never of met you and you wouldn't have known you were the sun summoner. I will not let you think you were the cause of their deaths because you were not. You are the only thing that can save them".
"Marie died to save you so you can save Ravka" he whispered, his hand reaching to cup her face. Alina stared in silence, letting his words sink in. He was right… she couldn't let herself be guilty. If she hadn't of used her light on the skiff, everyone would have died including her and there'd be no hope for Ravka or the Grisha and the same with last night.
"I promise you; I will not let anything happen to you, I've lost enough people and I cannot lose you" he said softly and Alina swallowed. Kirigan gazed down, his eyes flickering to her lips and he slowly leaned down, kissing them softly. Alina softened into the kiss, the tingle coming back and a wash of relief with it. Alina sniffled back the last tear and when Kirigan pulled away, she placed her head on his chest, snuggling inside his kefta and his arms wrapped around her.
…
Mal trudged with the firewood in his arms, throwing it on the patch of dirt on the ground in front of the old woman who was perched on a log.
"Okay, you dragged me all the way out here, now can you tell me what's going on" he said with frustration. They had been walking all night and they had only just stopped to make camp in the woods. It was freezing and Mal's feet were aching from the hike. The whole time the old woman wouldn't tell him what was going on and he grew more and more frustrated with her. he had every right to turn around and head back to the palace but this woman knew something about Alina and he didn't want to pass on the opportunity.
"Fine, but get that fire started, it's freezing" she grumbled and Mal rolled his eyes, crouching in front of her and started setting up the fire, stacking the logs together. she sure was a grumpy lady.
"Did you know Alina was Grisha?" she asked abruptly and Mal looked over at her, eyes narrowed.
"What… no, I never knew… I didn't believe it when I found out. She didn't past the test, how could she be Grisha this whole time" he asked.
"She mostly likely was already in pain, the test doesn't work if you've sustained injury or in pain, that's why they thought she wasn't Grisha, she's a clever girl but she needs to be more" the woman explained.
"Why would she do that?" he murmured.
"Probably because she didn't want to be dragged all the way to that excuse of a palace" she said, twiddling her cane through her fingers.
"Who even are you, I don't even know your name-oww" Mal rubbed the back of his shoulder as the old woman smacked him with her cane.
"Weren't you taught any manners" she scolded.
"Well yeah but clearly you weren't either" he retorted and the old woman glared.
"Careful boy or I'll hit you harder".
Mal had got the fire started, the glow heating up the small area they were sat at. Mal perched himself on a rock and held his hands over the fire to heat them up.
"My name is Baghra, and the reason I brought you here is so we can stop the black heretic" she said and Mal looked at her confused.
"But he's dead, he died while creating The Fold" Baghra tutted and shook her head.
"You are very much wrong boy; he is very much alive…you know general Kirigan" she said and Mal nodded nervously.
"He is the black heretic; he created The Fold and now he will use The Fold as a weapon". Mal's eyes grew with shock. General Kirigan was the black heretic. Had this old woman gone off her nut or what she being serious.
"What… how can he do that?".
"By using Alina" she said simply and Mal looked with shocked wide eyes. Before he could ask, Baghra spoke before him.
"Alina is the only person who can bring down The Fold, she is the key to destroying it and he will use her against it to make it a weapon to use on our enemies. He plans to take over Ravka and become the king".
"How?" he pressed. Mal's heart was starting to beat faster as Baghra explained the black heretic's plan for Alina.
"The stag… it's an amplifier. He's going to use it to enslave Alina so he can use her power to expand The Fold anywhere he wants, making the other nations bow down to him. He's going to usurp the throne and kill the king most likely".
Fire and rage burned inside Mal and he shot up from the rock, fists clenched by his sides. He was fuming with anger. Alina was in trouble and this old bag had dragged him away from her.
"WHAT, he's going to make Alina a slave and you just dragged me away, letting her be with that monster" he shouted and Baghra gave him a stern look.
"Calm down boy, she'll be fine" she gritted and Mal clenched his jaw together.
"He can't do anything without the stag, that's why you and I are going to find it first before he does. If we're going to stop him, Alina needs to kill it before he does so she can harness its power. If he gets there first, we'll have no chance and Alina will his" Mal paced back and forth by the fire, trying to calm himself down. He wished he hadn't of gone with this cray old woman. For all he knew, she could be lying.
"How do you know all this" he asked and Baghra let out a sigh.
"Unfortunately, that man is my son" she said with a frown and Mal scoffed.
"Seriously, the black heretic is your son… wow this gets better and better" he said sarcastically and received a sharp hit from the cane on his arm.
"Oww, look can you please stop doing that, I'm here now aren't I" he said and Baghra turned her nose up at him.
"Stop your pacing and sit down" she ordered and Mal groaned, slumping down on the hard rock. He felt like a child being scolded by his mother… or better yet Ana Kuya.
"I can't let him do that to Alina, she means everything to me" he urged.
"I know, she doesn't stop talking about you, your all she ever thinks about" Mal felt his heart warm slightly at that thought. She hadn't forgotten him then. All the letters he sent and not a single reply. He was beginning to think she didn't want to speak to him anymore. His worst fear of her drifting apart from her, forgetting him had dawned on him. Had the little palace taken over her life now. Being a Grisha now, would she drop Mal like he was a stranger to her.
Mal smiled, staring into the fire. She hadn't let being Grisha turn her against their friendship.
"We'll leave at sunrise tomorrow, for now we get some rest" Baghra ordered and Mal for once agreed with her. if he was going to save Alina, he needed all the strength he could get.
Hey so I hope you like it, what do you think will happen next, let me know in the reviews