All day Alina had laid in bed, staring up at the pure white ceiling while she pondered on what to do. A million scenarios and strategies ran through her head and picking one proved to be difficult but she believed she picked the right choice.

No one had visited her all day which she was pleased about. She didn't want to keep up this act of being sick and she was glad that Genya hadn't come by. It dawned on her friendship with Genya was based on a lie. If she was truly her friend she would have told Alina about the letters and about Kirigan's secret box that held them. Alina had paced her room back and forth, her stomach filled with nervous butterflies as she went over the plan over and over again, working out any kinks that could cause failure. It seemed fool proof but she wouldn't know until that very moment.

Alina was pleased when she watched Kirigan walk from the little palace to the grand palace from her window. It gave her the time she needed. Alina took a calming breath before jogging to her bedroom door. One of the kinks was her guards. With the constant security around her, she would need to find a way to get them off her back for a few minutes while she retrieved her letters. She wanted every single one and she needed to get them now while she had the chance. Kirigan would be away from his war room and so it gave her the chance to sneak in.

Having known her guards for a few weeks now, it was clear to Alina they weren't the brightest bunch and certainly weren't on the same level as some of the other guards. It gave her the advantage but after the other day where she had escaped them for a few seconds, they seemed a little more vigilant. Alina opened her door which startled the guards and they turned to face her.

"How are you feeling Miss Starkov" one of them asked and she offered a shy smile.

"I'm feeling better thank you, I was just on my way to see the general, he told me to meet him in his office" Alina said and the guards nodded and turned to lead her to his war room. Alina was actually shocked that the two of them had fallen for that so easily. It was almost laughable and Alina held back her grin as she followed them to his office. Alina thanked them politely and entered inside his war room. Even though she knew Kirigan was nowhere around, she still felt anxious and nervous, thinking he could easily walk in anytime. What if he had turned back when she had left the room? He could be on his way back now?

Alina knew she had to be fast and so she skipped into his office, once again checking before she entered and immediately ran to his desk. A small feeling of worry brewed inside thinking what if the box had been moved and she wouldn't be able to find it. but relief washed over her when she pulled the draw out, the metal box staring back at her and she grabbed it so quickly. She wanted to rip the box open and read every single one right there and then but she knew she didn't have time.

Her heart was beating faster than ever and if a Heartrender were to be around, they would feel it instantly. Another thing she needed to look out for… Ivan. Kirigan's most trusted Heartrender and his right hand man. Did he know about the letters as well? Did he have any part in keeping them from Alina? If he was to catch her snooping in Kirigan's office, would he dob her in? He was a hard man to read, probably because he was so good at reading liars.

Alina shoved the box under her kefta and wrapped her arms around herself, hiding it. She quickly ran out the office, making sure it looked exactly as if did as she entered and she went to the door, once again startling the guards. They gave her a funny look as she came out and Alina responded with a shrug.

"He's just wanted to see how I was feeling, he's a busy man so we better leave him to his work" Alina brushed past them, biting her lip to keep herself from grinning.

They really are that gullible

She led the way back to her room, finding safety in her bed and she hid the box under her pillow, concealing it away. she couldn't read them just yet… not until she knew she had her privacy.

That night, Alina had been visited by Genya who brought a plate of food. She was grateful she didn't have to eat with the other Grisha and it gave her time to prepare. She told Genya she was feeling better and would hopefully be able to go riding with general Kirigan tomorrow; a lie she had made up to back her whereabouts in the morning. Genya gave her a pleased smile before leaving her be.

The sun had set and it was dark and misty outside; perfect atmosphere for her plan. If she thought she felt nervous earlier just by sneaking the letters out, she was wrong. Her heart slammed against her chest and she felt her palms sweating. Her room was dark to give off the idea she was sleeping but she was doing nothing of the sort. Alina stood by the window, gazing out and scowering the courtyard. Oprichniki marched back and forth, guarding it under their watchful eyes. Alina was glad she had an actual nap earlier to conserve some of her energy and keep her awake. Her dinner had gone down a treat as usual and she drunk plenty of water. It could be a while before she had any.

Alina waited and waited until the time was right. There were fewer guards outside and she knew if she didn't act now, they would only increase as the night went on leading to the morning. Alina tugged her kefta around her tightly and patted the side of it, as if to keep the letters she had stashed safely tucked in there. Alina propped open the window, a bluster of freezing cold air hitting her straight in the face and she shivered immediately. It was going to be touch tonight but once the morning came, she'd find it easier.

Alina looked back at her room and even though she trusted her decisions, she couldn't help but feel sad to leave this little sanctuary she had. She would be forever grateful for it and wished she didn't have to give it up… but she needed to. Alina took one more deep breath and stepped out onto the small platform just below her window.

Her legs shook as she stood on the edge and she held on tightly to the window to keep her balance. She was never a fan of heights and standing on the ledge was proving to her just how much she hated it. Her eyes scanned the courtyard, waiting for the exact moment she needed. The Oprichniki were in place and she could make her move. Alina shut the window and smiled once more at her bedroom she had grown to love before slowly inching to the end of the ledge at the end of the palace. It was the craziest thing she had ever done… well this and burning the maps to get on the skiff but at the moment this was beating it.

Alina ducked her head down to keep her presence unknown. If someone was to see her crawling on the ledge, they'd give her away. when she reached the end, she took a peak over the edge and felt a wave of sickness inside her. She swallowed it back, she couldn't be weak now. Luckily for Alina, her bedroom wasn't far from the ground but still far enough for it to be a high jump.

Alina glanced over her shoulder, checking the Oprichniki. From her view, she was out of sight which was the main thing and there were no guards on the other side of the palace. Alina took a shaky breath, looking over the side. In her head, she thought this would be easy but being in this moment made this look like the most terrifying thing. Not as terrifying as being caught by the Volcra and nearly dying but it was up there. Alina swallowed the bitter lump in the back of her throat and she closed her eyes, counting to three.

It's now or never Alina

She pushed herself off the edge and it felt like ages until she hit the ground with a thump, her shoulder hitting the wet grass from the mist and she hissed as pain shot in her body. At this time, she wished she was a healer so she could heal herself but she would have to make do. Alina laid there in the grass for a second, the pain still exploding in her body. She wasn't sure she could even get up from this but she had to. She had made it this far.

Alina groaned softly and pushed herself off the ground, a shooting pain in her shoulder and she wondered whether she had broken it or not. It seemed okay to move her arm even with the excruciating pain. Alina stumbled up from the floor and took a moment to get her bearings right. The palace entrance was up ahead and Alina needed to sneak out to the gates so she could made her way.

Once Alina was finally able to stand properly, she quickly dashed to the palace wall for protection, peaking round the corner to spot the guards. Her heart quickened with adrenaline and excitement as she saw no Oprichniki about. This was her chance and she needed to take it now. There was no time to spare.

Alina used the bushes and stone décor to conceal herself, hiding and camouflaging her existence and she crept closer and closer to her freedom. As she ventured further out, the lights of the little palace were dimming and it made it easier for her to not be spotted. Though the darkness surrounding her reminded her all too well of Kirigan and she almost didn't want to go there… but it was the only way.

Her heart stopped for a moment and she felt as if she was going to have a heart attack when she quickly hid behind a tree as a guard wondered past. She pressed herself so tightly into the trunk, the bark chipped off and stuck to her kefta and she took a calming breath to slow her hyperventilating body.

It's okay, he didn't see you

Looking out cautiously, Alina waited until she was certain the coast was clear before jogging off into the distance. Her goal was close, she was almost out of the palace grounds.

Just a few more steps and then your free

Alina powered on, pushing through the mist and darkness. She was finding it difficult to see now and her footing kept getting knocked off guard, tripping over small rocks and slippery grass and leaves. The mist left a condensation on her face and she blinked hard to make out where she was going. She didn't dare look back, fear brewing inside that someone would spot her or see her chasing her. if she looked back, she'd lose her focus.

Alina felt the ground rise and she knew she was now running up the hill leading to the forest beyond the little palace. She had made it out. Alina felt her breathing increase and her chest tighten like it was stuck in a vice as she ran, her legs growing tired from pushing herself up the hill, sweat pouring off her body under her kefta. Leaves squelched and crunched underneath her and the hardness of twigs could be felt under her boots. She had made it to the forest and even though she was a safe distance from the little palace, she did not look back.

Hey so I hope you like it, what do you think will happen next, let me know in the reviews.