The stag snorted and grunted as it tugged at its leash. It was tied to a sturdy tree where Mal and Baghra had made camp. A fire crackled in the dark, a warm orange glow blazing in the air. Mal trudged over to the stag slowly, careful not to frighten it. He poured some water into the palm of his hand and held it out for the stag.

The stag pushed its nose forward, sniffing at Mal's hand and stared at it for a few seconds before accepting the water. Its long rough tongue lapped the water and licked the saltiness from Mal's palm, it's nose nuzzling. Mal smiled and gave the stag a soft stroke on the end of its nose before turning back to Baghra.

"So, what do we do now" Mal said as he sat down by the fire.

"We need Alina now; she needs to claim it's power by killing it and then she can destroy The Fold" Baghra said and Mal jumped with excitement.

"I'll get her" he stood. He wanted to the one to save her, to bring her back. He had missed her so much and it has been months since he saw her, he couldn't bear another moment lost. He couldn't stand to know that Kirigan was with her, manipulating her and leading her on.

"No, you stay here with the stag, I will bring Alina" Baghra said with a serious tone and Mal shook his head.

"I'm her best friend and I love her; I'm not going to let her be with that monster any longer" Mal growled.

"Have you not been listening to a word I've said boy. If you go back to the little palace, Kirigan will have you either killed or imprisoned. His guards will be on the lookout for you, not to mention his most trusted Grisha. What use are you if you're in prison" Baghra gave him a stern look and Mal huffed.

"So, they'll do the same to you, I'm sure Kirigan isn't going to let his mother take away the sun summoner and I can fight them" Mal said and Baghra laughed.

"Not all of them. You are no match against his Heartrender. You need to stay here and keep the stag safe. I can get Alina out of the little palace; I know the grounds more than you do" Baghra had a point. Mal didn't know the little palace at all and Baghra knew some sort of secret way of getting out without Kirigan knowing.

Mal sighed and slumped back down again.

"Fine but be quick" he demanded and Baghra scoffed.

"Don't take that tone with me boy" she grumbled and Mal couldn't help but smile.

Mal looked over at the stag who had now perched on the floor. He knew now that things would be getting better and the sooner he saw Alina, the better he would feel. As much as he wanted to go and bring Alina back himself, he didn't want to risk being imprisoned and letting Kirigan win. Not to mention, if he saw Kirigan, he would want to kill him himself.

…

Alina was perched on a chair in Kirigan's tent. They were camping for the night and would head back to the little palace in the morning. Her arm was now healed from Kirigan's healer, and she had an inferni's kefta on. The tent was warm with several candles lighting it inside, a warm haze keeping Alina from the cold. She was starving and thirsty and her throat felt like she had razor blades stuck down it.

"Here" Kirigan's voice said softly, and Alina looked up from her lap. He was holding out a cup of hot tea, steam drifting off into the chair and Alina gave a stiff smile and took it.

"Thank you" she said quietly and sipped it.

Alina's mind was all over the place, swirling with thoughts and opinions. She was stuck in the middle. Kirigan had betrayed her, took away her privacy and broke her trust. He stole her letters… well, more like stopped them from being sent to Mal and didn't tell her. he violated her privacy by reading them and keeping her from reading Mal's. Were there other lies he hadn't told her about. He said he had sent Baghra away because she was too sick, but she was completely convinced.

However, as much as Alina wanted to hate this manipulative and controlling man, there was something inside her that was saying no. since she got to the little palace, Kirigan had done everything to care for Alina, to look out for her. He sent Zoya away and ordered her to leave Alina alone after their spat. He helped her bring her power in front of the king when she didn't know how to. He helped her train when Baghra was too sick to. He kept her safe from potential assassination and every day when Alina doubted herself, he was there to encourage her and make her feel better about herself.

Yes, the other Grisha at the little palace were friendly and kind to her. But none of them were like him. And when she kissed him that night at the winter fete, Alina didn't want to stop. There was a feeling inside her… a pull that brought her towards Kirigan whenever she was around him. the feeling of his amplification was like pleasure pulsing inside her body. His lips on hers was like the sweetest thing she could ever have tasted. His gentle and sexy voice was like music to her ears.

She wanted it all. She wanted him. Alina was here to bring down The Fold and without Kirigan, she would not be where she is today. She would have never been able to reach down and grab that power she had hid all these years. He was right, she had hidden her power for Mal. even though she didn't know she was Grisha back then, she still did it for Mal. She didn't want to leave him, so she shut herself in a locked box and threw it to the back.

Kirigan stared down at Alina. He had almost lost her. If he hadn't of found her, she could have ended up finding Mal and Baghra and would find out about the stag and his plan to use The Fold as a weapon. He was not going to take that chance again.

Alina swallowed the sweet tea, licking her lips and she glanced back up at Kirigan. His cloak was discarded beside her as the tent was warm enough.

"When will we go back to the little palace" she asked, making light conversation. She was glad to go back there. she needed a bath and some new clothes, and she wanted to sleep in a proper bed instead of the hard and dirty ground.

"Tomorrow, I thought you might want to rest" he said gently and turned his back to her, walking to the table set up on the other side. The box of letters was sat there, and he picked it up, turning back to Alina. Alina stiffened as he came over with the box and her heart started to pound against her chest.

"I will send these as soon as we get back" he said, and Alina gave a soft smile.

"Thank you" she murmured and looked back into the cup in her hand, staring into the tea. An awkward silence came around them and she heard Kirigan sigh softly.

"You know I only want the best for you Alina. I have waited so long for you, and I don't want to lose you. You and I are going to change the world and I cannot do that without you" Kirigan said, and Alina looked up.

"I know" she said quietly, nodding her head. And she couldn't do it without him. All his wisdom and training got her to where she is today and without him, she wouldn't have a clue what she was doing.

"You mean a lot to me Alina and to everyone" he said softly, and he stepped forward. Alina looked up at him and Kirigan took his hands, cupping her face and gently stood her up, staring down into her eyes before kissing her softly. Alina froze and after a few seconds, gave a short kiss back, her forehead pressing against his. Kirigan wrapped his arms around her, sighing deeply and hugging her close. His embrace was warm and cosy. Alina wanted to push herself off him and be angry, but she couldn't. She wanted to kiss him more, but she decided against it. she didn't want him to think she had easily forgiven him although it was looking like it.

"Please do not do that again" he whispered, and Alina knew he was referring to her running off. Alina nodded silently and felt his lips pressed against her forehead, leaving a gentle kiss there.

"I'll let you rest, tomorrow we'll leave for the little palace. I'm sure you're dying for a bath and some food" he said, and Alina nodded. Her stomach growled and she felt as if she had been bathing in mud for the past couple of days. She gave a stiff smile and he let her go, allowing her to rest in the cot on the side of the tent. Her head fell into the plush pillow, and she brought the blanket on top of her. it was thin and not as warm as she hoped. She shivered underneath it and suddenly felt something drape over her. she glanced over and saw Kirigan place his cloak on top of her to keep her warm before turning away and leaving her to rest.

Alina turned back to face the wall of the tent and she had instantly stopped shivering, her eyes shutting from exhaustion and falling into a deep slumber.

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