Alina arrived at the little palace around midday. The little palace hadn't changed one bit since she was gone but she hadn't expected it to. However, she did notice more guards patrolling the grounds which she wasn't sure whether it was due to her leaving or because Kirigan believed there was some sort of threat.

Alina was glad to have arrived in her suite and she immediately crashed onto the bed, sinking into the plush pillows. She didn't want to move but she needed a bath immediately and a fresh change of clothes. Alina closed her eyes in the mattress, sinking deeper and the exhaustion from riding and wondering through the permafrost had nearly knocked her out before the door slammed open, making Alina jump in fright.

A flash of white and red came storming to her and Genya was next to her in an instant.

"Your back" she said, and Alina rose from the bed. Alina opened her mouth to speak but Genya cut of her.

"Where have you been, what happened?" Genya said quickly and Alina stared at her. she had almost forgotten Genya's part in the plot to stop her letters. She trusted Genya to pass them on to Mal and she had betrayed that and gave them straight to Kirigan. Did Genya already know about the letters, did she already know why Alina left? If she was working for Kirigan and was truly on his side, it was likely Genya knew why she had gone.

"I just needed time to think" Alina said and Genya placed her hands on her hips.

"And risk being kidnapped and murdered" she scolded, and Alina glared. She wanted to scream and shout at Genya for ruining her friendship with Mal. she had as much to do with this as Kirigan. But Genya was the only persons he had truly gotten close to other than Kirigan here and she'd hate to lose another friendship. Maybe Genya was forced into giving him the letters and Alina hoped that deep down, Genya wouldn't have done that on her own accord. Alina sighed.

"I needed to be somewhere I could think properly and not be surrounded by all things Grisha. I'm fine though, Kirigan found me before anything happened" Alina said and Genya huffed and sat on the edge of the bed next to Alina.

"Well good, we were all worried about you. I've never seen the general so flustered. The minute he knew you were missing; the whole palace could hear him screaming at those guards" Alina's stomached dropped and she gulped. Guilt washed over that it was her fault those young guards had to face the terrifying general. They didn't even do anything wrong. They just happen to be at the wrong place at the wrong time.

"What happened to them?" Alina asked shakily and Genya shrugged.

"I think he sent them to find you, but I doubt they will be coming back" Alina made a mental note to talk to Kirigan about them. She didn't want to be the reason they lost their jobs because she wanted to read some letters the general stole from her.

"Anyway, I'm glad your back. I'm sure your exhausted, the general said to let you rest and your dinner will be brought to your chambers" Genya said with a smile. Alina was buzzing. She didn't want to eat with the other Grisha tonight and she wanted to crawl into the comfort of her bed and drift into a deep sleep.

"Thank you" Alina said, and she reached froward and hugged Genya tightly. Even though she was conflicted about her feelings towards Genya at this moment in time, she was glad to have her back. Genya gave her a squeeze before pulling back and wrinkled her nose towards her.

"You need a bath, you reek" she said with disgust and Alina scoffed, rolling her eyes but smiled at the same time.

"Don't you think I know that" Alina said and Genya winked before leaving her to bathe.

The hot water was relaxing, and Alina could have stayed in the bath all night and even to sleep in there. The mud and dirt washed off with ease and she had to change the bath water twice to get rid of the murky brown staring back at her. Her hair was silky and smooth after washing it with the luxury shampoo and conditioner and it glided through her fingers like silk. She slipped into her velvet robe and laid on her bed, staring up at the ceiling, lost in thought.

Would Mal accept her letters now after months of no communication? Where was he now after he had come to the little palace at the night of the fete? Was he still hunting the stag? Alina made another mental note to ask Kirigan about it. No doubt she'd be seeing him tomorrow. She wondered now if things would go back to the way they were before she had run off. The Fold still needed to be destroyed and her training was to continue further for her to reach the potential.

Alina turned in early, wrapping herself in the sheets of her bed and with heavy breaths, she drifted off to sleep, trying to forget this ordeal and hope that tomorrow was an easy day.

…

The next morning, breakfast was brought to her chambers, and she ate alone, munching on her fruit and small cakes while sipping her tea. It was good to get some proper food in her belly rather than surviving on the small berries in the forest. She'd be lying if she said she wasn't anxious to get back to training with Kirigan. She didn't know how to act now with him.

He cared so much about Alina, and it showed, otherwise he would not have come after her. The look on his face when Alina had moved away from him was a look of pain and sorrow and Alina almost felt guilty. But she had to remember this man had kept her away from her friend.

But is it for the best?

Was it time for Alina to move on? Yes, she had friends here now, other Grisha including Genya, Marie and Nadia. If Mal had come here, would he have fit in with the others like she has. The first and second army did hold some hostility between each other and Mal for certain was not one to take such a liking to them?

Except for Zoya

Alina shook the thought of her head and moved her breakfast to the side to get ready. Kirigan was most likely waiting for her in the courtyard. She dressed in her black trousers and white blouse with her boots and all that was left was her kefta. a new one had been delivered this morning and she zipped open the bag, revealing the black and gold kefta. Alina stared at it for a moment.

Black is his colour

The colour of the person keeping her away from her lifelong best friend. Did she want to continue to wear his colour knowing what he did. A voice inside Alina was telling her to get over herself. People make mistakes and you cannot always hold grudges to them forever. Kirigan was looking out for her and when he said he kept the letters because he was doing the right thing for her. And maybe he was right or maybe he wasn't. His words were genuine, and Alina could see it in his eyes.

But that didn't make up Alina's mind for her. She looked over in the wardrobe and saw the blue kefta hanging there.

Alina came out of the courtyard, her hair blowing behind her as the breeze struck her face. Kirigan was waiting for her as she thought and was speaking to Ivan. When he noticed Alina, he smiled at her, but it dropped when he saw she was wearing the blue kefta instead of black.

"Morning" he said, and he couldn't take his eyes off the kefta. As soon as they had arrived back at the little palace, he had orders to fabricate a new kefta for her and he was just as surprised as he was the first time Alina wore the blue one instead of the black.

"Good morning" she gave a sweet smile and Kirigan gestured her to follow him. He gave Ivan a look and Ivan walked off, disappearing into the little palace.

"How was your rest?" he said.

"Good thank you, much better than sleeping on the forest floor" Alina tried to make the situation light, but she could feel tension around her.

"Was there something wrong with the kefta" he asked, and Alina bit her bottom lip nervously.

"No, it's fine… I just spilt tea all down it this morning" she lied, and she was grateful Ivan had walked off otherwise he would have known she was lying. The last thing she needed was the general shouting at her for not accepting his kefta.

"Ah, I see" he said softly, and Alina sighed in relief. Hopefully he wouldn't have any more to say on the matter.

"I have sent your letters; they should be on their way to the first army camp in Kirbrisk" he said, and Alina looked up at him. He had given his word that he would send them, and he stuck to it.

"Thank you" she said. she just hoped Mal would accept them and write back to her. They reached the small clearing where their training took place, and the quiet sounds of the forest made the tension between grow. Kirigan led the way but suddenly stopped in front of Alina. her stomach did a nervous flip as she stared up at him.

"I am sorry Alina, I never meant you for to feel that your friendship with Mal was nothing. I only meant to help you see who you really are now. I wanted you to see for yourself who you could be without him there. You know I only want the best for you" he said softly, and Alina blinked in shock.

Alright Alina, he's said he's sorry, now make up with him and forget this ever happened

Alina fumbled with her hands and looked up from behind her lashes.

"I know, I truly to do appreciate everything you have done for me. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have known I was even the sun summoner… and I'm sorry for running off. I know that was stupid of me. I know what I am, and I know that I am Ravka's only hope for peace and freedom" Alina murmured and Kirigan reached up to cup her face, bringing her closer.

"That means a lot to me" he whispered and stared into her doll eyes. Alina licked her lips before reaching on her tippy toes and kissing him softly, her hands reaching to cup his neck. Kirigan deepened the kiss and wrapped Alina in his arms. Alina pulled back gasping softly for air as she looked into his dark eyes and couldn't help the grin on her face. Kirigan smiled back before dropping her and taking her hand to lead her further in, the giddiness fluttering inside Alina.

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