Once again Alina found herself in the forest in the cold and dark of the night. Her feet were aching, and her head was pounding, sweat dripping underneath her kefta. Her hair was a wild mess with grit and leaves poking out. She had been running all night and when it got to the early morning, she finally stopped.

She dropped to the floor like a sack of potatoes, breathing heavily to catch her breath. She hoped she never had to do this again. Her anxiety was through the roof and her heart beating fast, stomach in a tight knot as if she was going to throw up.

Alina pulled herself to a nearby tree and leaned against it, the bark uncomfortable and rigid which did no good for her back, closing her eyes and darkness took over but it only made her snap them open again. It only reminded her of him.

Baghra was telling the truth. Kirigan had been lying to her this whole time, even after she had run the first time, he continued to manipulate her and cloud her judgement. It brought tears to her eyes. She was exactly what Baghra had said she was… a stupid girl.

This whole time Baghra wasn't sick, she was out there trying to find the stag with Mal. Kirigan knew what they were up to and spun this lie about her being away from the little palace because he knew if Alina found out Baghra was missing, it could uncover his secret. And Mal… he was out there as well. All this time he was fighting for her, and Alina had believed the lies of Kirigan to think Mal didn't want to know her anymore. Baghra had said he had plans to have Mal arrested.

Al this time, Kirigan made out that he and Alina were going to destroy the fold and tear it down, bringing peace to Ravka but the truth was none of that. Kirigan had his own use for it. He wanted to use it to his advantage, to bring anyone who opposed him to their knees and make them suffer and he was going to use Alina for that. The lie about his grandfather creating the fold when it was him this whole time. Alina didn't quite understand it but now she did. He has lived for so long because his power. He is a strong amplifier and his power far greater than any other Grisha which meant he remained ageless.

Alina shut her eyes and a small sob escaped her, tears falling down her face and freezing in the air. She had believed everything and looked like a fool.

He never liked you like you thought he did, he was only manipulating you

And now, with his team of Grisha and guards looking for the stag, she was soon to become what he intended for her to be… a slave. A puppet to be used on his shadowy string and with no control to fight back. the thought of wearing the antlers of the stag for him to have the control made Alina nauseas and she leaned over the side, as phlegm and bile spilled out of her, splattering on the grass.

Not if you find it first

Baghra had mentioned Mal had found the stag and if she killed it first, Kirigan would have no chance of being able to use her power. She needed to find Mal in order to gain the power of its amplifier. Alina stood from the forest floor, wiping her hair from her flushed face and continued on foot.

Alina wondered if Baghra would catch up with her or if the guards had managed to overpower her. she wished she could have stayed and helped her, but her light would have given her away. Did Kirigan know she had run off again? What would his reaction be this time? What if Kirigan caught Baghra helping Alina flee, was he going to hurt her? So many questions ran through her head and Alina sighed heavily, trying not to think about it.

Her journey through the forest was long gruelling. She made camp at night under the best shelter she could find whether that was a cave or a large area of bush. The kefta kept her somewhat warm but she was too afraid to use her light encase the Oprichniki were about. No doubt they were searching for her, and every little noise made Alina jump, scared that the team had found her and would bring her to Kirigan.

In the early mornings, she tried to find what food there was around and drink from the small lakes here and there. Her throat was sore as if she had razor blades down them and her lips were cracked and dry, any movement making them bleed. She was not the pretty sun summoner everyone saw her as.

She carried on through the forest, hugging herself tightly, her head down and she reached the snowy plains of the permafrost. She was familiar with the surroundings here and she kept her eyes peeled for any guards. She had to be careful not to be seen. Not only that but Kirigan could be here as well. He'd be able to catch up fast with his horse and carriage and wouldn't be wasting any time not trying to find her.

As she walked into a clearing, her heart stopped when she heard footsteps approaching, crunching the snow below and she ran to a nearby tree, shielding herself. A soft snort came, and Alina peaked around the tree, her eyes opening wide.

Mal

He was here, in the flesh. Like her, he had a dishevelled look on his face, his uniform half Oprichniki and half first army. His face was dusted with dirt, and he looked tired and out of breath. But what amazed her the most was the beautiful stag walking beside him, glowing in the clearing, it's fur whiter than anything she'd seen and its antlers larger than any deer. It was magnificent.

Alina looked closer and saw Mal's uniform drenched in blood and panic stirred inside her. Was this his blood? Had Kirigan got to him and hurt him? Alina stepped out of the clearing and stood in front of Mal a few paces away. he was frozen, his eyes glued to her as he saw her.

Alina let out a quiet sob and Mal dropped the rope he was holding, slowly walking towards her.

"You're here" he whispered, and Alina nodded silently.

Mal couldn't believe it himself and before Alina could say anything, he yanked her forward into a tight grip, arms wrapping around her, her head in his chest.

"Oh Mal" she breathed and hugged him tightly.

"Shhh, I'm here now, you're safe" he whispered, and the tears silently fell down her cheeks again. She sniffled into his chest and pulled away to stare up at him.

"I can't believe you're here, Baghra told me everything, I... I- "she fumbled with her words, trying to find the right ones to say but Mal shook his head.

"It's okay… oh Alina, I've been so worried about you, knowing what he was doing to you… I had to do something. I came to the little palace that night. I was about to show him where the stag was and if I had you'd be his…" Mal didn't want to say it but Alina knew what he was talking about.

"But you didn't… for me" he whispered, and he nodded.

"I wanted to see you first, we made a deal that I'd tell him after I saw you, but Baghra came, and she told me what he was planning on doing to you and the fold" he said, and Alina gulped.

"He's been lying this whole time, I thought… he hid my letters to you and yours to me. I thought you- ". Mal made a noise of anger and shook his head furiously.

"No, no do not blame yourself for this Alina, he has been manipulating you, making you think I'm the bad guy here but I'm not… I found it, I found it for you again" Mal said and he moved to the side to reveal the stag.

Alina stared at it as it watched the two of them, it's head high and graceful. Her eyes looked to the antlers and that sick feeling came back to her. Those are what would have made her a slave if Kirigan had got to it first. She'd be bound to him with those and there'd be nothing she could do.

"Baghra told me what it is… she said you need to kill it to save yourself and everyone. I won't let him make you his slave Alina" Mal said seriously and he took Alina's face in his hands. She stared up at him with scared eyes and when he leaned down and kissed her Alina froze. Her best friend… her companion of all time was kissing her. He pulled away and Alina looked at him with shock. There was a tingle on her lips from this kiss.

"I'm sorry that I didn't understand you before, that I didn't look at you as important, but I know now who you are, and I want nothing more than to be there by your side and help you through this" he whispered.

Alina took a moment to think. She was relieved to be back with Mal. she felt safe, she felt protected, and she knew everything Mal was saying was the truth. But when he kissed her then, it didn't have the same effect Kirigan's kiss had. It didn't give her body the pull she wanted and the tingle she desired. It dawned on her that they were two very different people now, she was Grisha, and he was Otkazat'sya. Kirigan's words came back to her that night in the clearing. He said exactly that, and Alina realised he was telling the truth of about one thing. Her mind was so cloudy at this moment. Did she love Mal? Or would it only stay as she thought it would, a friendship?

"Thank you, I know this is scary, but I've learned how to use my power now and I am the only hope for peace for Ravka" she said and Mal nodded. He wasn't scared anymore; he could never fear her.

"I know, and I'm going to help you" he said, and Alina smiled softly, hugging him again. she felt him press a kiss to her forehead and when he pulled back, he wiped a tear off her cheek. The pad of his thumb tickled her ear and Alina warmed to his protective touch. Silence fell around them in the clearing and Mal pulled away to retrieve the stag.

"Where is Baghra?" Mal only just realised she wasn't here with Alina, and he looked at Alina with concern.

"She didn't make it, she sent me out here while she fought of the guards, I hope she's okay. Kirigan was lying about her as well, saying she was sick she I didn't question where she was" Alina explained and Mal took a deep breath. As much as he needed Baghra here for her wisdom, he knew they couldn't waste time.

"Come, we have to do this" he whispered, and he walked slowly to the stag. Alina stood where she was, her heart beating faster than ever. This was it; this was the moment she'd find out what her power could do with the power of Morozova's stag. She would have its power and Kirigan would be left without it. She was frightened and anxious. The silence in the clearing was building a bubble of tension and Alina swallowed hard as she watched Mal walk to the stag.

But something moved in the distance, and she looked over to see a flash of blue. Alina watched the figure emerge from the trees and pull a bow back tightly, ready to shoot and she saw that it was aimed straight for Mal.

"Mal" she screamed.

Hey so I hope you like it, what do you think will happen next, please leave a reviews and let know what you think