Alina jumped back through the wardrobe, the floorboards creaking as she stepped out and landed on the floor. The snow that had fallen on her shoulders had now melted and wet patches were replacing them. Alina glanced back through the wardrobe.
It still didn't feel real to her. She still felt as if she was dreaming and when she wakes up and realise that maybe there is not magic wardrobe or even a wardrobe at all. Alina shut the door to the magical world of Ravka and left the room. She shut the door quietly, glancing around to see if Mal, Genya or Fedyor were around and luckily, they weren't.
Would they believe her if she told them about it all? She wasn't sure and a part of her didn't want to tell them about this new place. She wanted it as her little secret. Alina crept down the hallway to make her way downstairs when footsteps pounded behind her.
"There you are Alina; we've been looking everywhere for you" Genya's voice said with a huff. Alina whipped around to see Genya standing behind her, arms crossed tightly over her chest.
"Where have you been?" she demanded, and Alina's mouth opened to speak but nothing came out.
Should I tell her?
"I…" Alina froze for a second, debating what to tell Genya who looked like she was getting impatient with her answer.
"I was just in one of the rooms doing some drawing" Alina smiled stiffly, hoping her lie was convincing enough. Genya watched her for a few seconds before sighing.
"You are your drawing, come on, dinner will be ready soon" Genya grabbed her wrist and tugged her down the stairs. Alina let out a quiet sigh of relief. For now, she was going to keep Ravka to herself and perhaps when even Alina believed it herself, she would tell the others. But for now, it would be her little secret.
At dinner, the children ate with Professor James and Mary. She had cooked a beef stew with some hard bread, but it was still delicious. The children were telling Professor James about the orphanage in London.
"Ana Kuya was quite strict on us, but she was always there for us. She tried her best to make our lives enjoyable and help us learn and grow" Mal said.
"She was the only adult in our lives really" Genya added.
"My parents were strict on me, and I hated them for it then but sometimes that's a good thing. It can turn you into a strong and smart person. I mean look at me, I've turned into a professor, and I have my own manor" Professor James said smugly, and the children laughed softly.
Alina was quiet at dinner as her mind was all the way over in Ravka. She couldn't stop thinking about how the wardrobe suddenly turned to a snowy forest and she fidgeted in her seat, excitement brewing inside her for her next visit. She had some many more questions to ask David.
After dinner, the children went to their rooms to get ready for bed. Mal and Fedyor were lounging on Genya's bed, winding her up.
"Shut up you two, give me my clothes and get off my bed" she swatted them and Mal laughed, throwing her nightgown at Fedyor.
"If you want it say the magic word" Fedyor teased and Genya swiped to grab it but missed.
"Urgh, you guys are so annoying" she huffed. Alina stood up to help Genya, jumping for her gown but Fedyor threw it back to Mal.
"Come on, give it back" Genya was getting mad, and her fists were balling beside her. Alina jumped on Mal to get it with Mal tossing and turning to get her off. They were laughing together, and Alina snatched the gown off him, jumping off his back and running to Genya.
"Ah, I got it" Alina threw it to Genya to catch and she got it before Fedyor jumped in front.
"Thank you, Alina, now you two bugger off" Genya hissed.
"Oooo" Fedyor teased again and Genya picked up a small ornament on the bedside table and threw it at him, smirking as it hit him on the knee.
"Oww" he said, and Alina laughed.
"That's what you get for stealing someone's clothes" Alina said smugly and Fedyor narrowed his eyes.
"Your next Starkov, just you wait" he threatened, and Alina rolled her eyes.
"We'll see about that, now get out" she shoved the two boys out of their room and slammed the door.
"God, sometimes I actually hate Mal you know" Genya said furiously as she got changed.
"He's only winding you up" Alina slumped down on her bed, getting comfortable under the covers. The bed was much softer and comfortable than the one at the orphanage. At the orphanage, it was like sleeping on hard tables, but this was an actual bed with a mattress, pillows and sheets.
"You're only saying that because you guys are besties" Genya smirked and Alina rolled her eyes.
"Well, we are like brother and sister, and he doesn't wind me up as much as you" Alina stated back. It was true that Alina and Mal were the best of friends. Even as a group, it was the two of them that stayed together the most. Alina was glad to have Mal as her friend and like a brother. He and the others were the only family she had, and she wouldn't change that for anything.
"He's still a pain in the butt though" Genya said, raising her brow as she got into bed as well.
"Oh yeah, there's no doubt about that… he always has to be right doesn't he" Alina turned on her side to face Genya.
"And he thinks he's like the leader of the group" Genya huffed, and they giggled at each other.
"Anyway, let's get some sleep and tomorrow we can get them back" Genya smiled, and Alina nodded. She reached over and flicked them lamp off, turning the room to darkness.
Alina stared up at the ceiling, thinking back to her magical new land. She had to come up with an excuse to get away so the others wouldn't come looking for her. She wondered if she would ever tell the others about Ravka. Not to mention, did Professor James know about the wardrobe. Did he know about Ravka just on the other side of it? if she told him, would he come looking for it.
Alina sighed and turned on her side, closing her eyes and drifting off into her dreams of snowy trees and hot tea in log cabins.
Hey so I hope you like it, this chapter is a little bit shorted but the next chapter will be more exciting. Please leave a review and let me know what you think will happen next.