The forest grew silent, and it felt like time had stopped. Alina laid in the snow, freezing her body and stared at the black coach stopped a few feet away. It was very extravagant. The coach was large with four big wheels and had silver markings on the sides. The four black horses pulling it were beautiful and their glossy coats shined in the light. She noticed a man dressed in a guard's uniform of black with a hat on top sat at the front of the coach, reins in hand.
Alina pushed herself up from the snow but still sat, watching intensely. Who did this coach belong to? Alina was about to stand when the door flung open, and a man stepped out. He was dressed in deep red, a grey hat on top with a red cloak draped over his shoulders with black lining around the neck. He was tall and the scowl on his face didn't sit right with Alina. He stormed over to Alina who was scrambling backwards, fear in her eyes. She pushed herself up to run but the man stepped on cardigan she was wearing, preventing her from moving.
"Please, let me go" Alina pleaded.
"Who are you" he demanded, and Alina stuttered for an answer.
"What is it, Ivan?" a voice called from the coach, startling Alina and she glanced from the man to the coach.
"Looks like a trespasser Sir" the man known as Ivan called back.
"No, I'm not trespassing, I-I was just…" Alina stammered, her body shaking from both the cold and the fear.
"Just what" Ivan snapped back, and Alina gulped.
"Please, if you let me go, I'll just be on my way" Alina pleaded again.
"Do you know the penalty for trespassing on the kings land?" Ivan scolded and Alina stared in shock.
The kings land, is this the king David was talking about
Alina was about to answer but Ivan held up his hands, clutching one wrist with the other. Alina stared in shock horror and squeezed her eyes shut. She didn't know what he was going to do but she was scared for her life.
"Wait" the same voice called from the coach and Alina snapped her eyes open. Ivan stepped out of the way, and she looked up from the snow.
A tall man dressed in all black stood by the coach. His long cloak covered his entire body to the floor and had fur lining the shoulders. His dark black hair was combed backwards and adorned his jaw and neck. But what captivated Alina the most was his eyes. Dark like the midnight sky. His head was held high, his chin protruding a little and he stared at Alina. he stood out against the white blanket covering the forest.
"Who are you?" he said softly, his tone less threatening than Ivan's. Alina swallowed the hard lump in her throat before answering, her voice quiet like a mouse.
"M-my name is Alina Starkov".
"And how, Miss Starkov, did you enter my country" he narrowed his eyes slightly.
"Um, well… I came through a wardrobe" she squeaked, and the man titled his head to the side. His eyes glanced to Ivan who gave a nod.
"You're not from here, are you?" he said, and Alina shook her head. It was clear by the clothes she was wearing she was not from Ravka.
"No… I'm sorry if I'm intruding, I mean no harm or anything" she said quickly, and the man's lips curled into a smile.
"It's fine. Alina, you look so cold, why don't you come sit with me" the man said, and Alina looked hesitantly between the man and then to Ivan who stood close to her. Ivan gave a hard nod and Alina slowly walked towards to coach. She was freezing, her hand nearly frozen and she could barely feel her toes. She said to herself to remember to bring a coat next time.
Inside the coach were black leather seats that were the softest Alina had ever sat on. The man that Alina assumed was the king of Ravka sat inside the coach, his arm held out holding out his cloak. Alina slowly sank beside him to which he wrapped the cloak around her shoulders and with the other side, brought it across her, hugging her in the warmth beneath its black material.
Alina stared up at the handsome man, captivated by his dark eyes and his musky smell. He truly was the most gorgeous man she had ever seen. He didn't look like a king. Kings usual wear crowns and a royal mantle but instead, he wore a long black coat underneath his cloak and a leather uniform with shiny belt buckles on the front. On the buckles were the markings of an eclipse.
"How's that" he said softly.
"Good… your majesty" Alina said slowly, hoping to have said the right thing and the man's lips curled into a smirk.
"Tell me more about this wardrobe" he said.
"It's in our house… well Professor James house. We are staying there. I stumbled upon it yesterday when I was looking for something to keep me warm and then I saw this forest and was curious" she said. Her stomach was in a knot of nerves, and she squeezed her hands underneath to keep herself calm.
"And does anyone else know about this wardrobe" he asked, and Alina shook her head.
"No, only me. I haven't told my brothers and sister" she said, and the man quirked an eyebrow up.
"You have brothers and sisters?" Alina nodded but frowned a little.
"Well, they aren't really my brothers and sisters. We grew up in an orphanage together and then we moved because of the war but we've been a group since we met each other, and it feels like we are family" she said.
"Family is family, it doesn't matter if you are blood related. I'm sorry about your parents, that must have been hard for you" he said with sympathy and Alina shrugged.
"I don't remember a lot about them but I'm glad to have Mal, Genya and Fedyor" she gave a soft smile and stared up at him. a question was on the tip of her tongue, and she was a little anxious to ask it, fearing she'd be punished for it.
"Are you the king of Ravka" she asked, and the man smirked.
"I am… all of this land belongs to me. I was quite shocked when Ivan told me there was a girl standing alone in the cold".
"I wanted to explore more of Ravka… I'm sorry if I am trespassing, I didn't know, your majesty" she stammered by the man chuckled softly and shook his head.
"It's alright Alina… and please, call me Aleksander" he said, and Alina stared up. Alina felt a tingle inside her and excitement was building up. She was currently sat next to the king of Ravka in his coach and he allowed her to call him by his name and not by 'your majesty'.
"Okay" she whispered.
"So, tell me, what brings you to Ravka, I'm sure you have lots of questions" he said curiously.
"Well, this place is nothing like England. For one we don't have a forest with snow, or a king, or a shadow fold" she said, and Aleksander lifted his head up.
"You know about the shadow fold" he said, his eyes narrowed, and Alina shrunk back.
Oh no, have I said something wrong
"Only from what David told me. He told me the black heretic created it and it's dividing Ravka apart".
"David" he repeated the name softly and Alina nodded.
"He lives in the cabin doesn't he" Alina shrunk back a little, fearing she had said the wrong thing, but the man smiled at her, nodding his head.
"Of course, so he told you all this".
"Yes, he told me there was the evil man called The Darkling as well who is planning to take over Ravka with the shadow fold and he's been trying to get the throne" Aleksander blinked for a moment, completely stunned by what Alina was saying. Alina sensed something wasn't quite right and she stuttered.
"I-I I'm sorry, have I done something wrong" she said, and Aleksander gave a smile.
"Not at all, I'm just surprised is all. The black heretic did create the shadow fold hundreds of years ago and it has separated my land. We are currently at war with the other nations and unless we destroy the fold, we will continue to fight" Aleksander said, his voice harder as if anger was building inside.
"Why is that?" Alina asked quietly and Aleksander took a deep breath.
"Here in Ravka, there are people born with a gift. We can manipulate what is around us, whether that be air, water, fire. There are some who can fabricate objects from metal and some who can manipulate the living body, whether that be healing it or ending it. And there are few who are truly gifted with the power to summon, whether that be shadow or light" Aleksander pulled his hand out from under the cloak and waved it gently through the air.
Shadows from the corners of the coach started to trail around Alina's feet, the cold wrapping around her ankles. Alina stared in disbelief as shadows swirled and tangled around her. She couldn't believe it.
"How did you do that" she asked amazed.
"I am what you call a shadow summoner. I can call any shadow from anywhere at my command. These people who have this gift are known as Grisha. I lead an army of them, and I have built a palace to keep them safe. The other nations do not like that we have these gifts. They believe we are witches and should die at the stake. As their king and leader, it is my job to keep that from happening. I have lost so many good people and I will not lose anymore".
"That's awful, being treated like that" Alina said.
"Unfortunately, my great grandfather was the black heretic. He was a shadow summoner, and he created the shadow fold out of anger. I've spent so long trying to undo it but the only way to destroy it is to find a sun summoner, someone who can summon light" he said, and Alina was stunned again.
"How comes you haven't found one" she asked, and Aleksander sighed.
"Like me, sun summoners are hard to find. They are rare. I've been waiting for one for so long" Aleksander said softly, staring into the coach. He took a deep breath and turned back to Alina.
"Well, I hope you find one soon" she said, and Aleksander grinned at her.
"So do I Miss Starkov". Alina felt her heart swoon and there was something about Aleksander that made her want to know more.
"There so much I want to ask you… but I probably should be getting back, I've been here a while and the others are probably wondering where I've got to" Alina frowned.
"Well, we'll have to meet again won't we" Aleksander smirked, and he turned Alina to face outside the coach.
"You see those trees, just beyond it is a fountain. Meet me there tomorrow. Make sure your brothers and sister don't know" Alina grinned at him, excitement brewing once again. The king of Ravka wanted to see her again.
"Okay" she said, and Aleksander removed his cloak from her, letting her up. She jumped out the coach and Ivan was standing beside it. he slipped into the seat opposite Aleksander and held the door handle, ready to shut it.
"Be careful on your way home Alina" he said gently, and Alina nodded, turning to walk off.
"Alina" Aleksander called, and she whipped back around.
"Best to keep this between you and me" he said, and Alina nodded.
"I will" she said quietly, and Aleksander gave a smile before gesturing to Ivan. The door to the coach slammed shut and the flick of reins sent the horses off in a dash. Alina stared as the black coach disappeared into the snow and she was left standing alone again.
Hey so I hope you like it, please leave a review and let me know what you think