Alina couldn't sleep that night. She couldn't stop thinking about the dark and handsome Aleksander, king of Ravka. His soft and strong voice, his deep and sexy laugh and those eyes. Not to mention, the way he summoned those shadows. It sent a tingle to Alina's core, and she wrapped her legs tighter in bed, tossing and turning. She had managed to sneak back in without being noticed. The others assumed she had been in her room drawing like she said she would.
Even at dinner she found it hard to concentrate. The rest of the group had easily conversed in conversation while Alina thought about Aleksander. She couldn't wait to see him again. Out of all the people she could have met, the king of Ravka wasn't one she thought of. Alina had so many questions to ask him and was dying for tomorrow to come.
Night fell again and Alina stared into the blank wall on her side. Genya was fast asleep next to her, and Alina had waited until she was sure she wouldn't wake up. The other two times she went to explore Ravka, she had done it in daylight but instead she decided to sneak out tonight. The manor was silent as a mouse and Alina knew it was risky. She'd have to be extremely careful not to wake anyone, especially Mary or Professor James. She didn't want her little secret to get out.
Alina glanced over her shoulder, Genya sound a sleep with her back towards Alina. The light snores indicated Genya wasn't going to be easily woken. Alina silently flung the covers off her body, the draft instantly making her shiver and the hairs on her arms stood up. Alina had prepared herself for tonight. She laid out a pile of clothes beside her bed but hidden so Genya didn't see. A blouse along with a pair of trousers and a cardigan. Alina silently slipped her shoes on and biting her lip, she dropped down from the bed, being careful not to make any noise.
Alina took another look at Genya, making sure she didn't wake her before moving out into the hallway. Alina took a small candle that was beside her bedside, and she lit it with a match. The strike of the match made her stomach clench and fear took over her as she waited for anyone to come out after hearing it, but they didn't. She was safe.
The main mission was to get to the wardrobe without the floorboards creaking. Alina took careful and slow steps to ensure this didn't happen and she held her breath all the way until she reached the cloak room. She didn't breathe until she had made it inside and shut the door, finally relaxing.
Ravka was just as beautiful in the dark as it was in the light. The snow twinkled in the permafrost and the clearing had a blue glow to it. Alina couldn't contain her excitement as she jumped out the wardrobe and trudged through the snow to the meeting place. The candle flickered in the cold wind and once again, Alina had forgotten to bring a coat.
Alina wondered what David might be doing and if he was up at all. She didn't catch the time before she went out and wondered if Ravka ran on the same time as England did. She'd be surprised if it did. She arrived at the trees that Aleksander pointed out to her and even though she was excited, she felt a sudden anxiousness inside her, the tingle she had felt before coming back to her and she took a deep breath. She pushed her way through the branches, snow falling on top of her as she flicked back the leaves to see clearly.
The fountain was just where Aleksander said. The clearing was large and open with trees and surrounding it. The fountain was pressed into a stone wall, leaves floating on top and bushes surrounding it. As she neared the entrance to the clearing, Alina heard the low tone of voices up ahead and instantly recognised one of them being Aleksander's. He was stood with Ivan, dressed in his thick winter cloak. Beside the two of them was his coach, the horses' heads dipped down as if they were sleeping. Not one, but two black clad guards were on standby by the coach, leaning against it lazily. They held rifles in hand and had serious expressions on their face.
Alina's presence was made known, and Aleksander turned, mid conversation with Ivan, catching Alina emerging from the trees. A smile appeared on his lips, and he turned, slowly walking towards her.
"I was beginning to think you had forgotten" he said, and Alina blushed.
"I'm sorry, I had to make sure my brothers and sister didn't catch me leaving" she said softly and stood a few feet away from Aleksander. The candle in her hand swished in the air and suddenly blew out, smoke evaporating into the night sky. Aleksander still held his smile, but it dropped a little and he narrowed his eyes at her.
"Did you not bring a coat this time" he said, and a look of embarrassments lit across her.
You stupid girl, that's the third time you've done that
"I… I- "Alina couldn't find the words to say. One because she had no words for herself. She was, as her conscience put, stupid. The permafrost being a cold and snowy piece of land here in Ravka, you would think she had learned to bring one. And second because Aleksander's concern for her was making her even more nervous. Not in a bad way, but in a good way. A way that Alina found exhilarating and once again the tingle came back.
Aleksander offered a soft smile on his lips, gesturing to Ivan who pulled out a black cloak from the coach. It was long and had a neck of fur. Aleksander walked up to Alina, gently draping it around her shoulders before buttoning it at the neck. His hands grazed over her collarbone, his fingertips lightly grazing her skin and she buzzed at the feeling.
"Thank you" she whispered and stared up into those lustful dark eyes.
"Come" he commanded gently and took Alina's hand. Alina stole a glance from Ivan, his eyes gazing at her. He was slightly more intimidating than Aleksander and his silence creeped Alina out, but she could tell that he was an important man to Aleksander. She wondered if he was Grisha, what his power was?
A pair of footsteps startled Alina and she looked up to see another man walking through the trees to the clearing. He was dressed in a blue cloak with white fur around the neck like Ivan's. Both their cloaks weren't as long as Aleksander's and didn't have nearly as much fur lining them. He wore thick leathery gloves and was carrying a bundle of wood. Throwing it down on the floor in the middle of the clearing, he flicked his fingers and fire lit between them. Alina watched in amazement as a flick of the wrist shot the fire onto the wood and burned brightly, a warm orange glow crackling in the night.
"Please, sit" Aleksander nodded to the large tree log stationed by the fire and Alina sunk to it. It was hard and uncomfortable but the notion of complaining to the king didn't seem a good one and she stuck her displeasure to the back of her mind.
"How did he do that?" Alina asked curiously and Aleksander smirked.
"He is Grisha. He's an inferni, they have the ability to manipulate fire" he explained.
"Ivan is a Heartrender. He can slow anyone's heartbeat; he can damage anyone's internal organs and he can tell when someone is lying" Alina gulped a little.
Better not lie in front of him then
Was that why he had the permanent look on his face? Was he determining whether Alina was lying or not? Alina wanted to know and didn't.
"Better not get on the wrong side of him then" Alina blurted and quickly looked in horror at what she said. Aleksander titled his head slightly before chuckling softly, shaking his head. He loved her no filter to everything she said.
"I don't believe you told me how old you are?" Aleksander asked.
"I'm seventeen" she said.
"And your family, how old are they?" he asked.
"We are all the same age; we came to the orphanage at pretty much the same time".
"Tell me more about your family" Aleksander was curious about them. He wanted to know everything about them.
"What do you want to know?" Alina said and Aleksander shrugged his shoulders.
"Tell me… what kind of people are they?".
And so, Alina did. Mal was the leader of the group, a great fighter. Genya was the smartest, always deciding the best for the group and keeping the boys in check. Fedyor was the joker, always misbehaving.
"And what about you?" Aleksander said, bringing Alina back to reality. She seemed to have gotten lost in her speech about her family.
"What about me?" she replied, and Aleksander smirked.
"What kind of person are you" Aleksander whispered, and Alina stared into his dark eyes.
"Well, I like to draw. It's always been a passion of mine. I'm usually the quietest of the group" Alina said.
"You like to draw, what do you draw?".
"Anything really, animals, places, trees" she looked up at the gleaming forest and laughed nervously.
"I'd love to see it" Aleksander said, and Alina looked at him shocked.
"What" she said, confusion written all over.
"Your drawings, I'd love to see them, Alina" he said sweetly, and Alina blushed, biting her bottom lip to stop her from grinning. Aleksander looked at her for a moment, seeing the shy girl in front of him. He too was mesmerised by her. She was different. There were lots more he wanted to know about her. But it would have to wait for another day.
"Anyway, it's probably time you got back home" Aleksander said, and he stood, holding his hand out for Alina. His palm was soft and her fingers gliding into his hand as he tugged her from the log. Alina moved to remove the cloak, but Aleksander stopped her, his fingers touching hers lightly and sending a shock to her. A short gasp came and swallowed hard.
Control yourself Starkov
"Keep it, I wouldn't want you to freeze out here".
"Thank you… when will I see you again" she asked, and Aleksander smiled.
"Soon, I have business to attend to tomorrow but the day after that" Alina nodded, grinning up at him. She didn't know if she could wait that long. Alina couldn't take her eyes away and she felt captivated under his stare and smell. She wanted to press herself closer but fought back.
This is the king Alina, be respectful
She mentally slapped herself and pushed herself back, clearing her throat and looking awkwardly down into the snow.
"I'll see you then" Alina murmured.
"Remember, this stays between you and me, Alina" the way her name dripped of his lips made Alina weak to her knees and she nodded quickly.
"Yes, of course" Alina backed away and turned to walk back home.
"Be careful on your way home" Aleksander called, and Alina turned one last time.
"I will be, goodnight, Aleksander" she said before hopping through the trees.
Aleksander stared for a moment, watching the pretty and young girl disappear from the clearing. When she said his name, it sent a buzz inside him and he took a deep breath, releasing through his nose.
The crunch of snow behind him alerted him that Ivan was beside.
"Do you think she could be it" Ivan said.
"I don't know, but we'll find out soon and thanks to her, we can visit the Durast" Aleksander looked at Ivan with an evil smile. Shadows spilled from the depths of the trees, taking over the clearing and consumed the fire, darkness evading them.
Hey so I hope you like it, what do you think will happen next, let me know in the comments