Alina felt giddy inside as she raced through the wardrobe, jumping out into Ravka, her cloak blowing behind her. Aleksander was meeting her again today. She had managed to sneak away while Mal, Genya and Fedyor were out helping Professor James in the garden. Mary had popped into town to pick up supplies and Alina had made the excuse of that she was feeling a little sick and was going to her room to rest.

She was certain the others wouldn't bother her, and she'd be back in time before dinner so they wouldn't notice she was gone. Alina climbed through the snow up to David's cabin. She wanted to see him first before meeting Aleksander. Alina was finding it a little hard keeping all these secrets. After yesterday and her near miss of telling David she met the king, she had to be more careful. Not to mention Fedyor nearly catching her as well.

Alina thought back to David's words about telling her family about Ravka. she wasn't certain whether they would believe her or not. Genya certainty wouldn't believe the idea that there was a magical wardrobe and a whole new world on the other side. Mal would probably side with Genya but be kind about to it Alina and Fedyor would most certainly make a joke about it and not let it go.

There wasn't a reason to tell the others about Ravka and so Alina was happy to keep it to herself. As she walked through the permafrost, Alina saw David's cabin and walked straight to the door.

She knocked on it loudly and waited for him to answer but after a while, no one came to the door.

"David" She knocked again and waited but still no answer.

Huh, that's strange

Alina looked in through the windows and the cabin was dark and inhabited. There was no fire roaring in the back and the table was clear of any plates and cups. Alina furrowed her brows in confusion and turned back around. As she went to walk off the porch, her foot slipped on something, and she glanced down to see a piece of paper.

Her name was written in cursive on the front, and she slowly picked it up, flicking open the paper.

Alina

I've gone away for two weeks to gather supplies and meet with some friends. I will be back shortly

David

It seemed weird to Alina as David didn't mention at all about going out for two weeks for supplies. In fact, just yesterday he came back with some firewood.

Perhaps he ran out after you left yesterday

Alina sighed and stepped down the porch back into the snow. She would have to wait two weeks to see David again. But that didn't mean she couldn't still have fun in Ravka and there was a certain someone she was meeting as well.

Alina slipped through the trees, ducking and diving and as she neared the fountain, she heard the soft snorts of the horses, the quiet chatter of voices and her stomach rolled in excitement. She came through the entrance to the clearing and instantly grinned as Aleksander stood there with Ivan and his guards.

Aleksander's head whipped around, and he smiled as he met Alina's gaze. She looked beautiful. Her long black hair over her shoulder with two pieces plaited around her head, her cloak draped over her shoulders and hugging her thin body.

"Hello, Alina" he said softly, and Alina wanted to drop down to her knees. She held herself together, taking a short breath as Aleksander walked towards her, his black cloak dragging along the floor.

How could someone look so handsome

"Hi" she squeaked and as soon as Aleksander stood across from her, his sexy and musky smell intoxicated her and she nearly fainted.

"You remembered your coat" he smirked, looking her up and down and Alina nodded.

"Yes, thank you so much for letting me keep it" she blushed.

"My pleasure".

Not only did Alina like the cloak but Aleksander did as well. Seeing her wear his colour grew possessiveness inside him. He was the only one to wear that colour and yet he had given it to a girl who was not part of this world.

"How was your business?" she asked, and Aleksander's lips turned to a smile.

"It went well thank you, I'm sorry I couldn't see you yesterday" he said, and Alina shook her head.

"Oh no, it's completely fine. I mean you are the king, I'm sure you have way more important things" Alina had no idea why she was so nervous.

"Yes, being the king is hard work. Everyone thinks because you are in charge you can do whatever you want, sit around all day and do nothing when in fact it's the complete opposite. This is my kingdom, and my people look to me to ensure they are safe and protected… come" Aleksander held his hand out for her, and Alina slipped hers inside.

Aleksander led Alina to a small black tent. Inside was a small table with a few chairs and another table at the end of the tent with documents scattered all along it. A large flap was hung up inside with the same symbol imprinted on Aleksander's belt buckles. The floor had fur rugs laid across it and there were cream candles lit across the tent, lighting and warming it at the same time.

Alina was amazed by it all and when Aleksander offered her one of the chairs, she dipped down slowly, still taking it all in. Aleksander had slipped off his cloak and hung it on a coat rack and moved to the table to pour a cup of sweet tea. Alina noticed he was wearing some sort of special coat that nearly reached the floor. it was as black as his cloak and had stitching all down the back.

"Thank you" she sipped it and the sweet liquid ran down her throat, her taste buds tingling. She stared at Aleksander's back as he poured himself a cup and even from behind, he was handsome. She still had so many questions.

"So, tell me more about being Grisha" she said. Aleksander smirked to himself and turned around to walk back to Alina, sinking down slowly in his chair.

"What do you want to know" he asked softly.

"Well, what do all the colours mean" she asked. So far, she had seen black, red and blue. Where there any other colours?

"They determine who we are. The Etherealki are the order summoners. They can manipulate air, fire and water, they were blue. The Corporalki are the order of the living and the dead, they were red. There are healers and there are heartrenders and there are also tailors and the Materialki are the order of fabrikators such as durasts and alkemi, they were purple" Aleksander explained.

"But what about you, you're wearing black" Aleksander smirked.

"I am the only shadow summoner here in Ravka. And yes, I am a summoner, but no one possesses the power that I have. And as the king and leader of the Grisha, I have my own order and colour to wear".

"This is called a kefta. Our fabrikators make them. They are bullet proof, and they protect us. All Grisha wear one and depending on their skills, they each have their own colour stitching. For example, Ivan is a Heartrender. His kefta is red and his stitching black whereas a healer is red and grey" Aleksander explained, pointing to the coat.

Alina took a glance down to her cloak. Black as the kefta Aleksander was wearing. Did this mean anything? He was the only one to wear black and yet he gave her this cloak to keep.

"How do you know someone is Grisha then" she said, and Aleksander perked up a little.

"As a child you are tested by Grisha examiners" Aleksander stood and took Alina's hand, pulling her from her seat. He led her just outside the tent and pointing out across the forest.

"You see those hills; my palace is just beyond them. If you do have the powers to be Grisha, they are brought to my palace to train and learn their powers and take control of them, although I have yet to find a sun summoner" he said with a slight frown at the end. Alina looked up at him, a feeling of sorry for him. Aleksander was an intimidating person, being the king and all but at this moment he seemed vulnerable, and Alina remembered what he said on the first day of meeting.

"Is that so you can destroy the shadow fold" she said quietly, and Aleksander looked to her. Alina was worried for a second, she had said the wrong thing and her stomach did another nervous flip.

"Yes, exactly. I have waited so long for them to come. The shadow fold is a dangerous place, and I cannot enter it. I am a beacon for the Volcra. They would instantly know my presence and tear me apart if I entered. The sun summoner is the only way to destroy it and without them, there is nothing I can do… but now I think there is someone who can help" he turned to Alina and gave her a sweet smile and it took Alina a few seconds for her to realise what he meant.

"Wh-what me" she stuttered, and Aleksander nodded.

"There has been a legend, that someone will enter Ravka with the power of summoning light. I have been king for many years, Alina, and I have not met anyone who can do that. But when I met you, I had this feeling… hope" he whispered.

"But I can't be… there's no way… it's impossible" she fumbled over her words, and she was breaking out in a sweat.

"How do you know" how did she know?

Surely it can't be possible though, she thought. She was just an ordinary orphan from London. There was no chance on earth she could possess such a power. And even if she did, she'd have no clue on how to control it or what to do with it.

Aleksander once again took her hand and led her back into the tent. Alina was still in shock that she was silent and away in her own thoughts. She hadn't noticed Aleksander walk to the table. Alina stood awkwardly in the middle of the tent, the idea of her being Grisha still a revelation and she jumped as Aleksander stood back in front of her. Her eyes flickered down to his hands, watching as he fixed a silver ring to his thumb. A large silver claw pointed down and suddenly the tent got darker. Shadows dripped on the walls like ink spreading on paper. The candles dimmed and Alina found it difficult to see anywhere.

"What's going on?" she said worriedly.

"Lift up your sleeve" he said softly.

"Why". Why did he need her sleeve? What was he going to do?

"Your sleeve, Alina" he said a little harder and Alina shakily held her arm out, the cloak slipping behind her shoulder. Aleksander held her arm securely, his other hand moving the sleeve of her blouse up past her elbow. Alina watched with wide eyes, but Aleksander didn't take his eyes off her.

His thumb came to the top of her arm and Alina's heart was beating faster than a cheetah running. The tip of the claw sunk into her skin, piercing it and Alina hissed under her breath but she didn't have time to react to that properly as light exploded out her arm, piercing the tent. The bright light blinded her, and she pulled back, squinting hard. Only after a few seconds did Alina become adjusted to the change of brightness and she stared in shock, her mouth dropped open and watched as light flooded the tent.

She gazed past the beam to Aleksander who looked at her with a pleased smile. His hand still held her arm and he didn't drop it until his claw ring released the skin and the light zoomed back inside Alina. Smoke drifted off into the air and Alina stumbled backwards, staring between her arm and Aleksander.

"Wh- what was that" she gasped, out of breath. She didn't know how that was even possible.

"You, Alina, are the sun summoner" Aleksander said, his mouth still in a pleased smile.

"But, but how… I don't understand. I'm not from here, how can I be… Grisha".

Is that what I am now… Grisha

"Perhaps finding that wardrobe wasn't just a coincidence. But no one has ever been able to call the light like you did just there. You are the only person who can do that" Aleksander took Alina's hands in his, his thumbs rubbing softly.

"Do you realise how much hope you have given me. I have waited centuries for you, I have lost so many good people and now thanks to you, we can finally end that" Alina looked into those sexy dark eyes of his. There really was hope in his eyes.

Alina felt a tingle inside again. The king of Ravka believed she was the one who was going to help, a mere orphan from a place he didn't even know existed. And Alina was more than happy to help. Although she didn't understand this at all and she still had so many questions, seeing the gleam in Aleksander's eyes was enough for her to believe it. what wasn't there to believe. She had seen it herself, right in front of her. it was no magic trick. The light had literally beamed out of her. Alina thought for a second, she could be dreaming, and she silently stood on her foot, but she was still where she was. it wasn't a dream; it was all real.

Hey so I hope you like it, what do you think about this chapter, where do you think David is and what do you think will happen next, let me know in the reviews.