Alina groaned as she pushed herself off the hard floor she had been sleeping on for two days. She had to admit she missed sleeping in a comfy bed but she certainly hadn't missed Kirigan. Being locked in the cells meant she didn't have to submit to his control and be his slave. Although it didn't change anything. She was much a slave in here as she was out by his throne. She hadn't seen Kirigan since that day.
It had been on Alina's mind ever since. The picture of Mal's face as he saw the two of them kiss. She so desperately wanted to tell him it was all Kirigan. That she didn't want it… but she feared that deep down she did.
I am all you need Alina
The words rung in her head and it was starting to give her a headache.
Was he right… do I want him.
It scared Alina, to think that the most powerful Grisha who had every single bit of control over her and her power, who could destroy all the nations and rule Ravka was the only person she would want and need. Like Kirigan said, she'll feel weak and scared without him, without her equal.
No, no I can't let him manipulate me like that
She shook her head, ignoring his voice and words from her mind and perched against the cell wall. Her back was aching and she was covered in dirt and grim. The kefta she wore was stained with dust and the sleeves caked in dirt. Her hair felt like straw and her skin had turned a murky black from the floor. She desperately wanted a bath to clean herself up but she wasn't sure when she'd be allowed out of the cell.
Being locked away on her own gave her time to think. Think about how she was going to escape Kirigan and bring Mal with her. Every scenario she thought of ended with Kirigan winning and it was starting to get frustrating for her. If only she had access to the little palace, she'd be able to find some sort of escape route.
Kirigan hadn't let her out of the little palace since the latest Fold journey and it would be hard to escape without being noticed. The place was covered in Oprichniki and with Ivan by his side, she didn't stand a chance. Not to mention as well that she didn't know where Mal was now. He certainly wasn't here so he must have been taken somewhere else.
The bang of doors opening made Alina jump and she looked up through the bars as a guard walked inside, keys jingling as he unlocked the cell door. Alina watched in shock and didn't move even when the cell opened. She was surprised it wasn't Ivan coming to release her or even Kirigan. But she didn't doubt she'd be taken to him now.
The guard didn't speak a word, only barged into the cell and grabbed Alina roughly, bringing her up and shoving her out. She stumbled and was pushed out of the cells back to the little palace. They passed the exit leading to the outside of the little palace and for a moment, Alina considered summoning her light to knock the guard away and make a run for it. Would she get far, she didn't know but the guard pushed her along and the opportunity was gone.
They walked in silence and Alina saw the door to Kirigan's chambers. A sudden drop of nerves in her stomach made her feel sick and as she neared the door, she took a deep breath to summon her confidence. The guard opened the door and pushed her inside to which Alina stumbled. Her eyes immediately landed on Kirigan.
He stood by the bed, dressed in his black uniform and kefta. His head turned to look up and caught Alina's stare, the inch of a smile on the corner of his lips and his eyes flickered to the guard behind her.
"Thank you" he said softly and the guard left, shutting the door and leaving the two alone. Alina stayed where she was, her eyes glaring over at Kirigan who stepped forward a couple of steps.
"Enjoy your time away?" He said and Alina huffed.
"Actually I did, it was nice not to be used for a while" she said with hatred and Kirigan's face darkened.
"If you like you can stay down there" he threatened. He wouldn't do that, he wanted his sun summoner by his side.
"If it means I'll be away from you" she said and Kirigan chuckled softly, shaking his head.
"You will realise how much you don't want that, being away from me will be like dying, you'll yearn for me" he said softly and Alina shook her head.
"Where's Mal?" she summoned her courage to ask and Kirigan raised his brows. He hadn't expected her to ask that. He let out a short breath before answering.
"That's non of your concern" he murmured. It was becoming frustrating for Kirigan that Alina still pined over the tracker. The sooner he'd get the Volcra ready, the sooner she could forget all about Mal and focus on him. He was going to enjoy that. Alina being his soulmate for eternity while Mal was stuck in the darkness, watching as she'd forget about him over time.
"If you hurt him-" she didn't even get to finish her sentence before Kirigan interrupted sharply.
"I haven't harmed your friend, he's had all the punishment he needs" a smirk creeps on his lips as he refers to the kiss they shared.
"That kiss meant nothing, I didn't want it" Alina tried to tell herself that over the past two days and she was struggling to believe it. Kirigan slowly walked to Alina, head held high and his eyebrows slightly raised.
"But you did want it, just accept it Alina, only I can be there for you, I am the only one you want, you need, there's no one else like me and never will be" he said softly and when he reached Alina, he stared down into her eyes, his expression gentle on his face.
"Even if you knew he was stood there you would have kissed me, you know it" he whispered and his hand reached down to take hers gently, his thumb rubbing over the back of her hand. Alina looked down at the gesture, the pull she felt back at the kiss was there and she squeezed her eyes shut, trying to ignore it. He was right, it was there, that yearning for him. It was only small now and she imagined that it would grow bigger until she couldn't live without him there. She abruptly pulled her hand out and shot a look of daggers at him.
"I'll never want you, not for eternity" she spat and Kirigan's face hardened, his lips pressing tightly together.
"We'll see" he brushed past her and reached the door, opening it to walk out but stopped and called over his shoulder.
"You should clean up, someone will come and bring you a new kefta" and with that the door slammed and was locked.
As much as Alina hated followed his orders, she defiantly did need to clean up. She proceeded to have a hot bath, scrubbing herself until her skin was raw red and washing her black hair. It felt good to soak in the hot water and after her scrubbing, it had turned a murky brown colour. Kirigan's bathroom was of course the largest in the palace and Alina found herself relaxing for a while. Her fingers and toes had turned wrinkly and she knew it was time to get out.
The kefta she had been wearing was discarded on the bathroom floor. Kirigan had said someone would bring her a new one. Of course it would be black, there was no doubt there. As she dried herself and started to dress again, her mind wandered to Genya.
She was her best friend when she arrived here at the palace and the one person she could talk to freely without feeling like someone would judge her or snitch on her. But then she felt betrayed when she learnt she was working with Kirigan. Alina had many conflicting feelings on her. She missed her greatly and wished she was here now. She hadn't seen her since that day they were going to cross The Fold.
Of course she felt terrible for what had happened with her and the king but she trusted her and if it were the other way round, Alina would have helped her in a heartbeat, even if it meant going against the general.
The door unlocked and Alina swirled around to see the door opening. Her stomach was tied in a tight knot and she hoped that it might be Genya to bring her the new kefta but instead it was David. Of course, the fabricator. He had made the stag's collar for her and the piece of Kirigan which led her to her lifetime of slavery. She wasn't sure what her feelings towards him were. Hatred, anger, confusion. David was a good guy, he was kind, sweet and shy. He didn't belong in the bad guy category.
David looked over in wide eyes at Alina, shocked to see her and it was the first time seeing her since The Fold. Kirigan had made an effort to keep Alina hidden away. Of course she saw his regular Grisha and his soldiers and guards but people she liked she didn't see often.
"Alina" he greeted, surprise in his voice and she swallowed hard.
"David" she said coldly and she noticed the black kefta in his arms. Of course, Kirigan must have ordered him to make it.
"I um… I brought this" he held the kefta up and Alina sighed, shuffling over to him. She didn't have a choice really. If she didn't wear it willingly, Kirigan would force it on her. It was easier to just do as he wished.
"Thanks" she whispered even though she didn't mean it. Alina was always one with manners and couldn't not be polite to anyone. An awkward silence grew between them as she slipped it on, the collar catching the stag's collar and David's eyes flickered to it.
"I… um" he stammered and Alina looked over at him.
"I'm sorry… about the whole" he didn't say it, only pointed to her neck and Alina sighed.
"It's not your fault, you were just doing as you were told" she said sadly and David shuffled on his feet, looking at the ground.
"I can't help but feel responsible" he said and Alina looked over at him. She smiled softly, his concern for her warming her heart. How could she be mad at him… it wasn't even his fault.
"David, trust me, it was going to happen either way without you, he would have used someone else to make it and put it on me" she shrugged, pulling the kefta tightly on to her.
"I just wish it didnt have to be like this for you" he murmured as he looked down at the floor. Alina blinked a few times and thought for a moment.
He's on your side Alina
"David" she whispered and he looked up, eyes wide as he waited for Alina to speak. She quickly walked closer to him, her eyes scanning the door and her ears listening out for any footsteps.
"Listen, you can help me, you can help me get out of here, I cannot be a slave to Kirigan for the rest of my life. Please, I need to help Mal and get away from here" she begged and David's eyes widened.
"Alina I-" his words stumbled again and Alina gently placed her hands on his shoulders.
"You are the only person on my side right now, I have no one, please help me, you can come with us, we can start a new life the three of us, away from all this, away from Kirigan, you won't be treated like you are now" she pleaded.
Alina knew David wasn't treated as well as the other Grisha. He was often looked down on as a Durast. Kirigan certainly only needed him to make the stag's collar for him.
"If I stay here any longer, I'll never be able to get out" she said quietly, a tear nearly falling from her eye. If she stayed here, her bond with Kirigan would grow and then she'd never be able to leave him.
David took a deep shuddery breath, the news hitting him hard and he looked directly into Alina's pleading eyes.
"I-" he started but stopped for a minute to think. He let out a deep breath and Alina's stomach turned nervous again. She was scared he was going to say no and then tell Kirigan what she had said.
"Okay, I'll help you".
Hey sorry for the late update, I hope you like it, please leave a review and let me know what you think