Alina stirred awake, darkness still surrounding her. Her eyes looked forward to the window across, the bright light of the morning peeking through the curtain. The room should have been lighter inside but it wasn't. He must have made it darker. She had slept all through the night, falling into the deepest sleep she had ever had and all night, she laid there next to Kirigan, his arm draped over her waist.

They had stayed like that the whole night, wrapped in each other's arms, sleeping softly next to each other. The warmth from his body kept her relaxed and her mark gave her the pleasure it did when he was next to her. The pull inside her brought her in so deep that she didn't ever want to leave.

However when she woke this morning, she felt emptiness beside her and glanced over to see Kirigan was not there. She looked over at the clock, the time being early morning still but he must have got up earlier. Alina pushed herself up from the bed, the sheets dropping down to her waist.

It was silent in the room and when the covers fell, she shivered from the cold. Her kefta was hanging on a hanger and a pile of clothes next to it. She flung the covers off her and slipped out the bed, padding over to the clothes. There was no point staying in bed all day, especially if he wasn't there. She dressed herself in the blouse and trousers, slipping on what looked like a fresh pair of leather boots. Her kefta looked like it had been washed and cleaned, a fresh scent washing over her as she slipped it over her. She pulled the kefta around her neck, hiding her collar. She didn't want people to see it. It still made her stomach turn anytime she looked at it.

"Good morning" Alina gasped and she turned around to see Kirigan walking towards her slowly. His shadows disappeared and light came back into the room.

"Morning" she murmured back.

"Did you rest okay?" he asked softly.

She did. She had one of the best sleeps she had in months.

"I did… what about you?" she asked and Kirigan smiled.

"I did as well" he stopped a few feet away from her and silence clouded the room again. Alina felt her heart beating fast, pounding against her chest.

"Are you hungry?" he asked and as soon as he said it, Alina's stomach rumbled, answering his questions. He reached his hand out for her, waiting for her to take it.

"Come on" he said and Alina hesitated. Was he going to take her to breakfast… with the other Grisha?

"I thought I was a prisoner" she gritted and Kirigan furrowed his brows.

"Why would you think that" he said and Alina scoffed.

"Maybe because you kept me chained to your throne and forced my power out of me for months" she spat and Kirigan sighed softly.

"That may have been the case then but not now. I want you by my side" he said and his words were genuine. He wanted Alina right next to him. She was his equal as he was hers. He hoped she was starting to understand that more now that he had removed the scar reminding her of Mal. Kirigan stepped closer, his body closing the gap between them and he took her hands in his, rubbing them softly.

"Why does it always feel like this… you always make me feel nervous but at the same time I want it" she whispered with her head down. Kirigan couldn't help but smile. This was exactly what he wanted. He wanted to be the only thing Alina thought of. He wanted to be the only person Alina wanted. His bond with her was the most powerful thing inside them and noting would match to that.

"Because you and I are made for each other as we always will be" he whispered and Alina looked up at him. That look he gave her, it was intoxicating. Kirigan placed his hand on her cheek gently and brought her head up, lifting her chin so he could place a soft kiss on her lips. Alina closed her eyes, falling into his embrace. His other hand stayed in hers, his thumb tracing her palm where the scar was no longer there and Alina felt a tingle shoot inside her.

She was now his and every touch he gave her made her fall deeper into their bond, forgetting Mal once again. He pulled back slowly and his lips lingered over hers, their noses brushing each other's. He took her hand in his fully now and turned around, leading her out the bedroom.

Alina walked down the hallway with him, hand in hand. The little palace hadn't changed but it seemed there were more guards around. The palace was quiet and Kirigan led her down to the dining hall. Alina felt her stomach crumble inside. This was her first time seeing other Grisha for months. What did they think happened to her? Would they be shocked to see her no longer looking like a chained slave?

"All rise for the king" one of the guards said that was stood by the door of the dining hall.

The sound of chairs scraping against the floor cut the silence and they entered into the dining all. The Grisha stood up straight, staring straight at their king who entered. Alina felt a million pairs of eyes on her, gazing at her and she sunk down behind Kirigan. It was just like before when she met the king of Ravka… well, no longer the king.

The Grisha still sat in their orders and gave a look of pleasure to their king. It was clear they had no hatred towards the man that had enslaved the sun summoner and killed one of their own people. Did they even know about David? Surely, they would have noticed he was gone. But there was no doubt Kirigan had made up some story that paged him as a hero and that David's death had nothing to do with him. Kirigan gave a smile and a gentle nod, dismissing his Grisha and allowing them to sit down. At the front of the dining hall was an empty table with two chairs, both jet black. It was clear this was for Alina and Kirigan to sit at. Beside that table was the Corporalki with Ivan seated beside the black chairs, obviously as his right hand man. The next table seated the Etheralki and then leading to the Materialki.

Kirigan pulled out a chair for Alina who sat down nervously before being pushed up to the table. Kirigan sat beside her and a servant brought over their plates. Alina was shocked to see it was the disgusting herring they had once been eating here. Instead, a selection of fresh fruit and pancakes was on the plate.

Her stomach rumbled once again and she looked hesitantly towards Kirigan as if she was asking for permission to eat. He had already started and he looked to Alina, confused for a second before seeing her eyeing the plate and he nodded, reassuring her she could eat. The food was delicious and Alina realised how hungry she really was as she scoffed it down. She looked up now and then and caught stares and glances from the other Grisha. She assumed they had questions.

It felt completely unnatural to be eating beside Kirigan. Before she had eaten alone in her bedroom, with only the simplest of foods and the silence. Now, she was sat beside their king, eating with her people.

The Grisha chattered amongst themselves and once breakfast had finished, they retreated off in small groups, most likely to attend training or return to their bedrooms. Alina had gazed off into her own little world. The Grisha were happy. They finally felt safe from the cruel world and it was all thanks to Kirigan. They look they gave him was that of a saviour. He had saved his people and they were forever grateful. Not one turned their backs on him and it made Alina think long and hard. Did they look at her as a traitor for escaping? Did they think of her as undeserving to be Grisha? She wouldn't be surprised if they did. The Grisha could finally live in peace with Kirigan ruling their kingdom.

"Come on, let's go" Kirigan broke her daydream and took her hand into his, pulling her from the table and led her out, Alina wondering where he was taking her next.

…

Mal sat against the wall of his cell, a scowl on his face. He rattled the chains against his hands, tugging at them and making a rachet. He was getting irritated. Genya hadn't come back with a plan he had hoped and he was worrying more and more each day about Alina.

The door to the cellar opened and a guard walking inside, shutting the door and he kept his head down. he unlocked the cell and Mal assumed he was bringing him the rotten food they had been feeding him. It consisted of a piece of bread and cup of water. Mal glared forward, not bothering to look at the guard as he assumed he would just put the tray down and leave but when the guard came inside and shut the cell, marching towards Mal, he shot up, fists clenched ready to throw a punch if he needed to.

"Malyen Oretsev" he said and Mal narrowed his eyes.

"What' he grumbled and the guard finally looked up. Mal hadn't seen this guard before and it was the first one to come inside the cell properly and talk to him. something didn't seem right. The guard glanced around the room before turning back to Mal and speaking quietly.

"My name is Nikolai Lantsov, I'm here to set you and Alina free".

Hey so I hope you like it, let me know in the reviews what you think