A week had passed, and Alina was getting use to life at the little palace again. No longer been treated like a prisoner, she had more freedom to wonder the little palace. However, Kirigan rarely left her alone for more than a few hours and he was constantly by her side. They sat together at mealtimes and of course slept together in his chambers which had now become her chambers.
At first Alina had noticed the stares from the other Grisha and thoughts spiralled inside her brain. What were they thinking of her? But soon she ignored them and realised that they weren't staring at her because she was a traitor but because she was beside Kirigan. He was the King of Ravka now and did that mean she was to become Queen.
Every day Alina had the same conflicting thought, and it was starting to give her a headache. This man had forced her into slavery and usage of her power and yet she was continuing to stay beside him. Their bond was the strongest thing between them. Alina still hadn't made a final decision on what to do but as it stands, it looked like Alina had chosen.
Kirigan was currently in a meeting in his office with Ivan and a few other Grisha along with some Oprichniki. Alina rarely asked about politics. She didn't want to know the suffering of the other nations, but it dawned on her that if she did officially choose to be beside Kirigan, it would be something she'd have to know about. She couldn't be the Queen and be against the King's opinions. That was straight up treason. Not that Kirigan would murder her for it.
And with everything going on, Alina had once again forgotten about Mal. He was still stuck down in the cells, pacing back and forth, waiting for Nikolai to come and tell him he was putting their escape plan into place. Alina didn't know a word about it and despite seeing Genya every day, she didn't mention Mal.
Alina walked down the hallway of the little palace, making her way to her chambers. She was bored and Kirigan was in his meeting for a long time. It was nice to know that Kirigan had allowed her freedom around the little palace, but she was not permitted to leave without him there. If she did, the guards would stop her and inform Kirigan of this. Alina didn't want the other Grisha to think she was being held captive here either. But she wondered if they did think that, would any of them help her?
As Alina reached her chambers and was about to enter, an Oprichniki came beside her, startling her.
"I'm sorry Miss Starkov, I didn't mean to startle you" he said sweetly, and Alina gave a smile.
"It's fine" she squeaked and went to enter in, but the guard stopped her, halting her wrist. Alina looked in shock and the guard gave her a more serious look.
"Come with me" he said fast and tugged her in a different direction, pulling her along. Alina looked confused but didn't struggle with him. He yanked Alina into an empty room and quickly shut the door. The room was nothing, but a small closet and it was cramped.
"Wh-what's going on" she said, and the guard took his hat off.
"Listen to me carefully, I'm not who you think I am" he said, and Alina blinked with confusion and caution.
"My name is Nikolai Lantsov" he said, and Alina grew a look of shock. Lantsov, as in…
"Lantsov, yo-your parent's…" Nikolai nodded, understanding what Alina was saying.
"That's right, I'm here to take back the throne from Kirigan and I'm here to set you free".
"Set me free?" Alina knew what he was talking about but the idea that the previous king and queen's son had come to her rescue was a bit of a shock and for a moment she thought she might be dreaming so she pinched herself hard on the arm, but it only resulted in pain and not waking up. This was very much real.
"Yes, your friend Mal, he's a prisoner here, isn't he?" he said, and Alina gasped.
"Mal" she's forgotten all about him. Alina sighed heavily, rubbing her face with her hands. She couldn't believe she let herself become so clouded and use to this life, letting herself forgot about the one important person in her life who was suffering. Tears were crawling to the edges of her eyes just waiting to flood down her cheeks and Alina sniffled. If it weren't for this bond, Alina would remember him all the time.
"It's alright, he's okay, I've seen him. I spoke to him, and I've devised a plan to get the both of you out of here and I can defeat Kirigan" Nikolai said carefully, and Alina stared at him. Was he certain his plan could work? Two escape attempts and neither of them had worked.
"Are you sure, Kirigan is a powerful man, if he finds out about this, he'll do everything to stop this, and he won't hesitate to kill you" there was no beating around the bush here. Anyone who would get in the way of Kirigan, or Alina would face the penalty of death, it was not up for debate and no amount of grovelling or apologies would stop Kirigan.
"I'm positive, but the main thing for you is to get out of here Alina, it's not healthy for you" Nikolai said with concern.
He was right. This was not healthy for Alina. Yes, Kirigan had become less despicable to her, but it didn't excuse the things he had done to her in the past and possibly in the future. She was still under his control. But did she want to leave?
"Look, Kirigan is going to be looking for me, I have to go" Alina tried to leave but Nikolai stepped in front, blocking the door.
"Just listen to me Alina, I have some friends who will be waiting for you when the time is ready. Mal will be easy to get out, the guards won't notice a thing, but you are a little bit trickier. Kirigan has eyes on you all the time and in order to get you away from him, we need a distraction" Nikolai said carefully.
"Like what" Alina had no idea what could be a good distraction to allow Kirigan to leave Alina for enough time to get away.
"I have a few ideas, but I won't know until the day, when he's away I will get you two out and, on the road, away from the little palace to the fold. Mal told me about the best way for you two get away is going across the fold as you are the only one to shield them from the Volcra. Kirigan won't get to you if you're traveling through it".
Alina wasn't sure if this plan was full proof. The last plan seemed to work but ended up with David losing his life. Alina couldn't bear it if another was to die for her escape.
"I have to go" was all Alina could say. The pressure of Kirigan trying to find her made her nervous and she didn't want Nikolai to be caught out. If she had more time, she'd ask all the questions she wanted to ask like where he had been all these months and how had he managed to come here without being spotted.
"Before I go… how is he?" Alina asked sadly.
It took a moment for Nikolai to realise what Alina was talking about and he smiled softly.
"He's okay, worried about you but I assured him you were okay as well" Alina sighed in relief. Mal and his worrying. She couldn't imagine Mal would ever go back to being the carefree and not bothered about anything Mal he was before all of this. he would constantly be worried for Alina and deep down, Alina missed seeing that. She missed seeing him and if she had the chance, she would go down there and spend what little time she had with him.
"Alina, please think about it, you and I both know what needs to be done" Nikolai said as he grabbed her elbow to hold her back for one last second. Alina swallowed hard and the words he had just spoken would be in her head all day.
"Be careful, make sure Kirigan doesn't spot you" Alina said before scurrying out of the closet and padding quickly down the hallway. She slid into the chambers and instantly saw Kirigan exiting the bathroom.
"Alina… there you are" he smirked, and it was clear he had been looking for her. Her heart was beating fast with nerves like the day she had escaped or the day they entered Shu Han and she was glad Ivan wasn't around to hear it. Alina gave a stiff smile as Kirigan strolled over to her.
"How was your meeting" she said softly and Kirigan shrugged a little.
"Fine but I'm glad it's over now" he whispered as he stood in front of Alina and took her hand.
"Come, let's have some dinner" he pulled her along and out of their chambers and as they walked down the hallway, Alina passed Nikolai in his Oprichniki uniform, giving him a nervous glance. He gave a short nod when it was safe to do so without Kirigan noticing and Alina one again was stuck in her thoughts.
Hey so I am so sorry for the late update, I've been having writers block with this story but I'm hoping to get back on track with it and finish it soon. I hope you are still enjoying it. What do you think will happen next, let me know in the reviews.