CHAPTER 6

Sunday morning I finished my breakfast and went looking for Genya. I found her outside, near the lake with the group of Grishas.

"Where have you been?" she asked approaching me.

"Having breakfast."

"I mean before. I came to your room early in the morning, before breakfast, and you weren't there" she eyed me suspiciously.

"Oh… I woke up early. I couldn't sleep and went for a walk" I lied hoping she wouldn't push the subject.

"Excited to get outside?" she beamed. "Let's go then."

But before we managed to get to the gates I heard a familiar voice behind me.

"Leaving without me, ladies?" said Ivan.

"What are you doing here?" Genya asked.

"Alina and I" he smirked and put his hand on my shoulder, "we are inseparable."

I knew he was here on the Darkling's orders, but I wanted to remove that smirk from his face, so I said, "I don't need a nanny."

"Don't be so hostile, Starkov. You might enjoy my company."

I didn't answer and went to walk next to Genya.

The fair was outside of Os Alta, behind the small forest. Ivan insisted on taking the longer road to avoid the crowds, so it took us half an hour to get there. Once we approached the clearing I realized how big it was. Hundreds of merchants were trying to sell their goods. The stalls were set in many rows that extended until the end of the clearing and spaces between them were filled with people. In the central square acrobats, singers and musicians were entertaining the crowd. People were participating in different tournaments and enjoying the day in every way possible.

There were many things that I've never seen in my life and Ivan explained me where they came from and how they were used. At the end he was right, I did enjoy his company.

I didn't noticed how late it was until he told me that we had to get back. Genya decided to stay and watch the evening performance, so we left with five Grishas, who didn't want to stay.

As we walked through the forest the voices began to fade and soon I heard only our steps and the singing of the birds. Suddenly Ivan stopped me and I followed his gaze. Four heavily armed men where blocking our path. Fjerdans.

"Stay behind me" Ivan said.

For a moment nobody moved and then chaos erupted. Even though I was sure that five Grishas can beat four fjerdans without a problem, I wrapped my hand around the bracelet the Darkling gave me and use my power. I knew he would be furious if I didn't do it.

The battle ended fast. Nobody was hurt and I sighed with relief. Ivan however was staring into the darkness of the trees

"Something is not right here" he said.

He was right, that was too easy, but there was nobody in sight.

We walked another ten minutes and finally I saw the main road through the trees. But before we managed to get there the worst happened. More then 20 fjerdans ran towards us from every direction.

"Get to the main road!" Ivan shouted.

I blinded one attacker with my power and rushed to the trees. They grew close to each other and I had to maneuver myself slowly between the trunks.

I lost the sight of Ivan and others. Then I heard him, running with a roar towards me with his sword held high. I avoided the hit, but tripped and went rolling down the hill until I hit a big rock. I didn't have time to recuperate. He was right in front of me.

I was so concentrated on his sword that the movement of his left hand took me completely by surprise. There he had a thick black whip. With a swift movement he lashed it on me. I didn't have time to move, so I put my hand up to protect my face. The whip curled around it and I felt agonizing pain.

I looked in his mad eyes and understood: this is where it ends. In that moment the last drops of power accumulated inside me and I pulled the whip down with all my strength. To my surprise, he let it go. When I looked at him I saw that he was cut in half.

I looked around eager to find the Darkling, but nobody was there. The only thing I heard was the distant noises of the battle.

And then it struck me.

I looked and the body once again and saw the fading shimmering light.

I did it.

I killed him.

With the Cut.

The scream erupted from me, but I was unable to move my eyes away from the dead body. I sat on the ground until I saw a figure in front of me. The Darkling.

"Alina!"

I raised my eyes and looked at him.

"Can you stand up?"

All I could do is nod.

He helped me to stand up, pulled his strong arm around me and led me to his horse.

"Wait here" he said and left to talk with the others.

The feeling of deja vu overwhelmed me. Forest. Battle. The Cut. The only difference was, that this time it was me who did it. This thought made me sick and a few lonely tears left my eyes. I put my hand on the horse, trying to concentrate on the familiar smell of the animal. Be strong Alina! You can't cry now in front of everybody. In front of the Darkling.

"Alina?" his soft voice was right behind me. All I wanted to do was melt in his arms and forget about everything.

"I didn't mean to kill him. I just couldn't control my power" I turned to face him. "That's what scares me most of all."

"Are you trying to tell me that it's dangerous to be around you?" he asked. "Should I be afraid of you then?"

"No, you are worse than me…" I realized what I said and corrected myself "I mean that you are more powerful."

"Powerful doesn't mean bad" he looked at me with such warmth in his eyes that I almost believed that he loved me. "Come here."

I crossed the distance between us and he wrapped his arms around me.

"Do you regret allowing me to go to the fair?" I asked.

"Regret is a waste of time. Did you at least enjoy it?"

"Yes."

"Good. Let's get back to the Palace. How is your arm?"

"I'll survive."

He helped me to get on his horse, when I saw Ivan approach us.

"One of the attackers is still alive" he said. "What should we do?"

"Take him with us. He has some questions to answer."

With that Ivan turned around and the Darkling slid up behind me. I turned my head to the right, trying to find my attacker.

"Don't look there!" he commanded.

I tensed immediately. By now, I was so used to his small smiles, gentle touches, the soft sound of his voice, that this commanding tone took me completely by surprise. He must have felt my tension.

"I'm sorry" he said.

I released the breath I didn't know I was holding. He took off one of his gloves and put his hand on my neck. Familiar sensation overwhelmed me and I relaxed in his arms.

"I wish I could do the same" I said quietly.

"So that you wouldn't need me anymore?" he teased.

"On the other hand, I'd rather have you." I said and looked at him.

"Getting addicted to me?" he smiled.

"Does it bother you?"

"Not at all."