I stood before a small crowd of mixed keftas—all green, red, and blue. Somber faces stared as we gathered next to the lake. Beside me were my friends, the newly appointed Grisha leaders. They were unsure what to say. The Grisha that had arrived were mostly younger, many of them stationed at Keramzin until the Darkling took them. A few of the older ones that stood out were badly wounded and needed a place to feel useful, though I didn't recognize any of their faces.

Genya nudged my shoulder and whispered, "Say something, Alina. You're good at making speeches."

I stared blankly at her, looking between her and the Grisha. Before I could respond, she gently pushed me forward, separating me from the others. I could hear Zoya snickering behind me. I shot her a threatening glance then cleared my throat.

"Welcome back to the Little Palace, everyone. I, uh, understand that many of you are tired, exhausted from the war," I said, my unsteady voice echoing through the cool morning air. I turned my head to look at Genya. She waved her hand, urging me to continue.

"We are going to rebuild the Second Army. However, things are going to be different than before. We will all be united. That means no more ranking of power or separation among the orders. We are together in all of this…" I paused, not sure what else to say. "The Grisha leaders will now introduce themselves," I finished flatly, stepping back as heat rose to my cheeks.

I wanted to say more, to give an empowering speech about having hope and fighting until the end, but I didn't believe the words. My talk with Nikolai, the Darkling's presence, the aching pain in my heart kept me from feeling empowered.

After the preliminary introductions, I eagerly joined Zoya with several of the younger Grisha in the training rooms. I had a lot of pent-up emotion that desperately needed to be released. We went through combat drills and defensive fighting while the children stared in awe.

Zoya put me on the offensive, effortlessly dodging my attacks. Her smooth movements frustrated me, causing me to fight carelessly. She pulled me to the ground several times while a few of the Grisha laughed. I wasn't boasting well for the power of the Sun Summoner or a Saint.

Once the Grisha were tired and Zoya and I were bruised and bleeding, we excused them for lunch. We sat on the hardwood floor, breathing heavily. Zoya laughed as she rubbed a trickle of blood from her bottom lip.

"You're strong, you know," she said casually.

I rolled my eyes. "It's only a busted lip."

"No, I mean you're strong… because of everything that's happened. I didn't think you were much when I first saw you. Now you're a completely different person," she said contemplatively.

Her sincerity caught me off-guard. "Thank you, Zoya," I said. It was all I could manage to say. I stood up and she did the same. "I didn't think much of you either."

She smirked. "Watch out, Alina. I can still break a couple of your ribs if I need to."

After we finished picking up the equipment strewn about the room, we headed for the Little Palace in search of a healer for our wounds.

"Do you have a plan yet?" she asked as we walked along the stone path.

"A plan?"

"Yeah, like a plan for Ravka. The Darkling's still out there and so is the Fold. Have you thought about what you'll do?"

I sighed. "Not really. My mind's been a little preoccupied. I'm guessing you aren't the only one who's wondering what I'll do?"

She shook her head. "A lot of people are still expecting you to marry Nikolai."

"That's definitely not something I'll do."

Zoya snorted. "He's the most charming man I have ever seen, even with those scars, it's effortless for him. I don't know how you can resist him."

"Did Nikolai put you up to this?" I joked.

"You can't deny it would be fitting, Alina. Imagine a Grisha queen! That could finally change Grisha treatment for good," she enthused.

The people would love you for a time. But what would they think when their good king aged and died, while his witch of a wife remained young?

"Yeah, a Grisha queen…"

"Why do you look so pale all of a sudden? Did I hurt you that badly?" Zoya asked, looking concerned.

I winced dramatically and clutched my side. "I may be bleeding internally. We better find a healer soon or you'll be charged with the murder of a Saint."

She rolled her eyes and shoved me playfully. "You do look pale though."

I laughed and pushed the Darkling's words to the back of my mind. I had let him get inside my head once already. I couldn't allow him to do it again.

That afternoon, Nikolai called the Grisha leaders to the war room. He didn't explicitly call me but I followed Genya in anyway. He smiled at us as we filed in. Beside him stood Misha with a pitcher of water, looking as enthusiastic as ever. Misha's eyes lit up as he saw me, but he stayed rooted beside Nikolai.

"Thank you all for coming so quickly," Nikolai said as we sat down. "This will be a short meeting as I have other matters to tend to. How was everyone's first day?"

I struggled to stifle my laughter. Genya and I were worried over the impromptu war meeting, thinking the Darkling's shadow army was rapidly approaching. But Nikolai had only wanted to ask them how their day went. It was comical.

Zoya spoke up first. "It went well. Alina and I taught some of the younger ones how to block attacks."

Nikolai nodded. "Combat training. That's a good start. And Genya? David?"

David shifted uncomfortably in his chair. He still wasn't used to the idea of being a leader.

Genya smiled and said, "Everything went well with my group today. Though we need to acquire some bodies to practice with."

"Bodies? Right. I'm sure we can find you some."

David rubbed the back of his neck and said, "I've assigned projects to my group. I will see in a week how efficient they are. Until then, all I can say is that they're eager to learn."

Nikolai clasped his hands together in a satisfied gesture. "Good, good. It sounds like you all are well suited for your positions. Are there any issues or concerns we need to address before I go?"

Everyone shook their head except me. "When will we receive more Grisha? Ones that aren't all practically children or injured?" I asked.

"The able-bodied Grisha are scattered around Ravka, still stationed with many of the First Army. I'm having a couple of groups sent back here, but most will remain at their posts," he said as he rose from the chair. He pushed it beneath the table and said, "We still have a war to win."

We nodded in agreement and rose from our chairs.

"I will see you all at dinner," Nikolai said before he walked out the war room doors.

"I hope all war meetings are that brief," Zoya muttered.

David nodded and rushed to the door. "I have work to do," he said to Genya. Then he was gone.

"I'm grateful we finally have a considerate king," Genya added as she joined Zoya by the door. "Alina, are you coming?"

I was still standing by my chair, watching Misha clean the war room table with a rag. I waved her off. "I'll meet you at dinner." She nodded reluctantly and followed Zoya out of the room.

"Misha, why are you cleaning the table?" I asked as she shut the door.

He anxiously scrubbed the wood, despite there being nothing to clean.

"It's my job," he said as he continued.

"Nikolai said you've been keeping busy lately. Is this what you've been doing?"

He shrugged and picked up the unused cups strewn along the table.

"What have you been doing then?"

He shrugged again. "The same things my mom used to do." Servant work.

I rounded the table and crouched in front of him, gently tugging the rag from his hand. He looked at me and bit his lip. I pulled him into a hug and he dug his face into my neck. I could feel his body shaking a little. He was struggling not to cry.

"I visited you everyday when you were asleep," he said into my neck.

I pulled him back and said, "Really? I bet that was no fun."

"I read to you like I did to Baghra."

I couldn't help but smile. "Why don't you take a break from all this and we go down to the lake? Do you still have that sword?"

He nodded eagerly. "You should get a wooden sword too. That way we can play!"

I tousled his brown hair and said, "I would love that."

All throughout dinner, I couldn't take my mind off of Misha. I knew he wanted to keep busy, but knowing he spent his time cleaning made my heart hurt. He was only a child, already assuming the role of a servant. Playing by the lake earlier made him incredibly happy. If only he were Grisha, he could have a good life here. But he wasn't Grisha. He was a normal boy who deserved a normal childhood, not a life as a servant.

Who knew how many parents the war had taken, how many children had been left to fend for themselves in the wake? It made my skin crawl to think about it. But the war was not over yet. There would be more dead parents, more lost children. I reluctantly thought of Keramzin and its charred remains, the orphanage that was no more. One less place for lost children to call home. I rose from my seat and walked to the other end of the table where Nikolai sat.

He sighed as I sat down. "I acted foolishly this morning."

"That's not why I'm here. I want to talk to you about Keramzin."

His ears perked up. "Oh?"

"I want the orphanage to be rebuilt. I want it to be a place where children go to live, not just to be shuffled around until they're of age to be killed in the First Army. Can you do that for me, Nikolai?"

He stared forward, probably thinking how to politely turn me down. I held my breath, waiting in anticipation while he sat quietly. Then he turned to me, a faint smile on his face, and said, "Done."

"Done? Done as in yes?"

"Done as in 'already working on it'."

My eyes widened. "What?"

"I assumed there was a chance you would want to return so I had Fabrikators sent there last week."

"Why didn't you tell me sooner?"

"I wanted it to be a surprise. It was once your home, Alina, and it was destroyed. I wanted you to see it in person, restored to its former glory."

I was speechless and completely overwhelmed with joy. I desperately wanted to hug Nikolai but I knew it wouldn't be appropriate, especially not in front of so many watchful eyes.

"How can I thank you?" I asked.

"You can thank me by returning."

"I wouldn't stay there, Nikolai. I've spent enough of my life in orphanages."

He shook his head. "That's not what I meant. Once you're outside these walls, away from the nuances of this life, if only for a little while, I'm afraid you will not want to return. I know the feeling all too well."

"But you came back."

"I did."

Beneath the table, I slowly laced my fingers with his own, squeezing his hand for a moment, and said, "Then I will to." I released his hand and asked, "When can I leave?"

Color filled his cheeks. "You want to go right now? You've only been with the Grisha for a day."

"Be honest with yourself, Nikolai. The Grisha don't need me. Not when they have three incredibly powerful leaders. I just don't want to see Misha cleaning any more tables. I don't care how well meaning it is to keep his mind off his mother, I want him around other children. I want them to have peace-of-mind despite the war."

"That's wanting an awful lot," he said thoughtfully. "But it isn't impossible."

"Can I leave tomorrow?"

He squeezed the bridge of his nose and said, "You don't need my permission. You aren't a prisoner here."

"But you are the king."

"Take Tolya and Tamar with you. Travel discreetly. Stay away from towns. Don't draw attention to—"

"Okay, I understand. I should try and stay hidden. But you should know, I am capable of taking care of myself."

He smiled. "That is one thing I am certain of."

I pushed back the chair and asked, "Will you see me off tomorrow?"

"Of course."

"Thank you again, Nikolai. I'll see you in the morning," I said as I stood. I walked past Tamar and Nadia, who were engaged in conversation. I reached Tolya and leaned in next to him.

"Tomorrow, we're going on an adventure."

Author's Note: I would like to give a huge thank you to I Can Kill You With My Brain (love the Firefly reference btw) and dristi5683 for the lovely reviews. You guys are awesome! Reviews keep me inspired to write. Happy reading!