Chapter Three: Alina
By noon the next day, Alina is the second army coach with David, Baghra, Ivan and Fedyor on their way to Djerholm. Baghra had woken them before the sun had risen in the sky and helped Alina into the hastily prepared wedding gown and coat David had prepared for her the night before with Baghra's help. It was designed very different from the present court gowns woman wore. The dress was not white nor blue, it was the blood red of the Corporalki, with golden designs embroidered. David had taken her suns, the two headed Ravkan eagle and snowflakes and tangled them together, like a dance upon her dress.
She wore a simple white chemise, with no sleeves, that fell to the floor. Her stockings were made of silk rather than the wool she had worn at the orphanage and felt almost indecent against her skin. The dress was made of silk and was low cut, showing off her collarbones and the top of her beasts, long tight sleeves, with a bodice that only cupped her breasts, with a layer of rubies as a belt, before dropping into a silken puddle of blood red skirts to the floor to drag behind her. The gown was based very different from anything Alina had ever seen and she knew it had come from a time long passed, made apparent by the look in Baghra's eyes as she helped Alina into it.
The Shu Han ambassador's wife, Zhi had arrived at their rooms shortly after, with a gift for the Sun Summoner of Shu Han on her wedding day. This was a tradition a young Alina remembered her mother speaking off, a mothers right to prepare her daughter for her wedding day. Alina's mother was dead, so Zhi stepped in, to make sure that Alina had this one piece of home. She carefully twisted Alina's hair into the traditional styles of the Shu Han royals, placing the hair pieces and pins carefully, until it looked like she wore a tiara, with beads hanging down around her.
Zhi spoke of how and why Shu Han bride married in red and the honor she felt to see Alina dressed in her mothers colors and honoring her memory on her wedding day. Her face was left bare but when she saw herself in the mirror, Alina was reminded of those pictures she had seen of the of the Shu Han royals in the books she had read as a child. She looked like a Shu Princess and for the first time, Alina was not ashamed of that. She did not wear the face veil many Shu brides did as that was for arranged marriages and her's sort of was arranged, they had already seen her face, so there wasn't a point.
Baghra and Zhi had escorted her from her rooms in the Little Palace, with not a single soul seeing them, as everyone was hungover from the night before. Even the Darkling's Oprichniki were nowhere to be found but Baghra's satisfied look probably accounted for that. She was escorted to the Grand Palace where Ivan and Fedyor were already waiting for her in the Throne Room.
Outside the doors, she was met by the Shu Han Ambassador. He had introduced himself as Jun (Lord) Yuyi Zhou and explained that the Tsar's story had arranged a marriage with Shu Han, using Alina, as an alliance between their kingdoms'. She was not wed to the Crown Prince because Vasily was promised to Svetlana, not to Nikoli given the boy was not the Tsar's son, and instead of being wed to the General of the Second Army, who the King did not feel like 'rewarding' she was the wed the Grisha second in command to bind her to Ravka and her people.
No one on the council other than three, were aware that she was being bound to the true heir of Ravka and his consort, now the future tsaritsa of Ravka, despite her Shu appearance. The Sun Summoner they had shunned would soon be their superior. Everyone wanted to keep it that way for the time being. So, the treaty had been signed that morning, with an unsteady approval from the Shu Han Empress, who could not make her true feelings known about the Shu Sun Summoner, and the law was passed for Grisha to marry with no difficulty.
Yuyi was there to escort her to her intendeds as she had no parents and while the Tsar could technically do it, it was better that 'her own people' were seen in agreement with their match. Baghra had gone to stand at Fedyor's side, while Yuyi had escorted her inside, where she was joined by the whole Shu delegation. She was surprised by their welcome and how they treated her. She looked like her mother, and it served her well as she was instantly welcomed among them, making her heart sing with joy. She had been forced to leave everything Shu behind her after she ended up in Keramzin as many thought of them as the enemy.
The woman treated her like she was a treasure, fixing her gown and fussing over her hair and face as they waited for the right moment. The men wore ceremonial robes, each with the Fire Bird embroidered on the back. How they clucked at Alina not being able to bare the symbol of her peoples most powerful protector as she married, the shame they moaned, which just made her smile and laugh.
Her wedding passed in a blur once she entered the Throne room and her eyes met Ivan and Fedyor's. The Apparent had looked enraged once she had entered and the courtiers who had been gathered, not many as most were hungover, all gaped as she was escorted into the room and to her husbands. It was a blur afterwards, she didn't remember anything other than Ivan and Fedyor sliding her ring onto her finger and doing the same, before they were declared bound in the eyes of all the Saints and men. After signing their marriage certificates, and Ivan knocked out the Apparent so he couldn't go running to the General, David handed her a new kefta and they were bundled into the coach to leave.
Her new kefta was the same color as her wedding dress, the embroidery golden and black, and it matched Ivan and Fedyor's, which had been threaded with gold. They each wore a thick fur lined cloak as it was colder in Fjerda that Ravka and it would be a long journey to reach the capital Djerholm. Even Baghra is dressed in a warm fur cloak, her face is more relaxed that Alina has ever seen, and she can see an ease in Baghra's eyes that she hasn't before. Her eyes frequently go to Fedyor, whose happiness and optimism, seemed to pulse out of him as they travel, even with is darkest secret out in the open for the first time. He is on Alina's right and Ivan on her left, the latter deep in thought, even though as he allows Alina to rest against his shoulder, her body pleasantly sore and exhausted after their night and their busy morning.
"What is your theory about the Fjerdan's Sacred Ash Tree?" David asked, breaking the silence they had been in since leaving Os Alta.
Everyone's attention turned to her, each curious and she smiled slightly, "It's something my mother told me when I was a child," she said, shifting so she was more comfortable, and her stomach wasn't rolling with every bump of the road. Her eyes looked at Baghra, as the oldest of them, the story might be familiar to the daughter of Ilya Morozova. "Have you ever been to the Fènghuáng sì, Baghra?"
The old woman raised a brow at the Ancient Shu flowing from the young girls lips flawlessly, "Temple of the Phoenix? I can't say I have," she was forced to admit, thoughtful. Baghra has traveled the whole known world in her thousand years. She had been over every inch of Shu Han, so she was a little surprised that there was somethings she didn't know. She looked at Alina curiously, wondering where the conversation was going.
Alina nodded though as if she expected that answer, "That doesn't surprise me. My mother told me that the Fènghuáng sì is deep into the Shu mountains, north of the Ravkan border. She said that unless invited by one of the monks, no one is allowed to enter the temple, nor explore it's knowledge. It has documented histories of times we've forgotten. My mother told me that her mother left her on the doorsteps of the temple when she was born, and the monks took her in and raised her as their own. She left the temple because she wanted to find love. When I was a girl and couldn't sleep at night, she would weave stories for me based on ancient legends and myths that she had discovered while in the temple," she paused to take in everyone's faces.
They all looked like they were following along, so she continued.
"A long time ago, before this land was known as Ravka, Fjerda and Shu Han, when it was just one place, before we were called Grisha or our gifts were called the small science, we had a very different name. It was Shénshèng de háizi in Shu, Svyashchennyye deti in Ravka and Heilög börn in Fjerdan,"
David's mouth fell as the ancient words in three different languages rolled off her tongue, "Sacred Children?" he repeated curiously, translating the words into new Ravkan.
Alina nodded, "Yes. In the legends my mother told me, the Sacred Children, were the blessed one by Mother Nature, and that was why we could control the elements. We were her children, sent to guide and protect her and all others, even those not blessed. Our gifts were also our duty to her, to guide the world forward and make it better," she explained. David's expression clearly saying he understood and was interested on where she was going with this as he motioned for her to go on.
"There was a monk in the Temple, who believed that the Making of the Heart of the World and Mother Nature were one in the same. No one is sure where the Making came from or the name Grisha, it appeared suddenly in texts just over a thousand years ago, around the time if Ilya Morozova also known as Saint Ilya in Chains. But he theorized that Mother Nature, the one who gives, is also the Making, as it was where Grisha were born and where we return after death. If that is the case, it means when we draw on our gift, it's not the Making but the Earth we are channeling."
Ivan's brow raised as he stared at Alina with interest and Fedyor looked contemplative, "In a way, it makes sense," Fedyor admitted.
Baghra's looked just as thoughtful as she nodded, "In the Morozova journals, Ilya asked the question, are we not all things? Repeatedly through his work. He theorized that with time, all Grisha could master any of the orders, as we were all connected. If this legend it true, it lends credit to his word. If we really are the children of Mother Nature, blessed as her children to care for her world, it means everything we ever thought about ourselves or taught others, is wrong," she pointed out.
David's mind raced as her words drifted through his thoughts and he looked at Alina, "What is your theory?" he asked, wondering just what she was trying to get at.
She smiled briefly, "Svetlana told me that the Sacred Ash Tree is right in the middle of the Ice Courts, where they burn their Grisha. When she had told me the story, part of me had wondered if the tree was dying because the drüskelle were burning the children blessed by the very earth they worshipped, in front of an old magic. Back in the old days, Ash Tree's were a symbol of powerful solidity and immortality. It's been seen as a link to, and even sometimes as a medium between, life and death. Fjerdan's think they can hear their God speak through the tree. The tree has been there for thousands of years, now suddenly it's dying," she expanded on her words.
David nodded along, "You think burning Grisha is poisoning the tree?" he asked, to make sure he was correct.
Alina nodded, "Yes. Svetlana said they burn their Grisha right in the courtyard, facing the tree, hoping their Djel would bless them. She said the tree had been dying since the Fold was created. When they capture Durast's, they force them to heal the tree. It has slowed the decay, but the tree is still dying, despite their efforts."
Ivan hummed, "And you think you can save it?" he asked doubtfully.
She rolled her eyes at him, "Not by myself no," she answered before looking at David, Fedyor and Ivan, "But I think you could."
They both looked at her shocked, "How?" Fedyor breathed, both stiff at her side.
Alina shifted to press against his side, offering him comfort, which he accepted as she opened her mouth to speak again, "My theory is that as a heartrender, you can feel at the life around you. I think if you had enough power or a medium, you would be able to hear the very heartbeat of the Making or the Earth," she said softly.
Both heartrender's looked at her with surprise before they shared a look of interest, "How?" Ivan asked, the idea of what she was speaking of was very enticing for him. Ivan had always liked to push himself and something like this, oh, it was the first time in decades Ivan had felt such curiosity. He could feel Fedyor all but vibrating at his side and knew his husband would be attempting to find the Heartbeat of the Making as soon as possible and would never give up until he did.
Baghra spoke, "What she speaks of is a tether. It is like the saying, like calls to like. A heartrender must connect to everything around them, the heartbeats, the air, water, fire, sun, shadow and earth under them. You must connect to it all, feel the very connection of life in everything, before trying to send your power into the earth. It must not be done lightly, you will need to have conviction and a power in order to try to connect to the very making in order to feel it's heartbeat," she explained, looking at Ivan and Fedyor with intense eyes, "You're the most powerful heartrender's of your generation, if we find Fedyor an amplifier and you use the Sacred Ash Tree as a medium, it's possible you could connect."
Both looked excited at the prospect and Fedyor laughed, "Oh, this is so exciting," he murmured to Ivan, his husband nodding along thoughtfully as his eyes stared at Alina. Ivan wasn't a man prone to being surprised, but once again, Alina did exactly that. It was clear he had severely misjudged her, and Ivan promised that if this worked, if they could find and hear the very heartbeat of the Making, something never done before, he was going to link her to him in every possible way and never let her go.
David interrupted, "We're getting off track, how are we going to heal the tree?" he asked.
Alina's eyes snapped to him, "Right," she mumbled, shifting as she turned her mind back to what she was doing and off her two handsome husbands, who had both been practically vibrating with excitement, which had made her want to laugh. Over the last six months, she had never seen either one do so before and she looked forward to seeing it again.
Her attention turned to David, "I think that if a heartrender can connect to the heartbeat of the earth, they'll be able to tell what is happening to the tree. If it's being poisoned like I suspect or if the tree itself is dying. If it's being poisoned due to the death's of Grisha, we'll need to cleanse the earth, which will require an Inferni, Tidemaker, Squaller, a Durast, a Heartrender and me. After, we'll need to heal the tree. They already know a Durast can heal the tree short term, but I think it will take all the Grisha orders, working together to save it, as we each have a unique skill," she explained looking down at her hands, part of her waiting for them to laugh and the other part of her hoping for acceptance "I think if a healer and a Durast were to try and heal the tree at the same time, maybe it would heal it all the way."
A heartbeat of silence passed before a hand cupped her chin and pulled her head up, so her eyes met Ivan's blue ones, "You amaze me solnishka," he murmured softly, she barely heard him.
A shaky smile crossed her lips, "Yeah?" she asked just as softly.
He nodded before leaning down to brush a kiss over her lips before he pulled away and shifted so she was leaning more firmly against him, having caught her earlier yawn out of the corner of his eye, "Your mind is thinking to much, get some sleep," he muttered, tucking her close. She snorted a laugh, "I'm not tired," she protested, even as her body sunk into his heat. He hummed as his power slid into her body, relaxing the sore muscles and easing the pain from their nighttime activities, before joining Fedyor's as they eased the nausea in her womb. Alina felt safe and protected in their embrace and her mind shifted to sleep before she could stop it, briefly feeling a stab of betrayal and fury in her chest, before she was gone to the land of dreams.
Ivan and Fedyor shifted closer to her, each drawn to her warmth as her power sung happily, a light glow covering her skin as the beating of her heat showed her contentment in their embrace. David and Baghra both appreciated the warmth as they all settled into rest, knowing it was going to be a long journey and a trying time in the Fjerdan Capital as many thought of Grisha as witches. They were going with the blessing and protection of the Ravka Tsar but even then, some people wouldn't hesitate to attack them, given it was the Second in Command of the Second Army, who had a fierce reputation on the battlefield, the third who was known to end things as quickly as possible, even if it was bloody and the Sun Summoner, who was spoken of in hushed whispers, that was supposed to destroy the Fold.
It was temptation for anyone, Ivan knew he would have to keep his eyes open and his science at his fingertips, just in case.
~!~ The Darkling~!~
General Kirigan woke the morning after the winter in a very good mood as all his plans were set to come to pass, until Zoya knocked on his war room doors and disturbed the peace with the news that someone had broken into the Little Palace, attacked Genya and Marie, who were both injured in the struggle but alive and that the Tsaritsa had been killed by the same assassin as he tried to flee the Little Palace. He had been forced to send Svetlana back to her rooms, surrounded by guards and jump into his duties, heading for the Grand Palace with Zoya at his back, while his mind wondered where Ivan and Fedyor were. The men were usually prompt and on time, it was rare that Ivan didn't greet him first thing in the morning with a list of reports and the like. He figured that he was probably hungover and swore he was going to go ruin the mans days as Kirigan's had been.
Only, that didn't happen.
Upon arriving at the council meeting, the Tsar spoke before he could say anything, "Kirigan it's about time. We've been waiting for you for over an hour," the man said curtly from his spot at the head of the table. This caused the Darkling to pull up short, as it was apparent the Tsar was not hungover nor drunk, his blue eyes were sharp like he hadn't seen since Pyotr was a young man, as they focused on him. Unease curled his gut, but he kept his face expressionless as he made his way to his seat to the Tsar left, across from the First Army General.
"My apologies Moi Tsar. I only just learned of your summons," he lied as he allowed the servants to place a cup of water at his elbow and accept the pile of paper one of the others handed him.
The Tsar rolled his eyes, "Well you were off doing who knows what. There has been a development," he spoke, all eyes on him, some knowing and others curious as they waited. Kirigan watched on tenterhooks, wondering what was going on now. It was also then that he noticed the Fjerdan Ambassador was missing and the Shu Ambassador was staring at him with something cold and calculating in his eyes.
His eyes turned back to the Tsar when the man began to speak, "With Tatiana's death Jarl Alfson has returned to Fjerda. He requested an Ambassador to go with as their country goes into mourning for their Konungur's (King's) sister. All are aware that I have not appointed a new ambassador after Lord Smirnov was killed at the border a few months ago. Jarl Alfson made the request for one of the sun summoners to go as a blessing of sorts for the funeral rights in Fjerda. Lady Svetlana was the obvious choice as a fellow Fjerdan but she and Kirigan were nowhere to be found last night," here the man paused to glare at him, and the Darkling felt the unease in his gut build as the Tsar spoke. If Svetlana hadn't been summoned, that meant there was only one Sun Summoner left and the thought of her left a bad taste in his mouth. But again, he didn't get a chance to speak as the Tsar continued to speak.
"Miss Starkov was consulted and agreed to go," Kirigan's fury spiked as he realized the Tsar had done something with his Grisha without his authorization and the stupid girl had listened, "there was a complication though. Alina Starkov has nothing binding her to Ravka, given the stigma against her Shu appearance. We didn't want the potential for her to defect to another country if the Fjerdan's would overlook her witch blood because she can guard against the shadows of the Fold. We spoke with Lieutenant General Kaminsky and Major General Kaminsky and both men agreed to fill the void so to speak," here he paused again and looked at Kirigan with a frown, "Had my aide been able to find you, it would have been you."
The Darkling was confused, annoyed, uneasy and angry as he listened to the Tsar blubber on, but the words were sinking in, and he felt fear rise in his chest. Ivan and Fedyor were both completely loyal to him and the Grisha. Ivan had been at his side for thirty years and knew about his plans for the Sun Summoner's, had been eager to do his bidding when it came to Alina. While Fedyor's friendship to the Shu Summoner had persisted, he had had plans on how to shatter it but hadn't had the time yet. He was now wondering what had happened, that Ivan and Fedyor would agree to do anything without his permission.
The next words from the Tsar, made rage explode through his body, "As of last night, the law regarding Grisha wedding in the eyes of the church as been lifted. With the agreement of the ambassador of Shu Han and Fjerda, a compromise was reached late last night. Her Imperial Majesty, Empress Mahki, has accepted and named Alina Starkov a High Lady of Ahmrat Jen, the Sun Saint of Shu Han and under the protection of her nation, making her in ideal candidate for an alliance between our nations. As such, Major General Fedyor Kaminsky was born here in Ravka, has served in the Second Army for more than thirty years and is a decorated officer. He is the highest rank that is not married as General Kirigan could not be found last night or this morning, of Ravkan birth and it was agreed for the two of them to wed. A seize fire between our borders is in affect as of immediately, with plans for a treaty of peace to be drawn up. As Fedyor was already married to his husband, Second in Command to General Kirigan, Ivan Kaminsky who was born in Fjerda, the three were bound in matrimony at dawn this morning and will now serve as Ambassador's to Fjerda, as reward for services rendered."
Silence for a few seconds before chaos reigned.
Kirigan pinched the bridge of his nose, Saints this was a mess, he thought to himself.
He had always tried to push for Grisha to be wed in the eyes of the church but due to the Apparent and the conflict with their neighboring kingdom's, no Tsar has been willing to allow it. It was unspoken but everyone knew, with the law on Grisha being lifted, Grisha were now considered full citizen's of Ravka. To go against them, was now punishable under the laws that had governed Ravka for centuries. It burned inside, that he had lost control of one of the Sun Summoners. He didn't know how long it would take to find Morozova's Stag, and until he had that, he couldn't move forward with his plans and this defection from Alina, it could ruin everything.
With the delay, that meant there was a chance that Svetlana could end up wed to Vasily, as the Tsar would never give the Sun Sankta to the Second Army General, despite them both being Grisha. Everyone knew light and shadows were equals, so, if he could not have Svetlana, it would mean he would have to settle for Alina, despite his wants. He had known it was a possibility but then the trackers had come the night before, with news that they might have found the Stag but needed more men, as they had to travel farther into Fjerdan territory, he had been sure the marriage would never come to pass. He had everything he needed but the Stag and now… things were being changed on the board without his permission.
Alina had been so weak in comparison to her sister summoner, Svetlana had been the better bet and he had done everything to prove it to everyone else, to raise the Fjerdan's Summoner to Sainthood. Alina had drifted into the shadows, but apparently, she had drifted too far if she thought she could go against him. The Sun Summoner's belonged to him, while he accepted Fedyor and Ivan's small betrayal of wedding the girl, he knew the Tsar was the Tsar and they couldn't deny him what he wanted. Alina though, oh it burned that she had been wed to someone else, if nothing else, he had looked forward to bedding her as his wife. After the coup, she would have been set aside for the actual Sun Sankta, but he would have enjoyed the attentions of both woman, as they had eternity together and Alina would have learned her place.
He looked at the Apparent, the man looking like he had swallowed something sour as he glared down at the table, meaning that there was nothing Kirigan could do to change it. His mood soured further as the Tsar when on to explain that the Kaminsky's and Alina were accompanied by David, his best Durast, who had apparently requested to go with them and his mother, who was 'sent' to continue to teach Alina, as the spare Sun Summoner would do better out in the field and needed to learn to fight. This had him grinding his teeth as he realized the Tsar had removed four important pieces of the game he was playing and now, he was going to be focused on another set back.
It would just take more time, he tried to assure himself. Ivan would return in a couple of months and the man would help the Darkling get everything back on track.
Only… things didn't work out that way.
Ten weeks after they had departed from Os Alta, as Kirigan waited for news about the Sun Summoner being burned alive after being found guilty of being a witch, the Fjerdan Ambassador returned to court. He was received in the throne room, and they came baring a white flag, which meant a truce. Their King was offering terms, Grisha would no longer be persecuted by drüskelle nor burned at the stake for their gifts, they would accept the Second Army's presence in Ravka and no longer raid the borders looking for Grisha. The war between their countries was over. He is thankful for Fedyor and Ivan, until the Ambassador announces why this treaty exists at all. Alina Starkov has been named, the Honorable Daughter of the Sun, Princess of Fjerda, wife of the Second Prince Ivan and his Consort Fedyor Kaminsky, Savior of the Sacred Ash Tree and Blessed of Djel, the reason the treaty was possible at all.
He grinds his jaw when it is known that Ivan, the boy he had groomed to be his Second, was in fact the lost second born Prince of Fjerda. It burns his insides that his key to Fjerda was sitting under his nose the whole time. He wonders why Ivan never said anything and he promises to get answers the next time they see each other in person.
Svetlana throws a tantum the likes of which he had never seem before, as it is announced just after Alina's elevation in the Fjerdan court, that Svetlana has been stripped of her titles and disowned from her family for her treason against Fjerda, giving private information to the Ravka that she shouldn't have. She is banished from Fjerda and never welcome to set foot there again under threat of death. Favor shifts, courtiers turn on her, Grisha whisper and Kirigan's is once again left behind as things change for a second time. With this information, it is decided that Svetlana is not trusted enough to know state secrets and her betrothal to Tsarevich Vasily is broken. She is entrusted to Kirigan, who is known to holding information close to his chest and the Tsar hopes he will control her. Triumph bursts through his chest when they say their vows in front of the Apparent, courtiers and Grisha, in the Church right in Os Alta. But rumors spread among the Grisha, of Alina making peace and Svetlana doing nothing for her country but sparkling in the Otkazat'sya court, said outside of Svetlana's hearing due to the black kefta the girl wears claiming her as his own.
The Tsar hears those rumors too and before long, Kirigan finds himself banished to Kribirsk and the Fold with Svetlana, with orders to stop General Zlatan's rebellion in West Ravka and the Sun Summoner will be escorting skiffs through until she is strong enough to tear down the Fold. The stag is still not found, so Aleksander is forced to bow to the Tsar. Svetlana pouts the whole journey there and is greeted not with awe, but suspicion and distrust. Kirigan had not thought of Alina in weeks but is reminded when they arrive to alters, baring her face, all over the military encampment. It becomes clear, these people knew Alina, had worked by her side for a year, her maps had saved multiple lives and they had witnessed her sunlight rip through the darkness of the Fold, they are squarely in her corner and suspicious of the woman wearing the enemies face, that supplanted their chosen Sankta.
It doesn't help that Svetlana does not make it through a full journey with her light protecting the skiff. It had winked out halfway through and only him amplifying her, ensured they made it to the other side. Zlatan is handled without fanfare, and he spends the rest of his time trying to help Svetlana raise her name but is becoming clear that her power is not a powerful as he had believed when she was in Os Alta, flashing it around to entertain others. With every journey, he can see Svetlana's star falling in his Grisha's eyes and his mind turns to Alina, and he wonders how her training is progressing. He has heard nothing from the group of Grisha sent to the Ice Courts months before. The only news is what he gets from the Fjerdan Ambassador and rumors circling from the smallfolk. Even his mother, does not write to him, so he does not know how Alina's training is going.
They have been in Kribirsk for six months, when the rumors circle about Sankta Alina and her Order of Grisha, called the Order of the Firebird, the King of All. It is said they travel from village to village, aiding and supplying the smallfolk along the border between Fjerda and Ravka. Rumors fly of Fjerdan Grisha being welcomed among the population, of Alina blessing their villages and her two husbands that stand at her side with pride as she spreads her influence. Within months, Alina's name is on everyone lips and Kirigan is furious as it becomes clearer that the smallfolk do no like nor respect Svetlana, despite her doing skiff crossings.
A year after being banished from court, the Tsar recalls them back from Kribirsk to attend the Winter Fete that year. He escorts Svetlana to the event, presents her to the court, and while many bow to Sankta Svetlana, it is clear that her popularity has fallen as the truce between Ravka, Shu Han and Fjerda is holding, thanks to the other Sun Summoner. He does not understand how the girl he had pushed into the background now shined brighter than the girl he had chosen, had been positive was his equal, but was now falling into Alina's shadow. Zoya calls him away to hear a report about Novokribirsk and on his return to the ballroom, he passes a painting which makes the breath catch in his chest.
It is in the portrait hall and the title is, Prince Ivan, Prince-Consort Fedyor and Lady Alina.
He can only stare with shock. Alina is sat on a chair, dressed in a Corporalki red hanfu with golden embroidery like the sun. Her hair hangs in light curls down around her waist with the top pulled back and wound into braids, with the traditional golden Shu Han hair pieces of a Lady of her station weaved through it. Fedyor sits beside her and is dressed in his kefta, which has been adjusted lower at the neck and the embroidery is now gold and black, the traditions Heartrender weaving mixed with those of the Healers and small sunbursts, with one of his hands rests on Alina's leg. Ivan stands at her back, one hand on her shoulder, also dressed in his kefta. His is also red to match the others, embroidery the same as Fedyor's but he wears the drüskelle fur cloak and a crown around his brow, making his station as a Prince of Fjerda.
Everything shifts, as it becomes clear that he has lost Ivan and Fedyor, both their expressions more than clear they feel great affection for their wife. He is shocked to see her so obviously dressed as a Shu Lady, as she had always done everything to make herself be Ravkan, even he had brushed aside her half shu appearance when he introduced her to the court. The portrait is beautiful, and somewhere in his gut, something twists as his eyes look at Alina's golden doe ones that stare at him intently. He turns away from it, as he had done so since Svetlana arrived, and continues back to the celebrations. His mind wanders though, and he is determined to get answers and a explanation from Ivan the next time he sees the man.
He had no idea, that it would be five years until they would meet again.