The general sent a couple of Oprichniki ahead with instruction, so when we arrived, his chambers were already altered to fit our new living situation. The way to his quarters led through his reception room. It radiated an air of formality and importance, with its high ceilings and polished marble floors. A large, imposing round table dominated the centre of the room, its surface gleaming under the soft glow of jet-black chandeliers. Tall-backed chairs lined its perimeter, adding to the room's aura of authority. The dark wood panels along the walls were adorned with the emblem of the eclipse.
Moving through the guarded corridors, we entered the War Room—a space dedicated entirely to strategy and planning. Unlike the grand reception room, this room was all about function. A large desk on one side was covered with neatly arranged messages and reports. The dark walls were adorned with maps and charts detailing the borders of Ravka and the movements of enemy forces. A massive table dominated the centre of the room, strewn with miniature figurines representing troops and supplies. It was clear that this room, with all its details, was a faithful replica of the war room in the Little Palace.
A heavily guarded and locked door stood between the War Room and the private rooms, set deep into the wall and leaving a long space in front of it. The Darkling clapped his hands together with a thunderous crash, and the opening in the wall began to fill with an impenetrable layer of darkness. I reached out to touch it. It was cold and hard, almost like stone.
"Isn't it only temporary?" I asked.
"No. It will stay here until someone removes it." Not fair. The shadows I summon only stay as long as I keep my focus on them.
I sighed. "I suppose you want me to remove it now," I said, looking up into the Darkling's face.
"Not at all. The barrier has to stay; it will always be there to keep the rooms protected. The shadows will stay exactly where they are. Only we will move," he said, a hint of amusement dancing in his eyes as he took in my confused expression.
"Today has been exhausting enough as it is," he continued, "So I won't give you any more tests. We'll do it together. Close your eyes," he commanded gently, and I obeyed.
I felt him move behind me, his breath warm against my neck, sending a shiver down my spine. "Trust me," he whispered. "There's no barrier here; you just have to walk through." His hand slid into mine, the familiar wave of warmth and energy from his touch washing over me. And just like yesterday, I felt something was different. As if his power intertwined with mine, growing steadily.
"Come with me," he whispered, gently pushing me forward. I followed, eyes still closed. The air around me was charged with energy, yet to my amazement, we didn't hit the barrier. We passed through it as if it were mere fog.
I opened my eyes and turned to face the Darkling, who towered over me with an intense, unreadable expression. Our hands were still entwined, and for a moment, the world seemed to narrow down to just the two of us. He laughed softly, reminding me how much I liked that sound.
"We still have a lot of work to do, but don't worry, you'll be able to do it on your own someday soon. For now, you can use the entrance for Grigor."
We walked into a spacious, round sitting room that was undeniably grand. The walls were adorned with angular wallpaper featuring delicate ornaments, and the floor was covered in thick black carpet that swallowed the sound of our footsteps. In the centre, a large marble fireplace crackled with a welcoming fire.
The room was furnished with velvet sofas and chairs arranged around a low coffee table. The air was heavy with the scent of incense, adding to the sense of luxury that permeated the space. On the other side of the room was a smaller dining table with a few chairs. Six doors each decorated with different carvings were arranged around the circular room. "Your bedroom?" I asked, pointing to a door closest to me, adorned with a carving of the eclipse. The Darkling nodded.
I moved to the next door, marked by a carving of an open book. "The library," I whispered in awe as I stepped inside.
Floor-to-ceiling bookshelves lined the walls, filled with volumes on history, politics, and philosophy. A cosy reading nook beckoned from one side, complete with plush armchairs and a small table stacked with books waiting to be explored. The comforting scent of aged paper and leather filled the air. I couldn't suppress my joy, which only grew when I noticed the symbol on the next door.
The carving of a wine bottle hinted at its contents. The small room beyond was lined with shelves stocked full of fine wine and various other spirits. I even spotted a few bottles of Branvinn. I turned to the Darkling in amazement.
"You're certainly not denying yourself."
He shrugged casually. "I don't want to bother Grigor every time I want a glass of wine. Besides, I prefer to choose it myself."
"Do you always insist that your military base allows you to live in opulent luxury?" I asked, shaking my head in disbelief.
"Not only do I lead the second army in a country at constant war with its neighbours, but I also have to protect my soldiers from everyone here who hates them for being Grisha! I deserve some luxury!" He feigned offence, but his eyes sparkled with amusement. "If the wine room surprises you, I look forward to seeing your reaction to the next one."
Curious, I moved to the fourth door, adorned with a carving of a steaming tub.
"No," I said, half-laughing. "Don't tell me it's—" I opened the door and stepped inside. In the dimly lit room, a large tub took centre stage, waiting to be filled with water. Cabinets brimming with bottles of scented oils and stacks of clean towels lined the walls. Bundles of fragrant herbs hung from the ceiling, filling the air with a soothing aroma.
Doors made of dark planks on the left side of the room led to a Banya, a steam room reserved for the General's… and now mine, private use. The benches, crafted from sturdy, polished wood, were newly constructed and still carried the fresh scent of the forest. Above them hung veniks—bundles of birch branches used for massage. In the middle of the room stood a sturdy cast-iron stove, its chimney reaching up to the ceiling. Several buckets of water were ready to be poured over the rocks once they were heated.
"You really know how to pamper yourself, don't you?" I said half to myself.
"The best place to relieve tension," came an unfamiliar voice from behind me. I turned to see an older man with silver-streaked dark hair, dressed in a black double-breasted vest and a crisp white shirt. "And the general of the Second Army experiences more tension than anyone else. I should mention that you yourself had been contributing significantly to it, so you must understand how indispensable this room is," he continued curtly.
"Thank you for rushing to my aid," the Darkling laughed. "Klara, meet Grigor."
"Hello," I smiled awkwardly.
"A pleasure to finally meet you, miss," the man bowed his head and smiled. "Anything I can do for you, moi soverenyi?"
"Some tea would be lovely, Grigor, and two cups, please," the Darkling instructed. Grigor nodded and opened the fifth door that was unadorned. It led to a long corridor, where three oprichniki stood guard on either side. A door on the right bore the symbol of a double-breasted vest—likely Grigor's backroom, I surmised. The door slammed shut behind him, and I turned back to the Darkling.
"Ready to see your room?"
We completed our tour of the suite and stood back at the Darkling's bedroom, with one door left. It was decorated with a carving of a quill and an inkwell.
"It used to be my study. Now it's yours. Welcome home," he opened the door.
The bedroom behind them was more modest than the T'ma suite, but no less comfortable. A large bed, piled high with soft blankets and pillows, stood against one wall, with a desk and chair occupying another corner. Behind a large screen was a copper bathtub. A large closet and a small bookcase completed the room, both already filled with my belongings from the T'ma suite. I was getting used to these wonders.
"What do you think?" The Darkling studied my face searchingly.
"It's perfect," I replied, smiling. "I couldn't have asked for more."