Noble Hope| General Kirigan

𝟘𝟙𝟞

{Chapter sixteen}

ADALINE WAS ANGRY BUT REGARDLESS PUSHED AWAY HER SEXUAL FRUSTRATION TO SPEND TIME WITH HER SISTER AND FAVORITE GINGER BEFORE THE FETE BEGAN. Apparently and without her knowledge, Genya made some adjustments to Adaline's required outfit. 

"Wait till you see this kefta. It's a masterpiece," she said excitedly as they walked through the long hallways of the Little Palace with oprichniki following behind them. "I can't wait to see Zoya's face when she sees you." 

Adaline stopped just beside a window as Alina peered through the glass and out onto the festivities. "Who's Zoya?" 

Genya's face fell. "Right. Wrong Starkov, you haven't met her yet. She's a Squaller, used to have a thing with General Kirigan. I guess you could say she got a bit...possessive over what wasn't hers." 

Adaline pursed her lips and nodded. "Well. I don't like her," she said with a sarcastic smile. 

"I figured," Genya laughed. 

Alina finally snapped out of her amazement. "We have to go outside." she demanded, taking both girls' hands in hers and pulling them to another window. 

The Tailor immediately denied. 

"Oh, come on, it's like Butter Week!" Alina exclaimed excitedly, still gazing out the window. Genya looked confused as all sin when Adaline turned to meet her stare. 

"In Keramzin noblemen would drive around carts with all kinds of cheeses and breads." said the older raven-haired girl. "Then they'd open their estates, put on carnivals with traveling troupes." 

Alina picked up from there. "Orphans weren't allowed but the three of us used to sneak out." 

Genya didn't seem to like the idea at all. Her bright blue eyes looked worriedly at the two Starkov girls. "It's not safe. Someone might recognize the both of you." 

Adaline rolled her eyes. "We can wear a scarf. Or a hat. Or two hats." she raised her eyebrows playfully, though it faded when she saw the ginger's serious face. 

"Only people in the palace know who we are." Alina defended, looking at her pleadingly. "Can't we just have this one thing before everything changes?" 

With that last sentence, Adaline felt like that was directed more at Alina herself than Adaline for she didn't have much to change. She had Aleksander, she (mostly) knew how to control her abilities, she was comfortable in the palace... Adaline was perfect with what she had now.

Genya nervously fiddled with the belt of her white kefta, her rich red hair falling over her shoulders as she turned to look at the oprichniki. "And what about them?" 

Adaline instantly smirked. "I can take care of that," she declared, turning to ensure her back was to the guards. She closed her eyes and placed her hands in the other, concentrating for a moment before separating them in an upward motion, then turning the higher hand in a circular motion and pushing her index and middle fingers outwards while the rest of her hand was enclosed in a fist. 

The guards looked at each other nervously. Adaline opened her eyes with a wide grin, feeling that familiar tug in her stomach. "Come on," she said, taking both Alina and Genya's hands in hers.