As Vladim moved to turn the locks, I heard Genya whisper. "You definitely owe me a kiss after all this, Don't think I won't hold you to it."
I laughed lightly. "We'll see."
"There is no seeing, you will, if I have to be the one to do it then so be...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
WHEN I AWOKE I WAS IN A PRIVATE TENT ALONE with no sign of Alina or anyone. A fresh set of clothes lay on my camp cot beside me along with a tub of hot water and my blue kefta. It had only been a few weeks, but it felt strange to wear Summoners' colors again.
The Darkling's guards were most likely stationed all around my tent. Probably here to monitor you. I thought bitterly. The tent was luxuriously appointed with piles of furs, a painted table and chairs, and a fabrikator mirror, clear as water and inlaid with gold.
I would have traded it all in an instant to shiver beside Alina and Mal on a threadbare blanket. I had no visitors, and I spent my days pacing back and forth with nothing to do but worry and imagine the worst. I didn't know why the Darkling was waiting to enter the Shadow Fold nor was I sure if I was going to be dragged along with Alina, I was useless now.
I felt empty like a part of me was missing. Because it was. My body was weaker, and I could barely set up on my own, but I managed, with whatever effort I had to pace the room so I wasn't just sitting, feeling completely and utterly useless.
❂♕
On the fourth night, when the flap of my tent opened, I nearly fell off my cot. My breath hitched in my throat. There stood Genya, holding my dinner tray and looking as impossibly gorgeous as ever.
I weakly got up and onto my elbows and scanned her from head to toe, she was wearing red. Corporalki red. Her cuffs and seams at the chest were embroidered in blue, a combination I had only seen in my Kefta at the winter fete, just different.
She hovered near one of the tables and set down the tray, "I shouldn't be here." she said.
"You don't say," I said, bitterly. Genya looked over her shoulder at me and took four long strides over to me on my cot. "That's not what I meant," she said with a small smile.
She sat down on the cot and looked down at her hands, "I've missed you." she whispered, "It's been quieter without you and Alina."
"Alina." I said, "Have you seen her?" I asked with desperation, "Is she alright?"
Genya looked back up and nodded, "Yesterday. But it didn't go well."
"How is she?" I asked, "She's fine, but she talked about what the Darkling did—" she paused, "I'm sorry, Freya."
I looked away from her and pulled up the sleeve of my hand. Genya gasped and grabbed my hand to inspect the coin. "he really did take it, didn't he?"
