The Act of Duplicity [General Kirigan]

three

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    For a while, the only thing that echoed through the woods and the fields were the hooves of the galloping horses. They rode all night without a break and without a speck of tiredness in Nataliya. Adrenaline was coursing through her veins making her more awake than ever and she had her eyes open always looking for and waiting to see if something will appear out of the ordinary. Once they reached a hill Nataliya pulled on the reins of her horse to slow it down to a walk. Kirigan did the same a few moments after and he looked over his shoulder while Nataliya caught up to him. They both caught some breath, riding a horse for a long time without a break can take its toll.

    The Darkling's eyes travelled all over Nataliya and an amusing smile appeared on his features when he saw her expression. Her chin was high in the air and he knew she was aware he was watching her but Nataliya refused to look back at him. Her lips were pursed slightly and her eyes narrowed, as usual for the times where she was thinking or speculating. Either of those didn't mean anything good for anyone around her. She heaved a sigh and refrained from rolling her eyes.

    ''What happens when we come to the Little Palace?'' She asked, looking forward.

    The amusement grew in Kirigan. ''I thought you always knew what my next step and plan is.''

    Nataliya kept her reaction to a minimum not giving him satisfaction for mocking her. She did roll her eyes though which was enough for the Darkling.

    ''I'm trying to start a conversation here, but I'm fine with staying silent for the rest of it.'' Her voice was dripping with annoyance and she said with a sort of sweet way like she was imitating someone.

    She kicked her horse lightly to speed up so she walked a few steps in front of the Darkling. He shook his head, that damn smile never leaving his features. The Darkling has lived for centuries, he has seen many things, he has mastered his ways in lying and deceiving yet he still lacked one thing after so much time. Reading people and understanding their feelings. Nataliya was a great mystery to him because when he already thinks he knows what her response will be, or how she will react or what kind of a plan formulated in her head, she did the exact opposite. She was a fox in a human form which made her so much more valuable to him and important at her position.

    ''When we come there, Miss Starkov will be escorted to her new room. There she will be taken care of by Genya,'' said Kirigan.

    Nataliya whipped her head in his direction when he said her sister's name. Ah, now she's interested, thought Kirigan. Nataliya furrowed her eyebrows at the thought of her sister taking care of Alina. She couldn't understand why or what his plan was now. This took her completely by surprise. Genya served to the Queen, she didn't meddle in with Grisha, why would she be allowed in the Little Palace now when she wasn't so many times when Nataliya wanted to see her? She pushed that question to the back of her head to figure it out later as now the only thought present was that she will see her sister again.