Sword & Succession - A Darklina AU Fanfic

Chapter 1

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𝔸𝕝𝕚𝕟𝕒 𝕊𝕥𝕒𝕣𝕜𝕠𝕧

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As Mal and I boarded the boat headed for Ketterdam, I couldn't help but stare back at what used to be the city of Novokribirsk. But now it was nothing but moving, almost living, shadows.

Even from where I stood miles away, I could've sworn I could hear the cries of hungry Volcra from within. I hand tightened on the old, brown cloak wrapped over my shoulders. I'd dumped and burnt my kefta as soon as possible, but even now I could still feel wear the smooth cloth had touched my skin.

I could still feel where the bone collar had sunken into me and had truly become a part of me, though now it was less obvious to see.

My the sensation that stayed with me the most was where the Darkling's hand had touched mine after he'd offered it for me to take. I shivered at the thought of him. His tall figure, slick, midnight black hair, clear quartz eyes and strong jawline.

Then my mind whirled back to only a week ago, when I'd been staying comfortably at the Little Palace back in Os Alta. When I'd been ablivious to the fact that General Kirigan, the man I had trusted- and possibly even loved -was in fact, the Black Heretic.

The one who had created the Fold hundreds of years ago, and who had tried to control my power only moments ago. The one who had plunged the world into chaos, and claimed he was doing it for the good of Grisha. But I knew that greed was the only thing that drove him.

"Alina." Mal touched my hand and I flinched. I'd almost forgotten he was there or where I was. But as he stared into my eyes I rested my head on his broad chest. "Are you okay?" He asked, concern present in his voice.

"Are you?"

"No."

"Neither am I." I continued to stare back at the Fold and sighed, "He isn't dead." He didn't tense in surprise and when he replied I could tell that he knew, as terrifying as the thought was, that I was right.

"How do you know?"

"I just do." I rested further into him, closing my eyes finally. "This fight isn't over yet, Mal." Now he tensed a bit, but I was too tired to even so much as glance up at him. All my energy had been wasted in the Fold and my body was throbbing and begging for a small corner to curl up and fall asleep in.

"I know." Was his response, but suddenly my conscence slipped from my fingers and I plunged into darkness.

My sleep was riddled with no dreams, only memories. Some were of my time before I'd even joined the First Army. Some were of Mal and I when we were searching for Morozovas Stag. But most of them were of my time with the Darkling.

When we'd first met. The first time he'd touched me. The time when we'd snuck away from the King's party. Even the memory of him standing on the docks as I went into the Fold for the first time.

But the most promonant memory was of our time in my room. There had been a bond between the two of us, which was scarily still there- though I always tried my hardest to deny it. How had he once put it? "Like calls to like". That night it had just been me and him. That night, I thought I knew him- but I'd been mistaken.

Even now, I barely knew him at all.

The sight of him was so vivid in my mind. I could see every inch of his skin that wasn't covered by the dovet. I could even feel the warmth of him as my hand rested on his chest and my lips met his.

His arms wrapped around me, pulling me close. I gasped for breath between kisses and allowed my hands to slid up and down his broad back as he caressed my neck. "I've been waiting for you for a long time, Alina Starkov."

I shuddered in my sleep. His voice sounded so close, and so real I almost forgot it was just a memory. "I'm all yours." I heard myself respond. But just before my lips could touch his, I was woken up.

"Alina. Alina." Mal repeated my name, shaking me softly. I was lying on his lap in a quiet corner of the boat, which was suddenly noisy. "We're here." I blinked the sleep from my eyes, stretching my arms out wide.

It was night time and the stars were shining high above. How long had it taken us to get to Ketterdam? I couldn't remember what time of day it had been before I'd knocked off. I got to my feet and followed Mal unsteadily off the boat.

Ketterdam was brimming with people and I had to cling tightly onto his arm so I wouldn't get pulled away. "So, what now?" I asked him.

"We find a place to stay. An inn probably."

"But how? We don't have any money, unless you still have the five kruge on you."

"I do, but," his hand went up to my hair and pulled one of the golden hairpins out of it. I felt my long brown hair fall down in long curls, resting on my shoulders as he continued to pull more out. "I reckon these will do." He held his hand open, displaying the small collection of gold pins.

Together, with much difficulty, we found ourselves and shady-looking inn to stay in. But before we went to our room we decided to try our luck at buying some dinner. The whole time we kept our hoods low over our faces. Which, despite it being odd behaivour, only helped us blend in to the crowd, who all seemed to be trying to do the same.

We found a tavern and ate a small meal of bread, cheese and slightly warm potatoes. We were both quiet as we ate. The food wasn't sitting well on my stomach, which was strange seeing as I was starving seconds ago.

In fact, by the time we had left and reached our room, my stomach was groaning and I raced straight to the bathroom. My dinner immediatly resurfaced itself and I was left hurling into the toilet, with Mal by my side for a little less than an hour.

"Are you alright?" He asked when I was finally feeling well enough to leave the bathroom and lie on the bed.

I was holding onto my stomach, feeling groggy and worse than I'd ever felt before. "I'm fine." I lied, but Mal saw right through it.

"Was it the food?"

"No, I- I barely ate anything." I groaned, closing my eyes for a long second. What was wrong with me? I felt sick for no reason, and had thrown up despite not having really eaten any food at all. That's when the thought struck me... It was a crazy thought, but as I continued to ponder it, it began to seem more logical.

My eyes snapped open. "Mal... When was my last period?"

Mal blinked, his mouth opening and closing for a bit in surprise. "Oh um..." He responded, still a little weirded out by the question. "I don't know. Last month I guess... Why do you ask?"

I was silent, stilling lying flat on my back, staring straight up at the wooden ceiling above me. "Mal I- I..." My voice caught in my throat.

"Alina?" Mal's sounded just as terrified as I felt. Had he figured out what was on my mind? Or perhaps he could just sense my fear like he always did. Both my hands rested on my stomach and finally, after what felt like an eternity of silence, I could speak again. "I'm late. My period's late."

"By how long?" His voice cracked halfway through the question.

"Too long." I finally sat up, but didn't meet his eyes. Instead I stared at the floor, feeling my face go white. "I think I'm pregnant, Mal."

"But we never-" He cut off when I finally locked eyes with him. He shook his head, as if not wanting to believe it. "You didn't..."

I did.

"Alina."

"Mal... What do I do?"