ARSONIST'S LULLABY ¹ | shadow & bone [ON HOLD]

FOUR

( 𝗔𝗥𝗦𝗢𝗡𝗜𝗦𝗧'𝗦
𝗟𝗨𝗟𝗟𝗔𝗕𝗬 )

THE JOURNEY BACK TO Os Alta was a tedious one. Full of dreary landscapes and occasional scenic routes. Katerina had been bored out of her mind and even briefly engaged in games with Azriel. Now, she was left with a bruised forehead, a result of having lost a couple of games and receiving several flicks to the head, and not to say her backside was throbbing from sitting on this Saintforsaken saddle. It was safe to say that she would not be riding a horse for a long time.

By the time they had reached the Little Palace, with it's ancient walls mother-of-pearl walls and the simmering blue lake which almost looked silver in the morning light, Katerina had all but thrown herself off the horse -whose name she had come to learn was Icarus, - and trudged her way into the Palace and up to her chambers. She had requested Zoya -with who she's now on speaking terms and with civility too!- to make any reports that had to be made with the General. Zoya, had surprisingly agreed. Saints, perhaps she should've broken through their very own version of permafrost and animosity much earlier, because not being at each other's throats was lovely.

Opening the doors to her chambers, she rushed to her bed, removing her kefta and unsheathing the weapons tucked into the a leather garter - the precious pair of twin blades and the beautiful onyx dagger she had gotten as a gift on her eighteenth nameday two winters ago from Azriel- on the console table in front of her bed.

It wasn't uncommon for Grisha to carry weapons, but it was still unorthodox. Grisha were nothing if not prideful. And carrying blades and daggers was considered a spit in the face to Grisha powers in certain circles.

But her power would not always defend her, she had learnt it at an early age. So, she had asked the Fabrikators to conjure something up for her. Twin blades with lethal curls of Grisha steel leading upto needle points. And the fact that they were also beautiful to look at was added as a bonus.

Removing her hair from the tight updo, she jumped into bed. Whatever work that awaited her would take a pause for a few hours, her dreams were calling to her.

It hadn't been barely five minutes into her slumber before the doors to her chambers opened, and the grueling sound of footsteps came in. By the sweet and specific smell of perfume that accompanied the noise, she could guess who it was.

Genya Safin.

"Whatever you have to say, it will have to wait a few hours, sweet Genya." Katerina was barely comprehensible, the words coming out muffled.

"I'm afraid it cannot Kat. The King has requested an audience with the Sun Summoner, and the Second Army are meant to be present."

Katerina let out a mocking scoff. "He doesn't even know my face, he won't know whether I'm there or not," She opened her eyes to see Genya sitting upon the settee by her dressing table.