The Dual Summoner and the Darkling

The Claim

I found something to put my flower in and let him lead me where we were sleeping. It wasn't much but I had accepted this when we arrived. Sleeping was not comfortable at first as we had to share a bed and sleep back to back. I blushed a bit but managed it but this went for most of the week.

One day when I was hanging inside the tent cause Nico was out on a tracker task I saw Aleksander come in. I was still looking at my flower when I looked up to see Aleksander. He seemed almost jealous? I don't think I have ever seen him like this and I was unsure what he was thinking. I stood up placing the flower down as I looked at him knowing he was still my general.

"Aleksander." I said

Aleksander walked over and he kissed me and I was surprised again. My mind was confused but I gave in as he picked me up and led me back to where we laid. I questioned his intentions but he just seemed to be hovering over me and we were having an intense makeout. I couldn't resist him no matter what and for a second I considered what he might want as he pulled away.

"Shadow and Sun, two sides of the same coin. How long must we keep going down this path when you and I were destined to find each other." Aleksander said

"What are you asking me Aleksander?" I asked breathing heavy

"I want to protect you Amira, keep those who may wish you harm from knowing who they're messing with if they hurt you." Aleksander said and he got in his pocket while I still laid there underneath him and revealed a necklace to me. "I want you to wear this."

I knew he was used to being in control as a general but this time I flipped him to be on his back, surprising him. I looked at the necklace seeing it was his symbol, the symbol of the darkling. I got off him and looked at it contemplating what this would mean for me. This wasn't just a symbol of protection, it was a claim no matter how anyone looked at it.

"Is this even fair? You would claim me by the necklace and I don't have.." Before I could he unlocked some of his Kefta and revealed something connected to it that was sun and water. My tidemaker and sun summoner combined symbols. "I considered this for a while."

I was speechless when it came to how far he planned and I was honored that he still wants this but I hadn't decided if I wanted this yet. I knew there wasn't much going on but as I looked at it the more I thought about it. I raised my hair putting my back to him as he sat up and put it around my neck. He then started to kiss my neck some while we were alone and I started blushing madly.

"Not now but when we return to the little palace maybe I'll show you everything you haven't tried before." Aleksander said

I shivered a little knowing that this was going to change my life forever if he did everything he planned. As if to know he was thinking things he turned me around where he kissed me again and I kissed him back, my resistance was broken. Knowing that now Zoya was completely replaced I was going to be taking her place.

When we pulled apart we both were breathing a bit heavy, he put a hand on my cheek as I looked at him. Aleksander smirked as if he had just won the best battle he'd been fighting for so long. I knew I was resistant but this was just all new territory now.

"Everyone will know you are mine now and with every event, I will be there to make sure you are never alone." Aleksander said " You and I have limitless power and in time all others will be gone."

I got up after he said that as I crossed my arms knowing that limitless power sounded nice but in time all people would be gone. My friends, my parents, and everyone I knew was going to die one day, and all that would be left of what I knew would be the darkling.

"I don't like that, I want to keep my parents around for a few more hundred years." I said

"Heartrenders, healers, they all die eventually. Grisha powers are.." but I cut him off when he started "determined by their power." I said

"What do you know of your grandparents?" Aleksander asked

"they're alive somewhere but I have never met them." I said

When I turned to look at Aleksander he seemed surprised that maybe I had family members he hadn't met. I didn't know everything about his past but he didn't ask about mine. I knew there was still a lot going on.

"two more days before we return." I said

"Why don't you go ahead and explore the area with your friend." Aleksander said "two days and then you won't be able to see him. Tonight is going to be a bit cold."

I blushed a bit thinking about what he may be implying but we did keep the other warm being back to back in a way. I missed Genya and the others already but he was right. I should enjoy the last two days out here.

Walking out Nico found me and he noticed the necklace but he didn't seem to ask. I wasn't sure I wanted to announce it. We spent time together and I was glad that it didn't seem very bad until he finally decided to ask a question.

"Do you still draw the Stag?" Nico asked

"Yeah, why?" I asked

"I heard someone spotted it in the distance. Is your general going to be wanting to find it?" Nico asked

"Nico, I don't want an amplifier. Not yet. It's too soon and I'm not ready." I said

He let me walk ahead before he stopped and said "You're not ready for an amplifier but you're ready to be the darkling's girl?"

"My choices have everything to do with back home in the little palace." I said, "he's been trying so hard to get close to me for me to trust him.." I wiped my eyes. "you and I are different, it would hurt too much to watch you grow old."

Nico walked over and turned me around to look at him "I don't care if you are Grisha Amira, I always liked you. Before your parents sent you away I thought maybe.."

"Stop." I said as I knew what he was going to say, my heart raced being in this predicament and I knew the rumors of the darkling using the cut. "We can't be together."

"Maybe you're wrong, I'll try to prove it to you." Nico said

I walked away from him going back on my own to the Grisha tents. I wanted to go home and maybe I could influence Aleksander to take me back to the little palace early. Nico was pushing a bit much after being apart for nine years. I didn't have a single desire to keep going. Aleksander was talking with the general but my hands were clenched in fists and I went straight into his tent sitting down.

Aleksander came in soon after looking like he would kill anyone who upset me at that moment. I didn't want that to happen but I sat there being a good little soldier for now.

"What happened? You seemed happy but now you look upset." Aleksander said

"I do appreciate you bringing me with you but I am ready to go back to the little palace." I said

"trouble with the tracker?" Aleksander said

"I'd just feel comfortable in the gates for a bit." I told him

"I think for tonight we can stay and tomorrow we leave in the morning." Aleksander said "Stay in here and I'll have Ivan keep watch on the outside."

Ivan the heartrender that was loyal to the darkling and known by all Grisha to do whatever he said. I stayed there for a while until it was dark outside and he returned with some warm food. I ate with him enjoying the meal and the fact it was easy to just be myself around him while Nico didn't know me anymore.