The Dual Summoner and the Darkling

Day with Genya

After I got in my room I got my Kefta off and I changed out of my dress as I got changed for bed and I made sure to remove the dagger from my leg. All this attention from him was getting to my head but I needed to stay focused. I knew our relationship was not even that close nor was it even the next level, the thought he'd been with Zoya like that disgusted me.

get it out of my head. I thought

I laid on the bed as I got comfy as I relaxed but looked at my hand with the ring on my finger. I didn't know how I was going to train with it on but I knew I hadn't shown Genya. I yawned as sleep took over and I fell asleep before too long. sleep felt wonderful after being on my feet for hours but I couldn't shake how hostile his jealousy had been.

When morning came I heard the doors open but I pulled the cover over my head. I knew it was Genya but the bed felt so comfortable and I didn't want to get out of bed. Still I felt the cover be pulled off and I covered my eyes with the hand that held the ring on it.

"Saints, you look exhausted. Did you sleep at all and is that a ring?" Genya said

"Mhm and I was sleeping, Genya." I said, "Can't I just stay in bed sick for a day?"

"The 2nd army only lays in bed when they're truly sick and I can see you are not." Genya said

I removed my hands as I looked at her knowing that other than being summoned there for an audience I'd never explored the Grand Palace. Genya smiled as she tapped on my ring and I knew she wanted the story of how I got it. So I got up and got a bath before letting her do her usual.

"So when did he propose?" Genya asked while doing my eye makeup

"He didn't, well not the formal way you would seek a proposal." I said, "He asked if I'd wear it and I said yes."

After Genya was done with my eye makeup I got myself ready knowing that she was getting me away from here. I knew after everything I just needed time away from the little palace once again as she took my wrist and led me out. I knew I was skipping breakfast for this but it was a bit of a thrill as she maneuvered us. Genya always watched where we went and made sure no one was around the corner as we made it to her room.

"This is your room?" I asked

"It is not as good as yours." Genya said

"I think mine is a bit overdone but you still have a nice room." I said

Genya had me follow her and we ended up sitting having some tea. I had to admit this break was exactly what I needed. I needed to get out of the little palace for a bit and this is exactly what I needed. Away from Aleksander and away from the other summoners where they couldn't question me about anything.

"You know you can't hide forever." Genya said

"I am careful and I am well aware that all of this is going to catch up with me." I said, "I just don't want people asking me questions that are none of their business."

"So General Kirigan will be leaving for the north again soon, some business came up and he won't be back until the Fete." Genya said, "Does that upset you?"

"I.." I didn't have an answer as I thought about it. "I think keeping a good amount of distance from him is good for now. I can only do so much and I'm not allowed to leave the little palace unless he is escorting me somewhere."

"Right, so that reminds me. You won't be leaving very often but they've already decided where you'll go." Genya said

"It's already been decided if I'll go to the north, south or in his service?" I asked

"Yes, the general already told all the trainers you're to be put with him when your training in the little palace is done." Genya said

"To think he's already got my future decided somehow." I joked

I started to really consider everything I was wearing that had his color or symbol on it. He led the Grisha but he never really had a claim or shown ownership of any of us until me. Everything from my Kefta to the jewelry symbolized him on me. The only parts that showed me were my design on my Kefta along with the sun summoner and tidemaker symbols on the ring; everything else symbolized the Darkling.

"We should eat, you haven't ate anything." Genya said as she snapped her fingers and some of the servants came bringing pastries before leaving us.

"I thought we are to eat peasant food." I said

"Peasant food is how General Kirigan plans to keep us humble but I have my ways." Genya said as we took our time to eat.

I had so much on my mind when it came to this and I started to wonder if I was making the right decisions when it came to Aleksander. Baghra was so adamant I had to be different from the others, I had to be ready at every turn to fight. Still I hated the idea of fighting without knowing what I was fighting for. She had been honest with me for awhile but there were answers I still couldn't get.

"You seem to have a lot on your mind." Genya said

"Well when you grow up hearing you could be eternal, outlive everyone you know someday. It does bother me." I said

"Eternal?" Genya asked in a surprised tone, "Well that would explain a lot about the mystery with you."

"I need to write an apology letter." I admitted

"An apology letter?" Genya asked

"When we went to the North, I reunited with a friend from my childhood named Nicolas. We got into a fight and I insisted on leaving." I admitted

"Well you can write to him, after all there is nothing better than getting past a fight." Genya said

I nodded and not long after that I returned to my room where I wrote the letter to him. I apologized for my outburst and how I was just angry with the way things were. Mostly I thought I was just angry with how things ended up. We had been apart for so long and we were back together as friends but Aleksander had been jealous.

As much as I trust Genya, I think this time I will go to Baghra to make sure this gets mailed out to him. I thought

I finished up the letter then went to see Baghra as I talked with her about the letter and how I questioned if I'd get them. Baghra and I came up with a plan for her to intervene in my letters so that Aleksander would never get them. I left it with her and walked away hoping this was the right decision.

A couple days passed since then and Baghra had come to my room as she walked over to me and placed two letters down. I smiled knowing that this was the best part of having her in my life. I could maneuver things where I was in control.

"Thank you Baghra." I said

"Be careful." Baghra warned leaving

I opened the first letter seeing it was from Nico and I read over it wondering what he had to say. Would he forgive me or was I just another Grisha to him? His letter looked like this:

Dear Amira,

I was wrong for the way I acted towards you, it is not my call if you decided to be in a relationship with the black general. I was amused by how different you were from the timid girl who lived with her parents. You were always smiling and happy yet when I looked into your eyes you smiled but it didn't match your eyes. How often do you fake being happy about certain things that others don't notice? I hope you are happy with your current decision.

-Nico

I touched the necklace as I knew that Nico just read me like a book when I went north with Aleksander. I realized how lonely I've been for all this time being the only Dual Summoner, the only one of my kind. Sometimes I hated it but truthfully I was happy to get out of the little palace and I was happy to see Nico.

I guess sometimes I do fake being happy when I am undecided... I thought