The Sea Does Not Forgive

Nikolai.

Nikolai was first awake in the morning. The feeling of a second body startled him, only to have last nights memories in his head. His mouth on her body, hers on his, laughter as they tried to decide just how many people they'd woken up. Now they were on their sides, he was holding her.

He didn't want to get up just yet; partly because he didn't want to wake her, and partly because he just wanted to watch the rise and fall of her body behind her raven hair. Eventually his arm fell asleep and he had to turn to keep it from going completely numb. The movement woke her up and he cursed under his breath. She rubbed her eyes then turned to look at Nikolai.

"Hi." her voice was groggy, and still had rasp to it. And he'd be damned if he said he didn't absolutely love it.
He smiled. Not his usual charming smile, a genuine warm smile. "Hi."
She rolled over to cuddle his side. "What time is it?"
"I don't know. If it was too late Tamar would come knocking."
"She's concussed remember?"
"Oh she'd find a way."

Zoya laughed, and the sound was all Nikolai needed for energy that day. He promised himself he'd spend the rest of his life chasing after that noise. He looked down at her and she met his eyes. A silent moment passed, then she leaned up to kiss him before settling back into bed. She had barely time to lie back down when an obnoxious pounding came at the door. Zoya groaned.

"Told you," Nikolai said, "she always finds a way."

Zoya groaned again and dragged herself off the bed. She picked up her jacket from last night and put it on. Then turning to Nikolai she said,

"Last night was fun."
"Agreed. Good luck explaining why your walking out of my room in your nightgown."
"If they question it I'll just kill them."
"Then I'd have to replace whoever was on the other side, and 'random murders' doesn't look good on a hiring now poster."

She shook her head. When she opened the door, she was face to face with a random crew member. It registered that she was still in her nightwear and he flushed.

"Move." she commanded.

He stepped to the side and she brushed past him. It took a few moments for him to come back to himself, and when he did he finally stepped into Nikolai's room. His eyes were down, his face still beet red.

  "I'm sorry, sir. I didn't realize-"
  "It's fine, Daering. What's wrong?"
  "Tamar said, and I quote, 'wake his tired ass up, I don't care if I'm concussed, I'll be damned if he's asleep when we arrive in Kerch.'"
  "That sounds like her. Well I'm awake. Anything else?"
  "No, your Highness. I'll leave you to it."

  Nikolai rose and got dressed. He dragged it out as long as possible as to avoid confrontation with an angry Tamar. When his clothes were on he walked down and met Zoya who had also dressed.

  "What are the chances she's going to rip my head off?" Nikolai asked.
  "I'd say highly likely."
  "You'd stop her right? After the amazing night we had you'd be insane to let her kill me."
  Zoya crossed her arms, "Keep making lewd comments like that and I'll rip your head off myself."
  Nikolai's face turned shy, "Yes, dear."
  "Mmhm."
  Nikolai only now realized she was kefta-less. "Where's you kefta?"
  "After being soaked in ocean water two days in a row, not even my powers can fix it. It's in the laundry."

  They marched up the stairs and found Tamar in deck. She was sat down slumped over, but at the site of them straightened.

  "You should be in bed resting." Zoya said.
  "You should work better to hide your hickeys."

  Zoya's face dropped and flushed and a hand flew to her neck. She looked back at Nikolai.

  "Did you know?"
  "Wel-"
  "And you didn't say anything?"
  "What could you have done?"
  "Covered it with makeup! Or you could have bit less hard."
  "I would but you-"
  "All saints, if that's another sexual comment I will launch you into the ocean so hard."
  "I gave you a hickey, so what? Nobody on board will say anything, and your kefta will be ready when we reach kerch, so you can hide it."
  "Fine, but clearly I need to specify where you can and can't leave marks."
  "Oh I'd be delighted-"
  "Okay stop, this is bordering pre-sex talk and I don't want to listen to that." Tamar said. "What I will listen to is the finalized plan when we dock."
  Nikolai nodded, "We dock today around noon. I sent a boy named Wylan Van Eck a letter, and he's allowing us to stay there. It's safer than somewhere the counsel would put us or any hotel. Tomorrow morning, we meet with the counsel and save Ravka, if negotiations run long we have permission to stay at Mr. Van Eck's for up to three days."

  Tamar leaned back and nodded. Seemingly satisfied, Nikolai left with Zoya following.

  "Do you think you can get Kerch to let Ravka off the hook?" she asked.
  "I have no idea. But if I only went to meetings where I was sure, I wouldn't be the king."

  Zoya looked over the water and grabbed Nikolai's hand. He looked down, then at her, then smartly decided to say nothing for fear of her letting go.

  "I'll do what I can." he said, "The hope is that even if we have to give a little more, we walk away with a strong Ravkan-Kerch alliance, and I live to protect my country another day."
  Zoya nodded, "For everyone's sake I hope that's the outcome."

  The southern side of Kerch was far rockier than where the harbors were. The only docks on this side were supposedly under construction, so they had to take rowboats to shore. Wylan and Jesper met them when they landed. They helped unload then led them threw the winding streets and up to Ketterdam.

  "Your country really hates me don't they?"
  "They don't hate you," Wylan said, "They hate what you represent and what you could become."
  "That's the same thing just worded as if it's not." complained Zoya.
  "If it makes you feel any better, not everyone hates the king of Ravka. We don't."
  Zoya scoffed, "Only because Sturmhond likes the king. And your boyfriend over there's obsessed with him."
  "I am not!" shouted Jesper, "I just find him and his guns and his magnificent ship fascinating."
  Zoya stared at him for a second before continuing, "Like I said. Obsessed with him."

  The house they were staying at was as big and grand as Nikolai remembered. They placed their bags in the door, and while Jesper went to the bathroom, Wylan showed them around.

  "Up here is where you'll be staying. I don't really care which rooms you pick. Whichever ones look most comfortable. Whatever we have in the kitchen you can eat, there is a bathroom attached to the second master suite, but there's also one down the hall. If you need anything else, just ask."
  "Thank you." said Nikolai.

  Tamar and Tolya left to do a sweep of the grounds and see where the weakest points were. Zoya had grabbed her bag and was making her way to a room when Nikolai stopped her.

  "Hey, would you wanna room with me?"
  She flushed, "What?"
  "You don't have to. But if you wanted..."
  "Sure."

  He smiled and walked over to grab her bag. She stopped him, and when he looked at her she leaned up and kissed him. This is all he's ever wanted. To get to kiss her whenever, to get to hold her and be near her.

  Dinner was phenomenal. After over a week of nothing but sea food, eating fresh meat and vegetables was a taste of heaven.

  "What's your plan?" asked Wylan.
  "To negotiate to the best of my abilities."
  "No, you need a solid plan. My dad was a member of the counsel, they're crafty bastards who can just about out talk anyone."
  "Oh the king is more skilled than you might think." replied Zoya.
  "I have no doubt. But he's used to formal negotiations. These jerks eat sleep and breath winning."
  "I'm not above blackmail." Nikolai said.
  "Good. If you want to walk out of there with even a sliver of a win, you'll need it."

  In the evening, Zoya and Nikolai were in bed. His hand was in her hair playing with it, and her steady breathing on his chest relaxed him.

  "I know I've asked this before, but what is your plan Nikolai?"
  "I've been searching my brain trying to think of one, and all I ever get is a shell. I'm hoping tomorrow I'll be able to fill it."
  "Me too."

  Nikolai's sleep was restless. Despite the comfort of Zoya, his mind was only focused on the possibility of losing everything tomorrow. He didn't know what was going to happen, but he was positive he'd need Zoya to succeed.