The Dual Summoner and the Darkling

Alina's training

Glossary: Sol Koroleva - Sun Queen,lapushka - darling, honey, sweetie

I hated his plan but he knew he couldn't force me to agree to it and Prince Nikolai was the least of my concerns. "Alina's power is dormant, she's refused it or forced it to remain locked away." I said as I got up knowing what it was like to hide the sun. "I can help her through it, my power flickered a bit for a while holding it back the way I did for ten years."

Aleksander knew what it was like to hide, he hid his identity the entire time. "I hate this, I hate lying to everyone. Marie and Nadia know something is up but they never ask. I can't call you by your name in front of people, I have to choose my words carefully." I said knowing people looked at him as General Kirigan "And then what happens when you decide it's not enough to be General Kirigan and decide to change your identity. I refuse to have a tailor modify my appearance."

Aleksander walked over hugging me close as I sighed knowing that everything was going on too fast. "I don't want to be Queen, I just want to be me. I don't want to marry some prince and have him kissing me in the way you do. There are certain expectations on a wedding night and it disgusts me to even consider it." I said as I was always clear about how I felt like his arms around me never faltered. "even if it's getting us closer to the goal?" Aleksander asked

"Your goal, not mine. I want to walk down a street and be able to feel normal for a little while. I want to take my cousin out and show him it's ok to be different." I said as I was still holding on to the freedom offer he'd offered me. "Marrying the prince doesn't get me what I want, it gets me put in the Grand palace where expectations would be expected of me." I said, he knew I'd felt trapped within the little palace all this time for ten years because my parents had dropped me off here to train with Baghra as I yawned a bit. "Well, my Sol Koroleva is tired, the prince must have had you riding a lot." Aleksander said as I knew I hadn't told him. "A town I was in noticed my engagement ring, they wished the saints to bless us in our union." I said

Aleksander for the first time seemed surprised then pondered those words as I walked over to the bed too tired to change as I laid down on his bed. Aleksander walked over removing his Kefta and the general attire he had underneath as he laid down with just his pants on pulling me close making me blush. "You sleep in here, you should get used to such things. Besides tomorrow you are to assist Ms. Starkov." Aleksander said as I nodded before closing my eyes falling asleep.

Morning came earlier than I would have liked as I turned over facing Aleksander and curled up in his arms. I could feel his stare knowing he was awake as the door opened. "Ivan, set the plates on the table." Aleksander said as footsteps were easy to be heard. "It is on the table Moi soverenyi, will Moya soverenyi be joining the summoners later?" Ivan asked as Aleksander adjusted me while I could hear them in my sleep so I knew they were talking about me. "She will be, she is going to be helping Ms. Starkov learn to accept her powers." Aleksander said, "I have no need for Ms. Starkov's powers when Amira holds the Stag's necklace within her."

I opened my eyes, happy to know that I wasn't just his soulmate, he was trying to get married to him right away as Ivan nodded and left. Aleksander got up once he noticed I was awake as I sat up. "Morning lapushka, did you sleep well?" Aleksander asked as I nodded. Once we both got up I walked over to take a better look at his maps. "So which amplifier are you seeking now?" I asked, wondering what he was up to. "The Sea whipp's fetter, but that won't be anytime soon. We'd have to cross the fold again, get on the ship and head to the true sea." Aleksander said

Well, I knew he was right as we both started to eat knowing there was no way I was going to cross the fold so soon. We ate in silence as I knew he held the power over the Grisha in the 2nd army but I had the power for holding what Adrian did as a Dual Summoner. We also were under a mutual agreement that we knew neither of us could manipulate the other as we finished. "I need to go, I should get ready." I said