WICKED GAME [shadow and bone] ON HOLD

winter fete: part one

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐒𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐍:

"you two are insufferable!"

It wasn't long until the guests started to appear. The hallways were full of people from all around Ravka. While walking up the stairs Katerina watched the dancer that floated in the fabrics. A thought did not abandon her that she had seen the Suli girl somewhere. Yet the dancer was spinning so fast that the redhead had trouble seeing her face clearly.

Katerina walked around the guests, occasionally greeting someone with a smile that she dropped instantly when the person was behind her. She noticed Ivan and Fedyor by one of the tables that served cakes and pastries. She watched how Fedyor tried to force the other Heartrender to try one of the cakes. Ivan was shaking his head in no until the other man forced the cake into his mouth causing them both to smile. Without her knowing a genuine smile appeared on the Inferni face while she was watching the pair.

While Katerina was watching the two Heartrenders, someone was watching her. Kaz Brekker noticed the redhead the moment she walked into the room and from that moment he did not let his eyes wander from her. He noticed the fake smiles and ridiculous laughs. The young man was wondering how no one realized how fake they were. Kaz was ready to avert his gaze from the girl until he noted another smile on her face, this time it was real.

And suddenly he was there again. A young boy sitting on swings with a young girl. Her red hair flowing in the wind like fire. The smiles and laughs, so beautiful and genuine.

Kaz shook his head and cursed himself. He can't let himself get distracted, not now. Casting one last look to the redhead, he continued with their plan.

Taking one more circle around the room Katerina once more returned to the Heartrender pair. She saw them talking with one of the guards. When she walked closer, the guard turned to leave.

"Enjoying yourselves?" She glanced at the plates in both men's hands that were full of cakes. Then she looked back up and raised an eyebrow.

"Oh, Katerina you have to try this." Fedyor already raised his hand towards her mouth in which sat a colorful cake when the redhead halted him sending a glare with a raised eyebrow. The man sighed before lowering his hand. Ivan quietly chuckled from beside him.

"You won't get her to try one of these cakes even if they will be the last food resource on the whole planet." Katerina dropped the glare and instead smirked at how true the Heartrender's words were. The redhead detested everything that was sweet and full of sugar.

The small group of three suddenly heard whispers and murmurs around them, when they turned, they saw the Sun Summoner entering the room. Katerina smirked upon seeing that Alina finally is wearing her black kefta. She had to admit, it looked good on her. Not long after that, the twins Polina and Pavel demonstrated their Inferni powers. Her whole life Polina had been envious of Katerina because of her power and recognition. The twins were powerful, Katerina admitted that, yet not as powerful as her.

The redhead was standing between the two Heartrenders when Ivan leaned towards the girl.

"Why aren't you demonstrating your magnificent Inferni powers, hmm?" She looked to her right at Ivan to note a teasing smile on his lips. The redhead heard Fedyor chuckling from her other side.

"Because I am using my powers for more serious reasons than in some foolish demonstrations." She snapped while looking at the twins throwing fire from one to the other. After taking one look at the redhead Ivan started to laugh at her sullen expression, Fedyor soon joining him. Katerina looked from one Heartrender to the other with a look of disbelief.

"You two are insufferable!" The two Grisha started to laugh even more causing Katerina to let out a huff. Then she involuntarily started to chuckle too.

And then came Alina's turn to demonstrate what she can do. When she and Aleksander walked upon the stage, everyone became silent.

"Her name is Alina Starkov." Katerina was always amazed how Aleksander never had to raise his voice no matter how big the crowd was. "And she will bring liberation to us all."

During Alina's astonishing performance Katerina was observing Aleksander. The look the man was giving the Sun Summoner was a look the redhead hadn't seen. It was like he had seen light for the very first time. Oh, the irony. Yet among that, there was another look that Katerina had trouble deciphering. It was an odd look and all her instincts screamed at her that this look is dangerous.

Yet Katerina decided to ignore that, hoping it will not bite her in the ass afterward.

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