Sword & Succession - A Darklina AU Fanfic

Chapter 19

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𝔾𝕖𝕟𝕖𝕣𝕒𝕝 𝕂𝕚𝕣𝕚𝕘𝕒𝕟

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*TW: Sex scene*

I sat alone in my room, running a hand through my hair and sighing into the dark. Everything was coming into place. Reagan had acquired the Sea Whip's amplifier, and with a few more days training, they could accomplish what I'd spent most of my immortal life trying to achieve.

Safety and freedom for Grisha, and Ravkans... and my new family. My son. Alina... My heart clenched in my chest at even the thought of her name.

Her betrayal on the day we'd crossed the Fold and had taken West Ravka had stung, but I was willing to overlook that if it meant I could be with her longer, or watch her smile again. I prayed for the day I would see something other than hate in those shu eyes whenever she looked at me.

Some part of me wished things could go back to the way things were. When she'd arrived at the little palace and had found comfort in me like so many before have. Only that time, I'd felt comfortable around her as well. That time my feelings, and possibly her feelings, had been real.

But then she'd turned her back on me after being persuaded by my own mother, the old crone.

Baghra had confined herself to her small, hot hut. I haven't seen her in days, weeks, months. Most likely she knew everything that's happened in the past few days from the servants that would bring her meals.

I haven't introduced her to Reagan, nor do I think he even knows his grandmother exists. I hadn't wanted Baghra to convince my own son to betray me as she'd done with Alina. Hence why I'd insisted on teaching him myself. And he'd exceeded my expectations in less than a few days.

Soon, we'd march to Fjerda together, and then the true work will begin.

But as I thought of my long thought of plans, all I could see was the horrified look on Alina's face. Why did it both me so much what she thought?

A noise in the hallway made me look up and move to my door. Outside, Aline walked down the empty corridor, looking out one of the windows showing the gardens shrowded in the night's darkness.

"Alina." Her head turned to me, her expression surprised and off guard. It took a while before the look of hatred returned to her eyes. As if, for a second, she'd forgotten to be angry in the first place. I stepped out of the doorframe and at the same time, she took a step back. "Can't sleep?" I asked, but she didn't reply.

The door shut behind me with a light click that echoed in the marble hall. "I wanted to talk to you," I said softly, but her gaze remained as cold as stone. "I know I've made mistakes in the past. But I want to move forward. I want us to move forward."

"What are planning?" Her tone was like a knife in my heart, sharp and jagged.

I could've lied to her, or even brushed the question away. But the words came out before I could second guess them. "The Second Army is preparing to march on Fjerda in a few days time. We're planning to take the Ice Court."

"You're planning to destroy a country-"

"A country that has killed hundreds of us." I couldn't stop the sharp edge from reaching my own voice to clash with hers. "Alina, every day Grisha are being tortured by those Fjerdan dogs. It is my duty as General and King of Ravka to protect my people."

"And how do you intend on doing that? With Reagan? You're using your own son as a weapon."

"We're all weapons here, Alina."

Her features softened a little and I knew she knew I was right. If only she could see the world for what it was, and understand the steps needed to make a better one. 

I took a step towards her, and this time she didn't back away. My hand reached up to cup her cheek. Still, she did not shy away. Her eyes held my steady gaze and I could feel the fast pulse of her heart as my fingers brushed her slim neck. Her lips parted to release a silent breath.

"Stay," I said, my voice surprisingly pleading. "Stay here, with me. With our son. Our family." My head bent down to hers, and for a moment something savage burned in her eyes. I thought she would pull away, but her lips met mine with a hard passion that caught me by surprise.

I kissed back, my hands touching the back of her neck and hips, pulling her closer to fill the small distance between our bodies. Her arms wrapped around my own neck to pull herself up enough to reach my lips.

"Stay," I said again, separating to take a quick breath. She didn't reply. I wish she would. I wish I could be certain that this meant she would remain by my side. But I couldn't be sure.

She was looking back at me and my breath came out unevenly. The hate was gone, replaced by lust and sad longing. 

Her slim fingers traced the line of my jaw and I closed my eyes again. I wanted to remember the feel of her soft touch, in case I never felt it again. I wanted to memorise every inch of her, the curved of her hips, the feel of her calloused fingers and warm breath of my face.

"Alina..." I whispered her name into the silence.

My body tensed as her voice called back, "Aleksander." The word felt right coming from her. My name belonged to her now, and only her. I wanted her to know that. "I'm yours..." Her body shivered in my arms.

My hands pulled at the silk of her nightdress. She didn't stop me as I picked her up in my arms and carried her to my room, the door clicking shut behind us.

She laid herself down on the bed and I climbed onto the mattress, my body laying on top of hers. I allowed my lips to caress her neck gently until I found the right spot.

Even without looking, I could feel my shadows curling up the walls and shrouding us in pitch black. Our backs arched together as one and her arms held onto me, fingers clawing at my shirt that she tugged off. A groan escaped her delicate lips as I pressed my own harder against her neck.

Her skin grew warm and a great pulse of light lit up the room. I sat up to look at it, then my eyes traced back down to her. She looked up at me, glowing like a star. I ran a hand across her shoulder and all the way to her thigh.

She shuddered and closed her eyes.

I breathed in her warmth as I slowly laid down on her again, our bodies touching and aligning with one another. "I am yours," she suddenly breathed and my heart raced.

"I am yours," I murmured back to her.

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Sorry, this chapter took forever.
I've been busy lately, but
I promise I'll post more often.

Thank you all for your amazing comments!

- DawnTide