The Dual Summoner and the Darkling

Horse ride, Winter Fete, and Amplifier

Glossary: Moye Serdtse - My heart, Sol Koroleva - Sun Queen

After that party, we had time to prepare and things were getting down to the next fete. Aleksander had a meeting with Ivan as I just sat there listening. He wanted to have Alina open the next tunnel instead of me once we found her amplifier which didn't bother me. Still, after these meetings, he walked over offering his hand to me.

"I remember saying we'd go for a horse ride, Moye Serdtse." Aleksander said as I took his hand with a nod as he led me out of there. I was glad he didn't have to leave yet but I knew it was coming that we'd be separated again before the winter fete so I took the time to enjoy what was going on right now.

As we made it to the horse stable I was unsure but two people brought out two horses as he handed me the reins of one. I took it as I smiled while we walked out and I noticed he didn't have his kefta on. "You don't have your kefta." I said as I got up on the horse that was ready and watched him get on his horse. "I don't need it where we're going." Aleksander said

I smiled at his words knowing that was true, as long as we were together it wasn't bad. No one dared attack the general of the 2nd army. I was putting my faith in this as I sighed looking forward. Once we started having the horse go in a gallop with him leading I watched the surrounding area. It was peaceful and that was what I liked most about this place. While we were heading to our destination though I noticed a fire and stopped.

"Aleksander." I said as he stopped and looked at what had my attention. "A fire, should we head back and get a few tidemakers?" Aleksander asked as I questioned it too. "Could we..take care of it together?" I asked as he stared at me. I was a tidemaker and Sun summoner, if people were going to start respecting me as both this was my opportunity to show them their Sol Koroleva was more than a sun queen.

Aleksander seemed hesitant but I knew why, people didn't know he was a walking amplifier. We didn't announce it and I knew we were connected. Without a second thought, I headed for the fire and felt that he followed as I got down. I saw people were shocked to see me as I approached putting my hands together as I used my tidemaker abilities to get rid of the fire. I felt the stags amplified power helping me as I watched it but I still struggled.

Am I not enough? I thought

I was worried about this as I felt a hand on my shoulder and that already amplified power got a bit stronger as I saw the fire get extinguished. I put my hands down as I smiled, then I looked up seeing Aleksander. People would just assume he was there for comfort for me, that there was nothing more to it. The villagers who were approaching stopped as they bowed. I didn't like it, my smile faded knowing this wasn't what I wanted.

"Please, don't." I said as Aleksander just stood there and they looked up at me. "Sankta Amira, is truly a blessing from the saints." Some of them said. I knew there was no way of talking them out of this but I knew there was so much more to go on. I wanted them to appreciate both sides of me and this was the risk of doing so. "I am just a Grisha with a Dual gift from the saints." I said as I put my hand out to help one of them to their feet as they took it.

It was then that the girl who'd taken my hand, she'd gotten on the ground but she noticed my ring. "Sankta Amira has married, such a blessing." The woman said as she noticed my kefta, the darkling symbol over my heart on the kefta and she showed respect. "May the Saints bless your union."

The Dual Saint and the starless saint, how ironic. I thought

"Thank you." I said as I talked with the people for a bit before we went back on our horse ride. "You truly have a way with people, do you truly not wish to rule them?" Aleksander asked as I looked at him then looked forward. "I don't like the idea of people bowing to me. I want to be able to talk with them and not be bowed to them." I said as he slowed his horse so I followed while we were out. "Grisha needs new opportunities." Aleksander reminded me as I knew that was true. "People want the fold destroyed and we are deceiving them." I reminded him