The Dual Summoner and the Darkling

Pregnancy and welcome the new summoner

Glossary: nichyevo('ya) - nothing(s)

After I was able to get out of bed, I wore my kefta around the little palace feeling more at home for the first time. Shadow walked beside me as I came across the other summoners who looked at me then down at shadow. Adrian came over and hugged me as I hugged him back knowing that for now, those things were not here. Aleksander could not call them without scaring our group and with the heartrenders, he was able to get his position back.

"Your safe cousin? I heard you were sick." Adrian said as I looked at him when he stepped back. "I'm pregnant." I said as he looked surprised then looked down at Shadow "And you have a puppy." Adrian pointed out as I nodded. "She never leaves my side, she's already protective of me." I said as Shadow smelled Adrian and I watched her reaction as she looked up at him and wagged her tail. I smiled knowing that she accepted my cousin.

"Well, the General must be glad you have such a loyal companion." Adrian said as I knew I needed to warn him. People were still staring at us, I'd been gone for several weeks and they didn't know why. I put my arm around Adrian and led him away from where we could talk alone. "What's up cuz?" Adrian asked as we kept walking. "If you ever see creatures made of shadows, they are nichyevo'ya. Avoid them and never let one get ahold of you cause the wounds they make can't be healed by a healer." I said to him

Adrian looked at me like I was a bit crazy but I knew there was not going to be any other chance for me to show him. A few weeks passed since this conversation and we were on the 2nd floor of the little palace, well I was with my three guards, my guards, and my cousin where we could see the opening of the little palace grounds. Fjerdans were trying to get in to capture a good amount of us and out there was my husband leading the Grisha. When some of them were hurt or thrown he was the only one standing.

What will you do? use the cut or the nichyevo'ya? I thought

I was safe and everyone on the inside was safe for now but then I saw his shadows coming to his call and I realized which one he was using. All of us were at the windows of the 2nd floor of the little palace watching as the shadows took form. I hated that he used this and it cost him when he did but to protect us we needed whatever we could. I was a liability in my condition so when the nichyevo'ya formed, he sent them after the fjerdans.

"You weren't kidding." Adrian said as Nico didn't seem to like what he saw. "Isn't he becoming dangerous?" Nico asked as I sighed a bit. "I'll try to make sure these are the last ones he makes." I said to Nico as I knew I could influence but I saw the Grisha out there. They were scared and with every right to be those things were shadows like the shadow fold. Still, when the fjerdans screamed I had to look away and Adrian led me away.

"All that blood, it's no different than the time we fought Fjerdans but things are different." Adrian said, I felt lightheaded again as I staggered and I felt eight sets of hands catch me. "You need to lie down." Nico said

I was taken back to the war room but only Marie and Nadia took me in as I laid down. Baghra came to check on me and she seemed to have suspicions. "Could it be.." Baghra said as she had no way of knowing whatever she was thinking for sure. A lot was going on but that was how it was. She needed to figure out how to get past this part, it was going to be the worse she figured.

After that day once I reached two months I was sleeping more than walking around. Since the Grisha still respected Aleksander, he had to leave for a week so shadow curled up with me when I slept. She was more alert with me and that was clear to me, as she woke me when I would have nightmares. I didn't want to tell Aleksander that those nichyevo'ya were giving me nightmares but watching what they did to Alina had left that with me.

I hadn't seen Alina or Mal since we'd returned so I could only assume they were locked up somewhere and that bothered me too. A sun summoner and a tracker with use locked up. I went to the bathroom and when I came out Genya was there. She gave me some soup as I took it and had it. "Are you excited?" Genya asked, I looked up at her with a smile knowing this was only the 2nd month. "If I keep up like this, it's not even fun. But no one ever said it would be." I said as there was going to be this little summoner running around the little palace in a matter of time when she or he could walk or run.

When Aleksander came back he just made sure he made time for me, he was worried about me and the baby. I wondered if the sea whip had been partially part of my problem, but I didn't want it. He was able to stay with me for the next month, which was the three-month mark. The nursemaids came and checked on me every day, being the first time I was going through this. A week into heading to the fourth month Aleksander got called away. The worst was that he was going to be gone for three weeks and I was livid. I was angry and upset about how much he had to work still as I sighed. When he did return was when I was around the 4th-month mark.

I finally decided enough was enough and I walked out of the room, he was having a meeting with the Grisha soldiers and I walked in. I was in one of the dresses the materialeki had given me as I heard everyone gasp. Yeah, I hadn't been public with it but neither had he about what was going on. I knew I was showing as he got down from where he was standing and walked over to me as he put his arm around me.

"You should rest, you haven't been the same since on the boat." Aleksander said as I looked at him. "No, I can manage just fine." I said

When he turned everyone got the full look at me, Zoya made her way to the front and looked at us. I almost wanted to smirk seeing her anger in her eyes but I knew that wasn't necessary. Every girl desired this moment with him but he chose me..or his mother chose me for him.

"You all asked why Amira stays in bed, this is why. Soon in a matter of five months we are going to be welcoming my child into the little palace." Aleksander said

People just stared and I felt uncomfortable now but knew it was good they knew. Some of the people, those most loyal to him, were sending their congratulations but I didn't need that. I just needed him to be here with me. He dismissed everyone as we walked back to the room and he had me sit on the bed.

"You need to take it easy." Aleksander said as I sighed, I knew that things were crazy but I put a hand on his cheek and kissed him. He kissed me back as I knew what I needed. He seemed to get the idea as we spent the next few hours together as I laid there by him later. "I never expected this to be the way things are.." I admitted as he hugged me the best he could and put a hand on my baby bump. "You're doing something amazing." He assured me

The morning sickness part went away so now I just had to wait out the rest of the months. What started Slow started to go faster as the day soon crept upon us. Aleksander was in a meeting with the heartrenders when I felt excruciating pain. Marie and Nadia had to take me to the medical area but I wouldn't let them help me until he was there. So Nadia had to go get him and disturb his meeting.

Within minutes the doors came open, he was by my side as it all began. They guided me through it and all I recalled was the pain and almost thinking I couldn't do it. Mother said if she'd do it again it wouldn't be as bad and for a second I thought this was the worst pain. Still, time went by, and soon a baby crying was able to be heard as I breathed a little heavily.

"It's a girl, General Kirigan." The healers said as they cleaned her and after I was able to sit up I was able to hold her. "Do you have a name?" They asked as Aleksander looked at me and he nodded knowing I'd chosen one. "Kira Alisa Kirigan." I said as they were all happy. "We never expected that there would be a birth in the little palace." they said as they were all excited