The Dual Summoner and the Darkling

Starting out new life as parents

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

The first nights were an adjustment, if I could get her to sleep most of the night for me that was easier than hearing her cry. Aleksander seemed used to being up without sleep, it made me think about everything he went through losing people and watching them die. Looking beside the bed while he took care of Kira I reached out and pet Shadow's head. The truth of the matter was I would outlive her, see her grow into an old dog, and cry when she died. The thought broke my heart when my husband, myself, and probably my daughter were eternal.

If only there was a way to make a dog eternal...that's wishful thinking. I thought

Still, I was able to go about normal things when I had her because Baghra helped with her. Baghra adored the idea that she had a grandchild and I adored the fact that Baghra had everyone to help. Zoya was still my problem though even with everything that happened. I would not talk to her and I was able to get out of the fete last year with my pregnancy Aleksander had covered for me.

One time when I was holding Kira taking her back to the war room, Zoya was in the hall and she stood in front of me. "What are you doing? What game is this? You shouldn't be having a baby in the little palace, children go to the other area." Zoya said as I knew we didn't announce it. Before he even arrived I felt his shadows as he made himself known to everyone present. "Is there a problem, Zoya?" Aleksander asked as she seemed to back down. "Amira, she has a baby in the little palace. It should be in the other ar-" Aleksander was quick to cut her off as he picked up Kira from my arms. "My daughter stays with her mother or Baghra when I am working. Is that understood?" Aleksander said

Zoya looked surprised to hear that the baby was ours, she was present for our wedding but I'd been kept in the war room when I was showing. Maybe the unofficial announcement at his meeting had made it clear I had been pregnant but we didn't announce the birth. Zoya was fuming but she calmed down. "My apologies General, I was unaware your child had been born." Zoya said

Aleksander adjusted Kira in his arm and put a hand behind my back as he led me to the war room. "Many will be talking about this if they find out." Aleksander said, "I am aware, but we didn't tell for a reason. She's an infant and word spreads past the gate walls." I said as we walked together. "You promised me, we wouldn't be living in the little palace."

"Patience Amira, I have given you two things your heart desires. A baby and you are my wife, but if you and Kira were outside the palace walls I couldn't protect you." Aleksander said as I knew that was true. Still, there was the issue of the nichyevo'ya, he couldn't keep making them and expect to be eternal with us.

"Promise me, you won't make anymore nichyevo'ya." Amira said as we made it to the war room and he stopped once we were inside. I looked back as he put Kira in her crib the Fabrikators made and he then walked over to me. He put his hand on my cheek and he had me look at him, my blue eyes meeting his dark brown eyes that seemed the shade of his color. "I will try, but I cannot guarantee. Just remember, what is stronger than you or I is us together." Aleksander said

I put my hand over his cheek as I knew he was right, we were stronger together. We would be eternal together and as long as I could persuade him from his dark path then we could do anything. I was still his salvation out of all of this but the fold was still an issue. "we're going to use the fold as a weapon soon but I need to get past the King and Queen." Aleksander said as I looked, seeing he was serious.

You still want the throne so you can get Grisha in higher power. I thought

"You're my 2nd in command now Amira, you lead the Grisha 2nd army when I am not here." Aleksander said as I knew that would mean I would need to attend the meetings. "Kira needs me." I said as he gently touched my cheek with his thumb and smirked. "My mother can watch her during the meetings, she adores her." Aleksander said

So, I'm in charge of dual summoners and now you're 2nd in command. I just outranked Ivan. I thought with a mental laugh

"Perhaps, we'll try again in a year for a boy." Aleksander said that surprised me his sudden decision and I looked at him. I knew why he was saying such a thing, if he was going to take over for the royals then we needed a male heir for him. Aleksander moved his hand to my arms as he pulled me close and he wrapped his arms around me as he set his head on top of mine. "Think of it Amira, you can rule by my side. Your family would be safe and Grisha would be safe. You could go anywhere and people would still worship their Sankta Amira from their homes." Aleksander said

I realized what he did, he turned my wishes to get free around and used them to his words. He was good at manipulating his words but he forgot I wasn't a naive little girl. I was able to see past his words to see he was right on some things. "the fold as a weapon." I said, "Ravka will be under our control and everyone gets what they want?" I asked as he looked at me as I looked at him, seeing him smirk. "Well, you looked right past everything I said to the truth. Mother did train you well, yes. You will still have your freedom even with ruling by my side." Aleksander said as he leaned down claiming my lips in a kiss. "Sol Koroleva will be Moya tsaritsa." he whispered against my lips

I don't want to be Queen but I want to be by your side. I thought

"You'll be my shadow Korol." I said as he smirked at the idea, he looked at our daughter in the crib. "Our little princess, I wonder what power she has. What the saints blessed her with. It's best to wait till she's three to see what kind of power she was gifted with shadow or Sun." Aleksander said as he started placing kisses on my neck. I was advised against doing activities for a while but he made it so hard.

"Aleksander...I can't. Not yet anyway." I said to him knowing I needed to wait like the healers advised. He sighed but I knew it was going to be like this every time we had a kid if we had another or however many he wanted to have. We were..no we are eternal so the time was limitless. "I suppose a small price for the gift it has given us." Aleksander said then walked over to his table to look over.

You haven't changed at all, you still want the throne...but what about when Prince Nikolai returns? Will you risk me again with our marriage being secret or will you back off on that idea? I thought