Sword & Succession - A Darklina AU Fanfic

Chapter 21

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ℝ𝕖𝕒𝕘𝕒𝕟 𝕂𝕚𝕣𝕚𝕘𝕒𝕟

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Four days remained until my father and I would join the troops at the Fjerdan border. I sat alone in my silent chambers, hunched over the open book on my desk, my hands ruffling my hair. A ball of light hovered just beside me, illuminating the pages. But I failed to take in any words as my eyes scathed blankly over the finely aged paper. Eventually, I slammed the cover shut and leaned back in my chair.

With the barest flick of a finger, the light went out and I was left in sombre darkness. I stretched my tense limbs and groaned. I needed to walk. Anything to clear my head of all these unwanted thoughts.

I left the darkness of my room and entered the warmly lit hallway, quietly tip-toeing down the stairs. I passed through the Grisha dorms, finding myself stopping outside Tony's door. But I pulled myself away before I could do anything stupid like wake him.

The moon was high in the sky by the time I reached the garden path, wandering without any destination. The fresh air did nothing to distract me, if anything it only made them louder. I growled frustratedly.

But that's when I spotted it. A light flickering in the distance. I blinked, hesitating before seeking out the source.

The light led me to a small hut shrouded by trees. I'd seen the hut during the day, but had never once stopped to wonder what was in it. Smoke billowed from the chimney and I saw the familiar flicker of firelight through one of the windows. I watched the plumes of black smoke drift from the brick chimney into the starry sky.

I stopped just outside the door, trying to look into the window beside it. I saw no signs of anyone inside, but fires didn't just start themselves. The thought of the warmth it must provide reminded me of how cold it was outside. I'd left my kefta behind and was sorely regretting it. But the last thing I wanted was to go back inside the Little Palace. Perhaps whoever was inside would share their warmth?

My fist rapped lightly on the door and I heard movement inside. Then, a little boy opened the door, peering up at me. "Y-yes?" he stuttered.

"Hi," I began, clearing my throat. But another voice cut me off before I could speak again. "Who is it?" A female voice, old and cranky, shouted from inside. The boy glanced over his shoulder at someone then back up at me for an answer.

"Reagan Kirigan," I replied and watched as the boy's already nervous features turned shocked.

He turned back to whoever had spoken. "He says his name's-"

"I know what he said!" The voice snapped back. "I'm not deaf! Hurry up let him in already! The cold air's getting in!" I shuffled hastily inside and gasp at the smothering heat. It was so hot it was hard to breathe.

The hunched figure dressed in black sat by a roaring fire, slowly pushing herself up to face me. I bit back a startled gasp as my eyes failed to meet hers. Because they weren't there! In their place was too empty sockets.

"Misha!" She snapped and the boy ran to her side obediently. "Check on the tea. And you," she pointed in my general direction. "Come closer."

If her tone hadn't been so sharp and frightening I would've refused to move. I couldn't stop staring at the empty space where her eyes should be. But I forced myself forward until I was close enough for her to reach out a shaky hand to touch my face.