Better than a Witch | A Darklina Retelling

Victor's Match

When the Darkling finally returned to the Little Palace I still hadn't made any progress in my training. I could tell my teachers were fearing that I might never learn. I had almost hoped the Darkling wouldn't return- save me from the embarrassment. Yet, he did, and I came to see there was something worse than him discovering how much of a failure I am. He hadn't come back alone.

The rumors of his trip being a constructed lie to meet up with someone felt sickly close to the truth. He must not even be trying to hide it to make his entrance with her. Right in front of everyone.

The girl who walked in by his side looked like a goddess if there ever was one. She had brown skin and long hair that was perfectly glossy. Everything about her radiated elegance from the way she walked, talked, and even how she would gracefully turn towards the Darkling, putting a hand on his arm as she spoke soft words in his ear. I couldn't tell if I loved her or hated her.

The Darkling introduced her as Zoya Nazyalensky, a summoner, who was working directly under him for the time being. Based on the way she looked at him, I wondered just how much time she spent under him. A glance at Genya later that day told me she thought the same.

The thought upset me. It shouldn't have. I shouldn't think of him like that anyways. Besides the fact, he was my general. He obviously had better soldiers to spend his time with. Stronger ones who could actually learn and work by his side. Someone who could be his equal. That would never be me.

After the grand entrance and introduction, Zoya moved towards the summoners table, and the Darkling left for his quarters. At first I didn't think Zoya was going to acknowledge me at all. For all I knew she wasn't even informed of who I was or at least who I was supposed to be. But as she approached she gave me a wicked smile that had no warmth behind it. Then she sat down- directly next to me.

Everyone was looking right at us. If she was his secret warrior, I was the broken weapon. The other grisha at the table couldn't stop gushing with her about her top secret mission she had been on with the Darkling. Next to her I became invisible as she soaked in the spotlight with grace and beauty. I hoped people didn't even see me anymore, my skin was broken and my body was heavy. Zoya looked perfect and strong. It wasn't the best comparison.

I may have been the sun summoner, but she made it clear- she was the reigning queen.

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I left the dining hall as soon as I could. It might have seemed suspicious to those who noticed. Or maybe everyone knew just how jealous I was. It didn't matter to me. I was never going to fit in here. I didn't want to try anymore.

I realized during the dinner why she looked so familiar. It wasn't just the undeniable beauty- she was the same Grisha who had been riding in the Darklings carriage at Kribisk. Mal and his friends had obsessed over her, and at this closer standpoint I could understand why. My cheeks turned red just looking at her. What stupid hope did I ever have? Why would either one of them even see me when next to her?

I moped all night long, but the nightmare didn't end there. The next day I realized as an Etherealki, she would be joining the afternoon training with Botkin. Everyone was going to witness her out lap, and out punch me all day.

We normally started training sessions by running a mile. Usually by then I was too weak to even throw punches. I was left to practice with a dummy. Yet, today as I walked down to the training field, I could feel it was going to be different.

Botkin was standing in a make-shift arena. It was larger than the ones we typically worked with. In the center, there was a pile of weapons ranging from bows, knives, to even guns. I wondered if they were loaded or not.