Shadows and The Sea - The Darkling

The King & Keftas

Third POV

The Grisha, with Alina, Percy, and the general leading, walked down the stairs into the throne room. Dignitaries lined each side of the room and the three royals were in gold thrones at the front.

Percy and General Kirigan looked straight on and poised while Alina tilted her head back to marvel at the detail of the Grand Palace throne room. The dignitaries murmured amongst themselves not only about the girl with the golden veil, but the other First Army soldier that looked to have as much poise and presence as the general next to her.

Everyone came to a stop and the three in the front looked to the king who waved two of his fingers. Percy took this as a signal and nudged Alina's arm. Alina, who had gotten the hint, lifted her veil above her head and took the hat off, giving it to a maid who came over.

Louder whispers rose as everyone could see that she was not Ravkan in appearance. The king and queen looked at her before the king spoke.

"I thought she'd be taller," he rudely said.

"I thought she was Shu. Well, I guess she's Shu enough. Tell her...Oh, I don't know...good morning," the queen's voice echoed through the room.

As the two were commenting about Alina, Percy's hands were balled into tight fists and her shoulders were slightly shaking. The trembling was not visible to anyone but the General as he turned his head to look at both girls. He wrapped a hand around the demigod's wrist to hopefully satiate her anger before she caused another scene like at the lake.

The demigod did not let her surprise show at the physical contact initiated by the general but did, indeed, calm down.

"I don't actually speak Shu, Your Highness," Alina spoke out.

"Then what are you?" the older woman asked.

Alina looked at a loss for words but the general filled the void. He slipped his grip from Percy's wrist but felt his hand grow cold from the missing feeling of his skin on hers. Percy felt something similar, like there was something missing and she found herself missing the pressure from his gentle but supportive grip.

"She is Alina Starkov...the Sun Summoner, moya tsaritsa," the Darkling announced, finishing with a bow to the queen. Alina and Percy followed in suit.

"She will change the future. Starting now," he continued.

Alina looked at him and then Percy frightfully. Percy gave her friend's arm a squeeze and a smile.

The man in black rose a hand and the room began to grow dark. He took a step to stand in front of Alina and Percy and leaned his head between the two. He tilted so his mouth was near Alina's ear and Percy's face was in the crook of his neck.

"Now call the sun," he said.

He pulled away and saw Percy with her eyes closed. She seemed to be leaning towards him slightly but her eyes fluttered open and she regained her composure in an instant.

The general gripped Alina's wrist tightly and with a rush, Alina's skin began to glow. Unlike everyone else, the general and Percy did not have to shy away from the bright light and Alina's glow formed a dome around the three. The light danced magically through the room and everyone looked, as though enchanted by it.

The king stood at the sight.

Alina and the general were looking at each other intensely until he stood back at her side and dropped her wrist. Once the contact was lost, the glow began to shrink and fade away. The whole room began to clap for the demonstration of the Sun Summoner.