Forged and Forsaken [Nikolai Lantsov II]

~ Chapter Eleven ~

Another Nikolai art this week! 

In the darkness of the night, Nikolai sits, not allowing himself to consider anything but the stars above.

What has he done? Did he truly send her away again, the only person who's been constant throughout his life?

He aches to go to her, to wrap her in his arms and feel her heart beating next to his. To just this once fall asleep beside her.

But he can't.

Because if he does this now, if he allows for the hope of a future with her, only to have it ripped away, it would cut deeper than any blade could.

Nikolai closes his eyes, letting his head drop down against his chest.

Tomorrow. Tomorrow, when they've both slept, when they're away from the others, then they can finally speak freely. He can tell her that these last few months have been harder than any before. He can tell her that even though he has more crewmen than ever, the ship feels empty without her by his side.

He can tell her that he isn't sure he knows what it is to love, but it has to feel a lot like this.

A blade pricks the Prince's chest, a harsh reality against the rolling thoughts of his mind.

Nikolai's eyes fly open, staring up into the face wrapped in shadows.

"On your feet Ravkan," Mikhail sneers, his dark eyes slitted, "And don't bother with weapons, I think you know they won't be of any use."

Slowly Nikolai raises his hands, slipping to his feet in the cold night air.

"It's time for you to leave," Mikhail steps forward, pressing the Pirate back with his blade, "Go now and I might even let your crew walk away unharmed."

Nikolai lets out a sigh, running a hand through his hair, "Listen Einar, you have no idea what a big mistake you're making."

"Oh I know exactly who you are, Nikolai Lantsov," Mikhail's words are Ravkan, his accent flawless and unmarred. He twists the knife, slicing a slit down the Prince's shirt just above his heart, "I was warned that you might show up."

Korina was wrong, her second does know their language. This whole time Mikhail has understood every word the two of them exchanged, every secret they thought was safe.

Mikhail smirks at the realization dawning over the Prince's face, "Yes, I had to listen to all the godless romantic nonsense you two spout." Mikhail rolls his eyes, "Let me tell you it's hard to keep from gagging."

It takes every reserve of strength that the Prince has left to keep a straight face.

"Look," Nikolai says calmly, pressing his fingertips to the blade and trying to shift it away from his chest, "This can end well for you. I'll double whatever you're being paid to assassinate me and you can just walk away."

In a single motion, Mikhail twirls the blade, slicing the tips of the Prince's fingers and piercing the skin of his chest. A thin trickle of blood slips down the front of his shirt, a red blossom of pain.

"Typical Ravkan, thinking everything is about you." Mikhail sneers, "The only thing you could do that would be of any consequence is leave."

"And if I refuse?"

"I kill you," Mikhail shrugs, "Though I would prefer not to do that since Lady Beyove seems to be under the misguided impression you have genuine feelings for her."

The patience that Nikolai has been so tenuous holding, snaps.

He grabs Mikhail's wrist, twisting until the blade falls into his outstretched palm. Lunging forward, he grabs Mikhail's other wrist to keep the other blade locked in its sheath. The blade Nikolai relieved is pressed against the Heartrenders throat in a second.

His breath is ragged as he hisses, "You have no idea what I feel for Kora."

"Kora, that's cute," Mikhail grins, "I bet she adores it."

"If you touch her, I'll make you'll wish you had never left the Barrel." Nikolai can feel his anger mounting.

Mikhail chuckles, his Adam's apple bobbing against the blade. His free arm snaps up.

Nikolai moves to block him but he feels his muscles freeze, the Heartrender's power taking over. Mikhail takes a slow step back as the blade quivers in Nikolai's hand, unable to move. His muscles, his nerves, even his heart aren't his to command anymore, but the boys before him.

A slow smile comes over the thief's face.

Mikhail drags the right sleeve of his shirt up with a flourish. For the first time, the Prince gets a good look at the tattoo that's marking his skin there and Nikolai's blood runs cold.

It's not just any bird that claws its way across the thief's skin, but a Falcon.

"Did you really think that the Beyoves would send their only heir all the way across the True Sea without the knowledge that someone loyal to the family would be waiting," Mikhail shakes his head smugly, "Now tell me again which of us is more likely to harm Lady Beyove?"

Confusion is swirling through Nikolai's mind. He didn't know that the Beyoves had anything left to inherit, much less anyone with loyalties to them.

"What do you want from her?" Nikolai snarls, trying to force his muscles to comply.

His fingers twitch. The blade quivers in his hand. Blood blossoms from the wound, trickling down his chest. And still, he can't move.

"You can drop the act, it doesn't do you any good," Mikhail plucks the knife from the Prince's frozen hand, slipping the blade back into the sheaf, "You may have her fooled into thinking you love her, but I know what you truly are. We've all been told of the special attention you pay to Lady Beyove, of the schemes you played at court. There is no reason for your interest in her."

Nikolai glares, "Perhaps I find her interesting."

"No. You have to know, even if she does not, that she can deliver you something you would never have on your own," Mikhail narrows his eyes, "You must not be ignorant of her worth."

Nikolai is having trouble tracking the other boy's words. Whatever this is, whatever the Beyoves have done to keep their daughter safe, it's far more complicated than he ever expected.

And Korina...

She can't have known about this.

She never lied. Not to him.

Nikolai shakes his head slowly, his jaw ticking, "All I know is what she's worth to me."

"Oh Ghezen, will you stop that?" Mikhail hisses, "I had to listen to the romantic nonsense all day, don't make me relive it now."

The Heartrender steps forward, his eyes snagging on the Beyove ring. Nikolai tries to curl his fingers in, to stop the other boy, but it's too late. He slips it from Nikolai's hand, pressing the ring into his pocket.

"In case you had any plans to try and find her again," He flicks a hand at the Prince.

Nikolai's muscles release at once. He spins at the same time grabbing for the pistol at his belt. A blade meets his chest before he can draw it.

"I think it's time for you to leave," Mikhail says, "And don't come near Lady Beyove again, she doesn't need you playing with her emotions."

Nikolai takes a slow step back, then another, his eyes never leaving the thief before him.

Fine.

He'll go.

For now. 

Drop a vote if you thought Mikhail was going to be a villain and comment your predictions!

I went through my TBR today and we're at a grand total of 16 books. I have no clue how I'm going to get it all done, winter break is not that long. What is everyone's next book on their TBR?