In The Name of Shadows - A Darklina Story

Chapter 12: The Stings of Remorse

Publishing date: 03/20/2022

A consciousness was returning to Alina in slow waves of scattered thoughts. At first, her mind was filled with a voiceless void that was not disturbed by anything – even by Aleksander Morozova whispering to her inside her head. The girl was drifting on the white sea of ​​nothingness, completely devoid of memories and emotions. She loved such state. It was so relaxing and so soothing.

And the Darkling wasn't here. That was a reason why Alina did not want to wake up again from this wonderful dream.

Alina was feeling as if someone had erased her memory without letting her dwell on her mistakes. Only a silence was ringing in her head. Until the outside world called for the Havoc Summoner.

At first, Alina noticed the contours of the trees she was passing while riding extremely slowly. The local area looked seaside, and the abundance of conifers and dune hills on the ground testified that the girl might be right and that she was now somewhere on the coast of Ravka.

Later, some colors began to flow into Alina's eyes – in all possible shades and with great intensity. The girl silently groaned, covering her eyes with the sleeve of her black and white kefta. Even though she did not want to open her eyes with all her might, under the influence of these bright visual stimuli, she simply could not help but do so.

"Good morning." A voice smooth as silk came from behind Alina's back, and hot breath wrapped around the back of her head. "Did you sleep well? You have been sleeping for almost three days."

The Havoc Summoner immediately sobered, feeling a chill run down her spine. The girl instinctively looked around her, seeing that she was sitting on a black horse, and someone was holding her from behind with his hands on her waist so that she would not fall off the saddle. The touch was very gentle but firm at the same time. It was as if this person was protecting their property with all their strength while ensuring that even a hair did not fall off Alina's head.

"Aleksander," said the Havoc Summoner, instinctively stiffening at his touch. The Darkling's slender fingers were literally burning holes in her kefta, and Alina herself had an impression that they were just stroking her bare skin. "What am I doing here with you? And where is my horse?"

The Darkling's hands moved almost imperceptibly along the white-haired girl's waist, as if he was unsatisfied with the possibility of uncompromisingly touching her body. Aleksander's fingers pressure grew a bit stronger, which did not bode well for Alina.

"Your horse is right next to us. It travels with us to the next place we need to visit before we go to Os Alta to meet our allies and your friend, king of Ravka. I tied your horse to my stallion so that it would not get lost on our journey. You passed out, so as soon as we left the Fold, I put you here to look after you until you wake up." Aleksander's voice was like a rough diamond – not only beautifully sounding, but very dangerous in the way it aroused the desire of someone who had ever heard it.

Alina was feeling a hot spurt from the side of the Darkling's body. It was her body's passive response to the man with whom she had been bound by this unwanted bond that balanced darkness and light. The bond that made Alina literally burn from the inside now, though her mind was telling her to keep the last remnants of her sanity.

If I hate him so much, why can't I resist him? The Havoc Summoner thought, quickly trying to think of something else before the Darkling could hear it.

"Thank you for your sweet compliment." Aleksander answered Alina aloud, leaving her in no doubt whether he had heard her or not. "I hope we can work on your hate as well, as soon as we sort out our most urgent matters in Ravka."