SuperNova [Shadow&Bone]

Jedan

The General didn't return with the main group. Fedyor said that they had been attacked by Fredjas and that the General stayed back with the "Sun Summoner". Sidra had been pacing near the front gate for the last fifteen minutes waiting for his return.

The guards were starting to get dizzy watching the young boy. Before they could console him, a familiar black horse carrying two silhouettes came into view. A frown broke across Sidra's face as the horse came to a stop.

The General was the first to get down and then the woman. As they walked closer, Sidra took a step back before pivoting down the hall. The General frowned slightly at the back of the boy. He thought Sidra was getting better around women. But it seems it's only around familiar ones. He turned to the girl.

"You'll be safe here. The palace is the most secure building in the whole country." He gestured to her to the passageway to their left. "I made sure of it."

The two guards stood alert as she turned back around.

"Where are you going?" He ignored her question.

"Take her to the vezda suite."

"Am I a prisoner?" The girl asked in disbelief.

"All of Ravka is. Until you and I have banished the Fold." He nodded softly to the guards behind her before leaving.

The General went down a few passages before meeting a room covered in silver and green. He gently knocked a specific sequence and waited. Not hearing an answer, he pushed the door open softly. In the middle of the emerald and black bed laid a small body curled up around a plush bunny.

Aleksandaer couldn't bring himself to wake the boy. So he settled on lifting him up to tuck him into under the sheets. The boy's hand laid near the older's chest emitted a faint glow. His eyes opened slightly at the movement.

"Al?" His voice, small and drowsy with sleep.

"Hi bubs. Go back to sleep, it's okay. I'm safe at home now. It's okay to sleep now." Aleksander's tone was soft despite his intimidating appearance. He brushed the boy's braids away from his face before placing a gentle kiss on his forehead.

Sidra subconsciously listened and drifted back off to sleep. He could faintly feel the bed shift before the comforter was placed on his body.

Kirigan carefully closed the door before turning down the hall. Sidra had a bad habit of staying awake for days when he was on trips. With his traumatic experience of being taken away from his family while they all slept, it was understandable. So he had to try his best to reassure him that they were together and safe.

The day rolled by quickly and was soon the next morning.

_

The Little Palace was buzzing with energy in preparations of the Sun Summoner being presented to the King. Sidra took pride in his phthalo kefta laced with golden lace sparks. Alek had let him have creative freedom when designing his kefta. He even had a black spiral sewn into his left sleeve. A sewn portrait of Sankta Lizabeta he personally attached to the inner collar of the kefta.

Once he finished dressing, he made his way to the main ballroom. He paused in his step seeing one of his favorite people. Sidra burst into an excited run, the girl with him easily forgotten.

"Al!"

The General looked up from the woman in front of him cutting their conversation. The woman was genuinely surprised to see his lips curl into a smile. Turning around to see a young boy-maybe 13 or 14 winters-barreling towards the pair.

She had barely any time to move when the boy jumped into the General's waiting arms. The two embraced each other tightly as if forgetting the girl's presence all together.

"Oh saints! I missed you so much! You were gone for like forever!" Sidra lifted his head from Aleksander's neck with a frown, "You said only 3 days. It's been five Al! You promised."

Aleksander grimaces at the reminder of the promise he couldn't keep.

"I know bubba. We had an unexpected event happen in the fold so we had to stay and investigate. I'm sorry I wasn't here."

Sidra let an audible gasp slip. "Wait, in the fold. Is everyone okay? What about Zoya?"

The older male rubbed the smaller's back to comfort him, "Zoya's okay, but we lost a few grisha."

The younger's eyes slightly glossed over in tears. He went to wipe his eyes when they focused on the figure standing behind them. His eyes flashed a striking green that matched the frightened yelp that escaped the boy. He buried his head in the collar of Alek's kefta.

"Al?" he whispered in the man's ear, "There's a woman behind you."

He could feel the man nod before speaking.

"This is Alina Starkov. She's the Sun Summoner we found in the Fold."

Sidra peeked ever so slightly over the man's collar to look at the woman. She looked a few years older than him. Maybe 16 or 17 winters old. She was pale as if she hadn't gotten sleep in days. The bags under her eyes told him that it may be true.

He raised his head and hand to cup Aleksander's ear, "The Sun Summoner is really pretty."

His whisper wasn't low enough to be unheard by Alina, who smiled at the compliment.

"Alina thinks you are quite adorable yourself." Alina let herself joke to the boy she had yet to know the name of.

He jumped slightly and tapped the older's shoulder to be let down. Once on the floor, he stood hidden behind Alek completely, only his head peeking out.

Alina sent a small wave to the clearly small boy. "Hi, my name is Alina. What's your name?"

Sidra paused for a moment before looking up at Alek, who nodded that she is okay to talk to.

"Oh...uh my name is Sidra Ghafa, but you can call me Sid."