The Grisha Diaries (A Darklina Fanfic)

Chapter 8: Wondering

"ARE YOU sure you don't want to come," I ask with a lazy morning smile, giving Mal a light kiss on his nose as I approach. "It could be nice to have everyone back in one place again," I add.

"No no," Mal insists. "I have a feeling you could benefit from this time to yourself. Besides, I'd be too tempted to sneak in to see you try on your wedding dress." His warm smile reassures me. I'll come back with my desire to know more about the state of affairs fully sated, ready to marry Mal, and prepared for a more productive conversation about giving him children.

"Thank you for packing up Zander. I really appreciate it."

"Anything for my wife. But, if you really feel the need, I could think of a few ways you could show your appreciation," he grins at his own clever implication.

My eyes roll themselves to the back of my head as his blunt flirtatiousness triggers a hot blush on my cheeks. I worry he has too much hope for how much this trip could influence me and our relationship for the better. But, for now, I let his hope rub off on me.

_________________

AFTER AN arduous and speedy journey, Sasha and I ride through the gates of Os Alta. A group of Grisha had been kind enough to meet us half a day's ride out on orders from Nikolai, clearly worried about my possible reception in Os Alta. I wanted to be Alina Starkov, but that didn't necessarily mean I needed to flaunt my identity. Especially not with my white hair flowing behind me as I sit atop my white horse. Imagery matters, I remind myself. I can't have people believing I still have my abilities when I don't. So, I pull up the hood of my now very used black cloak, temporarily hiding my identity. The Grisha soldiers surrounding us seem to relax as well, knowing I wouldn't flaunt myself straight through the center of the capital. They react by spreading out themselves, pulling up the hoods on their own cloaks and slouching ever so slightly. In a soft shift the royal guards turn into a small group of riders.

As we finally arrive at the gates of the palace I see my friends all at once, together, waiting for me. I jump off the horse, leaving Sasha behind me momentarily and sprint towards the friends I haven't seen since the end of a war we won together. Unsure who's arms reach first, in moments I'm surrounded by arms and greetings.

"Oh how happy I am to see all of you," I cry out. My friends laugh and beam at me, expressing how much they missed me and taking turns to hug me personally.

"I've never seen such a beautiful corpse!" Nikolai teases. "Welcome back to the world of the living, hope your resurrection went smoothly!"

"Alina Starkov was never dead Nikolai," I breathe haughty.

Remembering Sasha, I run to grab the hand slack at her side as she stands tucked into the horse ne of the Grisha escorts must have assisted her off of.

"Nikolai, Genya, Zoya, David," I list for Sasha's benefit, "this is Sasha, a very impressive Inferni.

"Oh you are absolutely adorable! I have your gift right here somewhere," Nikolai greets first, digging through his pockets. Sasha's face brightens immediately. "Ah yes," he pulls out a small bracelet, entirely of clear beads. When looking closer, somehow the beads show an allusion of a little flame in the center of each one. It was stunningly beautiful and completely unnecessary.

Sasha looks like she may faint of happiness. Nikolai bends down on one knee and slowly slides the little bracelet on Sasha's little wrist. I'm starting to worry that Sasha forgot how to speak or how to breathe when she finally whispered a soft "Thank you moi soverenyi."

Genya then steps forward with a boxed gift as well. "Welcome little Sasha. I am Genya and David, we are members of the Grisha Triumvirate which means we live in the Little Palace and work together to command the second army. And, we are very happy to meet you. We brought a gift for you as well. Here you go, go ahead, take the top off."