Swan Song ~ Shadow & Bone

13

I walked through the camp towards Alina's tent, stopping when Genya walked out, looking distressed.

"Genya," I called. She looked up at me, relief flooding her face as she ran over and wrapped her arms around me. I sighed. "Are you okay?" She stepped back and shook her head.

"She doesn't understand," she said quietly. "Maybe she never will." I took her hands gently and tried to smile reassuringly.

"Let me speak to her," I said. "I don't know that I can do much considering the circumstances, but I'll see if I can talk sense into her. And if not-" I brought her hands up and kissed them gently. "-you will always have me. And Hadley. And Jeliah and David and Fedyor. You're not alone, Genya." She smiled a bit and hugged me again tightly.

"Thank you for being such a good friend, Katya," she murmured. "It's meant so much to me." I chuckled and nodded, stepping back.

"Of course." She walked away, and I sighed before pushing back the flaps of Alina's tent. She was staring into the mirror, touching the collar at her neck carefully.

"It won't go away," I called. She spun around, startled. "No matter how much you look, it will still be there." Her look of surprise faded, and I was left looking into a cold glare.

"I suppose you would know," she said bitterly. Her stare faltered, and I caught a glimpse of the unsure girl I had met all those months ago. "Was anything you said true? Every joke and kind word and encouragement... Was it all a lie?" My gaze softened.

"No," I said firmly. "None of it was. I never lied to you, Alina. I didn't tell you everything-"

"It might as well be the same!" She shook her head. "You never said a word about your true relationship with Kirigan! Or your real plans for the Fold!"

"I never said a word about my relationship with him at all," I told her. "And I hardly mentioned the Fold, let alone any plans for it." She stared across the tent at me, shaking her head in silence.

"You knew everything," she said quietly. "All of his plans for the Fold, for Ravka, for... For me. Every kind word, every 'secret' moment... You knew about all of it." I hesitated but nodded.

"I did."

"How could you do this?" she asked incredulously. "You aren't like Aleksander, Katya! You haven't lost love or been hunted like he has! What could've possibly made you want to help him? To hurt your country, your friends, your brother? Baghra said he's in Kerch! Why would you help Aleksander take over the world instead of trying to get back to him?" I gritted my teeth.

"Ravka is not my country, Alina," I said coldly. "Baghra told you my brother was in Kerch because that's where we grew up. Ravka has done nothing for me." I chuckled, but there was no humor in it. "And did you know that my brother was the one that tried to kidnap you?" Her eyes widened. "That's right. He was at the Winter Fete. I warned him against it, and he did it anyway." I shook my head. "And I still couldn't let Aleksander hurt him. I don't want to fight him, but I will if I must."

"But you were never oppressed-"

"Never oppressed??" I asked loudly. "Alina, I didn't realize I was a Grisha until I was fifteen because in Kerch, being Grisha is as good as a death sentence. Or a life as a slave. I may not have been hunted, but don't ever assume that just because I never had to experience the king sending out death warrants for us I was never looked down upon." She was silent, and I shook my head.

"You know, I came in here to try to ease your mind about going back into the Fold," I told her. "And because you hurt my friend." She frowned. "Genya is one of the best friends anyone could ask for, so when I saw her come out of here looking more distressed than I've ever seen her, you can imagine my unease. She wasn't angry, if you were wondering. Her one concern was that you didn't understand why we're doing what we are." I sighed. "She really did like you, Alina. I never saw her happier than after she worked with you." I shook my head. "All we want is for Grisha to be respected. To be safe, and to get what we deserve instead of being hunted like dogs." She frowned and shook her head.

"I understand that," she said quietly. "But I refuse to be a part of whatever slaughter you all are planning." I sighed.

"You can refuse all you want," I told her. "But we will do whatever it takes to bring honor to our people. No matter the cost."

🜂

I walked with Aleksander and Alina out of the main tent, ignoring the stares of the delegates and diplomats boarding the skiff. We stepped up to the ramp, and I looked up at the looming wall of darkness ahead of us. I hadn't been inside the Fold in nearly ten years, since I had crossed with Ivan from Novokribirsk. At least this time I would be sure that Alina would let nothing happen to anyone on the skiff as long as she could help it.

Aleksander held out a hand to me, holding it tightly as I stepped onto the sturdy wood.

"You have nothing to worry about," he murmured, pulling me into his side. "I promise you I won't let anything happen to you." I smiled and chuckled softly.

"I know," I said quietly. "And I doubt Alina could bring herself to let anyone die." He chuckled and pressed a kiss to my hair.

"Not even us?" I grinned and shook my head.

"She's too virtuous." He released my hand reluctantly as he walked up to Alina, watching as she was chained to the floor of the skiff.

"The tracker's being kept in camp, under guard," he told her quietly. "Do what's expected of you and he'll be released." She glared up at him, glancing at me as well.

"This isn't a good look for you," she said. "Everyone will see that I'm your prisoner." He chuckled coldly and moved behind her to unclasp her cloak.

"I doubt very much they'll notice your feet." He pulled away the thick material, revealing her dress and the antlers that were melded into her collarbone. A few eyes turned to gaze at the sight, but all attention was pulled from her as the skiff launched forward.

I stepped cautiously towards the front of the skiff, as if it would be any more dangerous than the hell we were about to enter. The dark was daunting as the squallers blew us towards it, and before anyone could choose to regret the journey they were about to embark on, the shadows overtook us.

We were inside the Fold.

side note, i will no joke protect genya with my life

i adore her tbh