Don't Blame Me - Aleksander Kirigan

Chapter XII

Morozova's Stag 

I watched as Alina summoned a ball of bright light and held it up with one hand. Then she made another one with her other. She sent them out into the room, lighting it all up. Even with Aleksander's plan for her, I have to say, it is impressive and really satisfying to watch her do this. She did a bit more before she stopped and the normal light in the room came on. Alina's eyes met mine and I smiled and gave her a nod, telling her she did a good job. Instead of clapping, people said "Sankta Alina" and got down, bowing for her. 

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Alina left to go take a breath after her demonstration, letting me talk with Aleksander for a minute. I approached him and slipped my hand into his. He looked down at me and smiled. "My love, something on your mind?" He asked, making me lean up to his ear and whisper. "Any luck or word on the Stag yet?" I asked him, knowing it's a pressing matter. I leaned back down and he shook his head. "Unfortunately not." And as if on cue, a guard approached Aleksander and I. "General. Two First Army soldiers are asking for you. Something on Morozova's Stag." Aleksander and I looked at each other with wide eyes, then back to the guard. "Where are they?" He asked the guard. "In your quarters." He simply answered back. Aleksander tightened the grip on my hand and we started walking to his room. The guard followed us and when we approached the door, I noticed two more where standing outside his door. I let go of his hand and he opened the door into his room. 

My eyes widened as I saw Mal and some other man. "These are the two who claim they found the Stag?" Aleksander asked as we walked fully into the room. I stood next to Aleksander as the guard who got us closed the door. I looked at Mal and saw that he was eyeing me up and down in confusion. "No, sir. He did." The man I don't know said, motioning to Mal. "And you are?" Aleksander asked with a serious tone. Seeing him like this was amazing. I love it when he gets all serious and shit. "Malyen Oretsev. Tracker with the 36th, sir." I leaned up to Aleksander's ear and whispered once more. "It's Mal, Aleks. Alina's best friend." I leaned back down and he looked at me slightly shocked, before looking back at Mal with a small smile that was also mixed with a smirk. "Mal. What a surprise. Leave us." Aleksander said to the other guy and the guard. Soon after the door closed, Aleksander looked at Mal's shoulder. "Are you all right?" Aleksander asked, noticing that Mal is hurt at the same time I did. "Yes, sir." Mal answered back. "So... there are a lot of deer in the wild. How do you know you found the right stag?" Aleksander said as he walked to the maps. Mal followed as I stood to the side. 

Mal took out a paper that was covered in bloodspots. But it was also a drawing of the Morozova Stag. "It was this one." "You're certain." "I am." I took a deep breath and approached slightly. "Mal. We cannot afford mistakes on this. Are you absolutely certain that it was this stag?" I asked once more, needing confirmation that it was the right stag. "Luci, I swear to you. It was this one." I took a deep breath again and stood on Aleksander's side. I could sense that he has questions about my relationship with Mal. Which is strictly platonic. "It was twice as big as any other. All white. When it looked at me head on, its antlers... they..." Mal trailed off and shook his head with a sigh. "What?" Aleksander asked him. "I think I saw that." Mal finished and pointed to a book on the table with a mark in it. I smirked for a second, knowing we were on the right track. "Was it alone? With a herd?" Aleksander asked him, wanting its location as soon as possible. "It had traveled with a small herd, but when I encountered it, it was alone. Grazing." Perfect. 

Aleksander moved quickly and took out a map and laid it down in front of himself and Mal. "Show me where." He said and looked down at the map. "North of Chernast." Mal said, making Aleksander sigh and grab a pen. "No, precisely. Mark it for me." He said and held the pen towards Mal. When I noticed that Mal wasn't budging I raised my eyebrow and crossed my arms. Mal looked between Aleksander and me before speaking. "Not until I see Alina." I scoffed in annoyance and I could feel Aleksander getting annoyed next to me. "I beg your pardon?" He asked Mal with a bitter tone to his voice. "I know her. We're friends. Luci, please." He finished as he turned to me. "You let me see her, I'll tell you where the Stag is." Aleksander put the pen down and sighed, turning his back to us. "Lucille... Please. We've been friends for two years. Plea-" I held my hand up, stopping him from continuing. "It's out of my hands, Mal. I'm not the one who makes decisions here." Aleksander came back and looked at Mal. "I'll have you shown to a room here." Aleksander started. 

"And, assuming that Alina proves you right... I'll bring her to you later. Fair?" Mal nodded at the deal with a small smile. Aleksander then walked out of the room and I was about to follow when I felt a soft grip around my wrist. I stopped in my tracks and looked towards Mal. "What?" I asked him in a low tone, making sure no one could hear us. "What are you doing with him, Luci? He seems like a scary and mean man." I scoffed and pulled my wrist out of his soft grip. "I'll have you know that he treats me better than any of my other love interests. He might be a General but he treats me like a Queen. You're my friend, Mal, but you have no right to question mine or his actions." I said lowly and walked out of the room, catching up to Aleksander. I let out a deep breath once I hook my arm with his and felt relaxed at his side. "So, what is the deal with you and Mal?" He asked, making me laugh at how protective he is and how easy it is to make him jealous. "Our friendship has never been anything more than platonic. He has been so in love with Alina and has been ever since they were both at the orphanage together." I explained, making him nod. 

I could tell that the screws where still going on about up in his brain, making me stop walking and stopping him in the process. I looked up at him and put my hands on his cheeks. He put his hands on my hips and I leaned up to kiss him. We stood there, in the hall, kissing for a few seconds before pulling away. "No man can ever make me look in their direction ever again. I've found who I'm meant to be with and I'm staying here, right by your side, for as long as forever will last." He grinned widely and pulled me in for another short kiss. "I know it might be early to say this, but I cannot wait any longer." Aleksander started, making me a bit anxious to what he was about to say. "I love you, Lucille Crowe. More than anything in the world." I laughed in happiness and almost got tears in my eyes from how happy I am. "I love you too, Aleksander Kirigan." I kissed him one last time before we went back to the party, hand-in-hand. 

A/N: Heyyyy!!! Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoyed chapter 12. I know it might be too early for them to say "I love you", but I'd like to think that because they're soulmates, it feels different for them and that their feelings for each other are intensified 10x more than normal. Anyways, love you all and have a nice day/night <3<3