𝖈𝖆𝖕𝖙𝖆𝖎𝖓| Nikolai Lantsov

10 years Later |

It has been 7 years since I have last seen Dominik. In these few years I have managed to become the Co-Captain of the Volkvonly, alongside Nikolai who had taken a new name: Sturmhond. It had a nice ring to it, but it was quite hard to get used to at first. But before I began my life at sea, I was granted the role of the General of the Second army. Many said that the Darkling had grown to like me more than others during my Grisha training; but I begged to differ. I liked to think that it was because of my loyalty or talent, not because of another power hungry man.

However, my life on the ship is much better than the one in the army. The Volkvonly is beautiful. The sailing ship is fashioned from ancient oak, with masts that stand as tall. Instead of it's once green foliage it was adorned by sails of white to dove grey. To see the rich timbers, strong browns close to black, brought a peace inside, perhaps akin to that given by a meadow. Yet for the next few years the fragrance would not be of wildflowers but of the open sea, ever changing, ever constant, ever in motion beneath the clouds who sail
above.

But I love it all; It's the place that I can call home.

________

Tamar wakes me up really early by shaking my shoulders. I groan at her and roll out of bed, pushing her arms away.

"what time is it?" I ask, opening my tired eyes.

"umm, it's 7:13 am" Tamar states.

I almost immediately jolt up; I was supposed to be helping Nikolai today!

"Why didn't you wake me up earlier!?" There's only 20 no, 19 minutes, now till I have to start helping Nikolai!" I shout, looking at the clock change time. Tolya, Tamar and I are the only crew members that know Sturmhond's true identity.

"Well, sorry, but I tried to and you kicked me away."
Tamar says defending herself.

"I did? I don't even remember that, I was probably still asleep." I chuckled. Tamar and I have grown really close over the past few years. It was nice to have another girl on the ship.

After getting dressed and doing my hair, I rush out of the room with Tamar by my side. I look around the deck and see the boys waiting for us.

"Sorry, someone didn't wake me up!" I nudge Tamar. She glares at me.

"Well you kicked me!" She defends herself once again.

"I said I was sorry!" I roll my eyes and the boys just giggle at our bickering.

"Breakfast starts in 2 minutes, I'm hungry! Let's hurry up and go!" Tolya whines. I playfully roll my eyes at him and chuckle.

3rd person _______

After breakfast, Nikolai and Adelaide began working. It was a particularly hot day, so both of them were slower than usual. It was the kind of day where being in the shade didn't really help you avoid the heat. The birds didn't want to fly, it was so hot. Grown men looked baked. Workers were covered from head to toe to avoid the burning rays. It was hot at 9 am.

Adelaide was one of the few lucky people that still managed to look radiating, even as she worked on deck.

Nikolai cut her a glance. She'd tied back her brown hair with a dark blue ribbon. It was eminently practical, but it had the unfortunate effect of making him want to untie it. If only she weren't wearing that damned blue ribbon again.

He unknowingly let out a groan which caught the attention of the brunette beside him.

"If you keep undressing me with your eyes... I'm gonna catch a cold." She boldly said.

Nikolai's cheeks flushed a shade of pink as he chuckled and looked down, trying his best to hide his embarrassment. The twins must have overheard as they were laughing so hard that they were holding their bellies.

"You know what your problem is? You're really cute so no one's ever told you to shut your pie-hole." Nikolai said.

"You think I'm cute?" Adelaide smirked at how worked up Nikolai was getting.

"Shut your pie-hole!" He scoffed, dramatically crossing his arms over his chest. Nikolai was not one to feel shy around girls. But when it came to Adelaide, it was a different story.

This time Adelaide joined the twins and began hysterically laughing.

"You're annoying." He lets out a breath.

"But you love me!" The girl hums.

"Doesn't make you less annoying."

_______

Short one for today. It's a little all over the place but I hope you guys like it🤍