Cingulomania | Kaz Brekker

01

Before

"She is a child, Aleksander, you can't expect her to know what is good for her! This cannot stand!"

A little girl sat on an ornate carpet across from a little boy, only a year older than her. Her deep brown hair fell in ringlets just past her shoulders. He had golden blond hair that seemed to glow in the sunlight. They were staring at a small flower that lay wilted on the carpet. The little girl frowned and placed a hand on the stem of the lily. A moment later, the brown spots that littered the pink petals faded away.

She had brought the flower back to its perfect condition as if it had never been cut and left to rot in the first place.

The two children giggled, staring at the flower, its petals now a vibrant coral color.

"The King has requested her specifically. Besides she will be a companion of the young prince. What happens when she is not training at the Little Palace is no longer up to us," the General said to his mother. The adults watched as the young prince tucked the lily into the pulled-back section of the little girl's hair. The children smiled at each other, completely unaware of the conversation that the adults in the room were having.

"Cordelia," the General called. The four-year-old soldier turned her head, smile falling into a stoic face. "It is time to return for training for the day." She stood up, turning to the young Prince Nikolai, giving him one last smile before appearing at the side of the General of the Second Army.

The young Grisha walked in between the two Shadow Summoners as they walked back in silence to the Little Palace. The poor thing had no idea what would await on many of those days she was to return to the Grand Palace.

Now

She pulled the tarp off the frame and leaned it against the wall of his office. She folded the tarp as she heard him approach, the clicking of his cane getting louder with each step he took. This was the closest she'd been to the fold in a decade, having crossed when she was thirteen years of age. Now, even at twenty-three, the darkness stared into her soul, threatening to claw at everything she's built for herself. The scar tainting her left forearm itched as she stared at the Fold, be it only in a painting.

"It would look good up on that wall, don't you think?"

Cordelia was pulled from her thoughts, looking to Kaz, and following his gaze to a wall that was looking particularly bare. The slight smirk on her face mimicked his. "My thoughts exactly. I'll get the hammer."

It hadn't taken long to hammer the nail into the office wall and hang the painting. Cordelia took a step back to examine the painting, frowning when it was crooked. She shifted it until it was perfectly aligned and then finally was satisfied.

"Good work, Devereux," Kaz said from his desk, dismissing her. He took a look up from his paperwork to watch as she seemed to float to the door.

"Always a pleasure, Mr. Brekker," Cordelia responded with an exaggerated bow, not missing the eye roll she received in return. She stepped out of his office and locked it with the key she kept in her position. Taking a step to the railing, she gazed out over the floor. That was the thing about Cordelia: she was always watching, always observing. 

The tables were full of pigeons ripe for plucking. 

Cordelia sauntered down the stairs, shifting to the bar, not taking her eyes off the floor. She spotted Jesper at one of the tables and smiled to herself. She wouldn't expect the tall Zemeni man to be anywhere else. A glass was set down next to her and she looked to see the bartender, Joe.