The Tsar, The Princess And The Tailor

Sturmhond Makes An Appearance

"Alina? May I talk to you a moment?"

Ixora had searched for the Sun Summoner with very little success. She understood that she was busy but it also meant that her chance to help Nikolai sleep well that night nearly fled from her fingers. She only wanted to try in the hopes that she could bring him some peace. She would have watched over him the whole night if she could.

But somehow, in that huge castle, they kept missing each other. So now, it was another day and she woke up bright and early, going off to Nikolai's chambers. She would wait until Alina came out to begin the day - hopefully, she wasn't the type to rise before dawn.

The reason she now knew where his majesty slept was simple. He'd come to her, late at night, his eyes fluttering quite strangely and fists clenched so hard he'd turned his knuckles a ghostly white. He hadn't needed to say a word. She followed him hurriedly to his room, memorising the pace from hers and urged him to lay down, again. She somehow managed to help him out of his shoes as he clung to her arm, muttering harshly below his breath.

She wasn't sure how he made it to her room, based on his scrambled behaviour. He barely seemed present at all. Fear was all she could feel as she watched him, feeling his heart pound so irregularly within his long-suffering ribcage. How long had it been like this? She knew it was a private affair but she couldn't help but feel a bit angry that he'd told her nothing of how bad nights could get. Her care for him outweighed this emotion in that moment as she hummed carefully to calm her nerves, pressing a hand to his chest as he rattled on and on about some "it" and how "it" was consuming him.

She helped. He stopped his jerking movements, a small smile on his face as he rose a hand to touch the one she had on his chest. And then, "Alina...? Is that you...?"

"Yes, Nikolai. Go back to sleep, dear."

"Oh... You're calling me dear, now? Is it my birthday?"

"Hush. Rest, husband."

Her heart fluttered loudly beneath her skin as she uttered the last word. She'd only said what Alina would say, right? But why had she used it... She couldn't have such interest in Nikolai. He was clearly in love with his fiancée and she had shown up at the coronation without being invited. She didn't belong there at all.

She dragged herself to her chambers and restated her objective. Nothing mattered more than the health of her clearly ailing old friend. Her mother's letter had arrived a few days after the coronation. She had heard news of what happened and wanted her away from the dangerous place and home as soon as possible. It made her smile that the woman didn't even doubt that she was alive, not in writing, anyway. Theirs was a strong bloodline.

Her reply had been short. She knew her mama wouldn't approve but she couldn't leave Nikolai in such a state. That wasn't who she is, leaving anyone she cared about behind in a time of need and she only hoped the headstrong woman would understand. She hated upsetting her but there was little else one could do.

Alina suddenly appeared from down the corridor and clasped her hands in hers, looking relieved. "Saints, Ixora! I've searched for you everywhere! It's wonderful to find you outside Nikolai's, actually, he's the subject of this conversation. Well, him and you."

"Oh. I was meaning to talk to you as well. Over him and you." They both chuckled, Ixora's lacking mirth. "It is a strange request..."

"I have no doubt I'll grant it. Just... Maybe tell me what it is, first."

So Ixora explained. Doing her best to keep the tears from her eyes, of course. Because talking about it, even this vaguely, was tugging her into memories of yesterday night and she couldn't help but wonder if it got that bad often.