DEMONS | Nikolai Lantsov

Chapter 5

---Nikolai's POV---

Nikolai took a deep breath before crossing the room slowly. Stopping in front of her. He crouched down, The soft pad of his thumb landing on her cheek, stopping a new tear that began to fall. She was all so new to this life, and yet she continually surprised him.

But now here she was, crumbling before him. She had made a bad choice, but Nikolai knew that if she would ever forgive him for his choices and wrong doings towards her, he would need to forgive her too. Even though this was going to make a mess of everything.

"We will not let him win, Mara. I will keep you safe. But we must face the darkness head-on." He spoke calmly. Any anger fading away. She had a strange way of making him protective over her. And time hadn't seemed to change that.

Mara's eyes welled up with more tears, her chest rising and falling deeply from her heavy breathing. "I'm so sorry, Nikolai. I should have trusted you from the beginning. I never should have continued to meet him when I came here."

Nikolai placed a reassuring hand on Mara's shoulder, a smile breaking through his determined facade. "No more secrets, Mara. From this moment forward, we face the Darkling as allies. Ravka deserves a future free from the clutches of darkness. And so do you. If you see him, you must come tell me at once."

As the weight of Mara's realization settles upon her, he can see the turmoil in her eyes. Her shoulders slump, and her hands tremble slightly as the truth dawns upon her. She nods, staring at his chest, lost in thought.

She believes she has placed everyone in danger through her connection with the Darkling. It is in this moment of vulnerability that Nikolai understands the importance of being her pillar of strength.

He guides Mara gently a chair on the other side of the room. Taking a seat beside her, offering a comforting presence amidst the chaos that swirls within her mind. Holding her hand in his. The silk of her glove was extremely soft, but Nikolai wasn't interested in the silk. He slowly pinched the tips of each finger of the glove and gently slid the thin fabric away from her hand. Caressing her bare skin and raising it to his lips. Placing a comforting kiss on her knuckles.

"Nikolai," she whispers, her voice laced with a mixture of guilt and fear. "I never wanted any of this. I never wanted to endanger your people. Or you."

He places a reassuring hand on her arm, meeting her gaze with unwavering support. "Mara, what matters now is how we move forward. We cannot change the past, but we can shape the future. Together."

She takes a deep breath, her body slowly relaxing under his touch. "What do we do now? Where can we find the Darkling? We have to stop him."

A flicker of determination ignites within him as he leans forward, his voice steady and resolute. "I have been studying the Darkling's tactics and his patterns for months. I have a suspicion of where he might be seeking refuge."

Mara's eyes widen with curiosity and a glimmer of hope. "Tell me. We need to find him, to protect everyone."

He takes a moment to gather his thoughts, then begin outlining the possibilities. "The Darkling has always been drawn to places of power and secrecy. There are hidden chambers within the palace, ancient vaults, and tunnels that have long been forgotten. I believe he may be hiding in one of these concealed places, using their darkness to further his plans. At least that is where I'd go."

He runs a hand through his hair. Maras expression shifts from apprehension to a newfound determination. "Then we search the palace. Tonight."

Nikolai nods in agreement, a smile of confidence gracing his lips. "Yes, we will search every corner, leaving no stone unturned. We will uncover his hiding place and bring him to justice."