DEMONS | Nikolai Lantsov

Chapter 6

--- Mara's POV---

In the depths of Mara's slumber, her dreams take a sinister turn. She finds herself standing in the midst of darkness, surrounded by an eerie silence. The air crackles with tension as a figure emerges from the shadows, his presence commanding and menacing. It is the Darkling.

The Darkling's eyes narrow with fury as he looks upon her. "You dare turn against me?" His voice reverberates with an icy edge. "You cannot escape your fate, Mara. I am unstoppable."

Mara's heart pounds in her chest as fear intertwines with her determination. She stands her ground, her voice steady despite the rising trepidation. "I will not be swayed by your darkness. Ravka deserves better than the oppression you bring."

A cruel smile tugs at the Darkling's lips, his voice dripping with malice. "You are but a flickering candle in the face of my power. Your light will be snuffed out, Mara. Resistance is futile."

As the dream unfolds, Mara's resolve strengthens. She refuses to succumb to the Darkling's intimidation, even within the realm of her own subconscious. With each passing moment, her courage grows, a beacon of light pushing back against the encroaching darkness.

"You may be powerful, Darkling, but you underestimate the strength of those who stand against you," Mara retorts, her voice filled with defiance. "I will fight for a future free from your tyranny."

Enraged by her defiance, the Darkling's dark eyes flash with a mixture of anger and frustration. "You cannot comprehend the depths of my power. I will see to it that you regret your choice."

In the midst of the nightmare, Mara's determination resounds within her. She refuses to be broken, refusing to succumb to the Darkling's threats. Deep within her heart, a glimmer of hope persists.

With an air of certainty, Mara's voice rises above the darkness. "I will not be swayed by your lies and manipulation, Darkling. My resolve is unwavering. I will stand with those who fight against you, and together, we will bring an end to your reign of shadows."

As Mara's defiant words echo through the dream, the Darkling's anger simmers, unable to break her spirit completely. With a final, spiteful glare, he disappears into the darkness, leaving Mara standing alone.

And as the remnants of the nightmare fade away, Mara awakens, her heart still racing, yet emboldened by her steadfast resolve. She looks around, finding herself in a dark room that isn't her own. Something shifts at the foot of the bed, and Mara reaches to her chest, slipping the small gold knife from its safe place at the side of her breast. It winks up at her in the moonlight, she was now grateful for her intuition when she stole it from the table setting at dinner. 

Slowly she crept towards the end of the mattress, sighing as her eyes just met the sleeping body of the prince. Once her privateer. The sight of him brings a mixture of comfort and unease.

Caught between the desire to return to sleep and the longing to unravel the mysteries of her own magic, Mara finds herself torn. Part of her yearns to stay, to bask in the warmth of Nikolai's presence and seek solace from the remnants of her dream. Another part, however, whispers that now is the perfect opportunity to venture forth, to explore the depths of her own abilities and uncover the truths that lie hidden within her.

Her gaze drifts to the moonlight filtering through the window, its ethereal glow casting a soft illumination upon the room. The choice before her weighs heavily, the path diverging between the comfort of the known and the allure of the unknown.

She carefully slides out from under the covers, her movements slow and deliberate, so as not to disturb Nikolai's rest. She stands at the edge of the bed, her mind racing, contemplating the risks and rewards that lay on each side of her dilemma.

A moment of hesitation ensues, her eyes flickering between Nikolai's slumbering form and the door that beckons her to step into the darkness. The lure of self-discovery tugs at her, fueled by an insatiable curiosity to comprehend the full extent of her powers.

Yet, as she takes a step toward the door, her heartstrings pull her back to Nikolai's side. The bond they share, the unspoken connection that lingers between them. He had betrayed her, yet she was still drawn to him. It drove her crazy, he drove her crazy. 

With a determined exhale, she decides to follow her instincts and ventures out of the room, her steps guided by a thirst for knowledge and a burning need to protect the people of Ravka. Strangely she was fitting in well at the palace, and her love for Ravka was almost as instant as the light that sparked from her fingertips.

Making her way through the silent corridors of the palace, Mara makes her way to the large library on the opposite side of the great hall. It is a sanctuary of wisdom, filled with ancient tomes and hidden knowledge. She knows that within those walls, she may find the answers she seeks.

As she enters the library, the scent of aged parchment and the hushed whispers of countless stories envelop her. The shelves tower above her, housing a wealth of knowledge accumulated over the ages. Mara's eyes scan the titles, searching for any trace of information that may aid her in gaining an edge against the Darkling.

Hours pass as Mara delves into the texts, her fingertips tracing the faded words and symbols. She reads about the history of Grisha, the intricacies of summoning light, and the tales of those who have stood against the forces of darkness. With every page turned, her understanding deepens, her determination solidifying.

The library becomes her refuge, her sanctuary of discovery and empowerment. She finds passages that resonate with her own experiences, hidden spells that might help her harness her magic, and accounts of legendary battles fought against formidable foes.

As the sun climbs higher in the sky, casting a warm glow through the library's windows, Mara's efforts bear fruit. She stumbles upon a forgotten journal written by a Grisha who once faced a similar threat. Within its pages, she discovers a technique—a hidden path to unlock the full potential of her power.

With renewed hope and a sense of purpose, Mara closes the journal, her mind racing with newfound possibilities. Armed with knowledge and the determination to protect Ravka, she tucks the journal under her arm and quietly leaves the library, her steps brimming with newfound resolve.

As the palace awakens to a new day, Mara carries with her the weight of the secrets she has unearthed. She knows that the road ahead will be fraught with challenges and sacrifices. But she also knows that she possesses the strength and knowledge to stand against the Darkling, to protect those she loves, and to unlock the true potential of her light.

As she walks the hall, heading towards her chambers, she sees Nikolai emerge from around the corner. He is dressed in a military uniform, and a green hat sits upon his head. His eyes meet hers and he stops.

"There you are." He smiles.

"Oh, thank goodness!" Mara hears Genya exclaim from down the hall. "I have been looking everywhere for you!" She adds, walking quickly to Mara's side.

Nikolai looks back at Mara and dips his head in a subtle bow, sending her a wink before walking past the girls. Mara couldn't help but watch him make his way across the hall, entering the war room and closing the door behind him.

"Where were you? Why haven't you undressed from yesterday's gown?" Genya questioned. Her eyes filled with confusion. 

"I was perfectly safe. I just fell asleep in the library." Mara lied. Genya's eyebrows furrowed, but then eased up as she just shook her head.

"What am I going to do with you?" She mumbled before leading Mara to her chambers to change.