Water and Shadows (Darkling x OC) (Shadow and Bone fanfic)

Chapter 10

Aleksander POV

I woke up, but kept my eyes closed, taking a moment to revel in the peaceful feeling of just waking up, when nothing bad has happened in your day yet. After a moment, I opened my eyes and turned around to wrap an arm around Anya, to find the bed empty.

Guess I spoke too soon, I just woke up and something bad was already happening.

I quickly got out of bed, calling her name a few times as I went looking around the room and the office.

Nothing. I don't think the room had ever been this quiet. I hated it.

I quickly opened the big double doors, turning to the two guards waiting outside.

"Have you seen Miss Starkov?" I asked, in too much of a hurry to say 'hi' or 'good morning'.

"No, we haven't, sir." One of them answered, confused.

I nodded, moving to enter the office again, before stopping in the middle of my action.

"I meant Anya, not the Sun Summoner." I clarified, suppressing the strong urge to roll my eyes.

"Oh, we did see her. She left the room late last night. Haven't seen her since." The other answered.

"Sent an alert, I want everyone searching the palace for her. I don't care if it's their job or not, just find her." I ordered, before closing the door again.

I quickly changed out of my pajama's, before searching the room for anything that could lead me to where she was.

I knew Anya, she wouldn't just sleep somewhere else in the castle. As much as it hurt me to admit it, she must have left. Hopefully someone would find some hint as to where to search.

I tore through the room, more effective than I had been in weeks. My mind was weirdly empty, Anya being the only thing on my mind.

I just hoped she hadn't left because of me. I had thrown myself into work ever since we came back from the ship, but I hadn't pushed her away that much, had I?

My hand unconsciously went to the scars on my face. It wasn't because of this, was it? I quickly shook my head, shaking the thought away. No, Anya would never be so shallow. Or at least, that's what I hoped.

During my search, I fell on a sealed letter. I contemplated opening it. I didn't want to invade her privacy, but I wanted to find her more than anything, if there was even the smallest clue to where she is in there I needed to find it.

I quickly opened it and read it through.

Hey,

Just seeing if this way my voice will reach you. And I really hope it does.

I haven't talked to anyone in days. They only let me out of my cell to hunt for the Seawhip. Part of me is hoping it doesn't actually exist.

You probably don't want to hear about this. I'll try to think of something more positive to talk about.

Your hair looked nice the last time I saw you. You've improved in the way you style it. But then again, I don't know much about hair. Maybe I just think it looks better now because I see you in a different light.

I never noticed your hair before. It was always just a part of you, like your eyes. Though I think that's a bad example. I've always really liked your eyes. They shimmer in a way only yours can.

I should stop writing. I don't want to bore you with all this sap. Or corn, you decide.

I just hope that this is at least more enjoyable than the time you've spent with the Darkling.