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" This is me praying that,
This was the very first page,
Not where the storyline ends,
My thoughts will echo your name,
Until I see you again "
―TAMAR DEPARTS FOR town in search of Nikolai or any remote signs of him, taking my hopes and prayers with her. I'm begging the Saints to give me something, anything, despite my lack of faith in Ravka's religion. Despite my lack of faith in any religion, to be exact.
Another thing Zoya and I can agree on, being two little girls who prayed every night for something so incredibly fleeting, to which no deities or miracles replied to. I use to worship a few gods as a child, wishing to bring my brothers back, wishing to wake up how my mother wanted me to be, wishing to be free of her eagle-like grip.
That, at least, I succeeded in.
Until she came down like a beady-eyed falcon prepared to destroy all hopes of living happily with Nikolai in the Grand Palace.
I blow out an annoyed breath as I crack my knuckles, trying to use my ability without any flights of dizziness, but as I warp a twig into a different shape, my head begins to throb.
I let out a growl of frustration and throw my head back, tossing the useless piece of a tree away.
"Yi, calm down," Alina says gently. "You've just been overstimulated. I'm sure that by tomorrow you'll be stronger than ever."
I bury my head in my hands. "I should have just let us get crushed by rocks," I groan miserably.
Zoya arches an eyebrow. "I'm not so certain that's the correct order of concern, but do go on. It's quite entertaining to see you so gloomy." I open my mouth, but she holds up her hand. "That was a lie. Start acting all 'sunshine and rainbows', this is far too out of character."
I glare at her. "I'll shove a rainbow up your―"
"Okay," Alina interrupts with a cough. "Yi, maybe you just didn't get enough rest. You should try to sleep."
I shake my head and cast a glance towards the trees. "Okay," I say quietly. "After Tamar gets back."
Zoya purses her lips. "And if there's no word of your Lantsov prince?"
I tug on one of my ringlets absent-mindedly. "Then we'll find him elsewhere. There's no possible way he's gone. He's too clever."
"You flatter him far too much," Zoya sniffs.
"Is it flattery if it's true?" I ask, raising my eyebrows with a smile.