Element [The Darkling]

Chapter Seven

I didn't want to be walking down the steps into the throne room, but I didn't have much of a choice. I stopped just outside the doors, and Kirigan stood beside me, nudging my arm with his elbow.

"Just feel me." He whispered, and I looked at him in surprise. He smiled. "Read the room. And feel the power that comes with having an army behind you." He said reassuringly. I looked up at him, meeting his eyes.

"I don't need an army," I blurted without thinking, and his kind smile softened. It was like he heard everything I didn't say. Everything I didn't mean- or want- to say.

I didn't feel like I needed an army when he stood at my side.

I cleared my throat awkwardly and looked away, but the words were already out and in the air. Couldn't take them back now.

The Grisha stood behind us, the members of the court on either side of us, and Alina and I stood on either side of Kirigan.

The way he held himself was impressive. He stood with his feet shoulder width apart, his hands clasped in front of him, shoulders back, head high, chin up.

We looked to him, and he nodded to us to take off our veils, which we did. There were murmurs as people stared mostly at Alina, taking in the fact that their sun summoner was Shu.

"I thought she'd be taller." The King remarked. He was fat and short. Pot calling the kettle black.

"I thought she was Shu. Well, I guess she's Shu enough." Queen Tatiana said with a sigh. I stiffened, and felt Kirigan's elbow brush against my arm. Just barely, but enough. He was telling me to stand down.

He could tell I wanted to punch her.

"Tell her... oh, I don't know... good morning." The Queen suggested.

"I don't actually speak Shu, Your Highness." Alina responded with a slight bow of her head. Her voice was a little tense given the racism in the room, so she played it safe, tried to be respectful.

"Then what are you?" She asked, and Alina hesitated.

Neither of us knew the answer to that question. Alina used to think she knew. I'd never known.

Kirigan looked at her first, and then I felt his eyes on me. I held my hands together, behind my back, my fingers gripping themselves tightly.

"They are Alina Starkov and Astrid Sisko..." Kirigan replied, and we both looked up at him. "Sun Summoner and Elemental. Moya tsaritsa." Kirigan finally bowed his head, and even then, it felt like he was the one who had the power. Who had control of everyone in the room.

Alina and I both bowed our heads, but I couldn't get over how he managed to display such power just by standing there. Doing... nothing.

"They will change the future. Starting now." Kirigan added, turning to me and nodding. I inhaled deeply, calming my nerves and lifting my hands.