"You're tossing out blame, drunk on this pain, crossing out the good years"
Nikolai Lantsov x fem!OC
[Storm and Siege- ]
Storm and Siege (Complete)
Ruin and Rising (Ongoing)
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The stars were twinkling in the sky and the moonlight shining down on the lake. Some might have considered it romantic but as Nikolai sat with Alina on the makeshift pier, he found himself wishing someone else was beside him.
"The dishes change everything." Nikolai kicked his foot through the water, sending up a little splash. "If you can keep the nichevo'ya busy long enough, we'll have time to find and target the Darkling."
Alina fell onto her back and surveyed the surroundings before deciding to look at the sky. "We may actually have a fighting chance."
"Try not to let the excitement overwhelm you, but I have more good news."
"Don't say it." Alina groaned.
"Vasily is back from Caryeva." Nikolai scowled gently.
"You could do the kind thing and drown me now."
"And suffer alone? I think not."
"Maybe for your birthday you can ask that he be fitted with a royal muzzle." Alina suggested glumly.
"But then we'd miss all his exciting stories about the summer auctions. You're fascinated by the breeding superiority of the Ravkan racehorse, right?" Nikolai leaned back against his hands. "Be of good cheer, maybe he'll propose again."
"How do you know about that?" Alina sat up quickly.
"If you recall, I did pretty much the same thing. I'm just surprised he hasn't tried a second time."
"Apparently I'm not easy to get alone."
"I know." Nikolai scratched his neck.
"How does one say no to a prince?" Alina exaggerated woe, putting a hand on her forehead.
Olysia loved to say no to anyone who dared ask, she had gotten quite good at it too. She'd probably have the answer.
"You've managed it before," Nikolai said, still contemplating his foot. "And are you so sure you want to?"
"You can't be serious."
"Well, he is first in line for the throne, of pure royal stock, and all that." Nikolai shifted uncomfortably.
"I wouldn't marry Vasily if he had a pet firebird named Ludmilla, and I couldn't care less about his royal stock." Alina peered at him curiously. "You said the gossip about your bloodlines didn't bother you."
"I may not have been completely honest about that." He glanced over at where Olysia was sitting by herself at the bonfire considering Tamar had wandered off to talk to some other Grisha.
"You? Less than truthful? I'm shocked, Nikolai. Shocked and horrified." Alina faked surprise. She threw her hand against her chest momentarily before putting it back down.
