The Hummingbird was full of anxious energy. We were racing towards Ravka. Wylan and Jesper were together 24/7 and I was actively trying to avoid Kaz. At night, the feel of his hand on my cheek haunted my mind. So, instead of sleeping, I practiced with the sword. Instead of sleeping, I focused the wind on the sails, pushing us faster toward Ravka. Inej seemed hidden away in her own little world. I worried about her, but I couldn't bring myself to go talk to her. To talk to anyone.
The trip was long and by the time we got there, the Fold had been moved again. Half of the little palace was shielded in darkness. Tolya panicked. He needed to find his sister and Nikolai. Kaz, Wylan, and Jesper went with him. We let them off still in the sun. Kirigan would be going for Alina, not Nikolai. So, Alina would be in the Fold not outside of it. Before Kaz left the Hummingbird, I got the nerve to go talk to him.
'Kaz,' I said, stopping him before he could walk away. 'I swear if you die—'
'You are at much more risk than I am,' Kaz said. 'You know, I gotta be honest—'
'That'll be a first.'
'—I'm not loving this new truth thing you've got going on.'
I narrowed my eyes. 'If we die tonight, I just want you to know, that you are infuriating and more often than not I want to punch you.'
'Here's some advice: go for the leg.'
And then he was gone. I ground my teeth together before turning around. Inej was standing there, smirking.
'Leave me alone,' I mumble. 'Let's go try and fight shadow monsters.'
With Zoya and me controlling the wind on the sails we were entering the Fold faster than I wanted to. The second we entered, I heard screaming.
'Alina,' Zoya said.
I curse as I move the Hummingbird toward the screaming.
'Nat!' Inej yells 'You gotta help her!'
'You can—'
'Take that sword and go, Geminuse!' Zoya yells.
I grit my teeth as I grab the sword and look over the edge of the skiff. Alina was right below, in the grips of a Nichevo'ya. Mal was trying to pull her out of the grasps. I jump down from the Hummingbird, sword unsheathe, and gut through the Nichevo'ya as I fall to the ground. The shadow disappears in a orange explosion. I straighten up and roll my neck as Alina stumbles up to her feet.
'Natalia? Is that really you?' she asks.
I bow my head. 'Santka Alina.'
Alina laughs. 'Please, there's no need for such courtesies. Not amongst friends and not amongst non-believers.'
I smile at her as she pulls me into a hug.
'I cant believe you are here, risking your life for me, again.'
I pull away and show her the blade. 'Someone had to find this.' I sheathe the sword and hand it out to her but she puts her hands up.
'No one can wield it like you,' Alina says. 'Except maybe Inej.'
'Yes, yes, happy reunion,' Zoya calls from the Hummingburd. 'Can we get on with it?'
'Zoya, thank you,' Alina calls up.
'We're all here,' I whisper.
Inej comes into view a second later, with her head down and a fist to her chest.
'Inej,' Alina breathed out. 'Thank you. All of you. If you'd been a moment later, we—Oh, hello.'
Nina had popped her head up next to Inej.
