"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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Olysia was in between Mal and Tamar were dressed in peasant clothes, fur hats, and sturdy wool coats. They all stepped out onto the terrace where Alina and Nikolai were waiting. She tried to ignore him as best as she could. Replaying the memory of Alina pulling out his ring to remind her that he wasn't hers.
"Are we a go?" Tamar asked, barely keeping the excitement hidden in her voice.
"You're a go." Nikolai nodded.
Tamar's grin was blinding. She managed a restrained bow, then turned to Nadia and gave her the signal. Nadia whooped and broke into something between a seizure and a dance.
"If only she'd show a little enthusiasm." Nikolai laughed.
"Be safe." Alina embraced Tamar.
"Take care of Tolya for me." Tamar replied. She whispered something that caused Alina to roll her eyes and shove her away.
Olysia was the next to say goodbye to Alina.
"I look forward to the next time we can be kefta buddies again." Alina sighed, squeezing Olyisa's shoulder, understanding her aversion to physical touch.
"I think those days are over." Olysia gave her a half smile. "But I'll look back at the memories with reluctant fondness."
"Be safe." Alina demanded. "No more close calls."
Olysia just nodded her head before stepping back to allow Mal to say his goodbyes.
"Safe journey, moi soverenyi." He bowed.
Alina decided she couldn't let him leave without her being able to touch him one last time and threw her arms around him.
Olysia let her gaze drift over to Nikolai who's eyes already seemed to be on her.
His eyes seemed to say a million different things but he wouldn't dare say a single one of them out loud.
"Ravka is lucky to have you, moi tsarevitch." She slightly lowered her head as a sign of respect.
Nikolai held back a wince at her words. They were a painful reminder of the conversation they had where everything went wrong, the words that were on a constant loop in his head.
He frowned but quickly shook it off when he saw Mal looking at him. "We'll be on our way as soon as the Kingfisher returns. I expect to see you all safe and whole," He briefly glanced in Olysia's direction who was looking at the floor before returning it back to Mal. "In one week's time and packing some all-powerful bird bones."
"Saints' speed, moi tsarevich." Mal bowed.
"Good luck, Oretsev." Nikolai offered his hand and they shook. "Find the firebird, and when this is over, I'll see you well rewarded. A farmhouse in Udova. A dacha near the city. Whatever you want."
