Ash and Dusk

Chapter 2

I stayed in bed waiting for Genya and thinking about everything that happened. Every battle, every tear, all the pain was in vain. And it's just my fault. We are now under The Darkling's command because of me. I couldn't kill a part of me, I couldn't kill Mal and that's why we lost. Because of me. Guilt hit me. But I could live with guilt. The hardest part was that Mal was gone forever. He will never be by my side anymore.

A single tear escaped from my eyes. I brushed it off.

Genya entered the room. When I saw her I couldn't help myself but cry. She hurried and hugged me thight.
"It's okay. Everything will be fine" she whispered in my hair. We both stood there for more than five minutes, me crying with sobs and she holding me.
After some time Genya dragged me from the bed on a chair behind a mirror.

"I'm sorry" I whispered, unable to say something more.

She took some of my white hair in her hands and started pinning it up from my face.

"I know. We all are" Genya said.
"How is everybody?"
"They are good. Tired and disappointed but good."

She moved in front of me and opened her tailor kit.
"You are so pale" she touched a pink flower and extarcted its color. Then she put her hands on my cheeks.

"What are we going to do?" I asked in a tired tone.
"First, we'll try to survive. Then we will think of something," she bit her lip and continued. "Zoya already wants to start another battle with the Darkling."

I hid a smile and said "Zoya is always prepared."

Genya grabbed a box from the bed that I haven't noticed was there.
"You need to eat. Come here and get dressed" she said.
I rose up from my chair and moved toward the box. When I opened it I wasn't surprised to see a black kefta with golden details on it.

***

Genya was right, everyone was tired at the table. When I entered the room all eyes were on me but nobody said a word. It was a deep silence. I took a sit near Zoya. She just stared at me a little before turning her atention back to the food. She looked as stunning as always, with her black hair falling over her shoulders and her dark blue eyes paying attention at every detail. But she seemed somehow different. If you looked closer you could see the small black circles under her eyes. That brought some sympathy in me.

"Zoya?" I asked hesitantly.
She turned her head at me waiting for my question.
"Are you alright?"
She looked a little surprised before she replied "I will be."

***

After I left the others in the hall I decided to go for a walk. The lake looked very beautiful in the afternoon light. Some Grisha children were playing on the other side of the water. Everything seemed so peaceful like there haven't been any battle here. The only visible signs of confrontation were the trees. Some of them were burnt.

I walked forward until I got to Baghra's hut. I entered just to see that there wasn't any fire and unbearable heat or a very old yet beautiful woman waiting for me to summon. So many memories... but that's it. Just memories now that Baghra was gone. Another person that I disappointed.

I moved toward the chair where Baghra used to seat then I noticed some shattered glass beneath it. I looked closer. There was a frame with a photo in it. I took it and I remained speechless. In the photo was a gorgeous women with long black hair and near her stood a little boy who looked too mature for his age. But what really surprised me was their eyes. Both of them had the same eye color: quartz grey. I turned the photo to see some words on the back:

I hope you will remember me even in your darkest nightmares.
-your mother

So chapter 2 is done! I know it doesn't have much action in it but it's still chapter 2. We have just started. Wait for the next one...maybe we will see the Darkling this time ;) Let me know what do you think about the story so far in the comments! I would love to hear your thoughts!
Chapter 3 comes tomorrow (and yes, I will post a chapter everyday)

See ya,
Annie