What If

Chapter 1

Aleksander sat quietly in Alina's room, waiting for her return. The war hadn't exactly gone the way he wanted it to go. The poor otkazatsya was dead, along with Sobachka. He didn't regret their deaths. Luckily, he wasn't the one to end them. That meant there was still some hope for his relationship with Alina.

She had lost her powers, thus creating an entire legion of Sun Summoners. He had wanted her to be his Queen, to rule Ravka and the other countries by his side for centuries. But that wasn't going to happen now was it? He couldn't be with someone who was no use to him.

At least that's what he tried to tell himself. But his heart was stubborn, and foolish it seemed. It had done the one thing Aleksander had warned it never to do for more that 500 years.

It had fallen in love.

Aleksander never really understood what it meant to be in love until then. Until her. He had spent restless nights in bed, thinking of her, and her hair, and her powers, and her beautiful voice. He thought he was going crazy. He even consulted his poor mother who was alive then, to understand what was happening to him.

"Your heart is a fool. It has fallen in love. And you don't need me to tell you that this won't end well."

And yet.

He didn't care if she hated him, or if she would feel that way for the rest of her life. He knew that for as long as he lived, he would want...no....need no one but her by his side. She was his salvation. She was his redemption. Alina. Had a more beautiful name ever been said?

Suddenly, as though the Saints themselves had read his mind, the doors swung open, and before him stood Alina. She was still wearing her blue kefta, but soon enough, he hoped she would wear the black one.

Her eyes were red, and he could see the dark circles prominent under her eyes. A pang of worry washed over him, and he got up from wear he sat.

"Alina." His voice was strong and deep, unlike the frightened one in his mind.

"Darkling." She snarled, and Aleksander ignored the pain in his heart. "I'm sorry for your loss." He said dumbly. He knew it wouldn't mean anything to her, but it was a start.

"I don't need your pity." She said, raising her head high, trying to look strong, Aleksander thought.

"I am truly sorry, Alina. Do you not think I am familiar with the concept of grief?" Alina shook her head. "I expect you to be a soulless creature who feels nothing but rage, and greed." Was that really the way he had painted himself to her? This had to change.

"I am not the monster you think I am. I only ever wanted what's good for our kind-"
"I am not one of your kind anymore."
"You will alway be one of us, Alina. To me."

There, he had said it.

"Mal died, Aleksander." His heart skipped a beat when she said his name.
"So did Nikolai. How can you think I'd accept any of this after what you did?"

She looked as though she were about to cry, but then the grief vanished from her eyes and she said, "Now what? Am I to be your prisoner?"

He shook his head. "I'd never do that to you. You are free to roam this country."

Her eyes widened. He had surprised her. He was tempted to smile.

"Go away." She muttered. "I need some time alone."

Aleksander nodded. "I understand."

He walked past her, his gaze steady on the receding shadow of Alina, formed from the cackling fire burning at the hearth.

Before exiting the door, he turned around, his palms slick with sweat as he said, "You are not the villain of my story, Alina."