༶•┈┈ ♛ ┈┈•༶ "You really want me to shy away like I used to? Like your little mouse?" I pierce him with every word. The Darkling stares back and for a while the only thing that moves in the room are the shadows. "Alina, you misunderstand me. I have waited centuries for someone like you. Centuries, Alina, alone. I do not need to answer your question. You know what I want." Please don't say it, I think. "I want you to be my Queen, Alina." He pushes off from his chair and I shiver in my seat as he pauses by my side. The Darkling's hands find my chin and he holds my head tenderly with both hands. My power sparks at his touch like fire to kindling and I have to clench a hand in my dress skirt to keep control. He makes sure my gaze is entirely on him when he says, "And you know you will." I shake underneath the pressure of his words and he strokes my chin to calm me. Fine, but he has no idea what he is asking for. I shall be a queen, but not his. And he will regret the day he forced me back at his side like a dog. Aleksander, I think, bow. ༶•┈┈ ♛ ┈┈•༶ It starts with burst of light, like it did in the beginning. Every time a Sun Summoner dies, there is a burst of light. With every flashing death, Alina can feel a strong hum of power return to her. Fearing the loss of her new life, she sets out on a mission to the Little Palace with hopes her old friends could help her. Little does Alina know, a familiar shadow sits on the throne of Grisha. As a whirlwind of events sets her right back on square one, Alina makes a vital decision to change everything. Still, she finds herself teetering in the edge of letting the Darkling and her powers swallow her up. The Sun Summoner has grown and she can no longer be a saint. She has to be a queen. ༶•┈┈ ♛ ┈┈•༶ This is a Grisha trilogy fanfiction that takes place after Ruin and Rising. All rights belong to Leigh Bardugo. VERY SLOW BURN Darklina!

"I hate the fact that you know me. I hate the fact that you can perceive me. And I fucking hate the fact that I think about you all the time." He just stared at me, but he looked happy. Not confident or smug like he always did. He looked happy. Like every horrible thing I'd said to him was the best thing he'd ever heard. ~ Aurelia Gray hates Aaron Hawthorne. She hates his stupid smile, his infuriating confidence, and the way he somehow finds a way into every corner of her life. Aaron Hawthorne is in love with Aurelia Gray. Unfortunately for him, she would rather throw books at his head than admit she feels anything at all. Between stolen glances, arguments that last for hours, and feelings neither of them are willing to name, the line between hatred and love begins to blur. The problem is that Aaron has already crossed it. And Aurelia is still pretending she hasn't. Highest rankings: #2 in Harvard #2 in University #1 in grumpyxgrumpy #1 in rivals #1 in competition

❝God help me, I'd ruin my reputation for a taste of you.❞