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Ray of light

It was late at night. You were lying in your bed that you shared with Alexander, in your common room, and read a book. Alexander was busy preparing for the next military campaign. You were busy too. You were in charge of medical care for Grisha, but today you had a free evening, and you decided to occupy yourself with an interesting book while you wait for Alexander's return.

After a while, you heard how the door of your bedroom opened and Alexander entered the room, on whose face you saw anger and irritation.

"Great," you thought sarcastically, "someone is in a great mood."

“Hello dear,” you said to Alexander and smiled over the top of your book. In response, he just nodded briefly at you and began to take off his kefta, shirt, pants.

You were with Alexander for several years, so you knew what you need to do when he was in such a mood. First, you began to observe his actions. When he took off his clothes, instead of going to bed with you, he sat on the edge of your bed with him and put his head in his arms, trying to control his emotions. He didn't want to be around you in this state, so he tried to calm down before going to bed with you. Alexander, the head of the Second Army, a fearless and always collected General, now looked broken. You couldn't stand it.

You quietly put the book aside, then moved closer to Alexander and gently covered his tense shoulders with your hands. Alexander flinched, but didn't try to remove your touch. Then you pressed your cheek to the base of his neck and began to gently stroke his shoulders, trying to remove the tension from his body.

“Whatever happened,” you began to say quietly, “you can handle it.” You gently, almost weightlessly kissed him and his neck “Besides ...”, - you continue, giving Alexander one more kiss, - “always remember ... ", - one more kiss," You are not alone. "

You moved closer to Alexander and with your index finger gently turned his head towards you, "I will always be with you, and I always got your back" you whispered against his lips, then gently pressed your lips to his. It wasn't a passionate kiss that usually leaves your bedroom in a mess. It was a pure kiss, full of the promise of everlasting love and support.

Alexander broke the kiss and pressed his forehead to yours. His eyes were closed, but you could feel the darkness raging in his body.

“And I will always protect you, from any danger,” you added with a smile. This time he smiled.

“From any danger?” He asked affectionately and finally hugged you.

"Well ...," you said, "except for the boredom that happens at your meetings in the palace." You are not sure that your remark would be appropriate in this situation, but you could not stop yourself from trying to feel better.

When Alexander looked at you again, there was a hint of amusement in his eyes. Thank God. At first Alexander wanted to come up with an answer to your joke, but he saw with what love you were looking at him, so the only thing he managed to say was "I love you." Then he buried his face in your neck and pressed you even tighter to him.

"And I love you. Always remember this," you whispered into his hair and hugged him tighter. Alexander knew this, but all the same, every time your declarations of love filled his heart with the hope that all was not lost for him. You were his personal ray of light, a guiding star and he will do everything to make you happy.

Dark Blood and Light Cover

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Hello, this is my first post ever, so please forgive me if I am going to make a few mistakes in the beginning.

I have decided to write a fanfiction for one of my favorite characters ever: The Darkling from Shadow and Bone.

In the next few days I am going to post a few things beforehand (for the story) and I hope you will read them!

The cover for “Dark, Blood and Light” a Aleksander Morozova Fanfiction.

Foreword

Dark Blood and Light Masterlist

Hello everybody out there, I am so happy, that YOU found my story!

Unfortunately I am not that great with writing forewords, mostly because I believe the majority of you won't even read through this small paragraph. Nevertheless I still want to write one, since I want to mention a few things beforehand that are necessary in consideration of this story.

If your not interested to read this, then just skip this chapter, but do not say I didn't warn you!

As you might have already read on my cover, this story is a fanfiction about the „Shadow and Bone- Series" from Leigh Bardugo. But this story purely revolves around the book-series and not the tv-series. Personally I have watched the tv-series, but I have read the books first and want to make this as accurate as possible. So if you were hoping to see Kaz Brekker or any other six of crows character I am sorry to disappoint you. Luckily I have decided to write a fanfiction about the six of crows series as well, which will come out soon enough!

After the first book I immediately fell in love with the darkling and (since I am kind of a fangirl myself) I looked up for stories for this amazing (morally grey) character. Instantly I noticed that even though he seems to be a favourite, there still weren't a lot of stories about him. That's why I decided why not write my own series with a love story for one of my favourite characters!

Now to the important stuff: English is not my native language, which means I haven't read the books in english either. Moreover with English not being my native language there are bound to be grammar, spelling and orthography mistakes. I try not to make as many and I promise I control my texts beforehand, but there can always be typos, they happen to everyone and apparently they just seem to love me very much. If you happen to notice some, please inform me of them so I can correct them, but please do so in a friendly polite way. Another thing with me not having read the English version, there might be some dialogs which will sound different than in the books, since I will be translating them from German to English. Please forgive me for that!

Since I am still young (17) and I still go to school, I am going to be pretty busy throughout the year. That is why I want to inform you beforehand,that I will probably update irregular and depending on how much time I have, it could take a long while till my next update for this story.

If you want you will also be able to find this story on wattpad under graceful_bumblebee (in a few days I will update the same post I uploaded here).

I only own my protagonist and I hope you can give her a chance!

Now I have talked far enough! Enjoy the story which will begin in the next few chapters.

Just out of interest, the ones who read all my blabbering could write a „🩸" in the comments.

Have fun reading!

0 | Prologue

PAIRING: The Darkling / Aleksander Morozova x OC

WARNINGS: blood, violance, angst, hurt, paranoia, hinting at death, anxiety, panic attack, threatening, persecution

WORD COUNT: 1K

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PREVIOUS . 0 | PROLOGUE . NEXT

Running, a term awfully familiar to the fleeing shadow. She knew this could mean her end and she was on her own.

No one helping. No one to cling to in her last moments. No one that would mourn over the person running in the dark.

Bare feet were hurting as the ginger-haired woman ran through the deep gloomy forest, her eyes constantly searching left to right, desperately trying to find a way to escape the unavoidable. Leaves scrunched beneath her, and the raw feeling of the snowy earth send shivers down her spine.

Regrettably, caring about such insignificant things were the least of her worries as the sound of clapping horse hooves was getting louder and louder.

The young woman knew looking back towards her followers would seal her fate, not only for her but so many others.

Escaping them seemed to be impossible, every turn she took only bought them closer. An indescribable pain ran through her left thigh, but she could not stop now, she was so close. Only a little bit further and she would have escaped them.

Dark red liquid poured down into the pure snow and her footprints, leaving a trail as she kept on limping towards her freedom.

Without warning her feet buckled under her weight. The sole thing the woman could feel, as she tumbled down the hard forest ground, were the branches pulling at her hair, scratching her and the small bork pieces that kept sinking into her tender flesh.

The ginger-haired woman’s kind eyes felt heavy, the blood loss and constant running finally taking its toll.

But the only thing her mind wandered to were dark obsidian eyes lovingly staring down at her and warm embraces that used to make all of her fears disappear.

As she laid there helpless the three men kept closing in on her, merciless looking under every nook and cranny. Bringing up her last bit of strength, scarred terribly shaking hands grasped the earth beneath her in a last attempt to escape. The woman’s vision was hazy. Barley making out her surroundings she kept slipping in and out of consciousness. Now listening to the small sounds of sturdy boots getting louder, she slowly crawled towards her last hope of surviving: an old tree trunk. Letting herself rest against it, hidden from their sight, her breath came out short and hasty. The woman’s chest clenched as her heart put up the courage to finally take a look at her visible wound. A bullet was burning itself inside her leg from deep within. The unbearable pain that she felt as her nails plugged inside the open bleeding flesh made her want to scream in agony.

It was hard motivating her body to not give up on her as her vision faded over and over again. The young woman knew her body would not endure the pain much longer, but she had to; she could not abandon him, not after all these years. Gradually pulling the bullet out of her body, concentrating on not making a sound, made her careless as she failed to notice her pursuers inching closer to her hideout.

Now that the bullet was finally gone, blood gushed out in long thick streams. Her relieve was short lived as she committed the most mindless mistake of her entire life: she called for him, wishing for a miracle.

 A distance away, a deep scratchy voice called out for his companions, having finally determined her location. Ragged breaths increased as she slapped her hand over her own mouth and shut her eyes out of fear. Silently she prayed that her savior would rescue her once again, even though she knew her prayers would remain unanswered.

Her time was running out, and she was torturously aware of that. A painful sting ran through her scalp as she was harshly jerked upwards. The young woman's body was too exhausted to fight back as the man kept her captivated. Two silhouettes stepped forward, smiling as they imagined the fear reflecting in her radiant light blue eyes that resembled the sky and silk sash of the royal bloodline.

She could barely make out the look of the two silhouettes as her vision failed her once again. That moment she knew, her life was not hers anymore, it laid within the hands of her adored saints.

 As they came towards her slight frame the snow seemed to melt after every step they took. An ironic warmth wrapped itself around the red heads body and blinded her fear, transforming it into a gentle feeling of acceptance.

Not long after, they stopped. Mockingly looking down at the traitorous human right before them.

Both fit perfectly into the scenery, covered in mud, leaves and every dirt that laid underneath the snow. It was well deserved, she thought; at least she made them struggle. The person who stood before her possessed similar hands to the ones captivating her. He was immensely large and bulky in comparison to the other man beside him, who stuck out like a sore thumb. Brilliant colors were the other persons way of presenting his noble heritage. She could not manage to make out every detail of his checkered west or his expensive sash that clearly showed his superior status, but she would always remember his eyes. His beautiful ocean blue eyes that glimmered like he just received the most extraordinary gift he had ever been gifted.

Hot salty tears stung as they ran down her once smooth face while she kept on thinking about all the horrid things they could do to her, and it only got worse the longer she thought about them.

His delighted grin grew as her fear finally rose above the surface; happy the handsome man could grasp her trembling beneath his eyes.

Eagerly he took three large confident steps towards her cowering frame, now crouching down to her height. Gently he grabbed her chubby chin between his elegant fingers and twisted her head upwards, facing his own. Tilting his youthful face towards the shell of her ear, he whispered in a pleasant voice glazed with honey but poisoned with amusement and a hollow soul.

„Got you little dove“

Written in 2021. Do not copy, translate or reposte without my permission

Hello! I hope you enjoyed the prologue, even though it propably could have been longer. I again apologize for all my spelling and grammer mistakes, as you know English is not my natice language, but I tried to erase as many mistakes as possible.

If you find any mistakes, please make sure to inform me of them!

Dark Blood And Light (Pt.1)

(Grishaverse, Aleksander Morozova / The Darkling x OC)

SUMMARY: Looking back at the time before the era Sun Summoner, to a childhood in a orphanage in Kermazin.

TAGS: hurt, childhood, mean adults, food, abuse, fear, nostalgia

PAIRING: Aleksander Morozova / The Darkling x OC

W/c: 6.7k

A/n: The first chapter is partly (mostly) written from a narrators point of view. In the following chapters there will probably be paragraphs that are partly written from that point of view as well, but the majority will be from my protagonist’s kind of view.

All translations at the end of the chapter are from an internet webside. I do not speak russian, so if I by accident said something inappropiate or insulting, please tell me immediantly!

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PREVIOUS . 1 | CHAPTER . NEXT

Part One: Before the Beginning

In the beginning everything was black, uncontrollable darkness that swirled around my body and covered me like a second skin. There was no light, only an endless void of nothingness. I can still remember what it felt like. Maybe I might have forgotten it over the years. I mean what it felt like.

Indescribable heat had creeped up my legs towards my lower abdomen and then slithered upwards to my chest. My skin blistered underneath the darkness as smoke had filled my lungs. My body clung to its last bit of strength, struggling to dispose of the toxins, but only to be met by more. I remember fighting against the pain under the heavy darkness that kept me in place. The screams that had wanted to cry for help was something that never came over my lips as if deep down I had known fighting against something that cannot be controlled was a waste of time.

The unceasing blistering continued to feed on my already painfully raw skin. I wanted it to stop. It hurt. It hurt so much. My body twisted as it tried to escape the darkness, but every time I felt it loosen its grip, it only resulted in coming back tighter and stronger than before.

Even though fighting appeared to be hopeless my body didn’t accept its fate. My mind, on the other hand, already found peace in the suffocating silence. In the silence that would have been my eternity. Its clutches pulled me deeper into the furious inferno that I now called my own. It felt horrible, but at the same time like a long-forgotten dream. The painful heat grew hotter and hotter until my vision went white and the only thing my eyes were able to make out were the colors of white and blue. What have I felt back then?

I remembered, at least I did back then. Or have I already forgotten how my heart had cried out for something? What was it again that I felt? I can't remember. Why can't I remember?

__________

Drenched in sweat a young girl's alert eyes flew open in a fit of panic. Her voice betraying her with profound silence as her mind caught up with the rest of her body. Two small hands tightly gipped the light scratchy bedding below as her eyes hastily sought around the tiny room she had slept in. Her radiant skin felt raw against her searching hands, who naturally wanted to get rid of the still burning feeling from her dreams. Fresh winter air swayed against her, but only reminded her of the darkness that continued to surround her. The darkness of her room terrified her, and the voice that had once betrayed her finally found a way to escape. Moments later a blood curling scream left the girls throat as she mistook the safe walls around her with the living nightmare that had felt so real inside her unconscious dreams.

Heavy footsteps heaved against the marble floors, rushing towards the odd sound. Candle lights illuminated the plain room and four people came rushing in. Multiple hands held the girl down, but that only made her struggle more and more, convinced that in a matter of seconds everything would come to an end. An older looking woman stepped forward; a small syringe laid within her rough shaking hands. Wanting to quickly end what played out before her own eyes she, without a second thought, came rushing towards the small girl’s frame. As the youngling kicked and screamed her soul out of her lungs, the elder woman forcefully plugged the needle near the girl’s heart. She hoped the sedatives would soon work their way through her blood system.

Slowly the young girl's screams died, barley being able to stay awake she fell into a peaceful slumber.

__________

Maybe it had been fate that a few years later the young girl met her two most trusted companions.

Neither of the two girls were per say popular inside their small community or at least the place where it came closest to one, considering the majority of the proclaimed “community” consisted of children. If both were to speak about their honest thoughts, you'd quickly realize that neither felt like they truly belonged. Both were often called out for many things, their actions, their behavior, but most of the time their looks in general. The younger one of the two had been far too skinny for people liking and on top of that was often mistaken for a Shu, which only brought her more mockery. The other girl had been no better, she was in no way extraordinary pretty, not like others in their small village. Had it not been for her many flaws one would most likely find her beautiful, but as always that image would quickly falter once one looked more closely at her frail neck. A long deep nasty scar went around her lovely neck, a mark many often mistook for a bad omen, typically resulting in people staying far away from the red head.

The only one of the three that could be considered liked or at least normal had been the lad that was often spotted with both outcasts. He had stayed with them and tried to endure every piece of mockery, taunt, that was thrown their way. Knowing how boys his age where he couldn't keep his mouth shut for long, a trade that people admired and hated at the same time. Referring to him as a brat, because he stood up for his two beloved friends, quickly became a norm for the elders that watched the trio as they grew older with each passing year.

During the short warming summertime, you'd most likely find all three of them huddled together under the hot sun, letting the warm summer breeze sway through their hair as they laid, hidden from unwanted guests, in their meadow. Sometimes after they completed the many chores they`d go into the forest hunting or swam in the refreshing cold water of the rivers. However most of their time was spend near the orphanage they grew up in.

The orphanage, as it was known to the children, had been the mansion of Duke Kermazov, an older man who found his passion in providing homeless children with a second chance for a better life.

It would have been unusual to see the tired looking Duke in his old house, considering he'd rather stay in his house in Os Alta. He'd never say much against the children playing behind his old mansion that was now considered an orphanage, thus stopping the housekeeper Ana Kuya from lecturing the three for straying too far away from their home during the summer.

It also happened to be a reason why Alina liked that time of year the most, aside from her favorite flowers being in bloom. She loved that with his arrival, there was no stopping her and her friends to experience a new adventure, that waited them around every corner. Now that Alina was older, she enjoyed looking back onto those precious memories, a time when everything had been far easier for her than it is now.

Thinking back, her most treasured memory would have to be around the summertime of her sixth birthday, at least from what she could still remember of her time in Kermazin.

At the time, Mal and herself had got to be around five, nearly six, while their older friend had to be around eight. To be honest Alina was not sure how old Anna had been back then, maybe two or three years older she guessed, but it didn't matter anyhow.

Silently they had pulled off their old, hardened shoes and tip toed down the marble staircase, careful to not make a sound. Sneaking towards the old mahogany door had been nerve wracking, since none of them wanted to run into Ana Kuya, knowing they'd receive a lecture for leaving without permission on her part. When they had been children, the door that led outside the orphanage had looked so large and heavy, which as she knew now wasn't the case. Back then Alina had feared, that standing before the door meant that their plans had miserably failed. But the again she was proven wrong as Anna pulled out the key, unlocked the door and pushed it open. Slyly they swept through the small creek and rushed downhill towards the bustling village they lived in. All three of them were so excited that at some point one of them tripped and they had started to roll down the little dune. Grass stained their clothes, but melodic laughter rang through their midst as they simply enjoyed being one with nature. At the end of the hill, all of them laid flat on their backs, arms and legs stretched out in every possible direction, as they caught their breaths. Although considering they couldn't stop themselves from laughing it had proven to be a difficult task.

Once regaining their breaths, the trio had strolled further to their destination, grins plastered onto their young faces. The memory of holding each other’s hands to not get lost within the steadily growing crowd brought out a smile from Alina. She remembered how warm Anna’s hand had felt holding onto her much smaller one and how distracted she had been by everything she laid eyes on.

The delicious smell of freshly baked bread and the heavy yet calming smell of blooming Gerbera flowers had hung in the refreshing morning air. Smelling those had both eased her nerves but at the same time had undoubtedly made all of their stomachs growl with fierce hunger. Embarrassed she had persistently tried to hide the fact that even she felt the need to find the source of the heavenly smell. Both Anna and Mal had laughed hysterically at her antics and afterwards often reminded her of it.

As they pushed their way towards the old bakery, to which they were originally headed to, Alina hadn't been able to oppress the need to get closer to the older girl as the growing crowd kept pushing them from left to right. She had had a strong grip on her friend’s hand and had been scared to get lost, but once the smell grew stronger her fear faded away as well and was replaced with a childish giddiness.

In a small matter of time, they had finally reached the tiny bakery called “the bird’s nest“ named after a saint that once thrived through their small village centuries ago. Like every child her age Alina had absolutely adored the saints, the ones she'd later on forget about. Her giddiness had only grown once she came to realize the saint the bakery was entitled after, had been her favorite for various reasons. Back then Alina had always begged Anna to read her story to her, in secret of course. It had remained their secret for many years, since Ana Kuya did not take to kindly about them, thinking the saints were once Grisha or as she called them 'witches'.

In the story Alina had adored the saint, that took the form of a woman but was never given an exact name. She has remained unknown for most of her life, but was adored in every village she had lived in. The drawing of her had to be her most favored thing about the small book. The saint stood in the center of the page with closed eyes, arms held out before her figure, a halo glowed behind her ginger hair and flowers fell downwards to her naked feet. Unlike most pictures hers showed neither any animal nor any tragic death, maybe that had also been a possible reason why Alina genuinely liked her story, because it had ended well.

Most ravkan published editions of the small red book and her story never mentioned her official name and so she was given the title 'the nameless saint'. Although in the far west of Ravka there corresponded rumors of a rare copy with her actual name in it. As an innocent child the though excited her, to go and find the lost copy herself, but later concluded it would be impossible to instantly find a single copy all alone. But the sole reason behind her passionate adoration and childhood dream had been her sincerely believe, that the nameless saint had been watching over Alina her whole life till that point, however she had quickly dismissed the thought at an older age.

Once they finally stood in front of the peculiar bakery, it had appeared to be a farfetched dream and Alina had had to pinch her arm in order to believe she did not dream of coming here again. The bakery was truly peculiar, it was similar to an old stone cottage but at the same time was not actually one to begin with. To be quite honest the only actual thing Alina remembered about the bakery was the sign. The sign her big doe eyes starred up at. The fancy metal sign of a bird’s nest with a small bird above the front door had looked extremely breathtaking in her eyes.

Anna had happily pulled Alina and Mal inside the already open door. Muggy air had hit them in the face, but it wasn't unpleasant, quite the opposite. The hefty smell of bread combined with the sweet sugary smell of pies, pastries and what not made the youngers mouth water. Both children had rushed forward trying to catch a glimpse of the rare goods they would never be able to afford with the little to no coins they were given by the orphanage.

If Alina said she couldn't remember what happened next, it would most definitely be a lie, she just tends to ignore the question resulting out of it.

As it was their turn to buy something, both kids had expected something small like a loaf of bread for all three of them to share. To their joyful surprise Anna had already ordered two heavenly smelling piroshkis* for each of them and had promptly pulled out a full bag of coins from her skirt pockets. She remembered how she had asked Anna how she had gotten so much but her only answer had constantly repeated inside Alina's mind. “It’s your birthday after all, isn’t it? And every single one of those should be celebrated, don’t you think?“ Anna had chuckled gleefully. Afterwards Alina's childlike mind didn’t think much more of it, after all no one else had cared about her as much as Anna eagerly did.

Throughout their walk back to the orphanage Mal had constantly whined that Anna had clearly shown favoritism as she’s never done that on his birthday. Both girls were only able to laugh merrily at his miserable attempts to get Anna to buy more piroshkis once he turned six years old.

Looking back at her childhood Alina cannot remember a happier birthday that she's ever had.

Surprisingly sneaking back into the orphanage without informing anybody had proved to be incredibly easy. There had been no one looking for them this early in the pleasant morning and so they tip toed towards their shared hide out under the grand staircase. After they had made sure nobody would call on them, they, to both Mal's and Alina's favor, dug into their still warm goods, that laid within their small hands.

It had probably tasted horrible compared to the bigger bakeries’ piroshkis in Os Alta, but for Alina there had never been something better than that first bite on her sixth birthday, where she had eaten her first piroshki.

Sometimes Anna’s melodic laughter still rings in her ears as she thought back to those moments, when her soft fingers had carefully wiped her mouth clean from the crumbs. Or when her gentle voice read to her at night or when she had laid next to her in order to calm her during the loud thunderstorms. Anna had been her rock; Alina had thought she’d never lose her. But she hadn't known better, she had been a naive child back then and she came to regret not appreciating those moments when she had been a child or noticing the signs sooner.

_____

Because a few days later, Alina had patiently waited for Anna's return. Like every night Anna would have carefully tucked her in bed and would have gently told her ravkan tales to lull her and Mal to sleep. Alina had waited eagerly, but there was still no Anna.

Anna had wandered around the cold dark corridor, trying to find the kitchen to steal something sweet in order to sufficiently satisfy her 'small' sweet tooth. Her small feet glided across the floor as she tried to orientate, which obviously wasn't one of her strengths.

Luckily she instantly found the kitchen door and snuck inside. Happily, she carefully took one of the chairs to climb up on and her hands began to fumble upon the cupboard surface. It took forever until she found what she had been looking for, the small chak-chak balls that Ana Kuya always made during this time of year.

Out of nowhere something grabbed her from behind and harshly pulled her off the chair she had been standing on mere seconds ago. Through the dark Anna couldn’t make out the youthful face or even the silhouette of the person that had practically kidnapped her, but she had been pretty sure it was Ana Kuya. She was certain she'd receive the biggest lecture of her young live and was already able to her caretakers nagging inside her head.

As they walked and walked farther down the long corridors the only light illuminating the two had been the full moon shining through the windows. The girl’s heart raced as she noticed the person, the woman that kept a tight grip on her arm was not Ana Kuya.

It had been Sister Eunice. A decent woman or in her case nun devoted to some kind of saint church near Kribirsk. She had come to them the day before Alina’s 'birthday' searching for asylum from a heavy rainstorm. And ever since she had laid eyes upon her, she had started to act strange to say the least. Anna knew she had followed them the day they went to the villages bakery and kept a close eye on them. Frightened the red head looked up at the woman.

The moment they had reached the music room and closed the door behind them it had been dead silent, a deafening silence had hung in the air. Sister Eunice back was turned towards the already nervous girl as she looked outside the huge window wall. Without warning Sister Eunice whipped around, her hand flying to Anna's left cheek, turning the pale cheek bright red. Swiftly after Anna was pulled into the woman's chest as she started to caresses Anna’s face with such fondness. It could only be described as motherly or rather lovingly. Something unknown to the girl, it had creeped her out, but she was too scared to move out of her grasp.

“Moi prekrasny iskupitel”** the woman had whispered as she rocked Anna’s and her body back and forth, evoking the picture of a fond mother calming her own child. It had genuinely frightened her more and every bone inside her small body had told her to get away from the nun holding her captivated. However, she still didn't dare move a single muscle. Anna was sure she would have already peed her pants if it weren't for her shock-state making her body freeze. She had never thought she'd fervently wish for Ana Kuya to catch her, to lecture her and save her from the most likely insane woman dressed in black.

Tears trickled down the woman's face and stained Anna’s nightdress as she kept her hold on the small girl, rocking back and forth. The nuns voice, sounding scratchy repeated a mantra over and over again, as she had yet to let go of the red-headed girl.

The words “iskupitel”*** “nakazaniye”**** repeated themselves from her lips. The young girl didn't know what it meant, but it didn`t matter as Sister Eunice`s voice grew louder each time the words left her lips. The moment the nun took a closer look at Annas face, that she squished between her soft long hands more and more tears started to stream down her face. Lovingly smiling down at Anna made a shiver run down her spine as it turned into the exact opposite once again.

The now emotionless, harsh facial expression had made Anna curl into herself. Her gentle hands felt clammy as her feet tumbled backwards while the woman practically pushed her away to stand up. Anna's behind fell onto the cold floor tiles and slightly scraped her elbows. Visible blood tripled down her fresh wounds.

Sister Eunice's heels clicked against the floor as she walked to the closet in the right corner of the music room. Harshly yanking the doors open her eyes roamed the many rows inside the tiny compartment. Letting her eyes linger on the young girl for a little bit longer she grabbed the thing she had been looking for.

Anna could barely see a thing but was able to hear the clicking of heels closing in on her. Terrified she scrambled backwards until her back hit the cold end of the wall. She tried crawling away as silently as possible but was stopped by the nun pulling her back by her struggling feet.

The young girl's hands were yanked forward, followed by brutal strokes that hit her delicate hands. Anna whimpered and cried under the painful feeling of hard wood hitting against her skin. She tried pulling away, but the woman's nails only dug deeper inside her tender flesh, preventing a possible escape. In a last attempt to free herself, she stretched her hand out and  slowly balled it into a fist.

Captivated Sister Eunice ogled her expression, bowed down and soft and gently petted her bruised cheek “chistyi”***** she softly whispered into Anna's ear. Finally letting go of her, Anna didn't waste any time to run as far away from the nun as possible.

The moment Anna returned to her sleeping chambers she tried to maintain her usual routine:

Tucking Alina into her bed, reading to her, and then going off to sleep herself. Acting as if nothing happened. In the end she had somehow lulled Alina and Mal to sleep, indulged in the warmth they had given her.

She had never told Alina or Mal about it, but to this day Alina regretted not seeing the signs sooner. The signs that had led Anna to be taken away from her years later.

__________

In one of the coldest winters Ravka had ever witnessed, storms raged and brought everybody into an uproar. The cold snow had suddenly fallen over night and covered everything from east to west, and as the days grew by the layers grew thicker and thicker making it impossible for people to escape their houses for a little bit of freedom. It had not been something out of the odds to experience such a harsh season, but for many children it had begun to be the most feared time of the year. The coldness would sneak up to their already chilled bodies. It seeped through the window creeks and laid upon them like the lifeless corpses that were often found during this time of year. For the most part, the ravkan citizens were able to prevent frostbite by simply wearing more clothing layers than usual, making all of them look like they've gained 100 pounds. But for facilities like the older orphanage upon the hill it has proven to be much more difficult, considering how many orphans lived there up until now. They had been most affected; they were trapped inside the walls of their home with no way of going out and only more chores to do. Even the teachers slumped from the beginning of the colder weather, choosing to end lessons and gloat themselves on a bottle of kvas. So instead of their usual teachers one of the older children, or at least a few selected, tried to uphold the lessons themselves. In other words, their time during the cold season was usually filled with three things: fear, exhaustion, and most of all death.

Many might not remember, due to being so young, but there was a time when they prayed for a lighter season every year right before it started, in hopes that their saints would fulfill their wishes and sometimes they did. Sometimes they did, but this specific year had not been one of those.

As the raging winter coldness kept on turning the colorless dead landscape into a breathtaking winter wonderland three figures road in slight, a troika, towards the far-off orphanage on the small hill. It was nothing outlandish; they had come every year, examining the children if one of them showed any signs of being one of them. Grisha examiners are what they were called, one of each order was present during the test. Nobody knew what exactly they were searching for, not like many of them cared anyway. Aside from that, up until now not many were even lucky enough to actually be a Grisha. Thus, the reason why they had stopped coming a few years prior, but apparently that did not sit right with their higher up and resulted in them coming back once again.

On the day of their arrival, three children, two girls and a boy, had been perched at the dusty window, trying to catch a glimpse of the mail coach, but instead were met with their delicate slight that was pulled by three large horses. The children obviously did not know who it had belonged to, at least not until they saw the three figures emerge from their ride. They were all dressed in fur hats and a heavy wool kefta, one in each color of their order: one in the color of crimson blood, one in a blue as dark as the depths of the ocean itself and one in the most vibrant purple similar to the sweet plums they used to eat during the festival in summer. Elegantly they heaved their bodies towards the once bright looking, but now rusted, old metal gate. With a flick of his hand the male in blue let the gates burst open, creating a dramatic entrance that they thought they deserved.

“Grisha!” exclaimed both girls in a whisper-yell.

“Quick!” said the boy.

Both girls unwillingly followed behind the boy, fearing they would get caught sneaking around by their caretaker Ana Kuya. They had been caught on several occasions and were not willing to live through another lecture of hers. Quickly all three ran as silent as mice down the long-stretched marble hallways. Pushing open the door to the music room, the boy and the girl rushed towards the column that overlooked the gallery where the Grisha examiners would most definitely be welcomed in. But as they rushed forward to hide behind the column, they failed to notice the scared look the older girl had in her eyes. She had known what would happen if one of them were to be tested and would turn out to be a Grisha and remembering the events a two years prior didn`t help in the slightest. Her hands shakingly clasped around her skirt as she made her way forward to stand behind her carefree younger friends. Hesitantly she casted her gaze downward over her friend’s shoulder.

Ana Kuya had already been there, she poured tea for her three new “honor” guests, her black dress framed her bird-like statue, and her face was pulled into a sneer as if trying to scare the examiners away from her home.

Unfortunately, neither children were able to make out the faces of the three silhouettes standing in Ana Kuya’s receiving room. The only thing sticking out were their extraordinary cloaks that kept their identity hidden, although they most likely did not need such dramatic get up to begin with.

A low woman's voice questioned firm if there were only three children to test this year. She wore red and sat with the handsome man in blue by the illuminating fireplace, watching the crackling flames as they burned the old woodblocks. The apparently youngest of the three, a blond man dressed in the vibrant purple kefta strolled around the enormously large receiving room, stretching his legs after the long ride. While he eyed the seemingly boring artwork on the walls, the young girl made the mistake of looking directly at his head as it turned towards her direction, catching her eyes with his. A smirk had creeped up his lips, but no words left them, he only put a finger in front of them to signal her to be silent and then turned towards his companions. Poor little girl believed her heart stopped for a second as he had caught her red handed, but luck was in her favor.

“Yes” answered Ana Kuya. Unsure of their reaction she continued “A boy and two girls. Except for one of the girls, they are one of our youngest, by quite a lot. About the age of eight and the other, the older one about the age of ten we believe.”

“You believe?” exclaimed the man sitting by the fireplace as he slowly stood up. Panic was written all over the housekeeper’s eyes whilst her words came out quivering “They were all found dirty and alone. What happened to their parents, we don't … ” A gentle hand placed itself on Ana Kuya`s shoulder and the woman dressed in red gently soothed her by slowing down her heartbeat, emphasizing that they understood the circumstances.

She felt it. She had heard it. The panic that had settled within Ana Kuya’s chest mere seconds ago before it had slowed.

“We greatly admire your institution, and it's cause. We only wish more of nobility would show this kind of compassion.” The woman admitted, immediately waltzing to her next question on what the three children, were like. Naturally Ana Kuya interpreted it completely wrong and listed their talents or their preferences, whilst indirectly taunting them as the woman interrupted her by repeated question, but this time while empathizing the last syllable like

.

Nervously all three bounced from one leg to the other, as the man in purple laid his chocolate brown orbs on the three troublemakers once again.

“They are listening to every word we say” snitched the man in purple, staring directly at their hiding spot behind the columns. Swiftly they all shrank behind their hideout and tried to ignore the fact that he knew they had listened to them from the very beginning. Ana Kuya`s voice lashed out like a whip. “Alina Starkov! Malyen Oretsev! Anna Sokolov! You three, come down here at once!”. The three children sank into themselves and cautiously made their way down the narrow spiral marble staircase towards the end of the gallery. Whilst they had reached the bottom of the staircase, their gaze was cast down, suddenly finding the old tiles of the gallery to be the most interesting thing. Awfully long they awaited they shrill lecture of their caretaker, but it had never gotten that far. Silently the woman in red approached the small children and gestured them forward with the tip of her boots clicking against the floor. “Do you know who or rather what we are?” the woman carefully asked as her steel grey hair fell into her perfectly framed face, making it the most beautiful the girls had ever seen.

“You’re witches!” blurted Mal.

Her face twisted into one of disbelieve and disgust snarling “Witches?” “Is that what you put into their heads in this institution? Lies and superstitions?” almost growling she now stood before Ana Kuya, piercing her with her hate filled glare.

Ana Kuya flushed at being exposed, embarrassed she turned her head away from them. The woman in red’s glare flashed towards Alina, Mal and Anna. All three of them visibly shivered and curled into one another, fearing she might commit murder the moment somebody said something. Her dark blazing, approximately deep brown, red eyes started down at them, displeased, maybe even annoyed and angry. “We are not witches! We are practitioners of the Small Science. We are the reason you are able to live in a safe country, a kingdom without having to worry about experiencing war.”

“As does the First Army” interjected Ana Kuya silently, unmistakably in a bitter undertone. The tension grew at the statement and the woman in red stiffened, but later on concluded “As does the King's Army.” Young Anna fiddled with her fingers, not quite believing either side, being one to witness firsthand that both and neither exclaimed the truth.

Years before they had come to test them; Anna had accidently encountered a group of Grisha herself, they had been the ones bringing her to this orphanage.

They were fascinating, and Anna had only been able to stare at them in amazement. However, that amazement quickly faded as she experienced them eliminating (to her) innocent people. The group had worn the same color as the beautiful Grisha-Examiner, that had lost her temper at Ana Kuya`s remark. Red had been the only color she saw that day, be it kefta or blood. It didn't matter as she ran away as fast as she could. It had felt familiar as she looked behind her and didn't see the body in front of her, making her collied with somebody extremely tall. Afraid she had buried her head against the stranger’s body in attempt to hide from the Grisha, unbeknownst to her the stranger had been one too. Gently he had patted her head and crouched down, consoling her as she cried.

After a while her tears had stopped flowing as the stranger's thumb had wiped them away from her eyes. He had not said anything and instead plugged a single flower from the ground giving it to her chuckling that strong girls like her shouldn't cry. Happily, she had taken it from his hand without hesitation, and her eyes had practically sparkled at the sight of the forget me nots. Slowly her eyes had wandered upward, and she took a closer look at the stranger, now noticing the black wool he wore as well as the black eyes that stared straight at her. Intimidated she stepped back, wanting nothing but to hide, but something had pulled her back as the stranger stretched his hand out towards her retreating form. Like a scared deer she had timidity walked closer. Nonetheless the stranger had been patient and stayed by her side as he watched her with soft eyes.

Anna remembered his hands grasping hers in his as he showed her his powers in order to make her fear disappear. Shadows had swirled around their hands and formed a flower similar to the one she had been holding all along. That had been the first day where a Grisha had proven to her that not all of them were out to kill. She had understood the deeper meaning behind them, after the stranger reasoned that they had done so to protect them. And even though her heart calmed, she has remained cautious by the mere sight of red-keftas, ever since she had witnessed what they were able to do.

Thus, it had been no surprise that Anna was the first one of the three to step back from the still fed- up woman, fearing there would come more.

Gently the young man in purple now began to kneel before the orphans and smiled. Softly he whispered, “When the leaves decide to change their colorful dress, do you mistake it with magic?” Or what about your steadily healing injuries? Do you call something magic that happens naturally like boiling a pot of water? Is what come’s natural for us such as breathing something to be feared?”. Both girls kept their mouths shut and silently looked up at him blinking their eyes, but Mal quickly shook his head as his eyes widened.

Alina narrowed her eyes at their friend and corrected that everybody was able to boil water, which in return made the man chuckle in response. Their mood brightened as they further asserted “ You're completely right, my dear. Anybody is able to boil water. But not everybody can master the Small Science. That`s the reason for our visit on this day, it's why we are here.”

Promptly the slender woman in red turned to Ana Kuya, waving her hand “Leave us alone” she gestured and reluctantly the housekeeper started to take her leave.

“Wait!” exclaimed Mal. “What happens if we're Grisha? What happens to us?” A question that had been burning on the tip of Alina's tongue the whole time, but Anna only stepped back from her loud friend. Grisha were rare nowadays, at least in Ravka and they were aware of it, but it still hurt as the woman in red mockingly looked down at them “If, by any small chance, one of you is Grisha, then that child will go with us back to Os Alta, where it will be given the chance to go to a special school and master their talent to its full potential.”

“You will receive the finest of cloths, finest food, like-minded people and whatever your heart desires shall be yours.” Interjected the handsome male dressed in vibrant purple as he held out his large hand towards their small ones. “Would you like that?” he curiously asked, belittling the younger children. Anna calmed a little, seeing the man wanted to include their decision, even though it probably did not matter to the other two Grisha who were staring at them. Heels clicked on the marble floor as Ana Kuya halted by the entrance door, her gaze hovering over her younglings. Her voice sounded scratchy as she told them it was the greatest honor to serve their current king and home. Instantly the woman in red agreed, gaze softening and willing to make peace with the woman that insulted them minutes ago.

One last time Ana Kuya took in the sight of all three, before she closed the heavy entrance door behind herself. Troublemakers, that’s what she had called Alina and Mal every time she complained to the cook, while hiding her secret love for all orphans she had taken care of over the many years she had already served Duke Kermazov. She would have been embarrassed to find out all three usually hid inside the cupboard and spied on her. At first it had only been a game for them, which it still is, but as time flew by it became more and more interesting hearing her late-night confessions. They swore one time they heard her admit that she had stolen the duke’s seal right under his potato nose. Although it shouldn’t have been such a big surprise considering she had once lived in Ketterdam.

Longingly Anna's eyes stayed on Ana Kuya’s retreating figure as the woman had quickly fled the gallery, knowing her presence would have only caused more problems to arise. None of the adult now paid any attention to the children as all three broke out into a heated argument about the fleeing woman, because if they did, they would have noticed the three of them clasping their hands together, desperately trying to find stability in the imminent test that was about to take place. Because if the Grisha had noticed they would have recognized the look that passed them. A look that Duke Kermazov knew all too well. He had seen it several times as he fought in the war, the eyes of people who had nothing left, but were willing to fight for the small things the war had left in their possession. He knew the look of a man fighting to defend his home with every ounce of energy he had left, with nothing but a mere stone clenched in his hand. If he had been there, things might have taken a different turn, but as always fate has its special way of messing with people.

* pironshki, a common fast food in Armenia and Azerbaijan. In Armenia it often contains a potato or seasoned meat filling.

** meaning: my beautiful redeemer

*** meaning: redeemer

**** meaning: punishment

***** meaning: clean, pure

Written in 2021. Do not copy, translate or repost without my permission.

Can you write a Darkling x reader fic where reader (who is his wife for thousands of years and he cannot live without) is accidentally hurt by his nichevo'ya. Angsty where Aleksander is really guilty and scared he lost the only person he loves, maybe some comfort from reader as well?

Scars

a/n : I heart angst so much, it’s angst with a happy end cause I heart that ❤️❤️❤️. Reader is a Tidemaker.

Warnings: nichevo’ya attack on reader, blood, Alina hate, guilty Aleks, mentions of reader having an abusive home life

Aleksander Morozova x fem! Reader

Aleksander stood froze staring at his wife’s blood on his hands. His darling wife, the one who’d stayed by his side through it all. Through all years, hundreds of years surviving together and he’d…. he’d hurt her. He stared at his wife’s form as she slept on there bed. He hadn’t meant to.. he thought they’d leave her alone.

Aleksander stood in his room after a coughing fit. Y/n walked in and gently grabbed his shoulder, in hopes of comforting him when the nichevo’ya appeared. They thought that his sweet wife had cause him pain. They dug its claws into her side.

“No! No! Not her!” He yelled but it was too late. They had thrown her across the room, her blood pouring into the carpets. Aleksander rushed to her, grasping her into his arms.

He cradled her as her eyes weld up with tears. He held her face as he apologized over and over. His dark irises soon flooded with tears as he called for a healer. Fruzsi ran in and gasped at all the blood surrounding the pair.

Healers rushed into the room and Aleksander brought her to there bed. He watched with worry in his eyes, he watched with fear as they healed her. His grisha had never seen such fear in his eyes, not when they were being attack by Alina, not when he was freeing other grisha, never had they seen such fear in his eyes.

The healers worked quickly to heal their Generals wife and the most powerful Tidemaker. Fruzsi watched as the healers finished with uncertain looks at each other. They whispered in her ear, words that made her shudder.

“She’s weak and has lost a lot of blood, she might not make it through the night.” The healer mumbled. Fruzsi shock her head fiercely, Y/n was strong, she’d been her mentor, her friend for years. Unfortunately for them all their General caught their curt and quiet whispers.

No, this would not take his wife- Aleksander would try to reason. His wife was stronger than she gave herself credit for. She’d survived hundreds of years by his side through endless battles. He couldn’t be the cause of his beloveds death, he couldn’t be.

“Not her, never her.” Aleksander mumbled to low for any to hear but himself. And his nichevo’ya. They were to never touch her.

Aleksander sat in his wooden chair staring down at his hands in horror. He swore to never touch her, never hurt her. It was in his vows he’d made hundreds of years ago when they were young. He swore when they married in that tiny ceremony, just them and the minster that he’d never lay a hand on her like her father, her mother.

Now she laid possible dying because he’d failed to control his own nichevo’ya. Y/n had never been fearful of his shadow monsters, they were a part of him so naturally, his sweet Y/n loves them as she loves him. A soft rustling on there bed caused Aleksander to look up, Y/n’s eyes were open, just barely.

“Darling!” He reach to grasp her hand but stopped. His hand was still covered in her blood. Weakly he watched Y/n reach for him, he wiped his hand in his kefta and gently took her hand in his. The bed dipped slightly as he sat next to her frame, Y/n hazily squeezed his hand.

With his free hand he held her face. She nuzzled in the warm he provided her, the safety. Her eyes blinked slightly as she tried to sit up.

“Sasha…?” She muttered softly as he gently pushed her down.

“Don’t, you’re still injured and still weak.” His voice cracked with pain as he spoke. Y/n grasped at his scared face and pull him down with all the might she could muster. Aleksander rest his forehead against hers as he listened to her soft breathing. “Sasha… I’m okay.” Y/n promised, Aleksander scoffed. He could practically see the lie, her lip was tight, her nose ever so scrunched. She was in pain and he knew it.

“No you’re not Y/n. You’re not okay and it’s my fault- I’m so sorry.” Y/n couldn’t remember that last time he used her name. She’d grown so accustomed to the pet names he’d use.

“It okay.. I’m okay.”

“No! No you’re not and it’s all my fault!”

“I will be okay.” Aleksander sighed softly. No matter what he did she wouldn’t care. Deep down he knew she was far too good for him. He was a monster and she… she was the ocean strong and beautiful. Still he feared one day she would realize how much better she deserved.

“Sasha? Lay down with me please.” Y/n mumbled. Aleksander shock his head.

“No absolutely not love, I’m not going to do that right now.” Y/n shot him a glare.

“I meant cuddle you dirty minded old man.” Aleksander laughed gently and kiss her forehead. He slowly laid next to her, not wanted to injure his beloved further. With an annoyed huff Y/n slowly and with a grimace moved onto his body. Aleksander instinctively wrapped his arms gently around her, bringing her closer to him.

“Sasha? Please don’t worry too much. I’ll be okay.” Y/n promised as she drifted to sleep. Aleksander laid awake for much longer as he monitored her.

“I promise, you will be.”

You don’t have request for the Darkling? Let me fix that (:

Someone wants to hurt Alek by kidnaping the reader so, Alek saves her and he’s mad AF

Touch her and die

a/n: I love writing over protective partners and stuff so I loved this. Also reader is a bit chaotic cause why not. Also made reader a Tidemaker.

Warning: kidnapping, language, blood, grisha hate, kinda bratty reader? Aleks goes psycho mode, injuries, drüskelle, mentions of Aleks and readers age gap

Aleksander Morozova x fem! Reader

It was an unspoken rule for all grisha, for all ravka, for everyone to not hurt his lover. It was no great secret that the Darkling, the Black general himself was absolutely smitten by his favorite Tidemaker. With her pretty e/c eyes and a pout on her rose colored lips she could get anything she wanted from her general.

His Tidemaker had grown up in a village boardering Fjerda, so grisha testers weren’t common to go there. In secret her older brother, also a Tidemaker taught her the ways of the grisha. Unfortunately a little ways after her nineteenth birthday drüskelle invaded her village and he brother died saving her life.

She ran through the thick forests of ravka with no idea where to go as they chased her when he appeared. His shadows cut through the drüskelle and not long after that the darkling infatuation with his Tidemaker became apparent.

Now his Tidemaker strut into the meeting he conducted, she was late. She walked right up to his side with a smile and adjusted some of the toy soldiers as he spoke. Then she walked right over to Zoya, who shock her head at her friend’s brazenness.

“You’re late, L/n.” Zoya muttered as she drew over the Ravkan maps. Y/n giggled softly as he began to help Zoya. Aleksander would glance back over at the pair every so offten. His Tidemaker clad in a black kefta with teal embroidery. He loved that she so proudly wore his color.

Her and Zoya began to giggle about something, probably a comment she’d made when one of the king advisors cleared his throat.

“Miss L/n have you something to add?” He asked cutting off the girls chatter. The room went quiet as she went stiff. Ivan and Fedyor shared a quick look as their generals eyes darkened. His tone was snobbish and rather rude.

He spoke as if he was better than she was, and it made her almost want to laugh as she turned. Slowly she made it back to the main table with the toy soldiers, this was a different plan than the one she’d just arranged. It was horrible and would lead to the deaths of many grisha.

Y/n would not sacrifice her soldiers when she could do better. Quickly she fixed up the arrangement with an empty look, Aleksander watched her in awe. As she finished she turned to the advisor with the same snobbish looked he’d given her.

“It seems you needed some assistance, don’t worry sir for I will always be there to fix the mistakes.” Y/n mocked as she bowed her head slightly. Aleksander chuckled slightly and moved a stray hair behind her ear. Such an open act of affection for his Tidemaker was nothing new, but for him to do it after she’d humiliated one of the king’s advisor was a risky move.

“Although Miss L/n was late she has fixed this plan to ensure the safety of all the grisha going into this battle. For that I am most grateful.” He amused as he stared at her. She smiled cheekily as she returned to Zoya’s side, a confident sway to her hips.

This was the last time Aleksander had seen her that day.

……………………

It was no secret that the darkling had a great many enemies, but as the fist collided with her face for the hundredth time, Y/n was growing tired. The kings advisor, whatever his name was had hired drüskelle of all people to kidnap her.

Of course her hands were bound apart and she was tied to the chair. She was surprised they hadn’t just killed her but she didn’t care. She was growing bored of all the punches. Her face was bruised, the right side more then the left, her lip busted, and she was sure at least one of her ribs were broken.

“It’s not to late to get me go you know.” She mumbled as she dropped her head back. Her hands quietly attempting to undo her cuffs.

“Drüsje your pleading for your life will not work.” The tallest announced. She sighed softly, he would come for her. If she was dead by the time he found her she knew all of Fjerda would pay.

“It would just be in your best interest.”

They all laughed and she joined in. Let them laugh, it’ll probably be the last time they do. She though softly.

“We will end you, and then we will break the darkling.” Y/n nodded softly at there words as they smashed their fist into her side. She groaned as she felt a rib snap.

“Then kill me, what is it you are afraid of?” Y/n taunted. They all froze, one of them brought there axe dangerously close to her neck.

“Will you not beg for your life?”

“Take it if it pleases you. It is not me who suffers when I’m gone.” They didn’t know what to say to that. They had heard the talks of the darkling whore. How she could boil the blood, pull the water from your body, freeze your nerves. But the women in front of them didn’t look the dangerous type.

“You aren’t the confident whore of the darkling we’ve heard tales of. You are just his pet he plays with from time to time.” Her face hardened at those words. She was not dressed in his color to be watered down to a simple whore. She smiled charming as she began to un click the cuffs.

“Most women aren’t as crude as you, they are modest.” Y/n giggled softly. She saw the shadows begin to move.

“Unfortunately for everyone I will keep doing whatever the fuck I want.”

Y/n snapped her cuffs and rolled her chair causing it to hut the ground. The shadows form into the cut and swore through the air above her. The shadows surrounded her till the familiar frame of her Sasha towered over her.

“Would mind untying these ropes?” Y/n uttered softly slumping against the grounds, her confident persona gone. The ropes were off and Aleksander pulled his Tidemaker to her feet. His hand clutched her face as he brought her in for a messy and passionate kiss.

She moaned softly into the kiss as he held her face. His hands slowly began to trail down and she pulled away with a wince.

“What is it?” Aleksander whispered as she clung to him.

“I think they broke a few ribs.” She whined as she lean into his frame for support. From the outside of the cabin she heard a few grunts, a scream or two and then silence. Aleksander placed his cloak around her shoulder in hopes of warming her.

“My healers will attend to you when we get back.” He placed a kiss to her head and began to pepper her hairline with kisses. The fear was evident in his eyes at her body. His eyes scanned her bruised face and body, her busted lip, the blood dripping down the side of her arm.

He hated that she’d gotten hurt so badly before he could save her. By the looks of her cuffs she was half way there in her own. With a slight waddle she made it to the door, with protest from her lover she pushed them opens, her jaw hit the ground.

Blood and carnage surround the cabin where she was kept. She limped her way through the bodies as Aleksander trailed behind her. Ivan, Fedyor, Zoya, and the twins were there.

“What happened out here?”

No one answered as Zoya hugged Y/n, attempting and failing to be cautious of her ribs. Aleksander pulled Y/n away after allowing Zoya to hug her, he didn’t want her to far.

“I thought they’d killed you… I lost my temper.” Aleksander admitted as he picked Y/n into his arms. Y/n stared at him for a moment.

“If this is what you do when you’re out of control, I’d hate to see what you do when you are.” Fedyor laughed softly as Ivan swatted at his husband. Y/n’s words were true. There wasn’t a thing in the world there general wouldn’t do for his precious Tidemaker.

Darkling x breeding kink + spanking?🙈

Marking

a/n: My motivation has been low as of late, and my life has gotten really busy as of late. Also I’m really liking my tidemaker! Reader that invented so I’m gonna used her unless specifically told otherwise or if I just feel like not using her. As always hope you enjoy.

Warnings: breeding kink, spanking, dom!Aleksander and sub!Reader, safe word is not established but is their, p in v smut, dacryphilia, war room smut, tidemaker!Reader

Aleksander Morozova x fem! Reader

You weren’t sure if it was the hard wooden desk digging into your bare hips, the relentless pounding of Aleksander cock inside your dripping cunt or if his harsh hand landing in your ass was what sent you to tears. Your hands grinned onto the desk, trying to center yourself as Aleksander took out all his pent up frustrations of the day on you.

It had not been a good day for your lover. First the king had been particularly nauseating, the grisha were still unsafe as always and to top it off some new noble man made a move on you in front of him. Loyal as you were you denied the man and went to go to him only for the man to touch you.

Aleksander grunted as he felt you grip his cock deep inside. Your moan and gasps were bouncing off the wall and he hoped that everyone would hear. His hand landed hard against the angry red of your ass. You jolted as his opposite hand dug its way through your hair, pulling you up slightly.

He sucked up your neck, biting and leaving marks in his wake. You moaned as he began to suck on the sweet spot of your neck. His gently lowered you back into the desk that moved with every snap of his hips. His free hand moved to your pearl, rubbing fast and steady circles on the nerves. Your moaning increased as he kissed at the back of your neck. His hand colliding with your red ass.

“You’re doing so well for me milaya.” Aleksander praised as your tears hit the desk. You babbled cockdrunk as he hit that spot that always left your mouth gaping.

“I’m gonna shove my cum so fair into your cunt that it takes and everyone will know you’re mine.” The coil inside you tightened the eating to burst. Your moan grew higher, louder, more erratic.

“Sasha! I’m gonna cum- Sasha! Please!” You begged as he smacked your ass again. His over composer began to dwindle as he groan his thrusts growing fast as his own organism grew more apparent.

“I can’t wait to see you swelling with our child. All round and so full of me, all mine. Mine.” He grunted as you whimpered. With a cry of his name you came hard. His own release happening right after. You both panted as he pulled himself out. Your mixed juices dripped onto the floor until her shoved his finger in.

“Don’t want to waste anything, right my Tidemaker?” Aleksander sighed as he kissed your neck. You mumbled softly, not having the energy to be much of a brat. After a while her pulled his finger out and sucked in your combined juices. He wrapped his arms around you and pulled you into his lap.

He scrapped his kefta over your bare form and kissed your forehead. You nuzzled into him as your eyes dropped.

“Do you think my seed will take?” Aleksander mumbled in between kissing your neck.

“If it doesn’t we can always try again.” He chuckled a smile landing in his face. His darling Tidemaker, always so eager.

I Have a Dream

a/n: This is a little future blur of Helios!reader and Aleksander’s future cause I’m bored. It can be read as stand alone I guess but they’re gonna be some people you wouldn’t knows

Warning: Spoilers for main series,

Aleksander Morozova x fem! Reader

ɪ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ᴀ ᴅʀᴇᴀᴍ, ᴀ ꜱᴏɴɢ ᴛᴏ ꜱɪɴɢ ᴛᴏ ʜᴇʟᴘ ᴍᴇ ᴄᴏᴘᴇ, ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴀɴʏᴛʜɪɴɢ

Aleksander had never thought he’d be able to listen to her voice so frequently. He’d hear Y/n sing in multiple occasions but never in his wildest dreams would she be singing to their children.

He leaned into the doorway to the nursery that Kheli had built for the twins. It was beautiful, with stars, and bright moon painting over the walls. The two cradles hand made by his wife’s closest friend.

The twins slept in the same cradle at the moment, still not used to being apart. The oldest, a black haired boy with e/c eyes laid dreaming upon his mother’s shoulder. Some drool streaming from his open mouth. His little Eryk.

And then there was his little Isla, her big doe eyes wide with curiosity. Her h/c hair wind from laying. She stared up at her mother eyes as she sang to her.

ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ꜱᴇᴇ ᴛʜᴇ ᴡᴏɴᴅᴇʀ, ᴏꜰ ᴀ ꜰᴀɪʀʏ ᴛᴀʟᴇ ʏᴏᴜ ᴄᴀɴ ᴛᴀᴋᴇ ᴛʜᴇ ꜰᴜᴛᴜʀᴇ, ᴇᴠᴇɴ ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ꜰᴀɪʟ

Y/n supported her little stars neck gently as she sang. She rocked her daughter gently, making sure to keep Eryk in her shoulder. Aleksander’s heart wanted him to help her with the babe but his body would not move.

He could only stare as she held their children. Their children. His little star and shadow. His mind raced with the events of the war that raged on. So many tragedy’s and haunting moments had already occurred. The war still continued even now.

Feeling a soft tug at his sleeping pants he looks down with a smile. Fabian, the pairs eldest adopted child tugged gently on this pants, rubbing at his crystal eyes. Slowly crouching down he scooped the boy up. Fabian laid his head on his father’s shoulder, yawning softly.

“Can’t sleep my little wolf?” He whispered to his son as he heard the small pattering of another child. Sleepily Isabella reached her hands up for him. He smiled down at his daughter picking her up as well.

“What about you my rose?” He kissed her cheek as she laid herself upon his chest. Her jade eyes falling as he held the pair. Neither child was his by blood, but what did blood matter. They were his. His and Y/n’s.

ɪ ʙᴇʟɪᴇᴠᴇ ɪɴ ᴀɴɢᴇʟꜱ ꜱᴏᴍᴇᴛʜɪɴɢ ɢᴏᴏᴅ ɪɴ ᴇᴠᴇʀʏᴛʜɪɴɢ ɪ ꜱᴇᴇ

He turned his gaze to his wife, her eyes were in him. She slowly moved to him, the pair nothing smiles at one another. Leaning his neck down he kissed her lips gently.

Fabian’s tiny hand pushed Aleksander away causing the couple to giggle softly. Eryk stirred slightly then returned to his deep sleep.

”What are you all doing up?” Y/n whispered as she placed Isla on her hip. Aleksander smiled softly at his little girl, placing as kiss in her forehead. Isla’s eyes began to drop as her others softly humming.

“I heard you, and these litter critters followed me.” His words brought a breathtaking smile upon Y/n’s face.

“Then we should get them to sleep.” Slowly the couple moved to their own bed. Eryk and Isabella had much trouble sleeping outside their parents bed. It was not easy being a child during the Saints war. Both children seeing horror that Y/n blamed herself deeply for.

No matter the words that slipped from Aleksander’s mouth she would never forgive herself for what her babies saw. It’d been her fault for being weak, believing that her sister would not be so cruel.

Setting the older children on the bed, Aleksander took the peaceful Eryk from his wife. The babe scrunched his nose in displeasure till he was against his father’s chest. Aleksander could not help the smile that he made every time his children would do that.

“They get it from you.” Y/n paused her humming as she laid down, Isla in her chest.

“What?”

“Scrunching their noses, they’ve seen you do it so much they copy.” The moon summoned smiled at her husband as he laid down in the other side of there children.

Fabian laid next to Y/n and Isabella next to Aleksander. Both parent having a twin stop there chests. The couple stared at each other. Not words could truly express the joy they felt. They were together now. They were safe for now. That was all that mattered.

ɪ ʙᴇʟɪᴇᴠᴇ ɪɴ ᴀɴɢᴇʟꜱ ᴡʜᴇɴ ɪ ᴋɴᴏᴡ ᴛʜᴇ ᴛɪᴍᴇ ɪꜱ ʀɪɢʜᴛ ꜰᴏʀ ᴍᴇ

ɪ'ʟʟ ᴄʀᴏꜱꜱ ᴛʜᴇ ꜱᴛʀᴇᴀᴍ, ɪ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ᴀ ᴅʀᴇᴀᴍ

~ Shadow And Bones ~ Aleksander Morozova X F!Reader

Point de vue Asteria :

J’entre dans la chambre de Aleksander et claque la porte derrière moi, il sort de sa chambre et me regarde en fronçant les sourcils. 

-Quand comptais-tu me mettre au courant ? Ai-je tonné.

Il plisse les yeux, faisant un léger mouvement de tête sur le côté. Il le fait exprès pour m’énerver, il sait très bien de quoi je parle.

-Aleksander Morozova ! J’exige une réponse !

-Tu exiges ? Je n’ai aucun compte à te rendre, je suis ton Général.

-Je ne te parle pas en tant que Colonel mais en tant qu’amie ! Pourquoi tu ne m’as pas prévenu de l’arrivée d’Alina Starkov ?! Pourquoi je n’ai pas été prévenue et invitée à sa première rencontre avec le Roi ?! 

Il contourne sa grande table centrale avant de se placer en face de moi, me surplombant de bien deux têtes voire trois. Il pose délicatement une main sur ma nuque avant de me rapprocher violemment de lui, me faisant geindre de douleur. Ses yeux sont sombres de colère me faisant déglutir difficilement. 

-Je sais qui elle est pour toi. J’ai simplement voulu te garder loin d’elle.

-C’est ma sœur…

-Et tu sais ce qu’elle fera de toi ? Elle fera ce qui est dicté dans la prophétie.

-Alina ne sait même pas se servir de ses pouvoirs, comment veux-tu qu’elle me tue ?

-Elle est puissante et apprend vite. Obéit. Reste loin.

-Alors le temps qu’elle est au Little Palace je n’ai plus le droit de revenir ?! C’est ça ton super plan pour me sauver la mise ?! 

-Arrête de réagir comme une enfant. Garde le contrôle sur la Seconde Armée. Tu peux faire ça pour moi ?

Il m’embrasse le front alors que je ferme les yeux pour profiter de la sensation de ses lèvres sur ma peau. Alors qu’il allait se détacher de moi j’attrape son kefta noir et l’attire à moi, enroulant mes bras autour de son torse. Je le sens soupirer avant de me rendre mon étreinte. Il m’embrasse le sommet du crâne avant de venir chuchoter à mon oreille.

-Je viendrai te rendre visite mais s’il te plaît, obéit à mes ordres. Reste loin de Alina, d’accord ?

-Tu pourras lui faire passer un message de ma part ? S’il te plaît, juste un seul.

-Asteria.

-Je t’en prie, Alek. S’il te plaît. Pour moi.

Je pose mon menton sur son torse et le vois lever les yeux au ciel, observant longuement le plafond, réfléchissant à sa réponse.

-Bien, juste un seul. Quel est ton message ?

-Que je l’aime et qu’elle est et restera toujours ma petite-sœur. 

-Asteria, oublie ce lien…

Il soupire, prenant mon visage entre ses mains, caressant doucement mes pommettes de ses pouces. 

-Dors ici ce soir, tu repartiras demain, à l’aube.

-Tu feras le chemin avec moi ?

-Je dois rester ici. Tu le sais.

-Je peux dormir avec toi ?

-Tu n’es plus une enfant…

Il ricane alors que je lui fais les yeux doux, il finit par soupirer, le sourire aux lèvres.

-Très bien, mademoiselle Fell. Il est tard, allez vous laver dans ma salle de bain, je finis mon plan d’attaque.

-Merci Alek.

~ Shadow And Bones ~ Aleksander Morozova X F!Reader

Point de vue omniscient :

Lace se tient droite comme un piqué en face du Général Kirigan, la jeune mère a les mains jointe sur son ventre plat, regardant le Général droit dans les yeux.

-Que puis-je faire pour vous, Madame Fell ? Lui demande-t-il avec un fin sourire.

-Je suis venue vous parler de Asteria. 

Kirigan se redresse et bombe le torse sans même y faire attention. Il incline la tête sur le côté et fronce les sourcils. Il s’approche de la bourgeoise résidant à la cour du château.

-Moi et mon mari voudrions l’adopter. Elle serait une Fell. Avec un bel avenir.

-Hors de question. Avec moi, elle est en sécurité.

-Tous les enfants la craignent pour ses dons et se moquent d’elle. Tout le monde à la cour sait qu’elle est une orpheline du bas peuple. Général, si vous voulez vraiment son bien, vous acceptez mon offre.

-Quelle offre ? Je n’y gagne rien. Repartez.

Il lui tourne le dos et se poste à une fenêtre, regardant justement Asteria jouer dehors avec quelques gardes qu’il a envoyés pour la divertir. Lace le rejoint, observant la petite fille de huit ans rire aux éclats. Un fin sourire s’installe sur les lèvres pulpeuse de la jeune femme contrastant avec l’air préoccupé du Général.

-Elle se mariera à l’un des fils du roi et de la reine. Elle pourra devenir reine de Ravka.

Il détourne son regard sur elle, la regardant perplexe à ce qu’elle dit. Elle lui offre un sourire d’autant plus grand.

-Je ne vous l’arrache pas, Général. Tout le monde sait que vous voyez bien plus en elle qu’une simple élève. Mais avec mon mari et moi, elle aura un climat familial et stable. Elle grandira dans l’amour et la protection d’une famille soudée et bienveillante.

-Vous faites cela juste pour que votre famille accède au trône.

-Ne voulez-vous pas qu’elle obtienne du pouvoir ? 

-Là n’est pas mon but principal. 

-Vraiment ? Alors les cours intensif et entraînements répétitifs ne sont pas installés pour la faire gagner en pouvoir ? 

-J’agis pour son bien à elle et pour tous les grisha. 

Sa voix se fait menaçante et ses yeux s’assombrissent de colère. Il la fusille du regard quelques secondes avant de lui tourner le dos, rangeant quelques papiers et cartes traînant sur sa grande table centrale.

-Je pense aussi à elle. Elle sera choyée comme ma descendante directe et les autres enfants et adultes de la cour se verront être forcés de la respecter. Je lui sauve la vie en lui donnant la possibilité d’être la future reine de Ravka. Pensez-y.

Un silence se fait dans les appartements du Darkling. 

-Quittez mes appartements.

-Je vous laisse réfléchir, j’attendrai votre réponse.

Elle quitte les appartements du Darkling la tête haute et l'air assurée, sachant qu’elle a insinué le doute en lui. 

Plus tard dans la journée, Aleksander vient chercher la petite Asteria dans sa chambre alors que les dames de chambre venaient tout juste de finir de la préparer pour aller au lit. En le voyant entrer tel une furie, elles se courbent en avant puis sortent en souhaitant bonne nuit à Asteria. Aleksander se met assis sur le matelas de qualité de la petite, l’invitant la seconde d’après à s’installer auprès de lui.

-Que penses-tu de la famille Fell ?

-Les garçons sont gentils. Mais un peu bête quand même.

-Et Madame Fell ?

-Lace est très gentille. Elle m’aide à cueillir des fleurs des fois.

-Et son mari, que penses-tu de lui ? Il a l’air de confiance ?

-Il m’aide avec mes devoirs que l’apparat me donne. Mais ne le dit pas, c’est un secret !

Aleksander lui offre un sourire qu’elle lui rend. Elle prend soudainement sa main et le tire avec elle au lit. Il se laisse faire et s’allonge sur les draps alors qu’elle passe sous la couette, se rapprochant de lui. Il l’entoure d’un bras, profitant de sa proximité avec la petite fille.

-Tu aimerais vivre comme Madame Fell ?

-Je veux devenir comme elle. Belle, gentille et influente. Tu la trouves belle, toi ?

-Elle est jolie, oui. Mais tu deviendras plus jolie qu’elle.

-Avec des belles robes et des bijoux qui brillent ?

Elle relève ses yeux noirs pétillants de joie vers le visage du Darkling plus fermé. Il remarque alors cette étincelle de bonheur et d’espoir dans les yeux de sa protégée. Il lui sourit avant de soupirer en haussant les épaules.

-Rien n'est impossible pour nous.

-Parce qu’on est trop fort !

-Parce qu’on est trop fort, c’est ça.

-Et quand je serai la plus forte, tous ceux qui auront été méchants avec nous seront punis.

Elle baille longuement avant de s’enfoncer un peu plus dans les bras du Général. Ce dernier a les yeux baissés sur elle avant de soupirer et de se retirer lentement, faisant grogner la petite.

-Je vais te laisser dormir petit ange. Fait de beaux rêves.

Il lui embrasse le front mais avant qu’il puisse se relever elle retient sa kefta noir.

-Reste avec moi cette nuit. S’il te plaît.

Il la jauge du regard un instant avant d’acquiescer à sa demande. Il retire ses bottes et quelques uns de ses vêtements, gardant un simple haut noir ample et son pantalon de la même couleur. Il se met sous les draps, Asteria venant directement se coller à lui. Il enroule ses bras autour d’elle et pose son menton sur le sommet du crâne de la gamine.

Le lendemain matin à sept heure lorsque les dames de chambre entrent dans la chambre d’Asteria elles sont toutes aussi surprises les uns que les autres de voir le Darkling dormir à point fermé avec la petite dans ses bras, se serrant l’un contre l’autre comme s’ils avaient peur d’être arraché de leur étreinte. Celle qui dirige le petit groupe de jeune femme leur fait signe de rester silencieuse et de quitter la pièce.

~ Shadow And Bones ~ Aleksander Morozova X Child!Reader

Point de vue omniscient :

La petite-fille court aussi vite que ses petites jambes le lui permettent, slalomant entre les grisha adulte qui filent à leurs occupations, râlant ou esquivant de justesse la petite protégée du Général Kirigan. D’ailleurs c’est lui qu’elle fuit, dans moins de cinq minutes elle a cours avec la Général mais ne voulant aucunement y aller elle essaie de trouver désespérément une cachette dans le Little Palace. Elle finit par rejoindre la bibliothèque et se cache au bout d'une des allées.

Quelques minutes plus tard, des pas retentissent nonloin d’elle. Le Général n’est plus qu’à une dizaine de pas de l’enfant. Il incline la tête en avant, un sourire naissant sur ses lèvres alors qu’il voit le petit corps se recroqueviller sur lui-même pour se faire encore plus petit.

-Mademoiselle Asteria Fell, vous êtes une nouvelle fois en retard pour votre entraînement. Lui fait-il doucement remarquer alors qu’il s’approche lentement d’elle. 

La petite relève la tête avant d’essayer de déguerpir mais en un pas Kirigan la rejoint et lui attrape fermement son petit bras dans sa grande main. La petite hurle à plein poumon contre Général qui secoue la tête de droite à gauche, dépitée par l’enfant. Il la traîne sans violence derrière lui, s’excusant auprès du conseiller spirituel du roi qui les regardé s’éloigner. Kirigan finit par la prendre dans ses bras, le tenant fermement contre lui alors qu’elle se débat avec hargne, alternant entre petite gifle et faible coup de pied. Il soupire lourdement, entrant dans ses appartements au lieu de sortir dehors pour l’entraînement. Il rejoint le coin consacré à sa chambre et jette la gamine sur le lit. Elle lâche un cri de surprise avant de se calmer, repoussant ses cheveux en arrière. Elle regarde le Général avec un mélange de crainte et de détermination dans les yeux.

-Tu ne veux pas devenir plus forte, très bien. Je ne perdrais pas mon temps à entraîner quelqu’un qui ne veut rien faire pour progresser. Conclut-il en la regardant droit dans les yeux.

Ne s’attendant à aucune réponse de sa part, il lui tourne le dos, s’apprêtant à rejoindre sa table centrale pour avancer dans ses plans. Cependant il l’entend se déplacer dans les draps, cela le fait s’arrêter avant de passer l’encadrement de la porte reliant sa chambre à son bureau.

-Les autres enfants me traitent d’hérétique noir.

Il ne peut s’empêcher de rire avant de se tourner vers la petite-fille. 

- Toi ? La future hérétique noir ? Ils ne savent pas de quoi ils parlent.

-Peu importe, ils ont tous peur de moi !

Le ton énervé de sa protégée le fait taire alors qu’il plisse les yeux, ne sachant quoi lui répondre. Il la détaille, remarquant alors que sa lèvre inférieure commence à trembler. Il fronce les sourcils et s’avance d’un pas. La petite éclate en sanglots avant de se cacher sous les draps du Darkling. Il s’humidifie les lèvres et ferme les yeux quelques secondes avant de quitter sa chambre. Il s’installe contre son bureau et essaie de se concentrer afin de peaufiner ses plans maléfiques mais les plaintes de la petite-fille à quelques mètres de lui l’en empêche. Il lève la tête au plafond avant de mettre sa kefta noir sur ses épaules et de sortir de ses appartements, mettant deux gardes devant sa porte et leur ordonnant de ne pas laisser sortir la petite.

Il fait le tour des jardins du Little Palace, attendant que les cours des autres enfants grisha se terminent. C’était déjà la fin d’après-midi, les températures se faisaient de plus en plus fraîches, les rapprochant de l’automne. Le Général se fit alors la remarque qu’il passera sûrement plus de temps avec Asteria, elle n’aime pas le froid, cela la rend mélancolique et susceptible, comme si sa joie et son tempérament de feu la quitter en même temps que le soleil d’été. Elle vient donc souvent dans les appartements du Darkling pour trouver du réconfort. Sans compter les nombreux orages qui viennent avec cette saison froide, la petite-fille en a une peur bleue.

Du coin de l’œil il remarque alors le groupe d’enfant grisha qui aime tant embêter sa protégée. Leurs parents sont plutôt bien placé dans la haute société grisha, ils se pensent peut-être tout permis puisque leurs parents ont du pouvoir. Il s’avance auprès d’eux, le visage fermé avant de leur faire face. Chaque gamin s’incline légèrement en avant avant de baisser leurs yeux sur leurs chaussures.

-Je crois vous avoir déjà aperçu proche de ma petite Asteria Fell. Je me trompe ?

-Non, monsieur. Répondent les enfants en chœur.

-Ne l’approcher plus jamais, est-ce que je suis assez clair ?

-Nous ne lui avons jamais fait de mal, monsieur. On veut juste jouer avec elle. S’exclame un petit garçon en relevant son regard vers le grand homme.

Kirigan lève son regard avant de s’abaisser à la taille du petit et de poser une main sur sa frêle épaule, le rapprochant vers lui. 

-Je sais ce que vous lui faites et ce que vous lui dites. Un jour viendra où celle que vous traitez de monstre deviendra votre cheffe. Ne vous avisez plus jamais de l’importuner. Ou je vous le ferai payer. Menace-t-il avec une voix calme mais menaçante, ses yeux noir de colère faisant trembler les enfants. 

Tous les enfants acquiescent alors qu’il se relève. Il leur fait signe de disposer, les enfants se hâtent de partir en courant  alors qu’il reste pour les observer, un fin sourire fier sur les lèvres. 

-Tu terrorises les enfants maintenant ? Intervient la voix cassé de Bahgra, sa mère.

Il soupire avant de se tourner vers elle.

-Ils terrorisent Asteria. 

-Elle doit s’endurcir.

-C’est une enfant de 8 ans.

-A 8 ans tu n’en faisais déjà qu'à ta tête.

-Elle n’est pas moi.

-Marche avec moi.

Il lui présente son bras alors qu’elle s’y accroche, les deux grisha se dirigent alors vers les serres du Little Palace.

-Tu aimes cette petite, n’est ce pas ? Je le vois dans tes yeux.

-Elle est promise à de grandes choses. Mais pour le moment elle s’entiche des insultes des autres enfants. Ils pensent qu’elle est la nouvelle hérétique noire.

-N’est-ce pas ce que tu attends d’elle ? 

Aleksander s’arrête subitement avant de se tourner vers sa mère, le regard perdu. Elle le note dans un coin de sa tête, cette petite fille est définitivement son point faible. Il l’aime comme la prunelle de ses yeux. 

-Où se trouve-t-elle maintenant ? Demande-t-elle.

-Elle pleure dans ma chambre. Cachée sous les draps.

-Fais lui un cadeau. Réconforte la. Aleksander, cette petite… Tu ne peux pas faire d’elle un monstre comme tu l’es devenu. Tu n’en as pas le droit. Ne laisse pas les autres noircir son coeur pure.

Il n’a pas le temps de lui répondre qu’elle lâche son bras et quitte les serres. Il finit par soupirer et rejoint finalement ses appartements après avoir cueilli l’une des dernières Dahlia restant dans les serres du jardin. Les gardes le laisse entrer, il dépose la fleur sur la grande table centrale avant de retirer sa kefta et de la déposer sur l’un de ses fauteuils en velours noir. 

-Asteria ? Appelle-t-il.

N’entendant aucune réponse, il rejoint sa chambre et la voit alors endormie, enroulée dans ses draps. Il incline la tête sur le côté avant d’émettre un ricanement, souriant face à la bouille endormie de la petite qui partage le même don que lui. Il vient proche d’elle et lui caresse ses longs cheveux noirs, contrastant avec le blanc de sa peau. Asteria papillonne des yeux avant de poser sa petite main sur celle de Kirigan. Il lui sourit, descendant sa main pour lui caresser le visage.

-Tu t’es bien reposée mon ange ?

La fillette baille en réponse, le faisant un peu plus sourire. Il se relève alors et part chercher la fleur de Dahlia qu’il a trouvé dans les serres. Il la ramène vers la gamine et la lui montre. Elle se redresse en une position assise et prend doucement la fleur dans ses petites mains. Elle sourit et l’apporte à son nez avant de se mettre debout sur ses jambes, allant embrasser la joue du Général. Celui-ci entrouvre ses lèvres, surpris de son geste, si doux et pur. 

-Les enfants ne t’embêteront plus, mon ange. Tu peux être tranquille à présent.

-Tu leur as fait peur ? 

-Je les ai mis en garde, rien de plus.

-Pourquoi ils pensent tous que je suis un monstre ?

-Parce qu’ils ont peur de l’hérétique. Mais tu ne le deviendras jamais, d’accord ? Je suis là pour te protéger. Je ferais tout le sale travail qu’il faut faire pour te préserver.

Il se penche vers elle et colle leur front l’un contre l’autre en fermant les yeux. La petite fille sourit avant d’enlacer tendrement le Darkling.