I don't know how long this was going on, i don't know what exactly was going on, i don't know who or what that man earlier on was doing to me. I don't know if it's still day or is it night? I don't know anything. At least there was nothing dripping on me, right now, i was free of the straps on my wrists and ankles. I could move freely in place, i sat up. My head slightly aching, i looked down at my hands then up to the ceiling. I stood up and tried to navigate myself in the room i was in. All i could see was old dusty books, alchemy equipment's and my coat on the rack near the door.

It opened and someone came in. I wanted to scream, ask who it was but my throat was raspy. And i didn't want to talk once i saw him. The right hand. He was dressed in a red Kefta and had a stern, stubborn look maintained on his face. "Ivan!" I finally managed to say something properly. I haven't seen him since the events on the fold a month ago. I assumed he died with the- I shook my head. Trying to rid those curse thoughts. "Let's go!" With that he grabbed my arm and forcefully made me walk very quickly behind him.

I grabbed my coat from the rack when i was dragged out by my arm. "What's going on?" He didn't reply. "How are you even- "Alive?" He stopped rushing me and looked at me questioningly. "The General wasn't the only one who survived!"

No

"Your taking me to him!" I tried to get out of his grip but he gripped it tighter. I saw my surroundings and saw we were in a hallway where it was completely dark. Some lamps were put up, dimly lighting up the area. I looked back to meet Ivan's eyes, his expression was more relaxed and less angrier then how he always looked at me. He looked over my shoulder to something behind me. His grip was lighter on me, i yanked my arm away harshly. I turned around and saw a faint shadow. The Shadow which haunted my dreams. The one i fought. The one who i thought died.

His face came into the light behind one of the lamps nearby.

"No. Th-This can't be happening!" I couldn't believe it. I stepped back and Ivan held me by my forearms, he knew it would prevent my summoning and keep me in place. It was him, he looked different. His hair was shifted, it was longer in some places but still looked presentable. There weren't any visible scars on his face except for a small one on his hand. Which i knew i inflicted on him when i struck the amplifier of him back on the skiff in the fold. He wore his black kefta and on top his dark cloak. "I'm real Alina!" His calm voice. No this could just be another trick. This has to be a dream, i refused to believe the darkling survived, he hasn't returned.

"I'm Alive, I'm here and you are returning back to the palace-" "No, i will Never return with you!" Ivan's grip tightened, i winced from it. "You will, if you wish for your trackers safety!"

Mal. I forgot.

"Where is he?" I questioned. I felt something pull me back, my left arm was released from Ivan's harsh grip. He was using his summoning, i closed my eyes trying to resist but i was exhausted. He was pulling me into sleep. My eyelids became heavy and the lights around us were starting to blur. I looked directly at the Darkling before i lost all vision and saw the shadows extinguish all light as i was swept into a forced slumber.

***

My head pounded, but i finally woke up to find myself in silk sheets and on a comfortable bed.

My clothes were stripped away and as i tried to reach to feel my forehead, i found cuffs on my wrists. The silk sheets were a crème white and they were up to my chest. I looked down at my arms and saw some scars, fresh and old. Must have been from the death grip Ivan was putting on me. I was in a different room then the one i was in the last time i was in the palace. I pushed myself up to the headboard of the bed. I could feel the sheets slightly slipping of my breasts. I tried to get up but was afraid of someone walking in when these sheets completely slip of me. They were the only thing protecting my body.

Ugh.

How many times have i passed out these past couple days? Everything changed in the past couple of days, past couple of hours. Its not fair how i was dragged out of my peaceful life and back into the craziness of Grisha life. I was pulled out of my thoughts when I heard some footsteps come from, what i believe is the bathing room. A girl with long, light brown hair came out and was dressed in white and gold.

She must have been a tailor. Just like Genya, I remembered her. And i kind of missed her but i couldn't forgive her for what she did. Though it was not entirely her fault. The girl came up to me. "Oh you are awake, how are you feeling?" The girl asked concerned. She had a soft voice. "Umm, i guess i'm okay." She came close to me and pulled out a key from her pocket. She sat on the side of the bed. "Who are you?" She looked up from unlocking my cuffs. "My name is Riya King and the General assigned me to you."

"Okay, what room is this?"

"It is the fourth down your previous bedroom!" Riya replied. Fourth down? The last time i went down in the hallway, the fourth room is close to.

Oh no.

"The General wished for you to have a room closer to his for your supervision!" Riya stood up and left my bed area, she went to a closet nearby and pulled out a simple, full sleeved dress. I looked down at my wrists and saw the cuffs beside my legs.

So he wanted me closer to him- to get quick news on me and know of my whereabouts. Riya laid down the dress on the bed, i clutched the sheets around my breasts. The dress was of course, black. It was v shaped and was tight fabric. It would curve around my body.

"I should dress you, come I've drawn you a bath, Sun Summoner!" Riya said helping me get out of bed. I flinched at the name she called me, i felt slightly uncomfortable with my naked body revealed to Riya. I went into the bathing room with her. I got into the bath, It was warm and soothed out my body. Though it did hurt the wounds over my arms and legs. It must be the pain of the torture i had endured in Fjerda. I lowered myself even more into the bath tub, the waters surrounded my neck and i could feel my skin tingle behind my ear.

I winced, Riya sat in a chair close to the tub. Like Genya did when i bathed for the first time in the palace. She had a towel in her hands and just smiled at me. Was i getting ready to meet the general? After his supposed 'rescue' in Fjerda. I don't want to see him, especially in a dress that would make me vulnerable in his view. "Why am i not to wear a Kefta?" I asked Riya. Riya cleared her throat. "The General wanted you to be comfortable within the palace and it would be nostalgic if you wore a kefta straight away, so not until your ready." Riya explained. "How considerate of him!" I falsely smiled rolling my eyes.

Why would Kirigan or whatever he wants to go by these days, wants me to be comfortable? Does he want things to go how it was or how he pretended it was when i first arrived to the Little Palace. Ugh, whatever. I looked down at my hands, they were starting to form wrinkles. I soon got dressed and a guard had escorted me to the General's room.

***

PUBLISHED: 14:27PM 10/10/21