CHAPTER THREE

The first night back at the Little Palace had not been the best for Liliya. She had spent most of it tossing and turning, unable to sleep or slow her mind down enough to lull into sleep. Somewhere between three and four am she had managed to drift off to some semblance of sleep but her body woke her up at half 5 as it always did.

Her eyes blinked open and it felt like she had only just gotten into bed. Her body rolled over and she adjusted on the mattress. It was comfortable against her back, better than what she had been sleeping on for the past week or so. However, she couldn't stay in bed. She wanted - and needed - to get up.

Most days when she was back at the Little Palace, she found herself up early and getting in some early morning training. When Botkin wasn't around, she did it on her own. Putting herself through paces, running across the grounds, sometimes even helping with the early morning cart-load if she happened to be passing the kitchens.

So that's what she proceeded to do. Putting on her loose clothes rather than her kefta and running around the grounds. The carts were pulling up to the kitchen as she passed by and she stopped, helping the best she could. She knew some of the servants from passing, their names at the back of her mind but they didn't speak that day. The second she had done carrying everything inside, she ran away. The sun slowly peeking the horizon as she ran across to the training building.

There was the large area where most of the training took place but there were multiple smaller training rooms where the older Grisha trained whenever they had the time or wanted to. It was usually used when two people were training together but there was also a punching bag which meant she could at least work on her own.

It wasn't long until she was throwing punches at the bag. Her anger slowly began to trickle back in as she threw the punch. Each one getting harsher and she only realised after a little over five minutes that she should wrap her hands. She stepped back from the bag and turned on her heels, crossing over to the cupboard on the other side of the room.

She tapped her fingers against the edge of the door as she looked over the shelves. Her eyes trying to spot the bandages and after a bit of searching, she pulled them out. She then proceeded to wrap her hands as the sun leaked into the room. The rays creating long shadows along the floor and it was the shadows that gave away Ivan's entrance.

"Hey," Liliya said as she finished with her hands. She stretched her hands out, ensuring that they were done well enough. Pleased with her efforts, she threw the bandage wrap into the cupboard before crossing back to the punching bag.

"I expected to find you here," Ivan said as he glanced over at the large windows. The practicality of the windows s was questionable - at best - but it meant that they trained in natural light and saw others much more clearly so nobody questioned it. Liliya watched as his shadow trailed closer to her. One eye on him, the other on the punching bag as she threw them.

"Did you want something?" She asked as she paused. Panting softly already as she rested her hand against the fabric. Ivan tilted his head at her, his face shrouded in shadows. The sunlight leaving him glowing, "Or did you just want to make sure I was okay?" She added before she threw another few punches. Her muscles were already overworked and ached from the previous day but she pushed through the best she could.

"Both. How did your meeting with General Kirigan go?" Ivan asked as he walked behind her. Liliya let her hands drop, her chest heaving as she wiped her forehead. Genya's work had yet to wear off and probably wouldn't for a few days. Liliya didn't know if she was thankful for it or not but it at least disguised how exhausted she felt.

"It went fine. How did yours?" She asked, moving her gaze back. Her hands resting at her sides as she took a few deep breaths. Ivan walked over to the cupboard and glanced over the contents He noted that she was wearing it. Usually only newbies wore hand-wraps but Liliya had decided to protect her wrists after the days she had. She didn't feel like becoming more injured. Her whole body still ached.

"He wasn't very happy. Though I didn't expect him to be. You were stabbed, the boy had escaped. Nothing went right that morning," Ivan said as he walked over to her. Liliya knew that he would want to try some hand-to-hand so she began to unwrap her hands.

"General Kirigan does not care if I get hurt or not. I am dispensable. He has made that very clear," Liliya responded. Ivan shook his head and watched her. She discarded the bandages from her left hand onto the floor before starting her right. Her gaze focused solely on that as Ivan moved the punching bag out of the way.

"You're different, Li. He was displeased when he heard the news. You're his best tracker and your powers are useful. You've honed them better than anyone I've ever met," Ivan said as he walked back over to her. She kicked the bandages away and turned to face him, lifting her fists up. Getting into a fighting stance.

"No abilities. It would be unfair," She said. Ivan nodded and then adjusted his stance. The two of them just staring each other down. Ivan was waiting for her to reply to his words. He knew what she was thinking, "Kirigan taught me how to hone them. I suppose I am useful but he can teach any other Inferni what he taught me. Like I said, dispensable," She added. As she spoke, he punched, catching her off guard but she ducked under the attack before throwing her punch forward. He knocked it away and she sent another one. This one nearly landed but he stepped back at the last second.

"Tracking is not something that can be learnt so easily. Not how you can do it," Ivan responded as he came towards her. His punches were strong and one managed to catch her in the jaw while she ducked out of the way of the other one. Her leg kicking out and colliding with his shin. He hissed, stepping back but composed himself quickly.

"This is a pointless debate. My meeting with him went how they all do when I'm angry. He blamed you for what happened and I'm inclined to believe him," Liliya said as she threw a punch to his face. She managed to catch his jaw, his head being thrown to the side as she landed another on his chest. Her stumbled back and she kicked his stomach, sending him sprawling to the floor. The redhead took a few steps back and he was quick to stand back up.

"I wouldn't have left you with that boy had I known," Ivan responded as he got back into position. The two falling silent as they threw punches and kicks. Liliya consistently blocking, dodging out of his way but he managed to catch her off-guard. She tripped and he managed to kick her to the floor. The wind knocked out of her as she smacked her head against the dirt. A groan of pain escaping her lips as she squeezed her eyes shut.

Ivan offered his hand out and she took it and managed to pull him down. Rolling them over so she was pinning his chest down. His legs quickly moved between hers and he was able to push her to the side. Getting up quickly and Liliya was quick to follow behind. Her leg moved to kick out the back of his knee but he stepped back, twisting. His fist colliding with her cheek and she let out a cry. Her head snapped to the side, diorientating her. He used this to his advantage, grabbing a hold of her shoulders, colliding his knee with her stomach. She winced and blindly threw a punch but he grabbed her fist. He twisted and Liliya's whole body crumpled under the pain. Ivan then pushed her to the floor, pinning her on her stomach. Her hands held painfully behind her back as she pressed her forehead against the floor.

"I get it!" Liliya shouted. The pain still lacing her tone and Ivan brought his hands away. He moved to stand up and Liliya pushed herself to her feet. Lifting her hands in front of her face and inspecting the red on her wrists. She should have kept the bandages on, "Did I do something?" She asked, rolling her wrists. Everything ached and suddenly the idea of going hand-to-hand with him again didn't seem so appealing.

"You relied too heavily on me when we collected the boy. You got too injured. I wanted to see how you'd react," Ivan said as he looked down at her. Liliya narrowed her eyes and walked over to him. She shoved his chest and punched him hard across the face. The ache in her hands and wrists be damned, he deserved that punch. He stumbled back from the impact and she glared down at him.

"I relied on you because I was exhausted. I had only just returned from Shu Han the first time and we didn't exactly stop to rest properly. Can you blame me?" Liliya spat as she stared up at him. Ivan winced as he flexed his jaw. His gaze moving to meet her glare. He shook his head and rubbed the spot she had punched.

"I was only testing you," He defended.

"Leave that to General Kirigan," She responded simply before she turned away. She crossed the room and shoved the door open, walking out. Her body ached all over again and as she walked out, she spotted Botkin. A knowing look on his face as he watched her roll her wrists again. Liliya simply smiled before she left the building, heading back up to her room. It was time to get ready for her day.

By the time Liliya was ready, Genya had came in with her pastries and a note from the kitchen. That along with a note from General Kirigan about the time of their next meeting. He was going to be gone for the next two days and provided that he returned on time, it was supposed to take place in three days time. Liliya was dreading it.

Genya opened the pastries and offered it out to Liliya. The redhead took it gratefully and began to pace the room. Her hands resting against her blue kefta. Her whole body ached but she was starving so she quickly began to eat the pastry. Genya could see the frustration and confusion simply in the way that Liliya was walking.

"If you pace this room one more time," Genya threatened subtly as she moved to sit on the bed. Liliya stopped in her footsteps, staring at the girl before eating the rest of her pastry. She wiped her hands on the blue kefta before she moved to sit down on the bed next to Genya. Liliya's energy was usually brought down by her early morning training but now she seemed to have too much. Her leg bouncing as she stared off at the wall.

"Ivan is so annoying," Liliya said as she pushed herself to stand up. Her hands resting by her side again before she finally just let out a soft huff. Her body moving again, pacing the room much to Genya's discontent. A scowl on her lips as she watched the woman move back and forth. It was exhausting just to watch.

"And that's news?" Genya scoffed. Liliya rolled her eyes and stopped, taking a moment before shaking her head, "Tell me why you are pacing or stop. It's irritating," Genya snapped. Liliya sighed and stopped again resting her hands by her sides.

"It's just something Ivan said. I can't get it out of my head and now Kirigan has left, I feel useless," Liliya said. Genya sighed and pulled the redhead closer, nudging her to sit on the bed. Liliya followed suit, sitting down. Her body relaxing under Genya's touch and then Genya moved into the redhead's lap, straddling her waist.

"What did Ivan say?" Genya asked. Liliya went to wave it off but when she saw the concern in the other woman's eyes, she decided she just had to say it. It was stupid to repeat and it was stupid that it was bothering her but it was. Everything was. Liliya couldn't seem to keep herself stable after everything that had happened with the Shu boy.

"He basically implied that Kirigan finds me indispensable and I find that difficult to believe. He was making it out like I was something special to Kirigan which I'm not. It just got into my head," Liliya explained, throwing her hand out before letting her hands rest against Genya's lap. Her head fell forward, burying her face in the woman's neck. Genya ran her fingers through Liliya's hair.

"Don't let him," Genya whispered. Liliya chuckled softly and lifted her head to meet the woman's gaze. Her hands moved to take Genya's in her own. Intertwining their finger. Liliya was usually not one for closeness but her cluttered mind sought it out, wanting the intimacy. Genya let her do as she pleased, curious as to where this was going to go.

"But he said that Kirigan was displeased. Why would he care if I got injured?" Liliya asked, the words spilling from her lips without much thought. It wasn't like Genya would know. She was close to the General but he would not confide in her. Liliya was sure that he confided in no one.

"Ignore him. Ivan does not know what he's talking about." Genya avoided the question. Liliya noticed and tilted her head slightly, her eyebrows pulling together. She then slowly pulled her hands away but Genya pulled them back.

"And if he's right..." Liliya trailed off. Her gaze moved to the door, half expecting somebody to walk through, walk in on their conversation.

"He isn't," Genya said. A sense of surety that Liliya hadn't expected from her. It felt strange, nobody really understood what General Kirigan was planning. Everyone was aware of that whether they recognised it or not. It just didn't make sense that he would care but it also made a lot of sense. He continued to allow her to go against him whenever she wanted. She was barely ever punished, it made no sense. Genya's surety made no sense.

"How are you so sure?" Liliya asked as she pulled her hands away. Genya sighed and then pressed her hands against Liliya's thighs, shuffling off and standing up. She ran her hands down across her kefta, straightening it up.

"I'm not but I don't think it's something you should pursue if it was true. We all serve him. It would be dangerous," Genya warned. Liliya nodded and ran her fingers through her hair. She didn't want to pursue Kirigan. He was handsome, gorgeous, powerful. He could protect her and he made her weak at the knees most of the time but she was never going to pursue him.

She knew she simply couldn't. It would cause havoc among the other Grisha if anyone ever found out. It would give her an unfair advantage and it would allow her less room to go against him. If there was some relationship, he might expect more loyalty. Loyalty that Liliya was unwilling to blindly give.

"Why does it seem like you are contemplating this?" Genya asked. Liliya shook her head and turned around to face the other girl.

"I was just thinking. I am n-" Liliya began but suddenly Genya's lips were pressed against hers. Liliya was shocked for a moment before relaxing into the kiss. Her hands resting against the woman's hips, pulling her closer. Enjoying the feeling of Genya's soft lips against her own before they pulled away. The grin settling onto Liliya's face as she admired Genya. Running her fingers along her jaw before stepping back.

"He does not care for you in the way you want him to. We both know about your feelings towards him but you've got me and why would you need anything else?" Genya asked, a smirk spreading across her face. Liliya scoffed and then walked over to the discarded pastry. Genya hadn't finished hers so Liliya ate it herself.

"You are never going to be mine, Genya. Your eyes for David have never wavered," Liliya argued once she'd swallowed her first bite. The flaky pastry getting all over her mouth and she wiped it away with the back of her hand. Genya seemed lost for words and rather than saying anything, she walked over to the window and opened it. Allowing the morning breeze into the room. She then cleared her throat and smiled at Liliya.

"General Kirigan wants you to look presentable when he returns. So, you need to go to the Healers when you are injured. The notes explain what you will be doing while you are still here. I assume he will be sending you away once he has returned," Genya explained, gesturing vaguely towards the abandoned piece of paper. Liliya nodded and snatched it from the side, opening up and recognising the scrawled handwriting. His notes always - oddly enough - seemed to be handwritten.

"So I will have to endure you making me look pretty again?" Liliya asked. Genya smirked and nodded before walking over to the door. She glanced at the mirror, making sure she looked presentable before opening the door. Then she disappeared without another word. Liliya sighed and watched the door close before pushing the rest of the pastry into her mouth.

Then she crossed over to the bathroom and placed the note down on the side, washing her face and contemplating yet another bath. But she knew better. Instead, she picked up the note - once her hands were dry - and read over her activities for the next day. Most of which seemed to consist of assisting Botkin.

Lilya could already feel the ache in her bones and she hadn't even gone to a training session yet. It was like he was trying to exhaust her. Whatever game Kirigan was playing, she would gladly follow it.

***

author's note! hello hello, so this is going to be updated sporadically af but i JUST finished siege & storm so my inspiration for this IS HERE, it's made an appearance and the show is out on friday soooo, catch me just being GONE but also writing this a bunch, i'm not sure what to expect but ya know where, we got this. we got some more genya (cause baby) and then ivan making an appearance. AGAIn still have no idea if i'm writing these characters right BUT ITS FINE, WE'RE FINE ITS HERE, we are just gonna go with it and hope it's fine, but yeah, here's a chapter, now to go back to writing, thank you all for reading! i hope you enjoyed this chapter!! <3