CHAPTER THREE.
The morning had been quiet and Aleksander had been quieter than usual. She didn't mind it but the aimless staring at the ceiling wasn't her favoured activity. Aleksander usually spoke to her, distracted her but he was focused on other things. She hated that he was. His cuddles made her forget her troubles and she had a nightmare not that she told him. She didn't want to admit it. She had been better. But Isaak. He had ruined everything.
"I'm going to get ready," Liliya decided as she slid out of bed. Aleksander hummed in response and she went through her routine. Washing her face, sliding all her clothes on. It had been months but wearing the black kefta still felt strange.
Once she was ready, she walked out to the War Room. Her gaze flicked to the map that still had her markers littered across it. Nothing and now they had so many other problems. She crossed over the room, away from Aleksander's chamber, and towards the entrance of the Little Palace. A walk around would clear her head and maybe Aleksander would be more willing to talk.
She had planned to go on a long walk around the grounds before coming back to eat with Genya or have breakfast in bed with Aleksander. Either one felt appealing but she stopped short of the door. Lev stumbled towards her, covered in cuts and bruises. A hand gripping his stomach as his face scrunched up in pain. Every inch of skin covered in crimson.
"Lev," Liliya said quickly, not entirely believing it was him. He was in Ketterdam. She rushed over to him and wrapped an arm around his torso, pulling the weight off his feet, "What happened?" She asked quickly. Lev let out a soft hiss as his arm pressed awkwardly against Liliya's kefta. Her arm didn't move as the two headed towards the Corporalkis. He was bleeding out and she wasn't going to let him die. She had no idea how he even got here. He might have information and they had been friends for years. She couldn't lose him.
"Isaak," Lev spat as he cried softly. His fingers digging into the skin of his stomach, trying to stop any further bleeding, "I decided to follow him. He didn't like that. Why didn't I know he was a Shadow Summer?" Lev asked, the bitterness lacing his tone as Liliya guided him down the next corridor. The redhead bit her lip, letting her head flick from side-to-side in search of someone. She didn't know if the Corporalkis would be awake. It was a Sunday, everyone relaxed in the mornings.
"I only told General and Roma. I didn't want everyone to know. We're going to kill him before anyone needs to know," Liliya responded, trying to sound sure of herself. But in relatively, she knew it was a simple excuse for her lies. She had been stupid to not at least tell Lev something. He was part of the team. He deserved to know but after Tomas, she didn't know who to trust. They had been friends for years yet he stabbed them in the back at the first chance. Now, he was dead in the Ravkan wilderness and nobody looked for his body, nobody mourned a traitor.
"Of course Roma found out. He's always been your lackey," Lev spat. His hands balling into fists briefly before he let out a frustrated sigh. He didn't have the energy to show his anger any more than that. He was exhausted. Liliya hauled him the rest of the way to the Infirmary and placed him down on a bed. She snatched up a towel and pressed it against his wound, guiding his hands to press down against it.
"If you weren't such a sexist pig, I would have told you earlier. I don't know whether to trust you, Lev. You hate me," Liliya said before she turned on her heel and went in search of the Corporalki. It wasn't hard to find them and once she explained the situation, they were quick to begin their work. Liliya said that she would be back soon and then disappeared out of the door.
Roma was the first person she needed and maybe Aleksander. This wasn't any normal threat. This was Isaak. He could kill them all without a second thought and that's what was scary. Lev was lucky to even get out of there alive especially considering he had no idea what Isaak could do.
Liliya slammed her hand against the door of Roma's room. Smacking harder when she didn't hear any movement. She heard a groan and an incoherent mumble before she slammed harder. The anger coursing through her veins. Someone had got injured because of her. Another person, dead.
"Lev's injured! Get up!" Liliya shouted through the door before kicking the bottom and turning on her heel away from the room. She was sure that Roma heard and if he wasn't in the Infirmary in the next ten minutes, he wouldn't just have to deal with exhaustion.
As she stormed down towards her and Aleksander's bedroom, she realised that she had Lev's blood on her fingers. She needed to get the blood off. They needed to talk. Lev could have died. Isaak could have killed him. He was lucky to be alive and now she had another person's blood on her hands. Another injury on her shoulders.
Aleksander was half dressed when she stormed through. Her body weaved around him before she pushed the bathroom door open. Flicking the taps on, she pushed her fingers underneath and scrubbed the blood off. Aleksander watched her from the door way, buttoning up his kefta. His gaze fixed on her bloody fingertips. She didn't look injured.
"What happened?" Aleksander enquired, his gaze shifting up to her face. Her jaw was locked, her eyes were glassy. Her hands shaking slightly but once the blood was gone, she slammed the taps off and wiped the water from her fingers.
"Lev got attacked by Isaak. He followed him from Ketterdam. A corporalki is healing him but he could have died. Again." Liliya said as she threw the towel into the sink. She then walked past Aleksander, sliding past his body and heading towards the exit again. Then she felt Aleksander grab her arm, pulling her against his chest.
"Why did you leave so early?" He asked. Liliya stared at him, tilting her head to the side before she shook her head. She pried his hand away but then she felt his hand take hers. Pulling her back with a gentle tug.
"I had a nightmare about Isaak. I was right to be scared. I need to check on Lev, make sure Roma woke up. We all need to talk," She said before stepping away from him. She sent him a smile before disappearing again. Her body carried her to the Infirmary where Roma was. Lev already looked better, most of his injuries healed over.
However, her heart dropped when she realised that they weren't talking. They were shouting and she winced when Lev shouted particularly loud. His hand poking against Roma's chest. The redhead was quick to move her hands swiftly, the shadows swarming between them and separating them before someone got hurt again.
"What happened, Lev?" Liliya asked once she had crossed over to them. The shadows falling. Roma stepped back and glanced over to see Kirigan walk in. His gaze fixed on the back of Liliya's head before he looked to the other two boys.
"I followed him on the ship from Ketterdam. Trailed him through Ravka but then saw something suspicious, took a detour. Lost him or thought I did. He ambushed me an hour or so outside of Os Alta. Nearly used the Cut on me," Lev explained. His words laced with anger and bitterness as he glared at Roma. The black-haired boy pushed his fingers through his curly hair, his head falling back before he looked at Liliya.
"I thought she told you," Roma said. Lev scoffed and then moved to stand up. He walked around the bed and towards the entrance, "Lev, what are you doing?" Roma asked as he turned to watch the boy.
"I've got a lead on the Sun Summoner. You might as well tell me about Isaak while I give you the information," Lev said as he headed out. Liliya sighed and then the pair followed after him. Liliya already knew this was going to be a difficult conversation. Aleksander disappeared on the walk to the War Room and Lev went through his lead first.
They were heading towards Kribirsk for the crossing and the village wasn't far away. Small and insignificant. If Lev hadn't pointed it out, Liliya would have no idea where it was. But once he was done, it was Liliya's turn.
"Isaak is a Shadow Summoner. He's my father. When I was younger, before I was brought to the Little Palace, he killed people. Lots of people with his untrained abilities. I thought the Fjerdans had killed him but here we are. He wants me dead. That's why he came after you. He knows you're Grisha, he knows you and I are friends. You've got a targeted painted on your back because he believes that I don't deserve my power. I don't know what else to tell you, Lev. I'm sorry. I thought he was gone. After he let Daish and I escape, we couldn't find him. I assumed he was hiding. Maybe not," Liliya shrugged, leaning back against one of the pillars. Lev just stared at her before he gently shook his head. He glanced at Roma before leaving the room. Roma going after him but not a word said to Liliya. She didn't know what she was thinking. They were leaving tomorrow and now Lev was angry. She felt stupid.
***
The night had been silent for Liliya. Aleksander was still quiet. So, at midnight, she found herself wondering around alone. Anything to escape his presence. It felt like she had disappointed him but she didn't know how or what. It was exhausting so she sat by the pier and stared up at the stars, letting her gaze move over the constellations. Naming every star she could remember before she let out a soft breath.
"You need to sleep, milaya," The voice of Aleksander made her jump. Her head turning back and she shrugged at him. He held his hand out and she contemplated for a moment before standing. Taking his hand before he pulled her against his chest. He pressed a soft kiss to her lips, his hands cupping her cheeks.
"Aleks..." She mumbled softly as she pulled back. He looked back at her, raising an eyebrow. She smiled and pecked his lips before resting her head against his chest, "I don't like waking you up," She said simply. He shook his head before resting his chin against the top of her head. His arms tightening around her.
"And I've told you it's fine," He said simply. Liliya took a deep breath before pulling back. She took his hand and pulled him towards the Little Palace. Sitting out in the freezing cold didn't feel like the best way to spend the night. They had to leave tomorrow and being at a First Army Camp was certainly not going to be the height of luxury.
"We should sleep. We are travelling in the morning. Have you informed Ivan and Fedyor that we will take a detour?" Liliya asked as they walked back through the grass. Aleksander turned his head and nodded.
"Yes. Is Lev recovering?" Aleksander asked. Liliya nodded. She knew that he didn't care. He didn't care about people, just what they could do. Liliya was lucky she had even caught his attention. Roma and Lev were lucky that she cared for them because otherwise, she was sure that they would be dead in the Ravkan countryside by now.
"He is. A day's rest and he should be fine. Roma is handling it. Lev isn't happy with me," Liliya shrugged. Aleksander nodded and then opened the door for her, gesturing for her to walk in. She did so and the pair walked back to their bedroom. Liliya changed back into her night dress and Aleksander changed into night pants before they got into bed.
He snuggled up to her, seeking out her warmth as she ran her fingers through his hair. The feeling of his breath against her throat lulled her into sleep but soon enough, she was awake again. The sun had risen and the familiar warmth of Aleksander was gone.
"Eat and get dressed, we have ten minutes," The voice of that same man startled her. She opened her eyes and stared at him for a moment before nodding. Her brain lagging as she attempted to comprehend the words. She sat up a moment later, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. She then grabbed the tray for breakfast and began to eat, making sure to be quick.
Then, she slid off the bed and began to change into her clothes for the journey. The exhaustion was still wrapped around her tight but once she had pulled her boots, she tried to shake it from her bones. She couldn't fall asleep in the carriage and they would be at the village soon enough and she needed to be on full alert. Finding the Sun Summoner wouldn't be easy especially if they were being sheltered or were unaware.
The carriage journey was bumpy and she became increasingly more irritated as she stared out of the window. Aleksander had been silent and just flicked through his book, making a few notes whenever he deemed it necessary. Liliya was bored and she felt nauseous. Her breakfast hadn't sat right with her it seemed.
But they reached the village where Lev had found his lead and she was glad for the reprieve. Stretching her legs, she strolled around the village. Her hands swaying at her sides as she looked around. Aleksander opted to stay near the carriage. The General of the Second Army being in the village would only bring more attention. Not that Liliya's black kefta didn't draw stares that she wished would go away.
It took an hour of wondering the village and talking before she found any child of importance. It only took a few minutes to discover that they had all been tested and none of them were Grisha. In any way. The lead had been a dead end but Liliya didn't want to return to the stuffy carriage yet.
So instead, she bought herself a sandwich and sat down in the village square. The trees towered tall above her head. The willow trees leaves hanging above her head as she smiled, watching as they swayed in the breeze. She took a bite out of her sandwich and she spotted Ivan out of the corner of her eye. His jaw set and the annoyance on his face.
He then walked away and she was at peace again. Taking another bite out of her sandwich before Aleksander came and sat down beside her. She turned her head up to meet his gaze before glancing around.
"Is there a problem, General?" Liliya asked, a slight snark to her tone. Aleksander looked down at her and held his hand out. He wanted a bite of the sandwich so she allowed it, letting him take it. Her hands resting in her lap.
"You are wasting time. General Zlatan is impatient," He said before taking a bite out of the sandwich. She shrugged in response, tapping her hands against her thighs before she met his gaze. Watching as he chewed.
"I understand if you disliked that I didn't tell you about my nightmares but saying nothing isn't helping. If we are to face Zlatan, we should have a united front. If we want everything to go to plan, we are supposed to work together," Liliya said as she took the sandwich back. She then took another bite out of it and stared off at the willow tree again. Aleksander wiped the crumbs from his face before nodding.
"I permit you to wear my colours because I care for you, milaya. Do not lie to me or keep anything from me again," He said simply. Liliya nodded. She didn't entirely know what she had expected in response. Aleksander was not a romantic. He did not confess his love. It had been a year and he'd said it three times. She didn't mind, not entirely. It was him and she accepted him for who he was, she just didn't know how not to lie.
"I won't. I just don't appreciate the silent treatment. I'm exhausted and anxious and we need to find this Sun Summoner and kill Isaak before something goes wrong. If we delay our plans, Isaak might just kill us all," Liliya mumbled before she took another bite out of her sandwich. Aleksander nodded and then took it back from her. He took a bite and stared up at the willow trees, watching as they swayed in the breeze.
"We kill him first and then we can enact our plan," He said once he'd finished chewing. He rested his hand against his thigh before looking over to her, "Ivan," He called. His voice travelling far without making it overly loud. She glanced over and saw him stood a good few metres away. He would have been just out of earshot for the volume their voices had been at, "There is nothing here, prepare the horses," Aleksander commanded. Ivan nodded and then disappeared back towards the carriage. Liliya sighed and then moved to stand up, brushing down her kefta.
"It would be dangerous if we cross the Fold," She said as she looked down at him. Aleksander nodded his head and handed the sandwich over.
"That is why General Zlatan will come to us, once we have requested his presence. If he doesn't, one of us will cross and he won't want us in the West," Aleksander explained as he looked down into her eyes. Liliya nodded and stared down at her sandwich. The prospect of crossing the Fold made her stomach clench and she had suddenly lost her appetite to eat. Then she felt his hand press against her cheek and his lips were against hers. He was soft, gentle but there was still some presence of passion to it.
But he pulled away too soon and walked away. The two of them heading back towards the carriage. The Fold awaited them and Liliya wished she could have stayed in Os Alta. The walls of the Little Palace suddenly felt much more appealing.
***
author's note! we have soft!kirigan, lev's return and a lil bit of angst just general, i was originally tryna decide whether to show what liliya said about isaak but i thought a lil like concise place to explain him would be nice since the information is a bit of a mess and spread out across the first act, but yeah, we are also... approximately zero(one?) chapters from the show, next chapter is gonna be the show which im VERY excited for! but also dreading at the same time but ITS FINE, WE'RE FINE, EVERYTHING IS FINE, i hope you enjoyed, thank you all for reading! <3
Bạn đang đọc truyện trên: Truyen247.Pro