CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO.

The Little Palace felt truly alive as the night carried on. Liliya had managed to fall asleep for a few hours before waking up screaming. Aleksander hadn't seemed to have slept at all but he was as lively as he always was. He had comforted her as she cried and once she had calmed down, he'd informed her of the situation. Nothing had changed over the past few hours.

The only thing that had changed is that they were sure Alina had escaped with the group from West Ravka. The group that The Conductor had been with. Though whether she was kidnapped or left willingly was a completely different issue. Isaak was also another issue and once Liliya was awake, she had scoured every source she had for even a trace of Isaak.

But nobody had seen him since he had spoken to her. It was strange but not unexpected. Isaak always had an uncanny ability to hide. He was a snake in the long grass and nobody would see the attack coming. That's what worried Liliya the most.

Her hip pushed the door to Aleksander's office open. A tray of tea and pastries in her hands. She kicked the door closed and then crossed the room, placing it down on the clear space on his desk. She poured them both tea before she picked up her own cup.

"Oh, thank you, milaya," Aleksander said as he leant over and took his own cup. Liliya nodded and took another sip of tea. The time seemed to be dragging and considering that they would not be leaving until sundown, Liliya wasn't sure what to do. Her mind was so caught up on the fact that they would be leaving later that it felt impossible to do anything productive.

"Any news?" Liliya asked as she rested the cup against her chest. The warmth seeped through her kefta to her skin but she ignored the slight burning sensation.

"None on our Summoner," Aleksander said as he glanced over a few things. He then took another sip of tea before resting his head back. Liliya's head tilted at his words and she placed the cup back down on the tray.

"But you have other news?" Liliya asked as she tore off a piece of pastry. Once she placed it in her mouth, she began to chew waiting to see what he would say. He took another breath before he moved his gaze onto her face. He placed his own mug down and took a pastry, breaking off a section.

"I did on both Nina Zenik and Isaak," He explained. Liliya stared for a moment and gestured vaguely to try and get him to continue, "Fedyor found a lead on Miss Zenik. He will be travelling towards Fjerda with Arina-" He began but before he could continue Liliya spoke.

"Fjerda? Why is he going towards Fjerda?" She questioned quickly.

"She was captured by Fjerdan soldiers, a witch hunter, Matthias Helvar but their ship was wrecked in a storm," He explained. Liliya nodded and gave herself a moment to process the information. She picked the cup back up again and nodded again in reassurance.

"Okay. So, she will likely be fine," Liliya concluded. Nina was clever and she knew how to survive so Liliya had no doubt that she had somehow got to shore. It didn't seem likely that she'd fall prey to the dangerous waters.

"That is what we hope," Aleksander said as he took another sip of his tea. The silence stewed between them for a few minutes before Liliya realised something. Her head shot up.

"How was she captured? Who gave her up?" Liliya asked quickly as she placed her tea down. It was rare that the Fjerdans were able to find Grisha without input from others especially someone like Nina who knew how to lay low and stay out of things. It didn't make sense that she would be found. Someone must have given her up.

"I believe Zlatan was aware of her presence and gave her to the Fjerdans," Aleksander explained as he placed his tea down. Liliya stared at Aleksander for a moment, her eyebrows pulling together before she grit her teeth.

"I will kill him," Liliya snapped as she moved to stand up. Aleksander watched her for a moment before he shook his head. He stood up and walked over to her, taking a hold of both of her arms. He forced her to face him.

"Do not be hasty, milaya," He warned. Her eyes narrowed and she tried to move out of Aleksander's touch but his grip was strong. He pulled her back and moved one of his hands to cup her cheek, running his thumb along her cheekbone.

"You didn't listen to his vitriol topics of conversation at the Prince's birthday," She spat as she looked into his eyes. His touch was making her melt but the memories of the General's claims and ideas brought a side of her that she had thought long hidden away. A part of her wished she had killed him right in the middle of that ballroom.

"I am aware of his views," Aleksander said as he moved his other hand to her cheek. He leant forward and pressed a kiss to her lips, hoping to calm her down. She felt her hands relax but she still wanted to kill Zlatan. He deserved it. He deserved to be hurt for the damage he has already caused the Grisha.

"What happened with Isaak?" Liliya asked as she pulled away. Her feet carried her to the desk and she picked up her tea, downing the last of it. Aleksander walked over and took his seat again while Liliya poured herself another cup.

"He was spotted," Aleksander said simply. Liliya stared at him for a moment, her face contorted into confusion before she sat down. It was not something to get excited over. It could have been false or Isaak would already be gone.

"Where?" She asked, curiosity getting the best of her. Going after him would be futile but they needed to be vigilant.

"Towards the Fold. It was only a glimpse and we have not heard from the informants since they spotted him," Aleksander explained as he took a long sip of tea. Liliya sighed and let her head fall back against the chair. Her eyes trained on the ceiling before she closed them and sighed again. Isaak was dangerous. They had to kill him.

"So they are dead," She mumbled. Aleksander nodded and took another sip of tea.

"Most likely," He said as he placed the cup down onto the tray. He then pulled out the map he had been looking over previously.

"Wonderful. So, we have both Fjerdans, Alina and Isaak to worry about. Maybe we should deal with one of these issues before they all come back to kill us," Liliya suggested as she opened her eyes and looked at him again. It felt pointless to simply sit in the office while the world imploded around them. They had a plan and that plan did not include letting anyone kill them or the Summoner escape their grasp.

"They are being dealt with, milaya," Aleksander said as he marked a few spots on the map before he began to roll it up. She scoffed in response.

"Nobody can deal with Isaak but me," She retorted. Aleksander shrugged. He knew that it was true but he also had faith in his men.

"He will be dealt with," Aleksander said. His voice was stern and even, not allowing for any argument. No matter what Liliya said, sending her after him was a way to get her killed. Aleksander could not let her be killed.

"They will die," She reninded. Liliya did not particularly care if they would but it felt futile to send men after someone that they had no hope of killing. Men that could be used elsewhere.

"So be it," He responded. Liliya stared at him for a moment before she sighed. There was no point trying to argue with him but she could disagree. At the first chance she got, she would kill Isaak but maybe placating Aleksander first was what she needed to do.

***

The War Room was quiet. The quietest it had been all day. Zoya had been sent for and Aleksander was sat in his chair. Liliya was stood on the other side of the room, staring off into space. Her mind continued to play every scenario with Isaak over in her head. He might try and find her or if she went for him, she might die first. There were a million different possibilities but Liliya knew that she would have to go after him. She had no other choice. Isaak would keep killing if she didn't do something first. She had to.

The sound of footsteps broke Liliya from her wondering and she lifted her head to see Zoya walk in. The woman looked immaculate as always. A neutral look on her face. Liliya had her problems with Zoya but she wouldn't interfere with this. Not while Aleksander still needed her,

"You wanted to see me?" Zoya asked as she moved to stand by Aleksander's side. There was a respectable distance between them but a part of Liliya wondered if Zoya still liked Aleksander. They had a string of nights together from what Liliya had heard and the brunette never seemed to have gotten over the General. Liliya wasn't surprised. He would be hard to get over.

"Yes. At sundown, I'm leading a team to pursue the criminals who took Miss Starkov," Aleksander said. He seemed distracted but he spoke in the same manner he always did. His eyes flicking across the page and then briefly towards the redhead before down again, "I'd like you with me," He added. Zoya seemed pleased with that. Her face brightening slightly.

"Of course," Zoya responded simply.

"And recruit Ivan, the Inferni twin, Polina, and David," Aleksander said. He paused for a moment trying to remember Polina's name but it came to him quickly. Sadly Polina had lost her twin to the criminals or so she had heard. The details of the previous night were still a little hazy but Liliya had been trying to fill in the gaps the best she could from what she heard.

"David? The Durast?" Zoya questioned. Her eyebrows pulled down ever so slightly. Her arms still perfectly placed behind her back, ever compliant and formal.

"Yes," He said. A hint of impatience crossed his tone before he stood up. His feet carried him into the bedroom as he spoke again, "I'll need him for what comes next, but first, we need to catch up to her abductors before they try to cross the Fold." Liliya watched Zoya who looked to her for a moment and the redhead decided to speak.

"One of them attempted to poison me so I got a good look at their face. We will find them," Liliya explained as she pushed herself away from the window. She crossed towards the bedroom but Zoya spoke up which made her pause.

"Do you believe they will be that easy to find?" She asked. Liliya turned on her heel and looked at the Zoya before she nodded her head. The redhead then followed Aleksander into the bedroom and Zoya followed close behind. At some point during the day, the bed had become covered in papers and various things. Liliya wasn't sure what but she didn't need to understand. Aleksander knew what he was doing. He would control the power, "Is that their purpose?" Zoya asked as she walked into the room.

"What?" Aleksander asked as he turned his head. He then continued to look through the papers on the bed.

"I mean... what do we know about them? What do we know about her, for that matter?" Zoya said as she moved closer to the bed. She stood at the foot of it while Aleksander looked up. His gaze locked onto Zoya. Liliya was stood back, leaning against the dresser.

"What are you trying to say, Zoya? "Aleksander asked. His hand lifted, his face exasperated. Liliya just watched the brunette, waiting for the next move. It was dangerous and it felt foolish to imply any of this about the Sun Summoner of all people.

"Maybe she wasn't abducted," Zoya suggested. Liliya scoffed which caused the brunette to turn her head, giving her a questioning look.

"Someone was hired to kill her. Is it such a stretch of the imagination to believe that she was abducted?" Liliya snapped. The fact that Zoya was questioning this at all gave Liliya everything she needed to know. Zoya was jealous which was understandable. When you are one of the most trusted warriors but are thrown aside, it feels awful but Liliya didn't particularly care anymore. It was pathetic.

"But maybe she was rescued. Maybe she ran with them," Zoya suggested as she looked to Liliya and then back to Aleksander. A scoff escaped Liliya's lips though it was partially unintentional. Alina wanted for nothing when she was here and even had two people who adored her. Whether that was fake or not, it didn't matter.

"She would have no reason to run off," Liliya said sternly. Zoya turned back to look at the redhead.

"But maybe she did," Zoya shrugged.

"You believe the Sun Summoner... ran off?" Aleksander interrupted before Liliya could argue again. There was a danger of showing their hand if Liliya kept talking and Aleksander couldn't have that quite yet.

"She didn't get on with the others here. The kefta never fit her quite right," Zoya began but Liliya was quick to cut her off. Her hands pressed against the dresser, pushing her forward towards the bed.

"If you had been more accomodating, Zoya, we would not have had these issues," Liliya snapped. It had been strange to watch how Alina was often outcasted. Not by Nadia or Marie or Genya but the other Grisha. Liliya knew it was Zoya's doing and it still frustrated her. Liliya had done everything to make sure Alina was happy yet the other Grisha just did not comply.

"What are you implying?" Zoya questioned, turning around to fully face the redhead. Her jaw setting at the accusation.

"That if you had simply allowed her to train without your constant scrutiny and comments, she would have felt more welcome," Liliya said as she stepped closer. A fake smile plastered across her lips. If Alina had been more comfortable, gaining access to her would have been easier but Zoya had too much pride. Far too much.

"Are you blaming me?" Zoya asked. Liliya shrugged.

"No, I am simply making an observation. Genya, Marie, Nadia and I were perfectly accommodating yet you always seemed to have a problem with her. Why?" The redhead continued to question, stepping closer. Zoya kept eye contact but she found herself unsure of what to say. Aleksander distracted himself with papers, not allowing their bickering to get in his way quite yet. He knew that Liliya could handle herself.

"I did not have a problem with her," Zoya responded, trying to dig her way out of the whole that she seemed to have buried herself in. Liliya chuckled.

"Are you sure?" She asked. Zoya narrowed her eyes and glanced to Aleksander. Whether she was seeking support or a way out of the conversation, Liliya didn't know and she didn't entirely care. Zoya was beneath the redhead whether she accepted it or not.

"Yes," Zoya reassured. Liliya crossed her arms over her chest.

"I understand that you were not as well appreciated when she was here but you could have accommodated. She is going to save Ravka after all," She said, shrugging. Zoya glared and took a step back. Liliya knew she had struck a nerve. That she had hit the nail on the head with everything. Liliya would have felt a similar way if she wasn't better then Zoya in every way.

"I was perfectly accommoda-" Zoya began but Aleksander had heard enough. He knew exactly what Liliya had wanted to see and she had achieved it. There was no point delaying this any longer. The Grisha needed to be brought together.

"Whether Zoya was accomodating or otherwise, I knew exactly how our Sun Summoner felt. The King's soldiers treated me the same way. Because they knew. They knew that I was more important than any of them," Aleksander intterupted. He walked around both the women to the other side of the bad. A strange look passed over his face and Liliya, for once, couldn't tell whether it was genuine or a façade. Aleksander was good at faking emotions to make everyone believe something but this threw her off. Zoya moved closer but Aleksander spoke first, "I'm not myself today," He said. His voice wobbled and there was that look again.

"Zoya, leave us," Liliya ordered. Her tone left no room for interpretation and the brunette nodded her head before she walked out of the door. Liliya walked around to sit next to him, cleaning a few papers before she reached out for his hand. Their fingers interlocked and she rested her head against his shoulder, "Aleksander, what's wrong?" Liliya asked, pulling him a little closer. Aleksander's head fell against hers.

"Nothing, milaya," He mumbled. Liliya could see straight through the lie but she didn't question him. It was futile. Over the time they had knew each other, he rarely opened up about his past treatment. Only when it was necessary. He didn't speak of past lovers or why he had created the Fold. Liliya didn't mind. She understood if anything.

Speaking of the past was difficult and when that past was hundreds of years ago and memories are hazy, it must be harder. Liliya didn't speak of hers, Aleksander did not speak of his. That was how they were and they didn't mind. Instead they focused on the present and what they were working together to do, to create.

Or that's what Liliya had been focusing on before her past came crawling back. It's nails jagged against her skin, tearing her up while she tried desperately to shed it. It never worked and Liliya knew what was keeping her in. She knew who was keeping her in but getting him and breaking that last connection would be nearly impossible.

***

author's note! well hello, so this has come about a week too late but heatwaves and uninspiration and procrastination really smacked me all at once BUT IT'S HERE, THE CHAPTER IS HERE and i'm actually pretty happy with it, i'm trying to be slightly more poetic within my writing and i don't think it's as nuanced as i want but whatever, im TRYING MY HARDEST, but this chapter is sort of just a filler to the next part which is obviously when we go to find alina but it does have some more important little bits that will probably be played upon later, but yes, i'm back, i hope you enjoyed and thank you so much for sticking around! <3