[𝐓𝐀𝐒𝐈𝐘𝐀]

***

THEN

Tasiya stopped in the middle of the hall, glancing around at the white walls with their golden, gilded accents. Around each corner was a hall that looked exactly the same as the one before. The whole damn palace was a labyrinth and Tasiya hated puzzles.

She cursed the head housemaid. The spiteful woman had told her to turn right at the bust of King Alexander II—which she did—and then make a left at the portrait of the late Queen Irina—which she also did. The door should've been on the left at the end of the hall, but it wasn't.

Was the old crone setting her up for failure or something?

The dark-haired girl felt a few strands of hair fall from her once-neat bun but was unable to push them away due to the large basket she carried in her hands. The unruly locks were not used to being restrained as before she came into her new, esteemed position among palace staff, she'd worn it loose over her shoulders. She was still trying to perfect the braided-twist style that the other maids wore in their hair, but her long hair did not want to cooperate and constantly unraveled. It was quite annoying when she was in the midst of scrubbing and dusting.

Trying to retrace her steps, she passed the familiar portrait once again and tried the opposite direction. Once more, it led to a dead-end and she went to retrace her steps once more. Biting her tongue to keep the vulgar language that threatened to escape her inside, the Suli girl attempted to locate a member of the palace staff and get new directions. The ones she previously received had obviously been trash.

"What are you doing?" a sharp voice called from behind her. Tasiya turned to see a girl about her age striding toward her with purpose, her flaming hair standing out against the customary white and gold livery. No, not livery, Tasiya corrected in her mind. A kefta. The perturbed girl before her was Grisha.

The dark-haired girl itched to adjust the crisp, white gloves that covered her hands as the girl approached. A nervous habit she had developed over the years.

"Well?" the girl repeated, her patience tested.

Tasiya's eyebrow ticked in annoyance. "I was looking for Prince Nikolai's room. I was ordered to clean it while he was out for his studies today."

The red-haired Grisha looked her up and down, "You're rather far off then. His room isn't anywhere near here."

The Suli girl pursed her lips. Of course, she wasn't. The jealous, old bat did set her up for failure then. Suddenly, the suspicious look on the Grisha girl's face fell, and when she spoke, it was significantly less harsh than her previous addresses. "Come on then," she said. "Follow me."

Tasiya didn't hesitate, following the girl in the white and gold kefta. The last thing she wanted was to get lost in the endless halls again. Close on the Grisha's heels, the dark-haired girl trailed her, passing all the landmarks that she had been told to remember. The prince's room really was in the opposite direction than where she has been directed.

Soon, they stopped in front of a set of double doors... on the right side of a long hallway. The maid had to resist the urge to huff and roll her eyes, but underneath her indifferent façade, her blood was boiling. The palace was filled to the brim with snakes, yet this had been her first true experience with just how conniving they could be.

The Grisha girl glanced at her as they stood outside the doors. She seemed to register just how upset the Suli girl was, despite how well she hid it. "They'll always try to tear you down. The slightest hint of favor toward you, any ounce of extra attention you receive... they'll turn on you and attack like a pack of wolves."

"So I've noticed," Tasiya muttered.

The red-haired girl scoffed. "Don't let them get to you. And don't frown so much, you'll get wrinkles and it would be a shame to mar such a pretty face." Tasiya raised a brow at the odd advice, although it almost caused her to crack a smile. Without another word, the Grisha girl turned to leave.

Tasiya never got her name, but silently thanked her for the help that she provided and the pity she took on the lost servant she'd stumbled across.

It was then that the Suli girl realized just how much time she had wasted searching for the prince's room. She would need to work fast to finish and make herself scarce before he returned from his lessons. Without another thought, she pushed through the set of double doors and closed them behind her.

Tasiya carefully moved around the ornate bedroom, quick and precise in her movement as she dusted the still clean surfaces and organized the wardrobe with the laundry she had brought with her. She took extra care, for even though she wasn't fond of her new job as a palace maid, she understood that if anything was remotely out of place in the prince's room that she would face consequences. Whether those consequences were as minimal as being shorted on her pay to as drastic as losing her head.

Knowing the disdain the head housemaid had toward her after only a week of being on the job, Tasiya would bet serious coin that her punishment would be on the harsher end of the scale.

She moved to the prince's bed, straightening the sheets and fluffing the pillows. Overall, there was not much to clean, the prince keeping it almost eerily neat for a fifteen-year-old boy.

Double-checking her work, she didn't realize just how much time had passed since she started. Looking out the window, she noticed how far the sun had fallen in the sky since she received her assignment and hurried to leave. After gathering her supplies into the basket, she made for the doors, ready to report back to the head housemaid.

A small smirk pulled at the corner of her lips as she thought about the sour look that would twist the old bat's face when she informed her that she finished her work, despite the sabotage. It would be so satisfying.

Tasiya gathered her cleaning supplies and went for the door. But, just as she reached for the handle, the door was pushed open from the other side.

The Suli girl stepped back abruptly, startled by the opening door. She looked to the person who entered and stiffened as she recognized the face.

Prince Nikolai stood before her, grinning mischievously. "Apologies if I startled you," he said in a teasing tone.

Tasiya wasn't sure how to respond. Sure, she had seen the prince before, but that didn't mean she exactly knew how to behave when speaking with royalty. She hadn't had much practice in the past. To put it bluntly, her manners were atrocious. But, that's what happened when you were a girl traveling on your own. You lost your delicate sensibilities because being polite could be considered weakness and weakness was not something she could afford.

When she didn't say anything, merely staring at him with conflict filling her eyes, Nikolai narrowed his eyes at her in amusement. "Are you mute?" he asked genuinely.

"No," she rushed out, before catching herself and adding, "moi tsarevich."

He looked at her curiously for a moment. "You're new here, aren't you? I don't recognize you and I like to think I'm rather good with faces."

She restrained herself from cocking an eyebrow at his statement. Was she really supposed to believe that he knew all of the palace staff? "Uh—yes, moi tsarevich. I started here last week."

"Well, either you're very good at your job or you're very well connected, Miss—," he trailed off, waiting for her name.

"Tasiya. Just Tasiya."

"Tasiya," he said, testing her name on his tongue. "Not many servants who have only worked here a week get the pleasure of cleaning our personal quarters." She didn't know what to say, but he continued to look at her like he expected some sort of response. "So... which is it? Are you good at your job or well connected?"

She moved her gaze away from his hazel eyes, glancing down at her white and gold livery and pulling at her gloves. "I suppose the latter." It was obvious why she gained so many enemies among the rest of the house staff so quickly.

"She's honest," he commented rhetorically, not looking for a reply. Although, he was intrigued by her answer. "Who?"

"An old friend once worked here before she left to manage her family's inn in Kribirsk. Her name is Katya."

He nodded. "Ah, yes. I remember her," he said offhandedly. "Father favored her," he muttered under his breath absentmindedly.

So, the young prince was aware in some regards to the menace that was his father. Katya had made sure to warn Tasiya about the King. He had quite the proclivity toward his attractive, young house staff. Even in the week that she'd been employed at the palace, the dark-haired girl had heard whispers about his preoccupation with one of the Queen's handmaids. Genya was her name, although she hadn't met her. At least, she didn't think she did.

"Well," he started, "I suppose I shouldn't keep you any longer. I'm sure you have much work to do." She only nodded, afraid of what sarcastic comment might spill out if she allowed herself to speak. "It was a pleasure meeting you, Tasiya."

The Suli girl restrained herself from letting out a scoff at his flirtation tone. Whispers were freely traded among the staff behind closed doors. She knew all about the charming young prince that the staff nicknamed sobachka. Puppy. One of the more nasty rumors being that he wasn't truly a prince at all, but Queen Tatiana's bastard son.

Though she had only been in the snake pit known as Os Alta for a week, she hated it. The young girl couldn't imagine growing up here with all the underhandedness and judgment of Court. He didn't seem like a bad person, at least from what she could tell of this encounter, so she couldn't help the pang of pity she felt for him.

"Of course, moi tsarevich," she muttered, finally trusting herself to speak. Although, a sarcastic undertone still slipped through.

The prince struggled to hide his surprise at the remark. Suddenly realizing how she sounded, Tasiya mentally kicked herself. She opened her mouth to correct her error, to apologize for how she may have sounded, although she really wasn't sorry at all. Before she could get a word out though, the prince held up a hand, stopping her.

An amused glint shined in his hazel eyes as he let out a light laugh. "No. Honesty is appreciated. At least for me, it is. Although, I'd be more careful around the likes of my parents. And especially Vasily. He has quite the fragile ego," Prince Nikolai joked.

This time, Tasiya had better sense than react. She did not laugh, not even cracking a smile despite wanting to. The remark was funny, and she had no trouble believing it to be true. The crown prince did seem to be a bit insecure, especially when he was compared to his younger brother.

She only nodded, a quiet 'thank you' exchanged before exiting out the same door he just entered. She took a deep breath as the heavy double doors shut behind her. Somehow, she managed to not mess up too badly with her first royal encounter. She just hoped that from now on, they would be far and few between. But, she was never particularly lucky.

***

NOW

A thin layer of sweat formed on Tasiya's brow as she lingered by the fireplace. She watched as the flames of the blazing fire flickered, casting shadows around the dark, cave-like room. While others might loathe the dark hole that had become her new workspace over the last few years, the Suli girl found it comforting.

She reached for the poker and a fresh log. Adding the log, she was unbothered by the heat, thankful for the protection of her customary gloves. Stoking the crackling wood, she allowed her thoughts to wander. They journeyed where they typically did; to memories of a blond-haired prince with a silver tongue and eyes like a fox.

A high-pitched whistle interrupted her reveries and she turned looked to the teapot that hung over the fire, steam erupting from the end of the spout.

"Is my tea almost ready?" a harsh voice snapped from a spot in the corner of the room.

Tasiya sighed. "Yes, Baghra. Just a few more seconds." True to her word, the whistling grew louder and she removed it from the heat. Pouring the tea into a small, sturdy cup, the dark-haired girl made sure to add a splash of kvas to the beverage before delivering it to the old crone.

Baghra held out her hands to take the cup from her and took an eager sip, not waiting for it to cool.

She had been Baghra's handmaid for a little while. Most couldn't stand the woman for extended periods of time—not that she blamed them. The woman was known for her extreme teaching techniques; poor Marie even had a swarm of bees sent after her. However, Tasiya found her prickly disposition and blunt honesty refreshing. It was familiar for her and a welcome change for the false politeness that plagued the Grand Palace.

Not to mention that the old woman allowed her to wear her hair down and wear a dark grey uniform, a stark contrast to her livery from when she was a maid. Occasionally, she would catch the eye of a former fellow servant and see the envy in their eyes at her rather high-up position among the Second Army. While many of them held underlying prejudice toward Grisha, they couldn't deny the perks that Tasiya had been allotted.

The dark-haired girl truly couldn't stand it there; the Grand Palace that was. Especially not once Nikolai left.

She didn't fault him for removing himself from the toxicity to better himself. A part of her longed to do the same, but she needed to remain in Os Alta for the time being. Something that he hadn't understood when he offered her to join him.

"You seem awfully quiet today, girl," Baghra said, taking another sip of her tea. The young woman let out a 'hmmpf' and shrugged. The old woman wasn't wrong. She had been rather withdrawn lately.

"The new skiff crosses tomorrow," Tasiya said, ignoring the comment and instead choosing to break her silence. "Shall we pray to the Saints that this one makes it?" There was a humorous lilt to her voice, as she knew neither she nor Baghra was religious. But, it was far from a humorous situation. This was the third new skiff in the last year and it seemed as if crossing the Shadow Fold was getting more difficult with every trip. The volcra more vicious and bloodthirsty every passing day.

The old woman scoffed, "As if praying to some martyrs would ward away the volcra." The two of them were quite the cynical duo.

"General Kirigan went this time," the young maid prodded, her curiosity about The Darkling getting the better of her. "It's the first trip to Kribirsk he's made in a while. Perhaps he's hopeful about this attempt."

Sometimes, the words escaped her before she could reign them in, mostly when it came to the leader of the Second Army. She couldn't help it though. The young woman had been plucked from her favored position in the palace and brought to serve Baghra by the man and she still didn't quite understand what had led him to the decision.

As a palace maid, she kept her head down, actively attempting to remain invisible and not draw attention to herself. It didn't always work, as she occasionally caught the lecherous gazes of the crown prince and king trailing her.

For Vasily, it had been a sick game. His brother no longer around to protect her, so he had taken on the hobby of harassing her whenever the opportunity presented itself.

The prince wasn't the only one who took advantage of certain opportunities though. The king grew attuned to the attention his sons had paid the pretty maid and set her in his sights as well, for the worst reasons. While Genya would always—and unfortunately—be his favorite, that didn't keep him from exerting his power over Tasiya.

But, General Kirigan had pulled her from that situation and offered her a sanctuary among the Grisha. And she didn't know why. To them, she was merely otkazat'sya, an outsider among them. But the other Grisha of the Second Army didn't dare question the decision of their moi soverennyi.

"More like he's trying to garner the support of others." For such a key member of the Second Army, Baghra didn't often speak fondly of The Darkling, Tasiya noticed. "There's been talk of the West wanting to declare themselves independent. Surely, you've heard."

The girl nodded, strands of her dark hair spilling over her shoulders. She pulled at the fingertips of her black gloves before pulling them tight against her hands once again, not noticing the inquisitive look from the older woman.

Her gloves were a point of curiosity for most. But, eventually, everyone assumed it was a cleanliness thing. No one questioned it when she was dusting furniture or scrubbing bathrooms daily. Now that she had a more... relaxed appointment though, it was a peculiarity that was hard to ignore.

"Get out of here," Baghra said, her tone not necessarily harsh but still dismissive. "Take some time to yourself today. When you're lost in your thoughts like this, you're hardly good company."

Tasiya raised her eyebrows at the order. "If you're sure—," she started before being cut off.

"I'm sure," the older woman said with finality. "Go visit that Tailor girl or something. Just don't forget to bring me my dinner later."

The Suli girl smirked. "How could I ever forget such an important duty of mine?" Before Baghra could give her hell for her sass, Tasiya hurried up the stairs and outside to the training grounds.

The Grisha were outside practicing, as it was only just past midday. She observed the colorful keftas around her, bright splashes of purple, blue, and crimson. A few wandering eyes looked her way as she passed, but they never lingered on her long. An otkazat'sya like her was hardly interesting to most of the Second Army, despite her tall, lithe frame and appealing features.

Tasiya was highly aware of her beauty. It often got her in trouble when she was wandering across East Ravka when she was younger. It still even got her in trouble at the Little Palace... although, since coming to serve Baghra, some of the trouble she didn't mind.

Locking eyes with a familiar Heartrender, a sly smirk appeared on her face when he shot her a wink. Arek had been a good time. However, Delja, a Tidemaker from Ketterdam, was an even better time. Unfortunately, she was in Kribirsk, awaiting crossing to East Ravka where she would be gone for several months on a mission.

Tasiya's lips tilted into a sultry smile as she eyed the red-clad man. She supposed she might have to clear her schedule for tonight. After all, she deserved to blow off some steam.

"There you are!" Tasiya heard Genya exclaim from the door to the Little Palace, causing her to turn away from the handsome Grisha.

Her sultry look shifted, an exaggerated smile taking its place as she held out her arms, "Here I am!"

"I've been looking for you everywhere," her red-haired friend stated as Tasiya approached.

The Suli girl smirked, "I was at Baghra's. You know... where I work. Funny, isn't it? How I was exactly where I was supposed to be."

"For the first time since I met you," Genya added with a knowing smile. It was a frequent joke between the two, as ever since their first meeting when Genya directed her to the prince's room, Tasiya was rarely where she was supposed to be.

"I just like to keep people on their toes," Tasiya teased back.

The girls had a special bond, one that could only be formed over shared trauma. The solidarity between the two of them started after Nikolai left Os Alta to continue his education. That solidarity had grown into true friendship over time, a friendship that they both cherished dearly.

The Tailor didn't look down on her for being otkazat'sya like some of the other Grisha did. Maybe it was because the other Grisha also looked down on her; her white and gold kefta was a symbol that she wasn't really one of them. Those entitled Grisha and their damn superiority complexes. It was tiring.

Today had been particularly rough for the red-haired girl though, Tasiya noticed. Behind her rehearsed polite smile, her eyes were hollow, an exhaustion present in them that few could relate to but the dark-haired girl could.

"Please tell me about your no-good, horrible day, milaya," Tasiya teased, hooking her arm around Genya's and trying to lighten the mood. It was usually in vain, but she still tried regardless.

The Grisha girl groaned at the use of Tasiya's nickname for her. Genya supposedly hated it, saying that it reminded her of her mother, but Tasiya believed she secretly loved it. The Tailor had tried to convince the Suli girl to drop it by telling Tasiya that when she used it, she sounded old. Her attempts never worked though and the dark-haired girl continued with the term of endearment. Sweet girl.

They walked to a bench to the side of the training grounds and sat next to each other, their arms still intertwined. "More of the same," Genya sighed.

Tasiya's eyes hardened. As thankful as she was that General Kirigan had pulled her from her own hell in the Grand Palace, she could never forgive him for allowing Genya to remain. She was Grisha and yet he did nothing to help her. In fact, he had gifted her to the queen, as if she were no more than a possession; a doll for the royal family to abuse whenever they liked.

"You can be honest with me," the handmaid reassured her friend. "Honesty is appreciated," she said, repeating the words Nikolai had often told her.

Tasiya didn't even realize the impression he had left on her after all this time. He was unshakeable, like a brand on her soul.

At her urgings, Genya's thoughts spilled from her lips like a lava flow. Her words were scathing and she didn't hold back. No one but Tasiya was listening. Everyone else was too preoccupied with their own lives to concern themselves with her ranting. It worked out for the best though. The more the other Grisha ignored them, the more freely Genya could speak and the less likely she would be persecuted for her words.

They were each other's safe space. The one person that each other could lean on, no matter what. In her life, Tasiya had only had that with one other person and he was long gone. She cherished the friendship and companionship of the Tailor and hoped that it would last forever.

It was a naïve notion.

As in the world of Grisha, forever meant different things for everyone.

***

The first chapter following Tasiya! I wanted to focus on establishing her relationships with Nikolai, Genya, Baghra, and a little bit of her dynamic with The Darkling. Genya and Tasiya are the Meredith and Christina of this book and I will accept nothing else.

The next chapter will pick up in the timeline of the first book/season one of the show.

One liberty I took with this chapter is that I made it so Nikolai was sixteen when he left Os Alta instead of fourteen. It just worked better for what I have planned.

I'm very excited for the story going forward so I hope you enjoy this!

Also, did anyone else like show Mal more than book Mal? Or is that just me?