The Darkling was true to his word, I stayed in his chambers for the rest of the night. I tried to sleep in his bed, intentionally. I was conscious however, the thought of him sleeping next to me in his bed.

It disgusted me.

But I guess I had to accept it if my plan was to work. All I need is to distract the Darkling for the next couple of days. Giving enough time for Sturmhond to find Mal and get him out of the Darkling's hands. Okay so not much of a full-proof plan but its better than nothing.  

However i am concerned if he would get to Mal before he is truly taken far away from the Grand Palace, by the Darkling's people. Riya brought around my night gown and robe. The night gown was white and off the shoulders, it was loose up to the elbows. It was a white lace bodice. The robe was a thick silver, with silk fur design and reached down to the floor.

I quickly changed, then rested in the Darkling's bed. I observed that his room was very different to his in the Little Palace. Their were separated rooms, one for war-one for study-one for his bed and one mysterious room, that only he had the key for.

I eventually slept, under the thick-black quilts.

***
I started to panic.
My nightmares returned.
The nightmares about the Darkling returned. It wasn't surprising, I was in his bedroom after all. The nightmares are of what he said to me when I didn't know he was the Black Heretic. When he deceived me like the naïve little girl i was at the time.

I started to shake in my sleep.
'You and I are going to change the world.'

Another tremble.

'I will be by your side'

Things started to heat up. 

'Fine, Make Me Your Villain.'

Then I saw the Darkling-him killing Mal. My friends. The Crows, Zoya. Even Sturmhond and Genya.

Everybody dead. Their corpses-burned or buried. Left to rot or broken. My hands drenched with blood. Their blood.

Their deaths.

All my fault.

I saw up and saw the world eclipsed. The fold expanded all over, thick black walls surrounded me. As if a cage, trying to suffocate me. There stood the Darkling, victorious at last. Because I couldn't stop him. Because I was weak.

'It's just you and me now Alina.'

"Alina."

'And we are all we need anyway.'

***
I shot up from my dream. Panicking from my nightmare-panting heavily. I could feel my heartbeat in my ears. When I calmed down I saw I was surrounded by faint shadows, at both my sides. I looked up, the Darkling stood there, in his nightgown, that parted in between showing some of his chest, he stood closely observing me. His hands were behind his back and his face was calculating. Trying to figure me out.

"What happened?" I questioned.

"You started panicking in your sleep-the shadows around you led me to believe you were dreaming about me. Is that often Alina?" I slightly nodded, feeling ashamed of my dreams. Shadows. The Darkling said I had shadow summoning abilities and would only work when I thought of him. Dreaming of him was worse, i admit. "The dreams have been happening for over a month now."

"I see." He looked down from my face- to my bare neck.

I looked to the right, where the window seat was. Then I looked back up to the Darkling. He had a calm, slightly amused expression.

"Sorry for waking you up." I  gave him an incoherent apology. I'm guessing he knew i didn't mean it. "It's alright, go back to sleep Alina." He didn't care.

Not seeing that I had much of a choice. I laid back down in the bed and turned on my side. Not looking at him. Pulling the covers up to my neck. I heard the Darkling's footsteps, I thought he would slip into bed right next to me. But the footsteps became faint and I realised he was far away from the bed. I looked down from the covers to find the Darkling enter another room. Probably another bedroom. Thank the Saints. He wasn't going to sleep next to me. Only Mal had that luxury. We always used to sleep together-even when we would argue. He would put his arm around me and pull me close to him. Then he would whisper, 'I'm sorry.'

He'd kiss my cheek and then I slept into a peaceful slumber. Only to be disturbed my one of the Darkling based nightmares. I tuned to the other side of the bed, stretching out my arm onto the pillow near my head. I wondered If I would ever get to sleep with Mal again. If I would ever get to stroke his face in the morning or to have him spoon me in his arms again. I finally slept, my heart missing its better half.

***
The next day went by fast. The Darkling had started to look for the negative amplifier that hurt me. I was kept in his room the entire day. My food was brought to me in the room and so were some of my art supplies and favourite books.

I passed the time reading some of the Darkling's books instead. They were organised differently then his books in the Little Palace. I went up to his bookcase. It was practically sky high-from my height. Scanning the first couple of rows, the books were on Military war fare, finance, history and geographical systems.

Boring.

I wanted a more historical or imagination filling book. Something that would distract my mind from the Darkling. I found something interesting a couple rows high. I tried to reach for the book but I couldn't reach. Turning around, I saw a stool nearby. I moved it, hearing it screech against the floor. I stepped on it trying to reach for the book.

Just a little higher.

I got it. Once I held it close to me I turned on the stool and lost my balance. I thought I would land on the ground but I landed on something soft. Something secured me close mid high, I grasped the shoulders tightly. I opened my eyes to see the Darkling looking down at me. He caught me in his arms.  In which I fit perfectly. I could feel his chest stiffen and he could feel my body rise uncomfortably. "What are you doing Alina?" He questioned. His tone so gentle, it's unnatural.

"I was getting a book."

His eyes looked down to my chest and I looked down at the floor to see the book I got, flat on the floor. I looked back into the Darkling's eyes. He held me close to him. His eyes slightly intimidating, as his grasp grew tighter around my shoulders and under my knees. It was almost a protective grasp.

He wanted something. Something from me. I just don't know what.

***

Start- 19:34pm 22/11/21

Break- 20:37pm 22/11/21

Back-20:45pm 23/11/21

Finish-21:14pm 23/11/21

Published: 18:39pm 24/11/21