"Do you have them then?" The Darkling asked about the Sea whip. Hesitantly, I opened my palm and unwrapped the bundle to reveal seven perfect ribs belonging to Rusalye. He took the bundle from me and admired each rib closely. Another victory lined his face as centuries of waiting for this had finally come to pass. He didn't mind that his hands were now stained with Rusalye's blood. I wondered how many times he'd been covered in blood to be so immune to the appearance or feel. My blood appearances were still fresh in my mind, a hideous and disgusted feeling reached my bones but I guess I wasn't as comfortable of being a blood thirsty monster as he was.

"Good job, let's go." He said impressed. Looking back to the Oprichniki and then to all of us, the Darkling laid his eyes on our condition.

Tattered clothes, dreaded hair, exhausted bodies, lifeless eyes. The exhaustion we all feel from the challenges of the labyrinth. His eyes then gazed deeply into mine and down my neck. He then turned back as his guards forced each of us to go along with him. The Oprichniki who came to grasp my forearm, was Rosa. I recognised her eyes and her blonde hair. "Are you all ready?" I whispered to her. Wary of the Darkling watching, I kept my eyes forwards. "Yes my Queen." She whispered besides me. "Tolya made sure to have taken over the ship and we have most of the Heartrenders unconscious."

"Where are their bodies?"

"On the island." She whispered. It was perfect though. Leaving the Darkling to die here on an island whilst we sail away to Ravka. And crown Nikolai King. "Do you have Grisha steel?" I asked, knowing it was the only weapon that could kill the Darkling. "Yes." I saw her reach into her pocket and pull out a knife. "Good." Taking the knife, I hid it into the sleeve of my dress. "Once I am in front of the Darkling, I'll kill him, use some of Sturmhond's Squallers and Inferni on his Grisha." I explained.

"Once you hear a gunshot, duck down. We'll finish the Darkling off as he's distracted and support less." Nodding, I walked faster behind the Darkling, he went up to a fabrikator, it wasn't David, he must have instructed to put the fetter on me as the fabrikator glanced back to meet my eyes.

We were travelling through the cave entrance now and sunlight could be seen pouring through the doors to the cave. I glanced back at Tamar, who must have been informed by Rosa, as she began pulling out twin blades from her boots.

Nikolai managed to get out his Volcra claws, I saw the black ends of his nails and the flash of red in his eyes. Genya had also a blade pulled out from under the folds of her Kefta. Everyone had to be careful as we were being watched. We came under the blazing sun and soon I came to face with the Darkling, who was too busy dazzled by his glory to realise what we were all up to.

I saw his back stop unexpectedly in the middle of the beach. Confused I tried focusing my attention on what he was seeing, the ship near the harbours. I saw that the Darkling's sun in eclipse flag was pulled down. Tolya was barking out orders. And the whole ship full of the Darkling's Squallers were unconscious above deck. The Darkling turned around suddenly, "What are you planning Alina?" He yelled, storming up to me. He was only inches away from me. Now is my chance. I wanted to get my knife out but I had to hear the gunshot first.

"I am not planning anything!" I defended myself. He looked into my eyes and observed if I was lying or not. I kept my posture still and face uncharted off sweat or change of emotion. "Either your telling the truth or have become a great liar over time." He said, his hand grazing my throat slightly. He amplified my collar a little, I felt a slight ring to my powers. I didn't answer the call. The Darkling huffed and walked away in annoyance.

Looking up to the ship I saw a riffle on the prow, guns were being armed along the railings. I saw David alongside Tolya, at least he was safe. Finally Bash emerged his true colours and gave the order to, "Fire!"

Immediately, I and my friends ducked down to the ground. I heard gunshots and the thuds of bodies drop to the ground. I'm praying one of those was the Darkling. Hearing crackling sounds of shadow launched into the air, I realised that the Darkling was still standing. Quickly, I pulled the knife I had out from my sleeve.

Hearing the gunshots dial down I stood up on the beach and saw the Darkling distracted. Tamar mouthed to me, "Go, now!" She was distracted as someone yelled out mutiny and she began to crush the hearts of many of the Darkling's Grisha and Otkazat'sya. I raced over to the Darkling, who attempted to use his Nichevo'ya to guard him. Until I intervened, pulling back on the same power he possesses, even without t Merzost. I believed slaying the Sea whip gave me more power over him.

"Alina–what are you–?" He was cut off as I blinded him with my light. He groaned in pain as he fell back, using this as the perfect chance. I thrusted the blade into his chest. He groaned in pain as he looked to me with hurtful eyes. "A–Alina." He tried saying my name, his hand came up to caress my cheek. My heart almost ached seeing him like this.

Black veins reached both sides of his face and suddenly I was reminded of his use of Merzost and his immortality over aging. The same as Inej thrusted a blade to him on the fold so long ago.

I wasn't about to let him rejuvenate so I pulled out the knife and thrusted it again and again. Each time a harder thrust as black bile dripped from his mouth. His torn kefta fell to the ground and a look of despair and fall reached his once tirelessly handsome face. I lowered his body to the ground as I wielded the blade once more and slit the Darkling's throat. He wanted to scream out in pain as I saw the flash of grey disappear from his eyes as they closed, taking the eternal slumber never to be awoken again.

Moving back from the Darkling's dead body, I observed how the beach was stained with some much blood. My hands, my clothes, my hair and even my face were stained with the Darkling's blood.

Genya and Tamar managed to kill most of the Darkling's people, Nikolai took some hostage and led them onto the prow of the ship and down into the lower decks. Genya's eyes met mine, she came up to me. I saw her kefta was stained in blood too.

She took hold of my hand and looked to the Darkling's lifeless body. "It's finally over." She said happily. "Yes, it is." I thought I would be happy to see him dead however I felt a twinge of guilt riding up my heart. "Come, let's enjoy our freedom." Genya said as she helped me aboard the ship.

Tamar went up and hugged her brother, they haven't seen each other in a long time. Twins have a very strong bond, it's heart-warming to see all of my friends happy and reunite with each other.

Nikolai hugged me and soon returned to take control of the ship. He barked out orders that sounded like the stuff pirates used to say in folklore. I'm glad he was enjoying himself as a pirate again or privateer if he wanted to make himself feel better.

"Glad your happy." I said to Nikolai as he began to turn the wheel of the ship. "Nikolai, once we set sail, torch the island. We can't risk the Darkling's return."

"Good idea love," He turned to Tolya and Tamar. "Way anchor and mast the sails we set sail on starboard." Tolya began to raise the the anchor and Tamar swung herself up the ropes of the sails and tie up the masts. Genya reunited with David, I swear I even saw them kiss. Bash returned to my side. Which must have set Nikolai off. "Calm yourself little brother, I would never take my brother's Queen."

"Brother?" I questioned, turning around to face both of them. They looked so close now, not a resemblance of family in their posture. "Alina, Bash is one of my other brothers."

"I thought you only had one brother, Prince Vasily." I remembered seeing him a couple times at the palace. But ever since the Darkling took over, the previous King, Queen and Prince had been slaughtered mercilessly. I couldn't imagine how hard it must have been for Nikolai and now Bash.

"Yes, but father had multiple affairs and even a mistress that's where my dear brother Sebastian comes in." Nikolai explained. Pointing to his brother. "Whilst Vasily spent his life in the palace, Nikolai was a privateer and I was busy training in the army." Bash explained, answering many questions I never knew I had.

"Okay, I guess this isn't as surprising as I thought it would be." I whispered to myself. My mind went over to Zoya, "Nik, we have to get Zoya."

"Don't worry Princess, Zoya was just in the harbours, she's probably back at the palace right now." Bash explained, a sigh of relief left my lips.

Soon enough an Inferni let waste to the island as we set sail to the ocean, leaving the Darkling and his Grisha behind.

***

Genya helped me bathe and change into a different pair of clothes. "It's dated but doable." I admired myself in one of the mirrors in the captains cabin. I wore, something pirates would wear. It was like a short dress that reaches just under the curve of my hips. High leather boots that reached beyond my knees. But was surprisingly comfortable to move around in. Genya pulled back my hair and put it into a low pony tail. My hair was long enough to blow out and frame my figure. "Wow. I look like a pirate."

"Yes you do girl. Nikolai would be happy."

"Really? And what about you?" I turned to Genya as I grasped her shoulders. She wore an old folk dress, a white blouse, red skirt and a brown leather vest on top. She pulled it off like a glove. "Girl, you know I look gorgeous." She pushed me away from the mirror as she admired her beautiful face. I giggled as she enjoyed her beauty. "Genya, was your beauty your sacrifice?" I asked, hopefully trying to not be too insensitive. Genya's smiled faded, "Yes, it was either give up my beauty or give up the chances of you getting the sea whip."

"And you chose to give up your beauty?"

"I would give up my life it serves you well." She stated, smiling once more. "Aww, please don't do that. I love you so much." I went in to hug her. "Aww, I love you too darling."

Genya gave me a hat to wear, it was definitely pirate like. A red feather pocked out from the black tricorn. She put it on my head and re arranged some of the strands of my hair.

"Now come on, Nikolai would want to see you Pirate Princess." She giggled as she led me back up to the prow of the deck. I saw Nikolai talking with Tamar, but once he got a glimpse of me he waved her away. And came towards me whistling. "I'll leave you two be." Genya whispered as she disappeared somewhere, probably to go tell David.

"Love, you look absolutely dashing if I do say so myself." Nikolai complemented. I scoffed, "And you don't give out complements do you?" I raised a brow. "I make an exception for you."

He quickly pulled me in by my waist, "My Pirate Queen." he whispered seductively in my ear. I giggled, his brows rose up. "What?"

"I never thought you knew how to smile." He took a kiss to my lips. "uhm, King and Queen lovey-dovey, we still have business to attend to." Tolya called out getting our attention. We pressed our foreheads together and released a excited giggle. Similar to the one me and the Darkling shared at the winter fete.

Ignoring the Darkling's memories, I focused on what Nikolai and Tolya wanted. The tied up Grisha, had begged for mercy and asked for a pardon. Nikolai easily pardoned them however, it was more meaningful if it came from a true ruler, or as they believed I was. Forgiveness goes a long way, Bash reminded me. Sir Jorah told me the same thing, 'Mercy is the greatest move a warrior could take.'

I was a warrior.

Forgiving them was easy, the hardest part is what comes next. Now that the Darkling is finally gone. Nikolai will become king and I can finally be at peace, at least for a while.

***
Published: 13:55pm 26/06/2022