Nikolai shoved me into the throne room and began kissing down my neck, he picked up my hips and continued to kiss me as he led me back to sit on the throne his mother once sat. I didn't think much of it when Nikolai began to take off his coat.

I was glad no one was around to see this. Nikolai kissed me again and his hands slithered down to undress me. "Your beautiful." He whispered as he kissed down my breasts. I titled my head back and gave him full access to my neck. I closed my eyes, trying to gain pleasure in this. He widened my legs and circled his thumb around my clit. He tongue fucked the inside and then inserted a finger.

This was only the second time we did this, who knows the countless times he's done it with other women or the many times I did with Mal. All of that was forgotten when he thrusted.

***
Two days after the party, Tamar had some really good intentions she wanted to share with me. We met up in the library of the grand palace, where she told me she wanted to do something great for Nadia.

"Wait. Do you want to take her out somewhere?" I asked, as we walked down one of the aisles of the library. "I was thinking of taking her to a bar or dinner, or just some place where we could go together." Tamar explained fidgeting with her fingers. I picked up it was a nervous habit she does. I decided not to let her know. "Well that sounds lovely, do you think Nadia will go for it?"

"I hope so. I mean we did share a kiss the other night when she was brought back to the palace." Tamar explained, I stopped in my tracks. She must have been talking when the Darkling had carriages take the women we rescued here. I had already sent spies around Keramzin to pick up on the Grisha slave trade. No word so far. I presume they picked up the operation somewhere else.

Shaking my head, Tamar looked for my permission to go out with Nadia for the night. She was sworn to me, however she should be able to enjoy the night with the person she loves. Is it love? Or is it just a crush? I didn't ask.

***
Tolya made an appearance from the Little Palace, right after I was addressing some issues from the people who wanted to see me or Nikolai. It wasn't that major, just requests for land, moving. Blessings from me, which was overrated.

Tolya showed me his poetry book, on the way into the common room he waved over to his sister who mouthed 'good luck' to me. I rose a brow in question.

Grabbing a bottle of wine and glasses, I sat down on the couch and poured myself a much needed glass of wine. Tolya sat down next to me as I felt the couch dip a lot. "Your drinking?" He asked.

Oblivious as it may seem I replied, "It helps me sleep sometimes." He nodded and opened his poetry book. I now understood what Tamar meant. "Do you know where my sister is headed tonight?" He asked, not looking up from the book. "She's taking Nadia out somewhere."

"Where?"

"I don't know. To a bar or dancing or something."

"She didn't tell you?" I asked.

"She doesn't tell me anything going on in her life, I don't tell anything going on in my life." He shrugged, "It's how we do."

"hmm." I smiled, nervously with my eyes. I leaned over to see what he was reading. A poem of sorts, signed in his name.

"You wrote these?" I asked getting his attention, he looked tentatively at me. He nodded, "I'm fond of poetry as much as Tamar is with her axes. Here check this out."

He flipped a couple pages forwards to a particular entry.

I read the title, 'Lost Rose blooming in a garland.'

"What kind of a title is that?" I chuckled asking. "Oh I wrote this for a girl I liked over seas."

"What happened?" I asked, stroking his elbow. "Didn't work out. She was in love with another."

"Oh, that's terrible. Any girl would be foolish to reject you. Your so sweet and kind and lovable." I complemented. Tolya mouth widened as he gave me a big goofy smile. "Thank you, I'm starting to see why Captain Nikolai likes you." I faltered my lashes down and blushed slightly. I smiled.

We spent a couple hours talking, trading stories, listening to poetry, sharing inside jokes and all that. Most of his poetry needs improving, however I didn't comment on it. He began telling me stories of a strange phenomenon on the sea. Which reminded me of Rusalye and the fetter that was never on my wrist, even though I preserved the ribs in a container stored away. In case the need arises for a boost of more power.

"Tolya? Have you ever heard of Rusalye's guardian?" I asked, unsure if he knew what I was talking about however the thought of Baghra's daughter reached my lips. Tolya bit his lip lightly. I realised that was his tell, "Tolya, Spill!"

"I read somewhere before, maybe even witnessed it but thought it was a trick of the light. However when I researched it because of my own curiosity, the main guardian of Rusalye was Sankta Ursula of the Sea. She was originally a Summoner who turned to the oceans for sanctuary and was taken under the wing of Rusalye." He paused trying to remember anything else,"That's pretty much it. However she had a legendary ability to raising the oceans at her will and parting them to give way to wayward ships and travellers if Rusalye hadn't already sank them."

I processed what he told me and re-ran the details in my mind."Tolya, when we were in Rusalye's cave I think I met Sankta Ursula."

"What?" He slammed his book shut with nearly made me jump. His eyes winced for a split-second before looking intrigued in what I have to say.

"Yeah, she enchanted us. I thought perhaps she was a witch from Westeros or something. But now I don't think so. After earning Rusalye's trust and slaying him, I asked who she was. She told me to ask Baghra and I quote 'I am her daughter after all' End quote."

"So you think Sankta Ursula is Baghra's daughter?"

"Yes. And the Darkling's sister."

"The Darkling's..." His voice trailed off. I realised my friends didn't know. I told him of The Darkling being the Black heretic, his mother and now his sister.

"Okay, I think you need to tell Nikolai about this. He knows where Baghra is."

"He does?" I was sceptical.

"He had her moved somewhere for her safety, you should tell him." I thought over it for a second. What would I even say to Baghra when I meet her? That I killed her son? That I may have met her daughter? That I had the amplifiers on me twice and twice removed? I wondered what punishment the Darkling would have given to his own mother. The only good thing about this was that she was at least alive and that means a lot.

"Okay, thank you Tolya." I hugged his shoulders, acknowledging how big he was. He gently placed a small kiss to my forehead. "Sure, no problem."

***
I talked with Nikolai into knowing where Baghra was and soon gave me and Zoya permission to travel their soon enough. She was at the Spinning Wheel. I was unsure whether to be happy or nervous. Perhaps intimidated or likely afraid. Of her sharp tong or cane.

The journey wasn't that choppy and we reached far sooner than expected too. In a cave, quite similar to the one she was in before at the palace. Bash and Nikolai stood behind me at a far enough distance. Perhaps they were nervous or just as afraid as I was.

Ignoring it, I tapped twice on the door. I expected Baghra or one of her guards to open it however it was a small boy. "Yes miss?"

"Uh, I'm here to see Baghra. Who are you?" I asked, trying to be polite.

"I am Misha, I serve Baghra."

"But your so young." I said.

"My mother died a while ago, so I'm here thanks to Prince Nikolai." I turned my head back to see Nikolai wink at me. Shaking my head lightly, I decided to follow after Misha into the dimly lit place.

However as I reached where Baghra sat with a cup of hot tea in her hands, I saw the absolute horror of darkness, instead of her eyes.

"Oh Aleksander, what did you do?" I whispered.

***
Published: 13:40pm 26/08/2022