Bash carried Alina into the infirmary, as per the general's orders. He followed behind and saw Alina's, exhausted body rest on the infirmary beds. Her chest rose up and down, her lips parted as she mumbled 'light' in her sleep.

A healer came up beside her to observe her condition. He checked the pulse in her wrists and asked a heartrender to measure her heartbeat.

The heartrender managed to pull Alina into a deep sleep where she turned her head on the side of her pillow, allowing both her arms to rest at either side of her body.

A couple hours had past and Alina gradually started to wake up from her slumber. When she fluttered open her tired, eye lids. She saw the Darkling staring down at her.

***
I saw the Darkling come into my sightline first and my first instinct was to get far away from him. I pushed myself up onto the bed, as I observed the surroundings, I saw I was in the infirmary. A healer was present in the tent where the Darkling and I were. And I could, vaguely, see two guards were stationed outside.

The healer left the tent after the Darkling told him too. The Darkling had a blank expression, he didn't say a word to me. Waiting for me to say something instead.

"Are you going to take me back to the Fjerdan boarder?" I questioned, breaking the silence. Or rather just me being curious.

"No." He replied, a hard tone in his voice. Clearly he was angry with me. I couldn't care less, but I knew to be careful when on his dangerous side.

"What happened after I collapsed on the skiff?"

"Your light shield, wouldn't hold up for much longer. We had to get out of the fold before we were devoured by Volcra." He explained, a questioning look, flickering in his eyes. "What?"

"How did you manage to use both light and shadow summoning? Its never been done before. Never at once any way." He said truly flabbergasted. He was greatly surprised by my abilities. I smiled, feeling special.

"I guess I got lucky." I shrugged my shoulder.

"I guess you did." He agreed, his sharp, hardened face turning into a creepy, genuine smile.

"Rest, we'll head back to the palace shortly." The Darkling said, leaving the tent. I saw him talk to one of the healers and then made his way out of my view.

***
We finally reached the palace. I longed for a relaxing hot bath and a goodnights sleep. But of course in the Darkling's chamber. Something I was not looking forward too. Considering I prevented him from turning the fold, he would have me under more strict conditions. Or worse.

I didn't think about what he would do to me. I thought of what he would do to my friends. Bash helped me to the back gardens, I wanted some fresh air but when I saw the horror that stood before me. My throat closed up and a cry enraged me. "Murderer!" I yelled.

Bash had the same look of horror, when we saw Botkin's lifeless body, hanging from a tree. I put a hand over my mouth to stifle my cries. I remembered how he would always called me 'little girl' and I had wondered how he was doing after the Darkling rose to power.

Something wasn't right. Botkin was hanged so why is his body a dark completion of colour. Unless-he was poisoned before he was hanged, or maybe killed a couple days ago? His corpse rotting ever since. I closed my eyes, letting tears escape me.

The Darkling appeared a second later and I saw his appearance. "Someone was to die today Alina, if not the Fjerdans then your previous teacher."

He started to speak, I clenched my fists from what he said.

"I hope you realise Alina, whatever you do against me. Someone will suffer." He continued, a twisted smile plastered on his face. I gritted my teeth and felt the fury rose up in me.

I felt the shadows surround us, my light starting to build up around me. I saw the Darkling's eyes widen open, in fear.

Was he intimidated by me? Did he fear me? Good. 'Cause he should.

I felt the light build up through my eyes and saw the cut form up, without me using my hands. Before I wanted to struck the Darkling. I felt something prick into my arm. I saw Bash prick me with a needle and soon I let go of the shadows around me and slumped into Bash's arms.

Feeling exhausted, I dropped to the floor. I panted heavily, trying to catch my breath as If I ran for miles trying to regain the control in my lungs.

I looked back to see the Darkling, but he was gone. "Bash, what did you to me?" I whispered.

"I sedated you, your powers won't work for a couple of hours." He murmured back in a quiet tone.

"Why?"

"To protect the Darkling, not only you." I looked up to see his face, "I'm sorry."

I nodded slightly, not completely understanding. I remembered Botkin's corpse and began to tremble. I felt Bash's arms, pull me closer to his chest. "Why do I keep losing everyone I love?"

Ana Kuya, the orphanage, Mal and now Botkin. My friends imprisoned down in the dungeons, where they were in inhuman conditions controlled by the Darkling. Awaiting death to befall them.

"Not everyone." Bash whispered getting my attention. Did he feel something for-? My heart stopped for a split-second as I tried to breathe though the pain, though it clawed up in my throat. I tried to stand up, pushing down all the adrenaline into my knees.

He tried to help me stand, "Can you walk?"

I shook my head. "Okay." I felt Bash lift me in his arms. The movement was so sudden, I didn't have time to react when he started to carry me into the Darkling's chamber.

He lay me on the bed, I was lucky that the Darkling wasn't around in his bedroom.

Bash pulled up a cover up to my chest.
"Rest, Princess Alina. Using your powers combined, must have really exhausted you."

I clutched the covers around me with one hand and grasped Bash's hand before he left me alone in the chamber. "Bash, could you stay. At least until I fall asleep." I whispered, longing for company.

I expected him to say no but he surprised me when he kneeled beside the bed, and grasped my hand watching me fall asleep. "Thank you Bash."

Looking up at the ceiling, I waited for sleep to befall me as I felt Bash's sincere, chocolate eyes on my face.

***
Like always, a nightmare haunted me once more. Botkin's lifeless eyes, haunted me. As I shot up with a startle, pushing myself back up onto the bed. I looked around me to see no one was in sight. It was only the shadows of the night.

Bash must have left me the minute I fell asleep. And the Darkling-well he could be burning in hell for all I care. Feeling a sense of loneliness, I was to tired to cry. I was sick of crying all the time.

But I wanted a hand to hold, someone to hold me, someone who's arms I could lay into at sunrise. I laid back down on the bed, feeling tears develop in my eyes. I blinked the tears away, barely. After a long time, I felt.... Alone.

Sighing, I stepped out of the Darkling's bed, to see the Darkling wasn't asleep on the other side. Thank the saints. I wrapped myself up in a blanket and walked up to the balcony. I admired the stars dancing away in the inky darkness. Leaning onto the balcony, I breathed the fresh-air of peace. At least for a little while. I closed my eyes, feeling a breeze run through my black locks. I sensed a funny feeling in my veins and turned around, feeling someone's eyes burn my back.

I thought it was the Darkling but who it was, that stepped out from the shadows, was Nikolai.

***
Published: 22:00pm 17/03/2022