The next couple of days, were spent avoiding the Darkling. It was difficult to avoid him in his Chambers, so I would be out reading in the library or spending some time in the dungeons (discreetly). My mind often wondered over to Nikolai's Volcra condition. I needed to find a way to change him back into my golden prince.

Escorting me, would be Bash. Who had to be by my side. I didn't mind it, in fact he was actually good company, far better then being with the Darkling or any guards.

I decided to take a little walk around the palace with Bash by my side. I went into the dressing rooms and remembered how Genya started designing my wedding dress on one of the dress forms. All my other dresses were there, but my wedding dress was nowhere to be seen.

Did the Darkling had it thrown out?

It does sound like him. He was jealous, when I told him I had no other choice but to marry Khal Drogo and he did kill Mal and turn Nikolai into a winged beast. His cruelty knows no limits.

Though I doubt it was jealousy.

He did say that I would see that he was better for me. The fact he says these pre-vows almost. I will strip away all that you know, all that you love, until you have no shelter but me.

The words were cryptic and I felt a sense of longing and obsession that wasn't natural.

I shivered slightly.

"What is it Princess? Are you cold?" Bash's voice snapped me out of my thought track. I turned to face him and look into his gorgeous brown eyes.

"No I'm fine, just... have a lot on my mind."

He smiled slightly. The curve of his lip up right. "Where is the general?" I asked knowing it was time to stop blanking him.

"So desperate to see me Alina." A voice made me turn around. The Darkling came up to us and dismissed Bash who left bowing to the Darkling. Or to me.

"Do you know what happened to the bridal dress Genya was preparing for me?" I asked, glancing back at the naked dress form, that had only a small fraction of white, floral-fabric pinned into it.

The Darkling followed my eyes. He looked down at me. I could feel the jealousy radiating off him. "I had the dress removed as you will not be marrying the prince."

My eyes widened, "Sorry, but it is my choice who I marry, and that will be Nikolai."

"Why do you still want to marry him? He's a Volcra now."

"Because of you. And I will bring him back to the man I once knew." I challenged him.

"We shall see." The Darkling murmured and walked away. I was actually surprised by how calm and how little chatter he made.

I went back to the Darkling's chambers, where Bash had awaited me. I decided to look through some of the Darkling's books. "What are you looking for Princess?"

Bash asked right behind me. "I'm just browsing. Seeing what boring books the Darkling reads."

Truth is I was looking for a book on Merzost. Or any other book that can be used to de-transform a Volcra creature, back to a human. I know that if I found anything against the Darkling, I could be deemed a traitor. Bash would probably report these intentions to the Darkling, so I knew I had to somehow, win over his trust. Put his faith in the Darkling, into me. Whilst browsing each book row carefully, I started conversing with Bash.

"So Bash, how long have you known the Darkling?" I asked, not looking behind me.

"A couple months ago, he was rebuilding his army and I guess I came across him, after he saw me worthy."

A couple months ago?
He started rebuilding his army in that one month after the fold. I don't know why but Bash intrigues me. There's something suspicious here. I continued to talk to him.

"Why do you serve him?"

"Because I believe he could make the world a better place." I stifled a laugh. Scoffing slightly, I turned to face him.
"Yeah, the Darkling who created the fold, some–hundred years ago. The Darkling who killed the boy I love, imprisoned all my friends, mentally and physically tortures me. Will make this world a better place? Yeah, right."

"Bash tell me the truth." I walked forwards. "Why do you put your faith in that false saviour? He's the black heretic for a reason."

Bash's facial expression changed slightly. He didn't know.

I smirked slightly. I think I might have a new follower. Or at least someone who now doubts the Darkling.

Some time passed and I found a book, that had a rusty cover and was different to all the other books. I explored its cover, with my hand and saw the red dragon emblem on it.

House Targaryen emblem.

It was the sixth volume in the Mad King series. This was the volume I was missing when I was researching for in the library a couple days ago. I finished reading all of them and nothing interesting, that I didn't already know, was present.

I saw an uneven sheet of paper poking out from the side of the crispy pages. I pulled it out and saw it was full of fancy, black calligraphy. I realised that this was written by the Darkling.

Only he would have such prestigious penmanship skills. I laid the book on the table. I looked to Bash. He just simply watched my every move, but didn't bother me as I read through the notes, on the sheet of paper.

What the Darkling wrote on it. Made my blood boil. I wanted to throw this book at his head. I imagined crunching up the notes and shoving it right down his throat.

***
I soon saw the Darkling had returned to his study. He went through some papers on his desk. I was still enraged from what I read in those notes he made.

"Bash you may leave now, there's a certain heretic I want to scream at." I waved my hand, behind me at him. I peered into the Darkling's study, watching him sip a cup of tea.

"Okay, Princess."

I turned around and grabbed him by the wrist. "Bash, wait."

"Remember who deserves your loyalty Bash and it isn't the General."

"My loyalty is not entirely with the Darkling." He whispered, surprising me.

"Is it with me?"

Bash pursed his lips slightly, as I awaited his answer. "Goodnight Alina." He left the chambers and the sound of the door closing, brought me back to my senses.

I took the book I found earlier and went into the Darkling's study. I then hurled it at the Darkling's face, it hit his tea cup instead and it smashed onto the floor. Spilling some of its contents onto the papers on his desk. Before the Darkling had time to react, I slammed the paper full of notes, right down on the book cover, that wasn't stained. "What the hell are these notes?" I shouted at him.

The Darkling leaned back in his chair and looked up at me with irritation written all over his face. I could give a damn about his stupid emotions.

"Answer me!"

"Did you know-this whole time that I have known you. Did you know I was a Targaryen?"

"The notes are clearly on my family ancestry. Judging by the supervision you or anyone else had on me. You couldn't have had time to write this down, with me being in your chambers. So the only times you could have wrote this was in that one month, before the fold events or even in the time when I ran from you in the forest, because you decided to kill Mal a week later. I was only a palace away, so what was the reason–why you gave me a week? Because you aren't known to be patient."

I didn't really give him any time to reply.

"Calm down Alina, I'll explain everything." He said dryly, picking up the sheet of notes and the book. He stood up from his desk and made way to the bedroom. I looked at the shattered cup on the floor, knowing a servant would be cleaning it up later.

I took a deep breath and made way into the bedroom. I sat down on the bed, next to the Darkling.

"When you were unconscious in the forest, after taking that arrow for me. I took you next to a lake and I saw the water rise unnaturally." The Darkling started to explain, confusing me. He looked down at the notes in his hands.

"Unnaturally? As in magic?"

He looked up to see my puzzled face. "Yes, the lake was magical and came from Westeros. The Vilia. Spiritual creatures that resided in the lake, healed you and told me that you were born royalty and had a great destiny before you."

"They said you would be the most powerful woman."

The Darkling stopped and gave me some time to process what he just told me. His eyes observed my reaction. I clenched my dress a little.

The most powerful woman.

Could I be more powerful then him? Aren't I already though. Being the first ever sun summoner. But even being a legendary Grisha, I couldn't stop the Darkling from using the fold.

It was only the sword I found, that made me feel very different, when I wielded it.

Destiny?

What is this great destiny? What is my destiny? Being a Queen is my destiny. 

I turned back to the the Darkling, who had a calm expression plastered over his face. He must have been just as surprised as I am, when he was told this. "Continue." I told him. He nodded slightly.

"When you ran away from me to be back here at the Little Palace with your friends. I did some research of my own, some on the House Targaryen and I wanted to know more about the Vilia. See, your not the only one who gets curious princess?" He raised a brow at me.

I rolled my eyes.

"The Vilia were telling the truth. Their magic is from Westeros and rarely anyone gets to see them. Only the worthy can."

"So why did you see them? You are clearly, so not worthy." I cut him off. The Vilia had to be pure creatures. They wouldn't be with someone who's heart was as black as the night.

"True. But it was because of you. They recognised you and told me that one day you would become Queen of the seven kingdoms."

"Queen of the Seven Kingdoms?"

Westeros.
That was on the other side of the world. Me-As Queen of the Seven kingdoms. Millions of people. Under my rule.

The Darkling stared at me. I leaned closer to him. "But the only way I would become Queen of all of Westeros, would be if I ascend the–"

"Iron Throne." The Darkling finished for me. "Why didn't you tell me this?" I whispered.

"Because the Vilia asked me not too."

"When do you do as your told." I remarked. Gesturing with my hands.

"I don't. But I chose not to tell you because I knew it would stress you out."

"That's a load of crap! But this just makes me question a lot more. Like, who am I really?"

The Darkling's eyes pierced into mine, and he made out to reach my hands. I wanted to slap them away but I let him comfort me. "You are Alina of House Targaryen. Princess of Westeros. Khaleesi of the Dothraki, the legendary Sun Summoner and shadow Queen." He said my full title. His voice was so gentle and comforting. His face was inches apart from mine and my eyes lingered on his lips. I quickly pulled away from his grasp, before I did something I would regret. Right now I needed to focus on everything he just told me.

***
Published: 20:30pm 07/03/2022