Reflecting over what the Darkling told me was difficult enough. But soon he said we were heading out of the palace.

Ivan and Fedyor weren't coming with us. Riya told me they would be keeping guard over my friends in the dungeons.

When i questioned people of where we were going to. They turned a cold shoulder and didn't answer. I started to get nervous as i feared the worst. 

Bash took watch over me, until he told me we have to meet with the general outside the palace. We walked down the hallways in silence, until i broke the silence by asking him. "Where are we going Bash? Where is the Darkling taking me?" 

Bash stopped in his place and turned to me. "The general says were going on a skiff."

"Skiff?" 

No. No. No. Please.

"Were going into the fold."

"W-what?" A dreaded feeling washed over me. We can't be heading into the fold, not after what happened last time. But i don't have an amplifier this time, so maybe it wouldn't work. He couldn't force me to use my powers, i won't summon the light for him. He could die with his mistake, i couldn't care less.

"He's planning on turning the fold near the Fjerdan border." Bash finished. Why the Fjerdan border?

We came outside and i saw horses and carriages lined up, ready for travelling to the campsite. I wanted to ride my horse beside the Darkling, so i could keep an eye on him. If we truly were travelling into the fold, i needed to be prepared to take him down. I saw the Darkling come up to me from where i stood, right next to Bash. Bash bowed to him slightly. I maintained my posture.

"Are you actually planning to go into the fold and turn it near the Fjerdan border?" I questioned him, looking into his cold eyes. He glanced over to Bash then back at me. "I guess you told her Sebastian. You are excused, Alina will be with me from now on." He smiled at me, with no kindness present in his eyes. Bash left my side and the Darkling walked me up to a black horse. I guess we were riding together.

"Yes i am planning on going into the fold. The Fjerdans had infiltrated our lines and even attacked us in the forest, injuring you in the process. This is justice." The Darkling said, mounting up on his horse. His black cloak, covering the back of the horse. I shook my head at him. "Now you decide to take action. I got hit by that arrow, weeks ago and just because a couple Fjerdans attacked us, doesn't mean all of them should suffer the punishment of a couple."

"Alina have you forgotten the Fjerdans kidnapped you almost two months ago. They experimented on you for weeks." I bit my lip slightly. I guess that was true, though i had no concept of time when i was in Fjerda. I barely remember the torture they inflicted on me. The physical evidence of it, would only be the scars on my arms, that haven't yet–cleared up completely. I always needed Riya to put a glamour over them. 

I snapped back to reality and the Darkling held his hand out for me. As much as I had the urge to break his hand, I took it and he gently pulled me up onto the horse. He secured himself behind me and i could feel his breathing, pricking the back of my neck slightly. 

***

A couple hours later, i felt my elbow being shook. "Alina, wake up darling." I thought the voice was Mal's. It felt like that at least. I didn't even realise i was asleep until a harsh voice cut into my dreams. "Alina, wake up!" My eyes shot open and i realised i was on a horse with the Darkling right behind me. I fell asleep on the Darkling's shoulder. I nearly fell off the horse, when i realised how close i was to him. "How long was i asleep?" I asked sitting up properly.

"A couple of hours, i chose not to wake you so soon." He said quietly. I could tell he was tired from riding. "How far are we from the camps?"

"A couple miles. Once we rest, then we'll travel on a skiff into the fold."

My stomach churned over in waves. I wanted to say something that would get him to turn this horse around and head back to the palace. But I didn't know what to say. It's not like he would take it wisely, he only listens to himself. I leaned in behind onto his chest.

I could feel his body rise with every trot the horse made. My head rested on his shoulder, I looked up to see his chiselled face. His eyes concentrated on the roads ahead, how he had a hand on the reigns and an arm behind me.

Somehow it could be a metaphor of how he wants to lead. Reign over Ravka and hold me by his side as well. Control and reign. That's what he desires.

"Your staring!"

He glanced down at me for a split–second and then back to riding. "You do it all the time to me." I retorted.

I felt him tense up a little. "Don't flatter yourself. I don't stare at you!"

I scoffed. "Yeah so all the times you're eyes have navigated my figure was nothing. The times you pinned me down and knew exactly where to touch, was nothing."

"Your right it was nothing, I've been alive for centuries Alina and have known many women, I know what to do." That made me feel uneasy. "Ugh." I formed from my mouth. "Your disgusting."

"You also don't know that you fight in your sleep." He said randomly, he was amused right now.

"Why are you talking about that now?" I said getting pissed off.

"Because when you were asleep 5 minutes ago, you kept punching my chest and nearly fell of the horse several times. Pretty sure I have bruises now." He said, a smile forming on his lips.

I scoffed again. "Not as much as I do." He glanced down at me curiously. "You don't think that after all the times you've had a hold on me, it didn't hurt."

I whispered the last part, gently.
I glanced at the arm that was around me, securing my waist. "Like your doing right now." I whispered.

I felt him lose his grip around me and I pushed myself forward in the saddle. "Sorry, I never meant to hurt you." He murmured, his breath tickling the back of my neck.

I looked back to him, "Yet you always do."

With no comeback from him I turned, and saw the camp coming towards us.

***
Published: 16:26pm 11/03/2022