𝐌𝐀𝐓𝐂𝐇𝐄𝐃, aleksander morozova 1

Chapter Thirty-Two

I allowed her to pull me across the room and through the threshold, outside my room. The guards were dead, blood splattered on the ground. "Baghra what did you—"

She shushed me and peeked around a corner and pulled me forcefully around it and we were heading towards the spiraling stairs. "What are you doing?" I asked.

We were going down the stairs, "I'm getting you out of here, what does it look like." She replied, "You need to get away from here as soon as possible before Aleksander notices."

I stopped on the steps, jerking my hand away, "how do you know his name?" I demanded. Baghra turned to me, eyes searching mine before she released a sigh and rose her hand. Shadows spilled from her fingertips like ink, "I'm his mother."

My eyes widen, "but— you said." Baghra laughed, "Yes, child I lied to you." I shook my head, "Why?" I demanded, "Why did you lie to me?"

Baghra rolled her eyes, "I was protecting you, child, I was protecting you from the truth, but now—" she paused, "now the truth has come out."

I furrowed my brows, "How is lying to me protecting me?" Baghra again rolled her eyes and looked around, "Aleksander didn't want you figuring out his darkest secrets, about his past and the things he had done. I needed to play along, to make sure he thought I was on his side."

I didn't know what to think of anything she was saying, "He has already taken hold of my power," I said, "You could have shown up weeks ago, but you didn't. Why now?"

"I needed to bide time. Did you really think I stood a chance against him? I may be his mother and the very thing that created him but I am nothing compared to what he has become, who he will become." Baghra sneered.

"We don't have time to talk, girl. The bond you two carry will alert him now if it hasn't already." She dragged me down the stairs. I peeked through a window and it was still night, the moon high in the clouds.

"Where will I go?" I asked, "I won't make it far if he finds out." Baghra peeked around another corner, then lead me to the open arc of the room that lead to the entrance of the Little Palace, "You will head West." Baghra said, "You will cross the shadow fold and go unnoticed, do you understand me, girl?"

I nodded, and then a bag was in my hands, "Take these," Baghra said, "You have all the essentials in there, keep it safe. You have a few days' worths of money, you may need to stop in Ryevost if it comes down to it. You will keep your identity secret, understand?"

I nodded, but curiosity was eating away at me, "Why are you helping me?" Baghra looked at me and when she did, I saw Aleksander's eyes, "Because I love my son and it is because I love him I will not let him have you."

I was confused, but I didn't know what to say. "You are supposed to revive Ravka girl, not destroy it," Baghra said softly.

"Now go." She said, the door was open before I could protest, "I will bide you sometime before he notices." She said.

"How?" I asked, "I will depart your bond, it will only last a few weeks but it should be enough time for you to get out of here."

I nodded, "Thank you." Baghra hummed and gave me another push, "Go! There are no guards out at this hour."

I gave Baghra a hopeful look before turning and running across the scape of land and to the open gate that lead me out into the scope of flashing windows and down the streets of the wealthy part of the village.

I knew I was leaving a great deal behind, but all I could think about was Baghra and if she was right for betraying her son, a monster.

It was hard to believe, but a part of me was not surprised by the information. She had known I was locked away, that my power was already in the Darkling's hands. I didn't fully understand why she waited until now, but I guess it didn't matter. I was already outside the gates of the Little and Grand Palace and that's all that really mattered now.

I just hoped I got far enough before the Darkling found out and sent his guards and Grisha out looking for me.

I prayed, please let me be safe, please let me be free of him. I knew he would never stop searching and I knew I didn't have much time but I could only hope it was enough to somehow find Mal on my way.

My stomach clenched. I was running away from the man I loved, a monster and I hated it. But what else could I have done? I didn't want to be locked away, to be forced to do terrible things with my power. To be forced to belong to him.

I ran, tears polling in my eyes and a sob tore from my throat. I felt a pull inside me, a wanting to belong, to belong to him. But I also felt resentment. Hatred, but also anger.

I loved him, yes, but I also hated him. I would not be a slave, ever. I would not be forced to belong to him, I wanted to be free. To love him freely but it would never be possible.

A whisper in my ear, match. And again, you two are matched.

I tried to force it away, but the words polled me under. You two are matched.

Light and darkness, good and evil to become one. Even in eternity.

The words may have been true, but I refused to accept them.

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『Authors note』

And that's a wrap! Book one is done! Sorry, it took so long to get this chapter out. I hope you like it.

And did you catch that little peek from the Shadow and Bone book? *may be very similar but I tried believe me*

Thank you for 54,000 reads! Omg 😳