"Leksi, I have a proposition for you."
So now we were getting somewhere.
"I would like you to join me in the second army."
"Why so soon? I've barely begun training..."
I knew why.
My appearance had sparked the flame that would light the fire.
"I think you and I know that your skill is not an issue."
I couldn't tell whether his tone was one of curiosity or accusation. Perhaps both.
"It seems you're quite the natural."
There was definitely a question lurking there.
But I wouldn't answer until the time came.
"Yes, apparently, I take after you. Perhaps it's a shadow summoner thing."
"Perhaps."
"Ivan says I look like you."
What the heck, Leksi?
"Is that so?"
"Yeah, he also said that it would be an honour to be your heir."
"What do you make of that?"
There he was. The man I recognised.
Calculating.
Planning the next move.
"It would be an honour, of course, sir. But General, aren't you eternal? You don't need..."
"No, but the people do. Eternity is a concept out of their reach. We must give them hope."
I nodded.
Heirs were a symbol of a tsar's power. These symbols were a promise of a long line filled with prosperity. With prosperity came longevity. And with longevity came strength and power.
I needed to keep this conversation going.
"What about the sun summoner? If you find..."
"She will rule by my side... we will be unstoppable."
Looking at the General now... I could see the power he exuded from his stare, the promise in his expression. He had many names over his lifetime. Petrov, Stepanov, Turgenev, Alexeyev. Morozova. But now, I could understand why they called him 'The Darkling.'
"I feel pretty redundant," I joked.
I let a nervous chuckle escape, hoping to ease the tension.
It seemed this was not a joking matter.
His intense gaze rested on me. Almost angry that I could suggest such a thing.
"You are anything but. You are a promise to Ravka."
"Your promise?"
His gaze softened. Subtle but clear.
Oh my gosh. Ivan was right.
I knew the exact moment he reached for me. I felt a tug at my wrist... a shadow's gentle request.
Permission.
I never thought he had that in him.
I reached out, welcoming the comfort of the dark.
I really was that promise.
"What makes you think I'm yours?"
"Well, Ivan isn't wrong. You do look like me."
I scoffed.
"That can't be the only reason."
"Perhaps."
Now, he was smirking.
Surely... having a Father wasn't like this?
Before I knew what I was doing, I picked up a roll. And I... I threw it at him.
The roll hit him squarely on his nose.
Oh my... what was I doing?
Well... he was no longer smirking.
I watched him reel his head back in surprise.
The look on his face was priceless. I didn't know what to make of it. I suppose this was not something either one of us was used to.
I tried to stifle a giggle, but with no luck.
I couldn't believe how calm I was.
My giggle seemed to be the catalyst for the roars of laughter that erupted from both of us.
I couldn't believe the most feared Grisha in all of existence was laughing. Laughing with me.
I had caused that.
If anyone else was watching... it would have looked like a father and daughter enjoying each other's company.
Was that what was happening?
"How do you do that?"
"Sorry?"
"Not many people surprise me, Leksi."
"I wonder who I get that from."
He tried to suppress a smile.. albeit unsuccessfully. He frowned in an attempt to regain composure. But it seemed to prove a challenge.
Remarkable.
"It seems we have gone off-topic, Miss Starkov."
"Yes, it seems so."
"As I was saying initially, I would like you to join me in the second army."
"Why do you need me there?"
"I think it's time you learned how to serve your people. It's time for you to see your inheritance."
"When do we leave?"
"Two days. However, if you're going to serve in the second army, you will need a kefta."
"A kefta."
Of course, I knew this would happen. Every Grisha in this time had one. I just... I wasn't sure I was ready...
"Yes, Genya will attend to your fitting."
And just like that, Genya was waiting right at the door.
"Ah, Genya. Perfect timing. Please take Leksi for her fitting."
She gave him a quick bow before turning to me.
"And Genya?"
"Moi soverenyi?"
"Make sure it's black."
"BLACK?" I interjected.
Genya looked horrified at my outburst.
The Darkling replied with a look of astonishment. His tone did not convey such feelings.
"You are a shadow summoner, are you not?"
"I suppose, but..."
"Leksi!" Genya admonished.
The Darkling waved her silent.
"But what?"
"Black... black is your colour, sir."
"Is that not good enough for you?"
"No! No, I just... I'm an etheralki, and the order is represented with blue... so shouldn't I have a blue kefta?"
Genya was mortified, her eyes bulging like a bird injected with formalin.
"Leksi, why do you want to be like everyone else?"
"I don't want to draw more attention than necessary."
"Leksi..."
"Please," my voice, a pleading whisper.
I saw the change in his expression as he made his decision.
Surprisingly, he agreed to my request.
He gave me a curt nod - official confirmation.
I saw a flicker of disappointment flash across his eyes.
Could a kefta colour really matter all that much?
"Genya... make sure it's a darker shade of blue."
I could let him have that, I guess.
"Yes, General."
Returning his attention to me, the General dismissed me.
"I'll see you in two days, Leksi."
With that, Genya escorted me out of his chambers.
As soon as the doors closed, Genya gave me a lecture.
She hit me. Hard.
"Ow! What was..."
"What is wrong with you?"
"What?"
"He offered you black!"
"So what? That's his colour."
"Exactly! You idiot... do you know how many people..."
"I'm not other people."
"Obviously!"
She sighed, exasperated.
"Do you know what you just turned down? He didn't just give you a colour, he gave you his honour, and, and..."
She was frothing at the mouth now.
"... you just spat it back in his face... what... what the heck is wrong with you?"
"I didn't think a kefta colour was that big a deal."
"Well, it is. It's a big deal... and you might as well have committed treason. How are you even alive right now?"
I shrugged.
And we continued on like this for a while.