I ᗯᗩKE TO TᕼE SOᑌᑎᗪ of soft breaths tickling my ear. My eyes peel open slowly, then focus on the sleeping man beside me. Aleksander's arms are curled around my waist protectively, chin resting on the crown of my head. I readjust to get a better look at him.
It takes me a second to recall the events of yesterday. Eventually, the fog of sleep clears. My head falls back onto his shoulder with an unbelievable amount of relief. I hadn't dreamed it. Aleksander was finally free of merzost. His health is slowly improving, and with time, all of it will merely be a fragment of the past.
My eyes begin to close as I settle back into the curve of his warm body, but then I feel his arms slither around me tighter, and I'm on my back before I can even blink.
I gasp. Aleksander grins down at me deviously. His quarts eyes sparkle.
"Someone has energy this morning," I tease lightly, though it can't mask the sound of my pounding heart.
"Do you know what the lack of merzost can do to a man?" he asks.
"I'm afraid I don't know," I say, my voice low and velvety.
"Allow me to show you."
My heart leaps out of my chest when his mouth latches onto my neck with more fervor than he has shown in the last few months combined. He has always known how to pleasure me, but recently, it was more mechanical movements from memory without the passion stitched to it. This is the man at the Winter Fete, desperate for connection, lustful, and wanton. I gasp again. However, the gasp quickly turns into a groan when I hear a commotion from outside. There are hooves clopping and carriage wheels skidding to a stop. I lift myself up to find out what it is, but Aleks pulls me back down, securing his arms on either side of me.
"There's no need. I know what it is."
"What is it?"
"Our guests," he says with a smirk.
"Guests?" I ask, my brow quirking up. "For what?"
"A ball."
My forehead scrunches. He regards my perplexed look with amusement. He loves to be a step ahead of me.
"I don't understand. You've poured all of your time and energy into securing the palace, making sure no one goes in or out, yet now you want to throw a ball?"
"Let's say I am changing tactics," he says. "Being predictable means instant downfall in war. We must march forward, even without my shadow creatures to assist. We must demonstrate our power without the use of dark magic."
Demonstrating power to who?
"So this ball is a ruse to get people here and show them our power?"
"Shu Han has been a bit too bold lately, targeting our allies to invent more shortcomings for us. We will just have to show them that we are the threat, not our armies or nichevo'ya. It is about time that they are on the defensive side and us the aggressors."
Before wearing the crown, Aleksander adorned military attire. He knows how to play the game of combat. He has won many wars in his years of being a general.
But never without a cost.
I shake my head unenthusiastically. "Don't you remember what happened last time we hosted a party?"
"That won't happen again," he states forcefully. His demeanor turns gloomy, eyes bathed in shadows.
We haven't hosted or attended another social event since last year when the Fjerdan King and his drüskelle kidnapped me. I barely made it out, and Aleksander acts as though he's moved past it, but it still bothers him more than he lets on.
"You truly think this is the best move?" I ask him.
"I do."
"Then a ball it is."
I can only hope it goes as planned. Inviting enemies into our home to display our infinite power can have unforeseen consequences, and that devious glimmer in Aleksander's eyes is not a reassuring sight. . .
***
As the week moves forward, more and more guests arrive from faraway nations. Because of Aleksander's short notice invitations, it forced them to make hasty decisions, which I'm sure my husband was counting on. They had already accepted the invite before realizing how much tumult would be gathered into one room.
Now that the day of the ball has arrived, my nerves are on high alert. Every corner I turn, I make sure to look over my shoulder. Not that Aleksander has let me out of his sight much. Amelia and I have been kept close as soon as the first guest arrived. Not that I can't protect myself, but with all nations arriving, including Shu Han, an extra pair of powerful Grisha hands is appreciated.
As always, Caroline crafted a beautiful ball gown with hand-sewn gems adorning the top and bottom of it. She left my room to let me change into it after making final adjustments to the design. After sliding it above my hips and over my waist, it delicately hugs my curved frame. I look into the full-length mirror framed in gold at the crisp black fabric. It is tight around the middle and flares at the bottom in waves of silk. Shimmering gold beads and sapphires make up the bodice.
[Okay, this is my favorite dress yet!]
My fingers fumble at my spine, trying to lace it up in the back. The door creaks behind me. "Would you help me with my dress?" I ask Coraline while holding the backside from falling open.
Goosebumps scatter when cold, slim fingers brush the exposed skin of my back as they deftly tie it from behind. I flinch when I realize it is not my seamstress. A pair of lips press against the shell of my ear. "You make me want to take this off, not fasten it," Aleks whispers. His fingertips trail up and down my arms.
"Easy, the maids would be furious if my appearance got disheveled after they worked on it for the entire afternoon," I say. "Besides, were you not sated this morning?"
"Never when it comes to you, my Alina. My need for you burns as long and eternal as our life force." He plants a careful kiss on my hairline before smoothing out the pulled-back locks of my updo. Then, we stare at each other through the mirror. He looks at my appearance while I stand there to procrastinate leaving the safety of the bedroom. Outside stands hundreds of eager guests. Some are allies whom I would trust with my life, while others would snatch the opportunity to take my life.
All of my fears and doubts wash away when little footsteps approach the door and glittering blue eyes peak from around the corner. Amelia enters in a black and gold dress with a short train in the back. She grins proudly at us.
"Beautiful girl," I coo before bending to pick her up and spinning her around in the air. She giggles gleefully as I put her back down.
This is a significant event in more ways than one. Amelia is wearing our colors. At the beginning of the adoption, we kept it quiet. Only the palace staff sworn to secrecy knew she was legally our daughter. Inevitably, people began to find out, including our enemies, especially when she started to show her extraordinary yet uncontrolled powers. Aleksander thought it best to end the rumors while also showing Shu Han that they can't touch her. Nevertheless, it makes the protective alarm bells go off in my head at the thought of bringing her into the public eye.
Amelia twirls in circles, the shimmering black fabric rippling around her. "I'm going to become a princess today!" she squeals.
A low chuckle emits from Aleksander. "You are already a princess, Little One. Only now," he picks her up with one strong arm, "everyone will know you as Tsarevna Amelia of Ravka," he says. Her dimple casts down even more as she grins from ear to ear. She wraps her arms around her father's neck and lays her head on his shoulder. A yawn escapes her as she sinks deeper into Aleksander.
"Given she stays awake long enough to see the ball," I smirk.
Her head snaps up instantly. "I'll stay awake! I will!"
She hops down and runs in circles. "See? Awake!"
I snicker to myself and think, I give her an hour past the ball's beginning before she crashes.
More time has passed than I realize with the hectic last-minute planning of today. There is no longer golden light coming through the windows, but instead, stars glittering brightly in the horizon. Off in the distance, I hear the sharp notes of a violin. The ball has begun, which means our entrance is expected shortly.
"Are you ready?" Aleks asks, offering an arm for me to take.
"Do I have a choice?" I grin, remembering an exchange between us long ago.
"No," he replies with he same memory in mind.
Together, the three of us walk hand in hand to the entrance of the Grand Ballroom. The sound of chatter and commotion is muted by the large double doors until two guards swing them open for us, and the noise explodes in my ears. I hold Amelia closer to the right of me, Aleksander to the left. I take a deep breath as we enter. The crowd parts like an ocean wave; whether out of respect or fear, it is uncertain. I will never grow accustomed to extravagant parties like this, being the center of attention.
We take our seats at the bejeweled thrones—one of golden sapphires, one of black onyx, and one small throne lined with royal blue lapiz lazuli. The chatter starts up again as normal, although some guests eye us and whisper to others. Surely, gossip or the realization of Amelia's status. Some sneer or snicker while others stare at us as if we were inhuman.
I hate parties.
I look over to find Aleksander staring at me. I arch my brow at him. My eyes widen when he gets up abruptly to stand before my throne. He extends his hand. "May I have the first dance?"
"You know I hate dancing."
"Indulge me."
I give him a short glare but let him whisk me onto the dance floor. I look at all the anticipatory eyes in the crowd. Aleksander grasps my chin and guides my face toward him. "Look only at me. Don't worry about them."
He rests one hand on my waist, the other holding my right hand. My palm lays on his shoulder, and we begin to waltz in slow circles. At first, I have to look at my feet to not trip over him, but then the movements become a mechanical motion, and I melt into him. He pulls me closer until our bodies meld together as one. I have forgotten about the crowd and their hushed, snarky remarks. All I see is him.
When the cello's last string is played, Aleksander bows and kisses my hand, then leads me back to our seats. "See, that wasn't so bad," he whispers after we've settled. "You are better at dancing than you claim."
"Any good leader can mask an untalented follower," I say, dodging his compliment. He cocks his head to the side. Finally, I say, "Thank you," under my breath. He nods with an approving smile. His attention returns to the guests. I watch his eyes flick from group to group, analyzing who has attended, who declined the invites, their facial expressions and gestures. I don't know how he does it. Constantly observing others seems like it would be exhausting.
***
About an hour in, the guests have gotten their conversation in, been reacquainted, and danced. Before they start getting bored and wandering off or down their fifth glass of complimentary wine, Aleksander motions for the music to stop with a swish of his hand. That's my cue.
Amelia shifts on my lap, burying her head back into the crook of my neck. She lasted about as long as I suspected before tiring out and falling asleep in my arms. I don't mind. It excuses me from having to mingle and engage in purposeless conversation.
Ivan approaches me and bows, maintaining courtesy in public even though he would never act so respectfully in private. I try not to wake Amelia as I hand her over to Ivan, who forms a discreet scowl as he takes the sleeping child. They head to her bedroom, where Ivan will be assigned to guard the door diligently for the rest of the night. Although I have a deep-rooted hatred in my heart with Ivan's name on it, he is the only guard I would trust with Amelia's life.
The guests' murmurs grow louder in confusion over the sudden halt in festivities. I scan the crowd. There are guests from everywhere—Kerch, Novyi Zem, the Wandering Isle, but most importantly, Shu Han. Not the Queen herself, but her close underlings and, therefore, a direct line to the Shu Queen.
"Perhaps some of the guests here today," Aleksander announces aloud, piercing through the crowd of voices effortlessly, "have forgotten the power that I and the Sun Summoner hold." The room falls silent. No one dares to speak. "Some of you," he stares blatantly at a gathering of Shu Han ambassadors, "have tested that power. But I have gathered you all here tonight to show you who we are, show you that we have no weakness for you to uncover, no limit to our power. Your advances, the oath you've chosen in attacking Ravka and their allies, only hold a promise of death."
Shadows bleed down the walls, pooling at the exits to discourage anyone from fleeing. I flick my hand, and streams of sunlight follow the shadow in unison. It flows menacingly toward our enemies throughout the crowd, and anyone suspected of working with them. Sweat coats the brows of everyone in the room, especially the targets of our threat. My husband's shadows wrap around an ambassador's neck, cutting off her airway until her face turns purple. It isn't until I touch Aleksander's arm lightly that he lets the woman go. I could tell he wanted to do more, but I won't allow it. The woman gasps for air on the floor.
"Let this be a warning," the Darkling says a bit louder. "If you wish to continue this squabble, Shu Han will fall!"
For a moment, all is silent. Then one brave soul yells out, "Long live Ravka!"
People continue the chant until it is the only thing that can be heard.
"Long live Ravka!"
"Long live Ravka!"
"Long live Ravka!"
___________
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