#Siege of Os Alta

[stromuprisahat]

Siege of Os Alta: *in a full swing* Royals: *slaughtered* Grisha traitors: *dead, dying or about to die* Sun Saint zealots: *bringing sticks into magic fight* The Darkling: Babe, come and join me! Malyen: ShE dOeSn't WaNt AnY pArT oF yOu! meanwhile Alina: His dark hair gleamed in the lamplight of the chapel. Summoning his shadow army had taken its toll. He was thinner, paler, but somehow the sharp angles of his face had only become more beautiful.

[sometimes-petty]

On Ravka and the monarchy

I'm reading I've finished the Shadow and Bone trilogy after watching the show and have many thoughts about the relationship the characters have with the government and the monarchy. I will take elements from both the books and the show for this analysis.

I started to think about this back when I watched the show and came upon one of Alina's letters to Mal detailing her confusion and frustration at being stuck at the Little Palace.

What I haven't said in this letter, Mal, what I've been trying to write among all these scattered words is, is that I'm afraid. I'm scared, Mal. We grew up reading about a Saint who would one day perform a miracle of light and solve our country's problems, and we knew that was a lie. We knew that no stranger ever solved our problems for us. No great miracle was coming. That's why we had each other. The world is hard and cruel, but we had each other, and that was enough. That was everything. If Saints were once real, they've long since left us. Season 1, Episode 3: "The Making at the Heart of the World"

(bold text added by me)

Alina's origins

I live in East Ravka, but I've never been welcomed here. Because I look like my mother, and she looked like the enemy. Season 1, Episode 1: "A Searing Burst Of Light"

One of the opening lines of the show exposes well the feeling Alina must have towards her country. It's a well-placed piece of word building. It tells us that Ravka is at war with a neighbouring country, that it has been for a long time, and to what extent it affects the lives of the people living near the borders. As a side note, it's also a praiseworthy nod to the origins of Alina in book canon.

Keramzin and the army

First, in the book, both Alina and Mal don't remember much of their respective families, because it was forced upon them. Missing or recalling memories of lost family members meant being ungrateful towards the Duke, who was the reason they still had a roof over their heads. Even their own birthdays aren't their own, because they were registered on the same day as the Duke's, again, out of mandatory gratitude. Second, enlisting in the army was also mandatory, at least from what I've gathered from the show.

Keep a pencil in your hand. Or else someone will put a rifle in it instead. Season 1, Episode 1: "A Searing Burst Of Light"

[which, I have to say, gave more notice of Ana Kuya's character than in the books]

Third, crossing the Fold is basically a death sentence, and one you can't back away from. Over and over again, their country has taken away the memory of their families, whatever agency they could have, and their life.

To Mal and Alina, it's less a question of what they feel about being Ravkan, and more of surviving it.

Os Alta and the Little Palace

After a life under this regime, all of a sudden Alina is the chosen one. She's immediately whisked away from everything she knows and dropped at court, to be paraded and trained as Grisha in the name of a country that couldn't care less about her until a minute ago.

She wants to tear down the Fold, that's a given, kind of scary but totally on the table for the entire story. However, I can't help but imagine a certain amount of resentment on her part for doing this knowing that it will all be in the name of the monarchy. That the rich assholes who have been sending common people to die on the fronts for centuries will come out of this ordeal looking better, that they do come out of it with their positions streghtened.

One royal heir caring about the commoners is not enough to me to fix the problem, because it's systemic. His successor may be just as incompetent as the others. Or the next. Or the further next.

Let's flip the idea: after all this time, only one guy with a semblance of political power amongst the entire nobility cares for the lives of the people underneath him?

[atlabeth]

come on back to me - nikolai lantsov

summary: five times you save nikolai and one time he saves you.

a/n: if you've seen my thoughts as i read through siege and storm and ruin and rising then you know that i am deeply in love with nikolai lantsov and since ive finally finished the trilogy i finally feel qualified to write about him lmao. i actually don’t think i’ve written a 5+1 which is crazy so here you go. i wrote this in like 2 days in a spurt of inspiration and im absolutely in love with it, so i hope you all are too!!

title from you’re the one by greta van fleet

wc: 7.3k

warning(s): fem!reader, canon typical violence, siege and storm & ruin and rising book spoilers (i have not watched the show), medical inaccuracies, nikolai's volcra era, hurt/comfort and a happy ending (as usual)

Os Alta

It all happened rather quickly. 

One moment, you were in the infirmary mending a poor soldier’s broken arm. The next, screams were erupting everywhere. 

You and the soldier locked eyes, and you did a final bit of healing on his arm before you nodded at each other and darted off. 

The soldier grabbed his gun and went further into the palace, no doubt to find the royal family, and you adjusted the collar of your kefta before you ran out into the fray. 

Nichevo’ya had surrounded everything, attacking anyone they could find, and their shadowy bodies were like a void’s blight on the land. You knew the sight would be forever burned into your mind.

You knew the Darkling was going to march on Os Alta, that he would have to do it directly to use his shadow soldiers, but this was so much earlier, so much worse than you’d expected. Enforcements were meant to come from Poliznaya. You guessed that was off the table. 

You were fine at fighting—alright with a pistol and better with a dagger—but you were a Healer. You spent more time dealing with the aftermaths of battles, more skilled at setting broken bones and mending bullet wounds than inflicting them. 

Times like these were the ones when you normally questioned your decision to not hone your abilities into a Heartrender, but now you would at least be a dead man either way. Nichevo’ya didn’t exactly have hearts to stop and organs to manipulate. 

You had to get to the other Grisha. You had to make sure the Sun Summoner made it through this attack, even if it meant you wouldn’t. 

You broke into a sprint, trying your best to ignore the crippled and broken bodies in the carnage. Your instincts tugged against you, but you knew there was nothing to be done. If you stopped to help a dead man, you would soon join them. 

You nearly battered into a group of people from your speed and lack of attention, and you reeled to the side seconds before a head-on collision. When you looked up, drawing in ragged breaths in the one second of rest you’d gotten, your eyes widened. 

You were face to face with the royal family. The King, the Queen, and Nikolai Lantsov. The absence was glaring. 

“Grisha,” Nikolai breathed, and he grabbed onto your shoulders like a madman as his fingers ran over the embroidery. He might as well have been one, the way wildfire flickered in his eyes. “You’re a Healer? One of Alina’s?”  

You nodded rapidly. “Are you—” 

“I’m getting them to safety on the Kingfisher,” he cut off, “and she wants me to get that old woman as well.”

“Baghra—?”

“You’re a Healer?” the King interrupted harshly. Your heart stuttered—you’d never been directly addressed by the King, but you supposed circumstances like these called for different standards. 

“Yes,” you nodded. “Are you hurt?” 

“My wife,” he said, and your attention turned to the Queen. Genya’s absence had taken a toll on her, and the shards of glass sticking out of her side weren’t doing her pallid frame any favors. 

“Madraya,” Nikolai whispered, his eyes wide, “I didn’t even notice.” 

“Alexander—” her voice was ragged, her entire appearance pallid— “we’ve much bigger concerns.” 

“Nonsense.” The King’s gaze bore into you. “We have time. Heal her.” 

You screwed your eyes shut, your hands closing into fists for a moment before both opened and you nodded. “Keep an eye out, moi tsarevich,” you huffed, and you moved to the Queen’s side. Nikolai’s head perked up for a moment at your words, but it disappeared just as quickly as he adjusted his grip on his pistol. 

“Of course,” he said wryly. “Not that I don’t trust your work, and not that I don’t trust my abilities, but it would be grand if you could do this quickly.” 

“Working as fast as I can,” you muttered, ignoring the noises the Queen made as you pulled the shards of glass out with little care. Your mentors would be rolling in their graves if they could see you. 

“Vasily is dead, by the way,” Nikolai said, attention focused on the nichevo’ya all around. Thankfully, you’d run into each other in a spot relatively hidden from view. Hopefully it extended to shadow creatures. “I know you were wondering.” 

Your hands faltered for a moment, but it was hardly noticeable as you continued to work. He wasn’t wrong. “I’m so sorry.” 

The Queen choked back a sob, and the King’s face betrayed the slightest bit of emotion. 

“An awful way to go,” Nikolai muttered, more to himself than anything. “But fitting that he brought about his own end.” 

His parents said nothing to your surprise, but you stood up from your knees and nodded at the King and Queen. “She’s healed enough. No internal bleeding, at least.” 

“Healed enough?” the King repeated. “That is not—” 

“It’s the best we can hope for,” Nikolai interrupted sharply. “We’ve already wasted too much time out here.” 

He then nodded, grasping your hands with fierce desperation. “The crown thanks you, darling.” You’d never seen him like this—you’d never seen him fear anything. The Darkling and his creations were a good start. “I thank you, truly.” 

“Just doing my duty,” you assured, and you pulled a small container out of the pocket of your kefta, leftover from your work in the infirmary before it all went to hell, and pressed it into his hand. “She should be alright, but I’ve been slightly rushed. Rub this salve on her wounds when you’re out of danger just to be sure.” 

Nikolai nodded again, slipping it into his own pocket. “Keep our Sun Summoner safe,” he said. “Or else this’ll have all been for nothing.” 

You nodded. “With my life.” 

Nikolai’s eyes met yours, and something unsaid passed between you. Then his hands slipped off of yours, and he continued to herd his parents away from the chaos. You muttered a quick prayer to any Saints that would listen for their safety, and then you head off on your own way. 

2. The Pelican 

You thought either the bones in your hands or the wood was going to crack with how tight you were holding onto the side of the ship. Your heart was still hammering away in your chest—the adrenaline from the battle and Nikolai Lantsov’s sudden appearance and being shot at a thousand different times by a thousand different militiamen still had you quite shaken. 

You knew the sort of chaos you were in for when you made the decision to travel with Alina Starkov rather than stay in the White Cathedral, but you think you hated being in the air like this even more than you hated being trapped underground with those zealots. 

Someone called your name, and you turned to see Adrik a while away with wide eyes. You huffed a sigh as you reluctantly let go and hastened your pace to catch up with him. If he was sent to fetch you, then someone needed healing, and you couldn’t exactly hold off on the one thing you were good at. 

Adrik led you over to a corner of the Pelican where a large portion of your group of Grisha were gathered. Tamar was kneeling next to whoever was injured, one hand splayed above their chest, and you took a deep breath as you forced calmness to wash over your mind. 

“What are we dealing with?” you asked Tamar, but it was clear enough when he spoke up. 

“I’m telling you, it’s fine,” he insisted. “Just a flesh wound.” 

“He was shot,” Tamar said dryly, “and he refuses to accept its severity.” 

“So we meet again,” you said placidly. 

Nikolai seemed to perk up when he saw you, any prior frustration absent from his face as he grinned at you and said your name. “If you’re the Healer here, then I guess I’m not so fine.” 

“Am I ever going to be around you when you’re doing important princely things,” you said as you crouched on the other side of him, Tamar continuing to keep his heart rate steady, “or only when you’re injured?” 

“This is a very important princely thing,” Nikolai said. “I’m showing my soon to be subjects that I’m just like them.” 

“You were shot and you thought you were fine?” You let out a loose sigh and shook your head—it wasn’t worth getting into it. “Keep it steady, Tamar.” 

She nodded, and you reached out to begin unbuttoning his outer coat. He wouldn’t stop shifting around, and it made it infinitely harder. 

“Will you sit still?” you snapped. 

“I am,” Nikolai said. 

“You are not,” you asserted, and you undid the final button on his coat after a struggle, “and you are making this much more difficult.” 

“My apologies,” he said. “Usually women that are taking off my clothes aren’t this angry with me.” 

You scowled, only making his smile grow. 

“You do it yourself if you want to be like that,” you said, letting your hands fall back to your side. “I’m sure the rest of your soldiers will listen to a Healer.” 

“Ah, but none of them bravely threw themselves into danger for you,” Nikolai remarked. “I’m sure that earns me a few points.” 

“Points that you’ve immediately lost by being this difficult with me.” You crossed your arms. “And you did not throw yourself into danger for me—you were in the battle and you got shot.” 

“We came to save you all, and you are a part of it,” Nikolai said. “I’d say I definitely threw myself into danger for you.” 

“You’re impossible.” 

He raised his eyebrows. “Will you not even allow a dying man some honor?”

“You are not dying,” you said, “but you will be if you continue talking. Now take off your clothes and stop being so difficult so I can fix this up before you do die.” 

He tutted as he shed his jacket and worked on the rest of his clothing. Princes were apparently fond of multiple layers. “For a Healer, your bedside manner is remarkably poor.”

“Don’t worry,” Nadia piped in, “she’s always been like this.” 

“I have very fond memories of you healing my broken ribs,” Alina said dryly. 

“All of you are still alive,” you said tartly with a glance back at your fellow Grisha, “aren’t you?” 

“I think you made me wish I wasn’t,” Harshaw mused. 

You scowled again and Nikolai laughed. “That bodes very well for me, considering how much I seem to irritate you.” 

“You’re going to be fine,” you grumbled. When you turned back to him, he’d gotten down to his undershirt and unbuttoned it. Blood had spread across the white fabric, but apart from being shot, the wound wasn’t nearly as bad as it could have been. It’d had the chance to fester for a bit, but with Tamar’s aid it hopefully wouldn’t be a problem.  

You took a deep breath as you placed your hands on his chest—lucky as always, you could sense the bullet missed all his major organs—but Nikolai grimaced before you could even do anything. 

“Are you alright?”

“Your hands are very cold,” he said and you just shook your head. 

“How no one has wrung you by the neck is beyond me.” 

“Many have tried.” He flashed that smile again. “I’d appreciate it if you didn’t add your name to the list.” 

You ignored him, taking another deep breath before you closed your eyes. You felt your power within you, the tug you’d grown accustomed to over the years, and you focused it into a single point. 

You slowly worked on healing Nikolai, making sure you went from the inside out to stop any internal bleeding before you carefully wedged the bullet out with your knife. Surprisingly, he managed to keep his mouth shut for the most part. He watched you the entire time though, wholly unyielding, and it was unnerving. 

Nikolai covered up his pain remarkably well, but you still caught the slightest grimace when you practically stuck a dagger inside him.

“Do you always try to injure your patients more when you’re healing them?” he asked innocently. 

“You typically don’t make fun of the person fixing you up,” you said, and you held up the knife, “or the one holding the blade.”

“Surely you could’ve used David to get it out,” Zoya offered lazily. “Better than practically stabbing the King of Ravka.”

“I’m not the king,” Nikolai said. “Not yet, at least.” 

“And I’m not stabbing him.” You held up the bullet with your other hand, then let it fall to the floor. “I just didn’t feel like digging around inside him.” 

Nikolai picked up the bullet, and you frowned in question. He just shrugged. “To hold onto the fond memories of this battle and the kindest, prettiest Healer I’ve ever laid eyes on.” 

Someone snickered behind you, and you turned to see all of them just standing around—Zoya, Harshaw with Oncat perched on his shoulder, Adrik ignoring his sister to watch, even Alina and Mal were still there. At least Tamar had enough sense to stay quiet while she helped you. 

“Don’t you have anything better to do?” you snapped. “It’s hard to focus with you all watching me.”

Alina blinked, seeming to come back to her senses. You almost didn’t blame her—she had so much on her shoulders, it made sense to just want to stand and stare for a minute.

“Right,” she nodded, and she gestured at Zoya and the Squaller siblings as she started walking across the ship, “Adrik, Nadia, I need you all over…”

Alina's words trailed off as she got farther away, and the small crowd dissipated to find duties to carry out without their Sun Summoner to indulge their whims. 

“Thank you for your help, Tamar,” you mumbled. “I can take it from here.” 

She nodded and went off to join the others—the controlled state Nikolai had been in dissolved as she let go of the hold she had on his heart, and the slight daze in his eye went away. 

“Are you always this mean?” Nikolai asked. You turned back to find him with that same unshakable confidence, same lazy smile even in the face of it all. It was no wonder noble and commoner girls alike tripped over themselves when he returned to Ravka. 

It was no wonder Alina fell for his charms despite the tracker by her side—he always knew the right thing to say to make you feel like everything would be okay, and in the midst of Ravka’s endless war, that was a valuable quality indeed.

“I save it for irritating princes,” you remarked. With a final flourish, his wound was sewed up, and Nikolai raised his eyebrows as he touched the newly healed skin.

There was another slight wince, but he still smiled up at you. “Excellent job.”

“That’s what I’m here for,” you said.

“I don’t think I’ll ever get used to Grisha handiwork,” Nikolai said as he pulled himself up from the side of the ship. “Especially the healing kind.”

“It would do you good not to get used to it,” you said. “You may not be king yet, but Zoya is right. I’d appreciate it if you tried to stay out of my infirmary.”

“Do you not enjoy my company?” he asked. 

“I don’t enjoy bringing Ravka’s only heir back from the brink after every battle,” you corrected. “You’ve got a lot more weight on your shoulders now, moi tsarevich.”

His eyebrows furrowed slightly at your Ravkan. “Say that again.”

You frowned, wondering if you’d heard him correctly. Nikolai continued staring at you, so you sighed. “Moi tsarevich?”

He laughed, and that only soured your mood further. “What are you laughing about?” 

“I recognized it back during the attack but I didn’t fully think about it,” he said. “It comes out the most with your R’s. You’re not Ravkan, are you?”

You paused at his sudden subject change. “You were focusing on my accent when everyone was dying around us?” 

“Answer the question.” 

Your frown deepened. “I am in most senses of the word.”

Nikolai’s eyes narrowed. “You’re Kerch.”

Your lips twitched. “Yes, but I don’t—”

“You still haven’t lost the accent somehow,” he continued. “At least, in how you speak certain Ravkan words. Is it Ketterdam?”

“Don’t you have better things to do than quiz your Healer on her childhood?”

“Perhaps,” Nikolai said, eyes twinkling, “but if you’re really my Healer, as you said yourself, I’m surely allowed to ask as many questions as my heart desires.”

“Your heart desires no more,” you said wryly. “I have other injured to attend to. Call if you find yourself actively dying.”

To his credit, he didn’t try to fight it. Just offered that same smile that weakened knees from the Kaelish to the Shu. “I’ll be sure to ring before I’m dead and buried.”

“Put your clothes back on before you do,” you said.

“Ah, but isn’t this your reward for putting up with the irritating prince?” Nikolai asked with a slight gesture at his chest. “I’d imagine you’d want to keep an eye on your handiwork.”

That sparked a rare smile of your own, and you bowed your head. “Moi tsarevich,” you said before you walked off.

You felt Nikolai’s eyes on you even as you approached an injured First Army soldier, and after the first few preliminary questions you couldn’t help but look back. 

When you did, he was gone. 

3. Monastery of Sankt Demyan

You sat on the Spinning Wheel, off to the corner so you wouldn’t be disturbing anyone, staring at your hands as you tried to ignore the thousands of things bumping around in your mind. You’d been on the run with the Sun Summoner and a smattering of other Grisha for longer than you would have liked, but you had to accept that this was what life would be like until the Darkling was either defeated or destroyed you all. 

It was a damning sort of fate, knowing what awaited you unless the impossible was done. At least it would be quick if the nichevo’ya tore you apart. 

You grimaced. That was one thought that would do you no good—if you’d made it this far, from Os Alta under the Darkling’s control to Os Alta under Lantsov control to the White Cathedral and now to Fjerda of all places, what was one more piece of the puzzle? 

A very big piece of the puzzle, of course, and there was still the intrinsic distrust that some soldiers—and even Alina at moments, flickers of it you could see in her eyes against her will—had towards you. You, like the rest of the Grisha here that hailed from the Second Army, served the Darkling until you’d switched sides. You wanted nothing more than to see the Darkling to his grave, for Ravka to be restored and for all of this to be over. 

But you had switched sides in the first place, and you knew enough from the looks of those soldiers—they still believed that if you could betray the Darkling, you could always still betray the Sun Summoner if given enough cause. 

You didn’t try to dissuade their views through words; it wouldn’t do any good. You just hoped the long hours you spent holed up in the infirmary healing the injured would. You missed Maxim if only so you wouldn’t have to do it all alone. 

“Vlachka for your thoughts?” 

You looked up, surprised to see Nikolai Lantsov of all people. You hadn’t held a true conversation with him since you healed him after his bullet wound. He’d been busy with princely things like banishing his parents and saving Genya’s livelihood. 

You were thankful for that, at least. She’d suffered too much at the hands of the Darkling and the King. 

“You’d need a lot more than that,” you said. 

He smiled. “I’ve got quite a bit. Have you seen this place?” 

You chuckled and shrugged. “Just thinking. About our next move, about the Darkling, about what will be after this.” 

“You certainly aren’t the only one,” Nikolai said. “Lately it seems to be all anyone can think about.”

“I’m sure you’d much rather have them thinking of you,” you said wryly. 

“Oh, there’s plenty of that going on as well.” Nikolai smiled. “An even balance, I’d say.”

You chuckled again. “What brings you here, Nikolai?” 

He shrugged. “I wanted to get to know my Healer.” 

You huffed a sigh and looked away. “Why do you call me that?” 

He was awfully good at feigning innocence. “Call you what?” 

“My Healer,” you repeated. “Your Healer. I don’t understand it.” 

“I like the sound of it,” he said. “I’ll stop if you don’t like it.” 

You felt your cheeks heat and you felt his eyes on you. “It’s not that. It’s just—” 

“Because I can,” he continued. “Would you prefer lapushka? Milaya? Perhaps babya.”

You scowled as you turned back to him, and you hit him lightly on the shoulder. “You should stick to the seas and the throne, moi tsarevich. Comedy is not your strong suit.” 

“I like it when you call me that,” he mused. “I like your accent, your voice.” He sat down next to you, mildly unexpected, and you hoped you did better at hiding your surprise than it felt. “There’s something soothing about it.” 

“I am from Ketterdam,” you said after a moment. “You guessed right. Born and raised. When my abilities started showing, my parents put me on a ship to Ravka with a map, some vlachki, and the clothes on my back. I made my way to the Little Palace, pleaded my case to the Darkling, and I haven’t seen them since.”

Nikolai was silent, and you fully turned to look at him. “You wanted to know more about me. That’s who I am. A girl from Ketterdam in over her head.”

“Give yourself some credit,” Nikolai said. “You’re a woman from Ketterdam in over your head.” 

You huffed a laugh, and Nikolai’s expression softened a bit. “Why did they send you away? If that’s alright to ask, of course.” 

You shrugged. “Being a young girl in the Barrel is bad enough. If anyone figured out I was Grisha, I would either be dead in the streets, indentured before I could blink, or worse.”  

“They thought it would be safer in Ravka,” he guessed. “In the Second Army.” 

You nodded. “They couldn’t have known any of this would happen,” you said dryly. 

“Do you miss your parents?” he asked. 

“Every day,” you said quietly. “We sent letters when we could, but it was never enough. And those stopped after Alina left the Little Palace, obviously.” 

You didn’t need to recount the months of the Darkling’s madness as he searched for his Sun Summoner. Nikolai might have been Sturmhond at the time, but you didn’t doubt that he had contacts in the Little Palace. You didn’t exactly want to remember it either. 

“How about this?” Nikolai adjusted his position so he could look right at you, those smart hazel eyes enough to get lost in. You forced yourself not to. “On the slim chance that we make it through these next few weeks, when the dust has settled and I’m officially King, I’ll charter a ship for you back to Ketterdam.” 

Your head whirled back to look at him, eyes widening. There was no sign in his eyes of a false promise, only that soft smile, charming as ever. You had the sudden, misplaced urge to wind your fingers into those blonde curls and kiss him. 

“You’d do that for me?” 

He nodded. “Of course. Only the best for my Healer, right?” 

That got a laugh out of you, but the heat rose to your cheeks all the same. “That would be incredible, Nikolai. Thank you.” 

“Of course.” 

He looked—gazed— at you for a touch longer than usual before he spoke again. 

“There’s going to be a meteor shower later tonight,” Nikolai said. “One of my crew figured it out—he’s very fond of the sky, and he told me it would be… quite the sight.” 

Your eyebrows furrowed. Was he—

“I’d like to watch it with you,” Nikolai continued. “Of course, I have to put on a display with Alina, but after that,” he looked over at you, hazel eyes gleaming, “I’d like to spend the night with you.” 

It took a moment for your brain to fully process his words. “Moi tsarevich, are… you asking me on a— a date?” 

“Just Nikolai, please,” he said with a grin. “And yes, I am.” 

It seemed so trivial in the scheme of things. You were leading an impossible battle against the Darkling, and as a traitor to his throne, you would end up dead or worse if he caught you. The near entirety of the Second Army was dead, friends you’d grown up and honed your power alongside with ripped apart by nichevo’ya. Your chances for victory relied on the firebird, and no one knew a damn thing about it. 

It was trivial. It was frankly ridiculous, for the prince— the King of Ravka—to be asking you on a date, especially when it was imperative for him to present a certain image with Alina. 

But for all the triviality and ridiculousness and idiocy, you found that you’d never wanted to accept something so badly. 

So you did. You nodded, smiled, brighter than usual. Nikolai seemed to have that effect on you. 

“I’d love to.” 

“Wonderful.” Somehow, impossibly, his grin grew bigger. Nikolai took your hand and pressed a delicate kiss to it before he stood back up—you’d never been so thankful for his confidence, because you found yourself at a loss for words. “I’ll see you tonight, darling. Try not to get into too much trouble without me.” 

You nodded again, and you knew you looked like a dazed idiot. The better half of a decade spent training as a Grisha and all it took was a kiss to your hand for your brain to stop working. You really had been at war for far too long. 

Nikolai could tell every thought—or lack thereof—in your head by the overly pleased expression he wore as he walked away, and your entire face burned as you bit back your smile. 

He knew exactly what he did to you. 

4. The Bittern 

Sergei sold you out. 

That son of bitch had betrayed you all to the Darkling the first chance he got, and he’d been rewarded with a quicker death than any of you would get. 

You’d been left fighting for your lives against the Darkling’s oprichniki, Grisha, and nichevo’ya alike, and as usual, you were hopelessly outnumbered. You knelt over Adrik as Zoya, Nadia, Harshaw, and David kept the crowd of enemies back, doing your damnedest to keep him from bleeding out from his nichevo’ya bite. 

His arm hung at a bizarre angle, and you didn’t know how you would tell him and his sister you didn’t think you could save it. You were sure Genya’s whispered words were the only thing keeping him even slightly calm.

By the time the Bittern was in the air, precarious but afloat, you were about ready to collapse. It had all been too damn much, with the Darkling and Baghra and Nevsky, and now the poor schoolboy lying beneath you with an arm you couldn’t save. 

“He’ll be okay,” you murmured to nobody but yourself, wiping beads of sweat from your forehead as you laid against the side of the ship. As okay as any boy who lost his arm to a shadow monster and went through what he just did. 

Thank the Saints for Tolya keeping both Adrik’s and your heart steady during that ordeal, because you were sure your panic would have won over. 

Everyone in your motley crew was injured in some way or another, and you were the only Healer. Soon you were back on your feet, pushing the horrors of the night out of your mind as you mended lacerations and fixed up bullet wounds. 

Every so often, your eyes would drift over to Adrik. You’d healed him the best you could, but it wasn’t enough. 

And then your mind went to Nikolai. 

Nikolai. 

In the chaos of the battle and the subsequent healing haze, you hadn’t even realized he wasn’t with your group. The Pelican had taken off before you all got to the Bittern, but Nikolai wouldn’t have left Alina on her own after all he’d done to ensure her safety. 

You were almost too scared to ask, but you did anyway. 

“Alina,” you asked, slightly surprised at the sound of your voice in the silence of the night, “where’s Nikolai?” 

Her eyes were unfocused, arms crossed around her midsection for warmth despite the light that glowed beneath her skin. “The Darkling,” she murmured. 

“Wh— what did he do to him?” you continued. “What in the Saints’ name happened to him, Alina?” 

“He ruined him,” she whispered. “He turned him into a monster.” The look on Alina’s face broke you into even smaller pieces. “He turned him into a monster all because Nikolai dared to stand against him. He’s gone.” 

Your grip tightened on the side of the ship as she explained what she had to watch, and your knees threatened to buckle. 

Maybe it was stupid, but you hadn’t even realized you cared this much about the prince. The king, you had to keep reminding yourself. But the thought of him hurt—a hurt that you couldn’t heal—it tore your heart to shreds. 

Only last night you were laying on a blanket next to him, staring up at the meteor shower through the glass dome. He’d never looked more beautiful than he did then, with the streaks of light illuminating his handsome features and those hazel eyes you’d grown to appreciate. 

Few words had passed between the two of you, but once Nikolai had taken your hand in his, neither of you let go for the remainder of the night. That urge to kiss him came back in spades, but you never acted on it. 

Saints, you wished you had. 

“Do you think you can heal him?” Your voice sounded oddly foreign, but you didn’t even feel like you were in your body. Like you were watching it all happen from above, because this couldn’t have been happening. Not to Nikolai— to your Nikolai. 

You were his Healer, and he was your Nikolai. That was how it was supposed to be. 

“I don’t know,” Alina admitted, her tone strained. “My light might be able to help, but… but whenever I’ve used it against the nichevo’ya, against the volcra, I— it kills them.” 

Her voice broke on the last few words, and you wanted to hug her. Alina didn’t love him, you knew that much, but anyone could tell she’d grown close to Nikolai over the months. She was hurting just as much as you. 

You didn’t. You found that you couldn’t do much but stare into the night sky.

He was all alone. Forced into a monster, and now he was all alone. 

It felt like ages before the Bittern finally landed, everyone’s teeth stained rust-orange and bones run deep with exhaustion. Everyone was still alive when you woke up the next morning, and after another check-up on Adrik, you went off into the woods under the guise of searching for kindling. 

Really, you needed some time to yourself. After what had happened—Sergei’s betrayal, losing even more Grisha when you had little to start with, Baghra’s sacrifice, Adrik and his arm, and— and Nikolai—

It was too much. It was just too damn much. 

You’d never gotten close like this to anyone before, never moved further than some useless flirtations and a few stolen kisses with various Grisha when you were bored back at the Little Palace, and when you finally did, with the damned future King of Ravka, this is what happened. 

Guilt tore away at you as you plodded through the woods, and you let the tears you’d been holding back all night fall. You wished you’d been there for him. You wished you’d kissed him. You wished you were strong enough to take the Darkling down on your own for what he’d done. 

The hairs stood up on the back of your neck, and you heard the rustling of branches. You whirled around to the source of the sound, taking a few steps to peer through the trees, and that was when you saw it. 

Your eyes widened and your heart cracked all at once. 

“Nikolai,” you whispered. 

You’d have recognized him anywhere. Despite the shadowy veins splintering across his chest, the wings furled behind his back, claws and fangs in place of fingers and teeth—he was still your Nikolai. His blonde curls remained, his sharp cheekbones and strong jaw, even his clever eyes—even if they were black instead of hazel. 

The smear of blood around his mouth was a sharp contrast to it all. You wondered what—or who—had become his unlucky victim when he could no longer control his hunger. 

Nikolai didn’t move as you stepped closer. His dark gaze was unreadable and you wanted to sob for what the Darkling had done to him. 

“It’s me.” You continued to speak softly as you moved closer, saying your name in hopes of even a spark of recognition. “Your Healer.” 

His eyes followed your movements, his gaze falling down to your hands. He pointed at them with a clawed talon.

You held them up. “My hands?” 

You realized the blood around his mouth wasn’t the only bit of it on his body as your eyes trailed across his bare chest. There were cuts all across his arms and chest, most small but some deeper. He pointed at a thin scar near his abdomen, the only sign of the bullet wound you’d stitched up. 

He wanted you to heal him. He knew who you were. 

This time, a small sob escaped you, and your hand flew up almost on instinct to cover it. You brushed the tears brimming in your eyes as you moved closer to him, and you gently placed your hand on his arm. You felt his limb stiffen for a moment before they relaxed, and you couldn’t help your small smile. Your Nikolai was still there. 

The thin cut vanished as you healed it, and you continued to do the same for the myriad of other injuries on his body. You felt his gaze on you the entire time, and some part of it was comforting. Nikolai was still there—his humanity was still there. This was the least you could do to make him feel the part. 

Once you’d healed up the last of his wounds, you felt the glow of Grisha power inside of you. Nikolai grabbed onto your hand the moment you’d finished, and you looked up into his dark eyes as your fingers clasped around his talons.

“We’ll figure this out, Nikolai,” you whispered. “I promise.”

The corner of his lips curled up ever so slightly, the barest sign of the old smile you’d grown to love.

And then he let go of your hand, and he shot up into the air. It took only seconds for him to disappear, but your gaze remained stuck in place. 

All you could think of was Nikolai’s dark eyes and the shattered shadows beneath his skin, the feel of his taloned hand in yours.  

You would find a way to bring him back. You knew that much. 

5. The Shadow Fold 

“For Saint’s sake— catch him, Zoya!” 

“You screeching at me isn’t helping,” she snarled, her hands held out above her as she summoned wind to break Nikolai’s fall. 

It was almost laughable, how Alina ended it all with a bit of stabbing. First Mal, then the Darkling—now Soldat Sol and oprichniki alike were glowing like human lamps around the Fold. The nichevo’ya dissolved with the Darkling’s power, the same thing that created Nikolai’s monster—you screamed in general when you first saw him falling, and then you screamed at Zoya. It was a credit to her growth that she didn’t slap you first. 

Thankfully, the updraft did its job, and he only landed in the sand at concerning speeds rather than very concerning. 

You ran for him without thinking, not even feeling the jolt in your ankles as you lept from the skiff onto the sands. You no longer had to fear the Fold—the various Sun Soldiers that had gotten Alina’s powers had done away with the remainder in no time—and even if you did, you would brave a thousand volcra for Nikolai. 

He looked so small, so vulnerable laying there in the sand, only clad in torn pants and a myriad of bruises. The last of the shadows receded when you finally reached him, and you didn’t try to stop the tears as they flowed freely down your cheeks. 

“Nikolai,” you whispered, falling to your knees in the sand next to him, “Nikolai, can you hear me?” 

You cradled his head in your hands, tears splattering in the sand around you, and then his eyes opened. 

His beautiful hazel eyes opened and looked right at you, his lips tugging into a smirk as he said your name. 

“Would you say this is an important princely thing?” His voice was husky, damaged from whatever dark thing that had taken a hold of him, but the usual lilt was there. “Or just another injury?” 

You broke into full on sobs, unabashedly and unashamed as you wrapped your arms around him and pulled him into a hug. You felt his arms around you as well, and he rubbed circles on your back. 

“I had time to think,” Nikolai murmured, “and I think I’ll settle on lapushka.” 

Darling. 

You couldn’t help but laugh, and you moved away from him just so you could look at him, gaze at him, never forget his beautiful features. 

“I’m so glad you’re okay.” 

“I knew I would be,” he said, his eyes twinkling. “I had you looking out for me.” 

“Stop,” you said, your voice watery. “I can’t keep crying in front of you.” 

“I think you’ve more than earned it, lapushka.” 

You laughed again as you shook your head. “How do you feel? Can you still move all your limbs?” 

Nikolai took his hand in yours, fingers intertwining with yours. His gaze didn’t move from you. “Limbs are fine.” 

You let your smile shine unabashed as you squeezed his hand, thankful for the lack of talons. “Can you sit up?” 

Nikolai visibly winced at the effort, but he managed with your help. “My chest hurts quite a bit.” 

“You’ve definitely broken some ribs,” you murmured, “but it’s nothing I can’t fix up.” 

“There’s nothing you can’t fix,” Nikolai said. 

“Careful with all the praise. I might get used to it.” 

“Good.” 

You glanced over to see Tolya and Zoya moving across the sand towards you and you looked back at Nikolai. 

“We’re going to get you back on the skiff, Nikolai,” you said. “I’ll get you healed up and then we’ll get you some clothes. Alright?” 

“I told you,” Nikolai said, “this is your reward for putting up with the irritating prince.” 

“That was for the prince,” you said, running a hand through his blonde curls to untangle them. “My reward for putting up with irritating kings is to make sure they’re clothed and healed.” 

His smile shone brighter than anything Alina could conjure up. 

The Darkling’s Skiff 

You ended up below deck with Nikolai, Tolya, an unconscious Alina and Mal, and the Darkling’s body. It normally wouldn’t have been a cheery atmosphere, but you were just thankful to be alive after all you’d done. Thankful that Nikolai was alive and himself and that the Darkling was dead. 

A First Army uniform was folded next to Nikolai’s makeshift cot where you sat next to him, and Tolya’s companionable silence was appreciated as he stayed by Alina and Mal to ensure they stayed alive. 

“You broke a few ribs in your fall,” you murmured, your hands placed on his chest, “but overall, I’d say you made out pretty well.” 

“Yes,” Nikolai said wryly, looking at his hands. Faint black lines ran across each of his fingers, where claws had torn through his skin. Though the other shadowy marks had faded, these appeared to be permanent. “Pretty well.” 

“You know what I mean, Nikolai.” You moved your hand over his ribs and focused your power—by the slight grimace on his face, the itch that came along with Grisha healing, you knew they were mending back together. “You’re still alive. You’re you again. That means everything.” 

“And your hands are still freakishly cold,” he mused. You smiled. 

A moment passed before he spoke again. 

“You know,” Nikolai said, and you felt his eyes on you again, “I remember everything. Everything that I did when I was that… that thing.” 

Your throat bobbed, but you nodded, encouraging him on. 

“I went to you,” he said, “and… you helped me. You weren’t afraid—you understood what I meant, and you healed me.” 

“Of course I did,” you said softly. A smile tugged at your lips. “I am your Healer, after all.” 

Nikolai placed his hand over one of yours, and your power wavered for a moment as your heart stuttered. 

“One of your ribs is still broken, Nikolai,” you said. “I have to—” 

“I love you,” he interrupted. Your eyes snapped to him, and you thought you misheard him. 

“What?” 

“I love you,” he repeated, as if it came as easily to him as breathing. “Forgive me for the lack of ballads and sonnets on how to express it—I plan to remedy that as soon as we’re back in Os Alta. But I love you, and it’s the one thing I’m sure of at this moment.” 

You continued to stare at him, as if you’d suddenly forgotten how to speak. Nikolai was no Corporalnik, but you were sure he could hear how loudly your heart was beating. 

“It’s alright if you don’t feel the same,” Nikolai said, “or if you’re not ready. I’m a very patient man.” 

It was like your limbs had suddenly regained the ability to move, because something clicked in your mind. You took his face in your hands and you kissed him with a brazen fierceness you didn’t even know you had. 

For a man with two bruised ribs and one broken one, he kissed you back with the same intensity, if not more. You poured all your fear, all your anxiety, all your worries about him into the kiss, reveling in the warmth of his lips and his hands and—

Tolya cleared his throat. “We’re nearly out of the Fold.” 

You pulled away as quickly as it had started, Nikolai looking very pleased with himself as you fixed the collar of your kefta and looked over at him with eyes that were surely more pupil than iris. 

“Thank you, Tolya,” you said, and you cleared your throat as well. Good of him to ignore the two of you. Embarrassing of you to nearly forget about your surroundings when you looked at Nikolai. 

“Yes,” Nikolai said, mirth in his voice, “thank you, Tolya.”

You rolled your eyes as you turned back to him, your lips still burning from his kiss, and you settled your hands back on Nikolai’s chest. 

“No more interruptions,” you said. “I’ve got to get you healed and dressed before we’re off the sand.” 

His eyes twinkled. “Whatever you say, lapushka.” 

You had no idea what was next. The Sun Summoner died on the Fold, the Darkling’s reign of terror was finally over, and Nikolai was to be King. You didn’t know where you would fit in, though you were sure he would find a place. 

But you loved Nikolai, and by the Saints, Nikolai loved you. 

And for now, that was more than enough. 

[kanejbr3kker]

Random things I've thought of after rereading Siege and Storm

I just finished my Siege and Storm reread, so here are a couple random thoughts I had while reading it that hadn't really occurred to me before:

I feel like a proud mother when Alina starts commanding the Second Army. I actually have no idea what that feels like since I'm not a mother but I genuinely felt so proud of her when she started ordering everyone around.

Alina and Mal have really bad depression. I'm honestly really surprised I didn't notice this before because my friend and I both have depression and when we argue, it looks a lot like their arguments (possibly why I like them so much as characters). But seriously, Mal starts drinking in excess and lets other people beat him up every night, and after Alina gets assaulted by the Darkling, she sneaks out of Os Alta to see the pilgrims. They get so excited to see her that they grab onto her clothes and hair, pulling her in every direction, and Alina literally says "let them do it" and hopes that it'll kill her and et the end, she cries because she didn't die. Honestly, these two need therapy as much as the crows do.

Alina and Nikolai's friendship is the original Kaz and Jesper. So obviously Kaz and Nikolai are very similar, but I feel like so are Alina and Jesper. Though they're obviously very different people, they're still both very sarcastic, and have been forced to repress their powers for years, among other things, and I think because the characters themselves are so similar, their dynamics end up being similar too, with the whole "we don't always get along and/or trust each other" sort of thing, as well as all the banter.

Lol that's everything, these were really just random things I noticed and didn't really know how to put into words, but I tried. (:

[honeii-puff]

for grishverse asks, like any one of them, I just kinda want to know, since they’re such good questions, and if you feel like it all of them

shadow | rank all the grishaverse books you’ve read.

I did this one already

bone | have you seen the show? what’s the best part of it?

Also did this one already

siege | if you got to kill off one character, who would it be?

Probably Heleen. Burn the Menagarie down whilst we're at it

storm | share and tag your favorite fan art

Dont have one, i love all the fanarts

ruin | favorite character?

Did this one already, its Inej

rising | what’s the best ship? canon or otherwise.

Kanej. no questions.

six | favorite grishaverse quote?

the "I would have come for you" bit from Kaz. That or "Best way to steal a man's wallet"

crow | which crows are you most and least like?

Most like Inej, Least like Kaz

crooked | if you got to rewrite the first chapter of six of crows, how would you do it?

I'd probably let Anya live longer bc she was cool

kingdom | pick a character and give them a theme song

Jesper - Killer Queen by Queen

king | what’s your favorite idea for a new series in the grishaverse?

Probably something centric on Captian Inej Ghafa

scars | which character deserved better?

MATTHIAS HELVAR

rule | favorite book cover?

The russian version of Six of Crows. its beautiful

wolves | sort all the characters you can into hogwarts houses, (or choose to give them zodiacs, mbtis, alignments, etc—)

im just gonna do the crows

Kaz: Slytherin

Inej: Hufflepuff

Wylan: Slytherin or Ravenclaw

Jesper: Gryffindor

Matthias: Hufflepuff

Nina: Gryffindor

ketterdam | change the ending of one of the books

LET. MATTHIAS. LIVE

os alta | when did you get into the grishaverse? tell us all about it

I'd say about 2021 i read Shadow and Bone and half of Seige and Storm, then dropped it. I watched the show in 2022, read six of crows, saw s2 of SaB, and then read KOS

djerholm | what pair of characters would you kill to see interact with each other?

We need more Kaz and Nikolai interactions.

the unsea | what type of grisha powers would you want to have? or what crow’s skills would you want to steal?

Stealing Inej's grace, I have the balance of a toddler :P

the true sea | rant about whatever grishaverse thing you want to (a hot take, something that bothers you, something you love, etc)

WE. NEED. MORE. RELIGIOUS. REPRESENTATION.

And not in the way "oh we need more religious characters"

no.

I want full in-depth explanations on each religion. On Djel, Gheezenism, the difference between Ravkan, Kaelish, and Suli saints, what they worship in the Southern Colonies, Novyi Zem, and Shu Han, all of it.

Give me it all.

[a-mymble-that-mumbles]

Hello friends and welcome back to the saga of

My Friend Is Reading Shadow And Bone And Complaining To Me About It

(this is posted with permission)

I have two not-so-spectacular additions today, as he reads Siege and Storm:

1) He couldn’t find the lake off of the palaces on the map included in the books. He was quite disturbed to discover that it was part of Os Alta

2) When asked about which part he was one, he wrote the following:

I can’t help but agree with all of his rants, and as a rabid S&B fan I’m dying. He has a whole third book to get through, so it’s doubtless that the saga will continue

[sobreiromecanico]

The Siege of Burning Grass

Há uma tendência interessante na ficção especulativa contemporânea: o esbater das fronteiras entre géneros, com autores a apropriarem-se de elementos e convenções da fantasia e da ficção científica para contarem as suas histórias em mundos imaginativos e complexos. Leitores que apreciem as suas histórias devidamente catalogadas e arrumadas nas suas caixinhas convencionais talvez torçam o nariz a estas novidades, mas quem apreciar tramas densas e modos narrativos alternativos em mundos mais originais, mais libertos, terá muito com que se entreter nestes dias.

The Siege of Burning Grass, o mais recente romance de Premee Mohamed, poderá ser um bom exemplo desta tendência: lê-se talvez um pouco como uma trama de fantasia, mas o mundo que Mohamed criou para esta história cedo atira o leitor para uma estrada sinuosa, com armamento tecnológico, ataques aéreos feitos por pilotos de pteranodons, e vastas cidades-fortaleza voadoras que se mant��m no ar não sabemos bem como. Nem saberemos: há muitos pontos do worldbuiding de The Siege of Burning Grass que a autora não esclarece, e bem; cabe ao leitor preencher esses espaços e dar a sua própria cor àquele mundo.

Seja fantasia, ficção científica ou science fantasy: na prática, The Siege of Burning Grass lê-se sim como um travelogue (desculpem o excesso de anglicismos, falta-me aqui o termo em português), no qual seguimos Alefret, um homem enorme, feio, inteligente. Conhecemo-lo numa prisão remota, após ter sido ferido por "fogo amigo" quando ajudava à evacuação da cidade onde vivia; perdeu uma perna, foi detido por se recusar a combater, e no início da história está ao mesmo tempo a ver os seus ferimentos tratados enquanto é torturado em interrogatório - em tempo de guerra, o pacifismo é uma filosofia arriscada. Perante a guerra total e infindável entre os impérios de Varkal e Med'ariz, Alefret integrou um grupo pacifista dedicado a preservar a vida, seja de quem for; para as forças do país rival continua a ser um inimigo, e para as do seu país, passa a ser um traidor. Mas na prisão, após o tratamento e a tortura, é-lhe feita a proposta, por uma alta patente militar de Varkal, que coloca a trama em movimento: viajar até à frente de combate, infiltrar-se nas linhas do inimigo e estabelecer contacto com a oposição política do governo da última cidade voadora de Med'ariz para tentar colocar fim às hostilidades por fins pacíficos, uma vez que qualquer solução militar para o conflito parece impossível. É claro que continua a ser uma missão militar, e Alefret, que não é parvo, sabe que as chefias militares não lhe estão a contar tido, ou não tivessem escolhido para o acompanhar/escoltar o jovem Qhudur, um soldado fanático, cruel, e sanguinário - o oposto completo do protagonista.

Várias passagens dos primeiros dois terços de The Siege of Burning Grass trouxeram-me à memória duas histórias distintas. A primeira, algumas passagens que julgo subapreciadas de A Feast For Crows, quarto livro de A Song of Ice and Fire, quando, após todos os combates entre os exércitos dos pseudo-reis, acompanhamos Brienne numa longa viagem pelas Riverlands devastadas pela guerra, e vemos o impacto real do conflito na terra e nas gentes que nela (e dela) vivem, e que pouco ou nada interessam aos senhores feudais - e, em muitos casos, aos próprios autores e leitores de fantasia épica, mais interessados nas grandes batalhas, nos heróis e nos vilões, nos embates entre exércitos, no glamour do combate. A primeira metade de The Siege of Burning Grass segue muito por estes caminhos, mas com mais imaginação e melhor prosa: seguimos Alefret e Qhudur pela terra espoliada e vemos através dos seus olhos os resultados práticos da guerra. Com eles encontramos povoações destruídas, gente reduzida a feras por fome ou peste, grupos militares perdidos da sua cadeia de comando, sem objectivos a cumprir ou ordens a seguir. É aqui que me veio à memória uma segunda história, esta do cinema: Apocalypse Now, numa sensação reforçada pela escrita simultaneamente rigorosa e onírica de Mohamed, tanto durante a viagem como pela chegada ao caos da frente de combate, com o comando desfeito, a falta de quaisquer meios, a escassez de soldados e o recurso a quem está à mão para combater. Confirmamos que de facto não há qualquer glamour na guerra; quando começa o combate resta o caos e a sorte. E confirmamos quão verdadeiro é aquele velho cliché que diz que numa guerra, a primeira baixa é a verdade: nada do que os soldados ou os comandantes dizem é de fiar, todas as informações são imprecisas, e a propaganda abunda.

No mundo em que nos encontramos, com a guerra a fazer de novo parte do nosso dia-a-dia (desengane-se quem pensar que a Ucrânia ou a Palestina são "lá longe"), é possível que a leitura de The Siege of Burning Grass se revele algo desconfortável em alguns momentos; mas será também esse desconforto que torna esta leitura urgente e necessária. Premee Mohamed escreve muitíssimo bem, com uma prosa limpa, evocativa, algo melancólica, que nos coloca ao lado de Alefret na sua estranha odisseia; constrói um mundo fascinante, cheio de detalhes imaginativos (as vespas, que maravilha!), coloca questões incómodas e relvantes, e conta uma história que merece ser lida. Mais do que isso: é importante que seja lida.

Lançado neste ano, The Siege of Burning Grass já esteve nomeado para o Prémio Ursula K. Le Guin (era a minha aposta para vencedor), e suspeito de que será um dos mais fortes candidatos aos prémios de literatura fantástica no próximo ano. Foi um dos livros que sugeri no painel de sugestões do Fórum Fantástico deste ano; é sem dúvida um dos grandes livros de 2024, com uma história improvável, ambígua e pertinente que me conquistou por completo - e que fez de Premee Mohamed uma autora a seguir com atenção.

[lady-a-stuff]

Alina is always saying that Mal could thrive on anywhere, that he always fit wherever he is and she is the one who never fit, never belonged, but in Siege and Storm he is the one who doesn't fit.

Mal is struggling, he is dislocated, he doesn't know how to deal with this, his only purpose is Alina, and she, his best friend, doesn't seem to care or to notice, but he keeps doing everything he can to help her there (going to parties with nobles and high-ranking members of the 1st army and trying make her likable for them to support her, staying away so the gossip don't affect her and her reputation) and the first time they talk about what he is feeling and they try to reconnect she flinches and because she also doesn't talk about her feelings he get it all wrong I mean it is difficult to talk and be honest? He only went to Os Alta because of her, he's miserable there, he dropped everything for her and he thinks she doesn't want him, she doesn't need him, he's lost (what he is doing there then if he's not wanted or needed?). All this added to all shit he had suffered before, so I just think he deserves more comprehension 😔

[imgoingtofreakoutnow]

S&B TRAILER - a partial analysis

[Partial meaning I kind of lost time to do that... I'm sorry but I hope you enjoy it nevertheless! This analysis stops around 1:46 of the Shadow and Bone S2 Official Trailer ( also, @dumble-daddy @hellotvshowtrash might this interest you?)]

The first scene where Alina looks around and the Fold is expanding towards her could probably be a nightmare or a vision of some kind. The place where she is in the vision looks like a Ravkan village and it's probably what it is (since the Fold is right there), but it could as easily be a Zhemeni one? Anyhow, once again, it's probably a nightmare or something. I say this also because when she sees the Nichevoya, she's almost curious to what that is and not at all scared. If it had been the "real world", she would've already created the Bubble of Light, imo.

We've already seen the scene with the Darkling and the Nichevoya in the Twitter Valentine's Day sneak peek, so we already know that he's in the Fold and as quite a few people captured in there. If they follow the Siege and Storm plot, maybe this could be around after Sturmhond saves Alina and Mal.

The "It's Kirigan" scene, seeing the change of clothes of Nikolai (he ditched the Sturmhond blue coat for what looks like a goldish waistcoat), probably takes place at the Little Palace, at Os Alta. They might be talking at the attacks from Fjerda, since the Darkling (if I remeber correctly) was working with them at some point?

The shot with the Darkling holding up his hands is probably not connected to the following shot of darkness covering the glass dome of the Little Palace, since it looks like the lighting is that specific to the Fold (I might be wrong though). However we imeediately see again the glass dome, where the Nichevoya destroy it and start attacking people in the Little Palace. We see both Grisha and First Army soldiers (*coff coff* You go, Nikolai *coff coff*)

In the middle of those shots is Kaz, talking to someone. I'm guessing here, but the shoulder looks covered by a light white shirt, and we've seen mostly two people wearing those (that could interact with Kaz): Nina and Jesper.

While Alina does a voiceover, we have the Darkling with flames behind him. I think this could still be Alina's nightmare. The clothes Aleksander wears here are the ones we got used to in the first season, and even though the shot is a bit blurred, it doesn't seem like he has any scars on his face, making it seem more like a memory/hallucination than a real thing. Moreover, despite the flames could totally be those of the Little Palace, the cauldron on the left side makes me think this is more likely to be the same village Alina was in when the Fold took over it. However, to be entirely clear, the blue lighting is different than the gray one in the first scene with Alina and the Nichevoya.

Next scene is just Alina being a badass – and we're always happy to see that! – while Tamar and Nadia (our favourite backgrounf lesbians) are there. If I had to guess, they're probably in the Little Palace, but Nadia's clothing is not the Grisha one we're used to seeing... could they be somewhere else or are they just showing us that Grishas can wear other clothes other than their Keftas?

The next shot is a ship, still quite close to the shore (we can see the land and a couple cities in the distance). I'm guessing that's Novyi Zem but I'm not entirely sure, since the ship we're seeing is Sturmhond's, and following the events of Siege and Storm, it wouldn't entirely make sense. So it could also be Fjerda or still Novyi Zem, if they changed the plot of the book (which we already know they did in some parts).

Then we cut to inside the ship and we have Alina and Mal, Tolya in the background and NIKOLAI!! Ahem, I mean... Sturmhond (quick detour: I'm loving the "S" pattern on his coat). Also, he mentions that Alina can't tear down the Fold with just one amplifier, which means this probably happens before they get their hands on the second one, which means everything we readers knew about the plot of Siege and Storm has to be trashed... GREAT! Apart from that, nothing huge in this scene, but I'd like to mention Sturmhond's swagger (do you know how to sit in a chair, my love?), Alina showing off and being stunning in her Zhemeni clothing and Mal being proud of his wife-to-be. Quick shoutout to Tolya that, when Alina uses her powers, lets one hand fall from the gun.

After that we have Alina talking to the Apparat (we don't see him well but I'm pretty sure it's him... I completely forgot he didn't have a beard in the show). I'm also guessing we're back in the Palace library AND I think this is a memory, maybe? Alina has on her Sun Summoner Kefta (which means nothing, since I think she does get it back) and her hairstyle looks more like her S1 hair... also, the Apparat is not supposed to be around much... on the surface at least (IYKYK). We also have a shot of a book with Morozova and the amplifiers (the Sea Whip looks SO. COOL! I hope the CGI holds up).

Then we have another shot of Alina in her Sun Summoner suit and she's probably (most definitely) faicing the Darkling there. The lighting if the scene, the fact that she looks like she's in the Fold... once again, could be a nightmare/vision/memory/hallucitation (it is quite a plotpoint those visions in the books...), but it could also be real.

The ship we see next is still Sturmhond's, I think, and it's heading towards a high mountain. It seems like they're headed to Baghra (since in the following shot we see her), however Baghra should still be at Os Alta in season 2 and it looks like they're heading towards a mountain. The most important mountains we have in the books (aka Ruin and Rising) are Elbjen – which isn't anywhere close to the sea – and the Sikurzoi mountains, where the Firebird hides... could that be it or is it a completely different place?

When we cut to Baghra, Mal and Alina, they're entering a cave. It seems to be Baghra's cave from season 1, even though the entrance seems quite overgrown, so I'm not sure it's the same. The inside in the next few shots seems different, but it could just be another part of the caves we haven't seen yet. Talking about this underground "library", it reminds me the one in Ruin and Rising that the Apparat had in the cave system underground all Ravka...

Now that I've mentioned the underground tunnel system, we have to mention the elephant in the room: the Sea Whip is underground and not in the True Sea. A pity, which also means that maybe they have changed all the "Darkling captures Alina and Mal but then Sturmhond saves them". Not for sure, but maybe.

In the shot right after that of the Sea Whip, we have Tolya and Tamar in the undergorund caves (we already had a scene a bit like this one, also with Nikolai, in the first teaser) and also another dude with a hat, probably another one of Sturmhond's men (the red outfit made me think for a second that it was Ivan, but he's holding a gun – Ivan would never, since he's a proud Heartrender). Mal can be seen behind them and I'm already wondering WHAT THE HECK THE TRACKER IS DOING AT THE END OF THE GROUP! But let's go on.

Then we have Baghra and Alina talking. Baghra seems not to be blind (which is... okay? I guess?) but it looks like she was hurt since her right hand has bandages in it. Did the Darkling do that to her? Also, quick mention to Alina's wardrobe, since she's wearing what looks like a First Army outfit which matches Nikolai's in another shot (very neat!) so I'm guessing this happens when/after they're back in Os Alta, since after that Nikolai and Alina start matching their clothes (at least in the books).

Very quick shot of Alina using her Bubble of Light for the first time in the Fold (you can see she's wearing the red jacket she has also when they fly in the air for the first time on Nikolai's Hummingbird) followed by Alina and Mal's "Are you with me? - Always", which probably takes place in the Fold (once again, the lighting and blurry/foggy background, you know the drill by now).

We're now on Nikolai (look at him, so pretty!) and we can see a blurry shot of a ring (THE ring? It looks like an emerald...). Also, the way the Hummingbird takes flight? So. COOL! Here we can also see that they're going towards and through the Fold (in theory...) and Alina's red jacket, the one I mentioned before and that she also has in the following shot, when she's making the Bubble of Light. In that scene we can also see that she's quite happy, to which I have a couple of theories: 1. it's been a long time since she used her power to this level and the rush of it flowing in her veins is exhilarating; 2. she's actually using another amplifier and she's trying for the first time how powerful she now is. To support my idea, in that shot her right wrist is weirdly glowing. It could just be the light power or weird editing, but it could also be the Sea Whip bracelet glowing...

(Also, she has the red jacket when she's underground while – I'm guessing – fighting the Sea Whip)

Honorable mention to Nikolai being (as always) a ray of sunshine while watching in awe at the display of Alina's powers (thanks to @sixofbabycrows for pointing that out!).

Then we have the Genya/David hug (I can her the shippers still screaming at that) while Nikolai in the VO says "Danger". Well played, editors, well played. Also, is David hiding from the Darkling/other Grishas? 'Cause he's wearing a First Army uniform while hugging Genya, who's still in her kefta. Moreover, is the hug a 'real' hug (meaning, David initiated because he wanted to) or is it a way to protect Genya? We do see a silhouette moving behind him, and his eyes are focused on something behind Genya; maybe the Darkling?

Cut to Sturmhond being a treat and just a joy for the eyes (my eyes at least). He's still in the captain's quarter of his ship with Mal (we can see his head) and also Alina, since where Mal goes, she goes. And since we saw her there like... at the start of the trailer... and in one of the first promo still.

After that we get a nice aerial view of Ketterdam and it looks AMAZING (and do I spy Hellgate in the bottom right corner on the shot? Probably not though... oh well!).

And finally we see the Crows we have already gotten acquainted with. Kaz, brooding as ever; Jesper, who seems to be enjoying himself as always (is he so happy because they're going to get their demo man? Or are they simply going get money?). And finally Inej, who looks for just a moment at what they're headed towards before her eyes shot up to the sky, probably looking for a way to get on the roofs of the city and get a better view around.

Then we have Kaz hitting people with his cane, very satisfying. Also, the place where he's in when he's destroying those people looks like a bit like a pub or something (there are chairs and tables and boots), but it doesn't resemble the Crows club. Is it another Ketterdam's club?

Following that, we have Kaz opening the sliding door of a house which seems to be heavily inspired by Asian architecture (the sliding doors, what seem to be paper 'walls' with a tree pattern on them, the low roofs and the small peek we get at a round entryway). I hope this means the Crows are in Shu-Han because we will finally see it and I can't wait! Also, is that Tolya behind Kaz? How early in the season do we get the SOC/S&B team-up? Maybe they meet on the Sikurzoi?

We then cut to Inej being the hottest badass alive in a taxidermy workshop. There is not much that we can get from this scene. The only thing I can point out is that Inej seems to be wearing the same clothes she had in a few shots back (when she appeared with Kaz and Jesper), but she does tend to wear the same clothes over and over, as pretty much do the other Crows.

Jesper's clip that follows – apart from being another show of badassery, thank you very much – doesn't really have much to it. He has different clothes and he's shooting at, at least, two enemies, but I can't really tell much more than this from this small scene.

Then we have Kaz and his amazing one liner while he's talking with Nikolai (I literally can't wait for them to interact OMG!) while holding his cane, who now looks lika a crow's skeleton, while in the first season was still a crow's head. It might be a long shot, but this shot might be after the scene in the chapel we see later on. Just a hunch though, I have no proof of that other than a feeling.

In the following scene we have Alina using her powers on Sturmhond's boat (you can see him – or to be more accurate, his coat – in the far right of the shot, covering his eyes) and even though the scene does resemble the one in the Fold, here the boat is still on the sea. The waves can be seen when she uses her powers. Then we move a bit away from the boat and we see, other than the normal light Alina emits when she summons the light, also some swirly golden thinghies. So, imo, this scene can be either: 1. Alina using her power to keep away the Nichevoyas (even though we cannot see any in the scene) or 2. Alina using her power for the first time after killing the Sea Whip and trasforming his bones into an amplifier (which would kind of explain the swirly things, as they resemble the sea serpent?).

After that, we have the Darkling and Alina in what looks like the War Room. The entire setting is characterized by gold and black accent, both in Alina's "Darkling" dress and the lighting in the scene. I'm guessing so that this probably takes place in the Darkling's mind. Or maybe in some of the mutual hallucinations/visions the two of them have with each other.

___________________

If you reached this point, thank you for reading and I hope you enjoyed this partial analysis! <3

[malinaa]

siege and storm is so underrated bc u have mal angrily stomping around os alta bc he's jealous of smth that will Never happen (alina being with another man)

[queenslandlions]

Qual é o melhor jogo online que realmente paga dinheiro?

🎰🎲✨ Receba 2.000 reais e 200 rodadas grátis, além de um bônus instantâneo para jogar jogos de cassino com apenas um clique! ✨🎲🎰

Qual é o melhor jogo online que realmente paga dinheiro?

Melhores jogos online pagos

Claro! Aqui está o artigo sobre os melhores jogos online pagos:

Quando se trata de entretenimento virtual, os jogos online pagos oferecem uma experiência de qualidade incomparável. Com gráficos impressionantes, jogabilidade envolvente e comunidades ativas, esses jogos conquistam os corações dos jogadores ávidos em todo o mundo. Se você está procurando mergulhar em aventuras emocionantes e competir com outros jogadores em cenários eletrizantes, confira esta lista dos melhores jogos online pagos disponíveis:

World of Warcraft: Este MMORPG épico continua a ser um dos favoritos entre os jogadores, oferecendo um vasto mundo para explorar, missões desafiadoras e batalhas emocionantes contra monstros e outros jogadores.

Final Fantasy XIV: Com uma história cativante e um sistema de combate dinâmico, este MMORPG baseado na famosa franquia de RPGs oferece uma experiência imersiva e repleta de conteúdo para os fãs de fantasia.

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive: Este popular jogo de tiro em primeira pessoa atrai milhões de jogadores com sua jogabilidade competitiva, mapas bem projetados e constante atualização de conteúdo.

Rainbow Six Siege: Como um dos melhores jogos de tiro tático do mercado, Rainbow Six Siege oferece partidas intensas, estratégia profunda e uma variedade de operadores com habilidades únicas.

GTA Online: A versão online do icônico Grand Theft Auto V permite que os jogadores explorem livremente o mundo aberto de Los Santos, participem de missões emocionantes e compitam em atividades multiplayer.

Ao investir em jogos online pagos, os jogadores garantem acesso a conteúdo premium, suporte contínuo dos desenvolvedores e uma experiência de jogo de alta qualidade. Seja explorando mundos de fantasia, enfrentando desafios competitivos ou vivendo aventuras urbanas, esses jogos oferecem infinitas horas de diversão para os entusiastas de jogos virtuais.

Plataformas de jogos que pagam dinheiro

As plataformas de jogos que oferecem a oportunidade de ganhar dinheiro estão se tornando cada vez mais populares entre os jogadores online. Essas plataformas proporcionam uma maneira divertida e emocionante de ganhar uma renda extra enquanto se diverte jogando.

Uma das formas mais comuns de ganhar dinheiro em plataformas de jogos é através de jogos de cassino online. Nestes sites, os jogadores podem participar de uma variedade de jogos, como caça-níqueis, pôquer, roleta e blackjack, entre outros. Ao ganhar em jogos de cassino online, os jogadores podem receber prêmios em dinheiro real, dependendo do site e das regras específicas de cada jogo.

Além dos cassinos online, existem também plataformas de jogos que oferecem competições e torneios onde os jogadores podem ganhar prêmios em dinheiro. Estes podem incluir torneios de jogos de vídeo, jogos de habilidade, e-sports e muito mais. Os prêmios em dinheiro podem variar de pequenas quantias a grandes somas, dependendo do tipo de competição e do número de participantes.

É importante notar que, embora seja possível ganhar dinheiro em plataformas de jogos, também há um elemento de risco envolvido. Nem todos os jogadores serão bem-sucedidos em ganhar dinheiro, e é importante jogar de forma responsável e consciente.

Em resumo, as plataformas de jogos que pagam dinheiro oferecem uma maneira emocionante e potencialmente lucrativa de entretenimento online. Se você é um jogador ávido e está procurando uma maneira de ganhar dinheiro extra enquanto se diverte, essas plataformas podem ser uma excelente opção. No entanto, lembre-se sempre de jogar de forma responsável e consciente, e nunca gaste mais do que pode perder.

Jogos online com recompensas em dinheiro real

Claro, aqui está o artigo:

Jogos Online com Recompensas em Dinheiro Real: Diversão e Lucratividade ao Alcance dos seus Dedos

Nos últimos anos, os jogos online têm se tornado uma atividade cada vez mais popular, não apenas como uma forma de entretenimento, mas também como uma oportunidade de ganhar dinheiro real. Com o avanço da tecnologia e a crescente acessibilidade à internet, uma ampla variedade de jogos online agora oferece recompensas em dinheiro para os jogadores mais habilidosos.

Uma das principais vantagens dos jogos online com recompensas em dinheiro real é a diversidade de opções disponíveis. Seja você um fã de jogos de cartas, como pôquer e blackjack, ou prefira desafios de habilidade, como jogos de quebra-cabeça e estratégia, há algo para todos os gostos e habilidades. Além disso, muitos desses jogos são facilmente acessíveis através de dispositivos móveis, permitindo que você jogue quando e onde quiser.

Além da diversão proporcionada pelos jogos, a possibilidade de ganhar dinheiro real adiciona uma camada extra de emoção e motivação. Para muitos jogadores, a perspectiva de transformar seu tempo de lazer em uma fonte de renda adicional é extremamente atraente. No entanto, é importante notar que, assim como em qualquer forma de jogo, há um elemento de risco envolvido, e é essencial jogar de forma responsável e consciente.

Para quem deseja explorar o mundo dos jogos online com recompensas em dinheiro real, é importante escolher plataformas confiáveis e seguras. Procure por sites e aplicativos licenciados, que ofereçam medidas de segurança robustas para proteger seus dados pessoais e financeiros. Além disso, esteja ciente das políticas de jogo responsável e defina limites para si mesmo, tanto em termos de tempo quanto de dinheiro gasto.

Em resumo, os jogos online com recompensas em dinheiro real oferecem uma combinação única de diversão e potencial lucrativo. Com uma variedade de opções disponíveis e a conveniência de jogar a qualquer momento, esses jogos proporcionam uma experiência emocionante e gratificante para jogadores de todos os níveis de habilidade.

Avaliações de jogos online pagos

Claro, aqui está o artigo:

Avaliações de jogos online pagos

Os jogos online têm se tornado uma forma popular de entretenimento, proporcionando horas de diversão e desafios para os jogadores. Com o aumento da demanda por experiências de jogos de alta qualidade, muitos desenvolvedores estão lançando jogos online pagos, que oferecem uma variedade de recursos e conteúdos exclusivos para os jogadores.

No entanto, com tantas opções disponíveis no mercado, pode ser difícil para os jogadores decidirem quais jogos online pagos valem o investimento. É aqui que as avaliações de jogos entram em cena. Essas avaliações fornecem uma visão detalhada sobre a jogabilidade, gráficos, trilha sonora, história e outros aspectos importantes do jogo, ajudando os jogadores a fazerem escolhas informadas.

Ao considerar uma avaliação de jogo online pago, os jogadores devem procurar por fontes confiáveis e imparciais. Sites especializados em análises de jogos, fóruns de jogadores e comunidades online são ótimos lugares para encontrar avaliações honestas e objetivas. Além disso, é importante considerar o histórico do revisor e se ele tem experiência relevante no gênero do jogo em questão.

Ao ler as avaliações, os jogadores devem prestar atenção aos pontos fortes e fracos destacados, bem como às preferências pessoais do revisor. O que pode ser um aspecto negativo para um jogador pode ser um ponto positivo para outro, então é importante considerar diferentes perspectivas antes de tomar uma decisão.

Em resumo, as avaliações de jogos online pagos são uma ferramenta valiosa para os jogadores que desejam fazer escolhas inteligentes sobre onde investir seu dinheiro. Ao procurar por avaliações confiáveis e considerar diferentes opiniões, os jogadores podem garantir uma experiência de jogo online gratificante e satisfatória.

Estratégias para ganhar dinheiro em jogos online

Claro, aqui está o artigo solicitado:

Ganhar dinheiro enquanto joga online pode parecer um sonho para muitos, mas com as estratégias certas, pode se tornar uma realidade. Existem várias maneiras de transformar seu tempo de jogo em uma fonte de renda extra ou até mesmo em uma carreira lucrativa. Vamos explorar algumas estratégias que podem ajudá-lo a alcançar esse objetivo.

Especialize-se em um jogo: Em vez de jogar vários jogos diferentes, concentre-se em se tornar um especialista em um único jogo. Isso permitirá que você conheça profundamente as mecânicas do jogo, desenvolva habilidades excepcionais e se destaque entre os jogadores.

Participe de torneios e competições: Muitos jogos online oferecem torneios e competições com prêmios em dinheiro para os vencedores. Fique de olho nessas oportunidades e participe sempre que possível. Mesmo que não vença logo de início, a experiência e a exposição podem abrir portas para futuras vitórias.

Transmita suas partidas ao vivo: Plataformas de streaming como Twitch e YouTube Gaming oferecem uma maneira de ganhar dinheiro enquanto joga. Transmita suas partidas ao vivo, interaja com seus espectadores e aproveite as doações e assinaturas para gerar uma renda adicional.

Venda itens virtuais: Se você joga jogos que têm economias de mercado internas, como itens virtuais, skins ou recursos, considere investir tempo na obtenção desses itens e depois vendê-los para outros jogadores. Sites especializados oferecem plataformas para facilitar essas transações.

Torne-se um testador de jogos: Empresas de desenvolvimento de jogos frequentemente contratam testadores para avaliar a jogabilidade, identificar bugs e fornecer feedback. Procure oportunidades de trabalho freelance ou em tempo integral nessa área.

Com dedicação, habilidade e um pouco de sorte, é possível transformar sua paixão por jogos online em uma fonte viável de renda. Experimente diferentes estratégias, adapte-se às mudanças no cenário dos jogos e mantenha-se sempre atualizado para maximizar suas chances de sucesso.

[stromuprisahat]

Siege and Storm- Chapter 22 (Leigh Bardugo)

We often talk about how the Darkling kindly resolved Nikolai's issue about getting rid of his legitimate brother, but how about that time, when a single (1) nichevo'ya did a better job of protecting Alina, than the Blade Boy during his whole "Captain of the Guard" career?!

The shadow babies are quite obviously made of Aleksander- not only they don't harm Alina during the Siege, they eliminate a threat to her as soon as it arises. Meanwhile the man himself isn't even anywhere to be seen yet.

The King of Getting Shit Done™.

[oretsev]

all i’m saying is if the show has archie renaux narrate mal’s letter during a montage of his unit hunting the stag i will literally burst into tears

[magic-slayyyer]

When you can’t put it down.

[thebadgerclan]

Ten Years

Pairing: Nikolai Lantsov x reader

Summary: Ten years on the throne...

A/N: Finished Siege and Storm again and I am officially back on my Nikolai bullshit 😂

Ten years.  Nikolai had sat the Ravkan throne for ten years; ten wonderful, peaceful, prosperous years, and you’d been at his side for 8 of them.  After the Fjerdan War, Nikolai had finally been able to find a bride, and you’d stolen his heart right away.  The royal wedding had been extravagant, and the 10th anniversary of the ascension matched it.  There had been celebrations all week long, sweets, ale, and other delicacies sent to every village.

The streets of Os Alta were draped in Lantsov blue and gold, the double-eagle adorning nearly every door.  It was all leading up to a grand ball, in which every nobleman, general, and courtier would be in attendance.  You’d attended more balls than you could count in your 8 years of being Queen, but few had the glitz and pomp surrounding Nikolai’s ascension anniversary.  

Your maids laced up the back of the gown you’d had made just for the occasion: a gold brocade stomacher and full skirt, the Lantsov double-eagle stitched in shimmering gold thread.  The remainder of the bodice was pale blue silk, featuring a square neckline and sleeves that went to your wrists.  The blue silk continued in the skirts, cascading over the gold like rippling water, allowing the brocade to show at the front of your body.  The hem of your gown was embroidered in gold thread, a short train trailing behind you.

Your hair was curled and pinned into an elaborate updo, your state crown secured to your head; eagles wings twisted in gold studded with sapphires.  Diamonds hung from your ears, and a new necklace was secured around your neck.  It had been a gift from Nikolai; aquamarine and citrine that glimmered when you moved.  Leave it to Nikolai to get you a gift for his ascension anniversary.

When the ball was set to begin, you joined the procession heading into the ballroom.  An ascension anniversary was a chance for the King’s closest advisors and generals to swear fealty to the Crown, and while it was purely ceremonial, the Queen also partook.  You looked over the heads of noblemen and First and Second Army leaders to see your husband seated on his throne, the twin to your crown on his head, clad in his formal military uniform.

One by one, the court went to one knee before Nikolai, swearing their loyalty and fealty to their King and Crown.  Finally, it was your turn, and you sank to one knee before your husband.  “I pledge my loyalty to you, King Nikolai, and to the Ravkan Crown,” you said, dipping your chin.  Your husband rose from his throne, and you watched as he approached you, holding out his hands.

You took them, and Nikolai helped you to stand, pulling you into a kiss.  “And I pledge my loyalty to you, Queen Y/N.  For the rest of my life.”  You smiled, resting your forehead against your husband’s, only pulling back when the musicians began playing.  You were swept into a waltz, the court watching as you danced.  Your eyes never left his as you spun around the room, a smile on your face.

When the waltz ended and another song began, other couples joined the dancing.  The room was a blur of a rainbow of silk and velvet, the Grisha in their kefta, everyone enjoying themselves.  After the second dance, Nikolai led you to the side of the room where a buffet had been laid out, preparing a plate for you.  “Kolya, this is your party,” you said, taking the plate from you.  “I should be making you a plate.”

But your husband shook his head, pressing a kiss to your forehead.  “Nonsense.  It may be my party, but I will always serve my wife.”  Nikolai kissed you properly then, and a few courtiers around you smiled.  The decision to forgo a formal dinner appeared to be immensely popular, and you watched as the Grisha mingled with the First Army soldiers, different ranks able to interact where they wouldn’t if they were seated at a table.

“Have I told you how lovely you look this evening, my love?” Nikolai asked, resting his hand on the small of your back.  You looked at him and smiled.  “I don’t think you have.”  “Well, I must remedy that at once!”  Your husband took your plate from your hands and set it on the table before taking your hands in his, pressing kisses to your knuckles.  He then kissed up your arm and neck before peppering your face with kisses, causing you to giggle.

“Nikolai!”  “That’s my name, lovely,” he said, pecking your nose.  “Best not to wear it out.”  You swatted his chest playfully before reclaiming your plate.  When most of the guests had finished eating, you lifted your water glass and clinked it with a knife.  “I’d like to propose a toast,” you called.  “To my beloved husband and our righteous King.  Nikolai Lantsov, you are a fearless, intelligent, just, brave man, and I am honored to be your wife.  I won’t waste time listing your achievements and accomplishments, because there are far too many for me to even begin to say, so I’ll say this instead:

“I love you, Nikolai.  May your reign continue to be peaceful and prosperous…” you paused, setting your glass down and resting your hand on your stomach.  “As well as the next.”  Your husband went from smiling at you to gaping, his eyes wide.  “Y/N,” he said, his voice quiet.  “Y/N, please tell me you’re not joking.”  “I’m not,” you said, a giddy smile breaking out on your face.  “I’m pregnant, Nikolai, we’re having a baby!”

Your husband gave a shout of delight before lifting you into his arms, spinning you around gleefully.  “I’m going to be a father!”  Nikolai set you down and kissed you deeply, and when he pulled back, he dropped to his knees and pressed a kiss to your belly.  Even through his overwhelming joy, Nikolai remembered the procedures in place for such an instance: when the conception of a royal heir was discovered, the King was required to call a special session of council to inform his advisors.  But since they were all here… “Queen Y/N is with child!” he shouted, still kneeling before you.  “We shall have an heir!”  Nikolai hurriedly stood and grabbed his glass.  “To my beloved wife and to our child!”  The court toasted before clapping, and your husband kissed you again, keeping a hand on your belly.  “I didn’t think it was possible,” he said, resting his forehead against yours.  “To love you more than I do, but then you dropped that little bomb, and suddenly, I love you so much more than I did 5 minutes ago.”

You smiled, resting a hand on Nikolai’s chest.  “Well, I think I’ll have a run for my money once this little one arrives.  Maybe you’ll love them more than me.”  “Impossible,” he refuted.  “And before you say anything, I do mean impossible.  I will love our son or daughter, but I can never love anyone more than I love you.  And I love you, Y/N, I love you so much.  Thank you, my love.”  “I love you too, Kolya.  But what are you thanking me for?”  “For loving me,” Nikolai said.  “For ruling with me, for being there for me, for giving me a child.  For everything, Y/N.  Absolutely everything.”

[vicioux]

DARKLINA FIC RECS

so i never would've thought when i read my first alarkling / darklina fanfic that SEVEN YEARS LATER i'd be 1. still reading them 2. making a fic rec list and 3. going to get a chance to see my ship in action on a television show with ben barnes as the darkling??? mindblown. so i've put together a list of all my favorite OG pre-show darklina fics for y'all to enjoy - i'm hoping the show draws more people to the ship so even more delicious content is created...basically i want more to read so i can do another fic rec list after the show's been out for a while HAHA p.s you can find the rest of my fic rec lists here. *update* click for PART TWO of DARKLINA FIC RECS and also for MODERN AU DARKLINA FIC RECS!!!

multichapter (aka canon-divergence galore)

START A WAR by nymja It takes three hundred years to love him.

A CURSE BETWEEN US by hanpersands Theirs is a delicate balance. They work because they are eternal, and there is only two of them. (Or, Alina gets knocked up and disappears. The Darkling is less than pleased)

TIMELESS series by destinies Alina Starkov expected to wake up on a ship sailing across the True Sea, one that would take her far from Ravka, far from the Darkling and his mad crusade. Instead, she awoke in Os Alta to a devastating truth: the war was won nearly a century ago, her first love was dead, and she remembered nothing. Not even that, as part of her surrender, she agreed to a political marriage.

SCARS OF LIGHT by kallypso Alina Starkov knows what it is to lose. Then she meets the Darkling, the powerful and handsome Grisha in charge of the second army. A man she swears she has seen before in passing hallucinations. He has spent years searching for her since the first rumors of a girl who shone like a star rose from Keramzin, and now he has found her.

TO BE SEEN by larry_hystereks Alina has spent her life knowing what it's like to be hunted for being Grisha. She uses her powers to hide herself, hide other Grisha, and forms the Invisible Army. her main focus is to free the Grisha until she meets him; the Darkling, commander of the Second Army, summoner of the shadows. (if alina knew she was Grisha her whole life and if her and the Darkling were truly equals)

STARLESS by opheliarose They said the Darkling dwelt in a tower at the Little Palace, perched above the world like a dragon guarding its treasure. That treasure, as it so happened, was a girl. Yet when he selects an orphan girl with no past, a new future presents itself.

LONGER THAN LIFETIMES by moonburntmemory Alina Starkov and the Darkling cannot help but fall victim to ties that bind them. Neither can break from the ruthless cycle of fate connecting them. He is the night that allows all to know the shine of her sun.

IT FOLLOWS by queen_haq She isn't quite herself; neither is he. But when they come together, it's explosive. (“Our powers amplify when we’re physically connected.”)

A RAVEN AND A DOVE by amelia island What if the Darkling had met Alina before she awoke as the Sun Summoner? What if it wasn't Mal's life she saved on the Fold?

alternate universe

MOST ARDENTLY by captaingriffin Aleksander Morozova is handsome, rich, and not used to having romantic feelings for anybody, let alone mouthy orphan girls who are annoyingly endearing. Alina Starkov is quite comfortable being alone, and doesn't have much taste for the conceited, rude, and insensitive Mr. Morozova, which she makes sure to tell him constantly. pride&prejudice!AU

LONE CANDLES by nymja They've lived four lives together. Only one ends happily. reincarnation!AU

IT'S A DANGEROUS GAME by ohwastelandbaby Left as the only witness to a heist, Alina Starkov is in need of protection from a band of criminals out to get her. What Agent Kirigan offers her, is far more complicated. bodyguard!AU

THE WEIGHT OF WINGS by eosithe In different times, in different places, Alina and Aleksander meet again and again. As the sum of a lifetime(s) of choices, their story is never the same twice.

SIEGING THE STORM AMONG THE RISING BONES OF RUINED SHADOWS by kara_luna Alina doesn't go back to the day she met her greatest enemy or the day she stumbled into an orphanage. She wakes up in a time she's never lived surrounded by the village of a boy she once knew as a man who held shadows in his bare hands and commanded armies and entire nations... And he's a child who looks at her with eyes full of light. timetravel!AU

UNRAVEL ME by bananamilkis Living most of her life in a whore house, can Alina free herself from the invisible chains that Ana has on her or can a mysterious man unravel the truth for her?

MAKE ME YOUR VILLAIN by elegygoldsmith In which the destiny of Reylina Starkov, a scavenger and Omega sun summoner, becomes entwined with that of the Darkling, Alpha Emperor Kylo Ren.

oneshots

WHATEVER OUR SOULS ARE MADE OF by the_darkling 🌶️🌶️🌶️ This is the way it is between the two of them, an inexorable attraction that accompanies their every meeting. And if finally giving in means falling prey to his designs, then she’s happy to be devoured.

SEALED by the_darkling Her dear husband’s moods were as changeable and unpredictable as the wind but his affection for her was constant and unfailing, and Alina liked his kisses best of all.

BETWEEN MIDNIGHTS by vuas 🌶️🌶️🌶️ “You’re my wife, my sun summoner,” he continues undeterred, hot breath fanning over her neck. “You’re mine. I can do whatever I please with you. Why shouldn’t I kiss you?”

THE SILENCE OF YOUR TOUCH by wellthatsood After Alina first uses their connection, she wants more. Only this time, he isn’t alone - but that just makes it more fun. Or, “How to Frustrate (in more ways than one) Someone Who Can’t Talk Back: An Exploratory Study ft. Alina Starkov”

YOU LEFT ME IN THE DARK (NO DAWN, NO DAY) by cursebreakker An exploration of Alina Starkov's life as she realizes she's not aging like her husband is. Meanwhile, the shadows in the corner of her room observe.

anything and everything by these authors

NYMJA HANPERSANDS VUAS 🌶️🌶️🌶️ DARKLESMYLOVE CURSEBREAKKER