#nikolai lantsov x mal oretsev

[sunstitched]

Chapter 7 of Heat Lightning is finally here!!!

Hope you all enjoy the chaos and intensity and heartbreak and love! This is only the beginning <33 there’s so much more to come!

[mixed-imagination]

A Grisha's Affair - Nikolai x Grisha!Reader x Kirigan (part 1)

PAIRING: Nikolai Lantsov x Fem!Grisha!reader x General Kirigan ♡

NOTE: This is the first part of a short two parter.

*** Requested by @seronsalk

*** Beautiful golden divider created by @saradika ♡♡♡

As you neared the rear entrance of the Little Palace, your heart raced within your chest, drumming a quick and frantic beat. You had pushed yourself to the limit, sprinting down the forest path until your lungs burned and your breath came in ragged gasps. You cursed yourself and wondered why you had driven yourself to that point anyway.

A sudden memory flooded your mind, creating a rush of emotions.

You pounded on Nikolai's door. You weren't sure why you were so eager to see him, but you chalked it up to wanting only to say goodbye.

The door swung open to reveal Nikolai standing in his untied robe. His face seemed surprised to see you, but with one look at you, he greeted you with a big smile "Y/N, isn’t it past your curfew, little miss Durast?

You mirrored his smile but furrowed your brows, "I'm no longer a child, Nikolai."

"No, you certainly are not." His gaze descended your figure which made your cheeks hot. You were suddenly aware of how exposed and vulnerable you were. There you stood, before this handsome prince, in a thin, lace night dress and silk robe.

You wrapped your robe tighter around your frame, praying Nikolai did not catch a glimpse of the cold night air exposing your natural body, "Let me in."

"Won't you get in trouble with your Darkling?”

"I haven't seen him in weeks," you pushed past him and headed straight to the opposite side of his room. You settled in front of his desk, leaning your hands back against the chair.

Nikolai shut the door and his smile widened. He waited for you to continue speaking but it didn't come, so he responded, "Am I his replacement then?"

“General Kirigan?”

“The one and only Darkling.”

"What, no, of course not. First off, he’s my superior, and you’re no way near—" You huffed, "Stop. I'm not here to be questioned by you."

Nikolai laughed, "Right. Go on then."

The halls were dimly lit, and you realized you had never ventured through the palace this late before. You prayed that no one had noticed you sneaking back in after your late-night rendezvous. You didn't want to risk General Kirigan finding out about your secret meetings.

The unfamiliarity of your surroundings and the thought of what might be waiting for you made you quicken your pace as fast as you could without running. As you rounded the next corner, your hand instinctively went to your chest, trying to calm the erratic beating of your heart.

You crossed your arms, "So tomorrow you leave again."

"As soon as the sun rises, I'm off," Nikolai did not come closer to you. Instead, he copied your position and leaned his back against the door frame.

You found your gaze inevitably drawn to the way his torso muscles rippled underneath his robe with each subtle movement, causing you to bite your lip in frustration at the unyielding distance between you.

"And where are you going to this time?"

"Novyi Zem." Your chest ached, knowing well how long the journey would be. "There's a talented Fabrikator there that's willing to create a strong steel for my newest creation."

Your jaw dropped slightly. You were slightly offended but your playful tone remained, "What? Fabrikator? Have you forgotten I'm a durast? You could've asked me to—"

Nikolai finally stepped forward and raised his hands, "Y/N no, you're one of my closest friends, I couldn't—"

Friend.

A memory of his mouth on yours suddenly flashed in your mind.

Friends don't kiss.

You ignored it.

Breathless and with a light sheen of sweat on your forehead, you finally reached the entrance to your wing of the palace. You could see the guards standing, their eyes watching your every move.

You tried to act casual, as if you had simply been out for a stroll in the gardens, but your heart was racing with fear. What if they could somehow sense your guilt and apprehend you on the spot?

You approached them with a smile and a greeting, hoping to deflect their attention. They nodded politely, but you could tell they were eyeing you suspiciously.

As you made your way down your long corridor, you felt relieved to see the door to your bedroom. You couldn't believe you had gotten away with it.

You giggled to yourself, remembering once again.

"Saints, Nikolai, that's exactly why you should've asked me!" your head tilted and you tutted, "I bet I could do your fabrikator better."

"Better than 80,000 tensile strength?"

"100,000 tensile strength and more!"

He threw his head back, "Oh no, you're joking. Really?"

Your face broke into a big grin. "Yes, yes, yes, you bet your royal arse I can,” you laughed.

Like always, you fell into an ongoing easy conversation with Nikolai. Talking with him was breath of fresh air as you had a natural understanding of each other. Your conversations always felt like a plunge into an infinite pool that contained both his thoughts and yours.

As you listened to him speak about his latest invention, you couldn't help but get lost in not only his words but also in his boyishly handsome features. His dark blonde hair was perfectly messy and his blue eyes sparkled with mischief. You stared at the way his lips moved and how the sharpness of his jawline accentuated with every sentence.

You tried to focus, but your mind kept wandering to other things, like how it would feel to run your hands through his hair and kiss him again. A heat suddenly began to rise in your cheeks, your attraction to him growing more obvious.

Nikolai stood only a few feet away from you now. He started to notice how your eyes seemed to linger on him a little longer than usual. "Are you alright, Y/N?"

You blinked and nodded, "Oh yes, I am."

"Good," he beamed and stepped closer. "So tell me. Why have you come? I've never seen you out this late."

You shrugged, avoiding his eyes, "What? I can't come and spend quality time with my closest friend?"

"Not at this hour, little miss goodie two shoes," he smirked.

You turned with your back facing him now and looked down at his desk, feigning interest in the papers placed on it. "Maybe I wanted to say goodbye. As a friend should."

He scoffed, "Don't say you're actually going to miss me when I'm gone."

"A good, best, closest friend would."

Nikolai was right behind you now. The third time you exaggerated the word, a knowing shit-eating grin grew across his face. "You sound like you have an issue with being my friend."

You finally entered your room and firmly pressed both palms against the door, shutting it behind you. Leaning your forehead against the cool wood, you lingered in that stance, still lost in your reverie.

"I am but your friend Nikolai, I have no issue."

Unexpectedly, the weight of his hand resting on your shoulder sent a shiver down your spine, your silk robe providing little barrier between his warm palm and your skin. It felt as though his touch had set your nerves alight, leaving you with goosebumps despite the delicate fabric that separated you.

His thumb began tracing circles on your shoulder, and you couldn't help but lean into his touch. You felt his fingers slowly making their way down your arm, gently squeezing your skin. He was leaving a trail of fire along your shoulder as they traveled back up to your neck, only to slowly descend down again. With a deft movement, he pulled your silk robe down your shoulder. The unexpected touch sent a jolt of desire through your body.

"You stubborn thing. You don't want to be my friend, Y/N?"

He then swept your hair away, revealing a tantalizing sliver of skin to his gaze. As he leaned down, you felt his warm breath tickling your ear. "Nikolai," you whispered breathlessly.

"Why are you really here, love?" his voice was low and seductive.

You suddenly felt wet, tender kisses trail down your neck, causing your core to ignite. The sound of your mingled breaths and the soft smack of his lips sucking against your skin filled the air. Each touch of his lips made you feel like you were melting, completely powerless to resist him.

His strong hands wrapped around your waist, pulling you closer into him. You could feel his lower abdomen pressing hard against your backside, making you feel weak in the knees. Without warning, he spun you around to face him, his intense gaze locking onto yours. He leaned in for a kiss with his arms still wrapped tightly around you, as if never wanting to let go.

In that moment, all your doubts and fears faded away. It was just you and him, lost in each other.

You replayed the memory over and over again in your mind. The softness of his lips, the way his hands cupped your face, and the way you felt as though time stood still in that moment. You sighed, sinking further into the memory when a voice interrupted your thoughts.

"Penny for your thoughts, Y/N?"

Your heart skipped a beat, startled out of your reverie. As you turned around, your eyes landed on a tall, dark figure.

"Aleksander!"

The corners of his mouth curved upward, "You seemed to be lost in thought, milaya."

♡ part two coming soon....

soooo my brain was formulating the idea for this concept, and originally it was just supposed to be a one part one shot, but idk i just went off LOL. like holy, i went down a rabbit hole and came back up with enough plot for a series.

should i write a series? let me know what you think!!!

if i do, im imagining there'll be some mutual pining, angst, fluff, and spiiiice - wink wink wink -

if you enjoyed, please support me and my writing by giving me a like, reblog, or follow! thanks ♡♡♡

♡ gage

[wexpyke]

a Nikolai gif set a day keeps the nichevo'ya away

#mal's like talk dirty inventions to me

[audreyclimbs]

In response to this ask, here’s some Nikolai hurt/comfort ☺️

“c’mere, let me hold you”

Pairing: Nikolai Lantsov x afab!reader

Warnings: Nikolai being a simp? Allusions to sex, sort of edited oops, established relationship, reader is called milaya (translates to sweet girl in English) so basically fem reader, just Nikolai comforting his betrothed after she has a rough day so pretty much just fluff

First fic yippie! Anon, I hope you like this and please please please keep the requests coming yall!

Your bones felt tired in a way you knew surpassed the physical exhaustion you had endured today. Your eyes stung from the amount of times you had staved off tears of pure frustration, and you weren’t sure how much longer you could force the lump swelling in your throat back down. With heavy footfalls, you carried yourself to the one place of true solace in this Saints-forsaken palace.

Walking past the guards with a familiar half smile that you knew didn’t reach your eyes, you crossed the threshold into Nikolai’s chambers. As if your body could sense the change in atmosphere before your mind caught up, you felt your shoulders relax microscopically.

And there he was in all of his perfect, unfairly handsome glory. The domesticity of this moment alone was enough to bring the first genuine smile, no matter how small, to your lips. You could feel cracks beginning to form in the floodgates you’d been holding shut all day, but here with him, you didn’t truly care.

His hair was in damp waves and based on the faint smell of bathing oils and soap, you guessed he had just finished a bath. He was in a linen sleep shirt, your favorite because of how soft it always felt against your cheek as you two fell asleep, and a pair of sleep pants. Nikolai was sitting up against the headboard of your shared bed, holding what looked like correspondence, likely from one of his outposts along the Ravkan border. Upon seeing you, though, he immediately cast the papers aside and regarded you with a warmth intense enough to melt all of Fjerda. Saints, how you’d missed him today.

“Hello, lovely,” he said softly, hand stretching out to beckon you to bed.

“Hi,” you cringed internally at how small and watery your voice sounded, even to your own ears.

His brows furrowed slightly, but he said nothing, letting you come to him at your own pace. His hand dropped back into his lap as he simply observed you, drinking you in after your time spent apart today. Before making your way to bed, you mindlessly slipped out of your day clothes and into one of the dozens of exquisite nightgowns Nikolai had made for you since your engagement. You had tried and failed to argue with him about how one person could not need that many nightgowns and that you’d be more than satisfied with just a few. He had of course countered with “What makes you think they’re all for your personal enjoyment? I happen to rather love the way you look in silk, satin, lace… nothing at all is my personal favorite, but they’re close seconds I suppose”

You lost that argument rather quickly.

Of course some of them, like the one you chose for this evening, were simply soft satin that draped comfortably over your skin. This one, you thought fleetingly, was made to be kept on, not taken off. Not that that had ever stopped Nikolai before.

Snapping out of your haze, you turned back to the bed and padded your way towards it. As you did, Nikolai shifted forward to sit at the foot of the bed, legs spread to welcome you to stand between them upon your arrival. Mindlessly, you did. His hands instantly greeted your hips, thumbs rubbing soothing circles as his eyes searched your face.

Suddenly, his tunic collar was very interesting.

“What’s wrong, milaya?” He practically whispered, leaning into your space to search your eyes. “Rough day?”

That aggravating lump formed in your throat once more, but you knew there was no point in trying to push it back down again— not with him. At your subconscious admission of defeat, you felt that familiar burning of tears begin once more behind your eyes. You let them come and well up in your vision, blurring the soft cream color of his tunic and how it draped across his strong chest. A silent nod from you.

“Yeah,” you murmured wetly.

“Darling,” Nikolai answered softly, hands sliding from your hips to your lower back, pulling you in closer so that your head made contact with the crook of his neck. “C’mere, let me hold you.”

At those words, you felt the cracks in your floodgates give way. The weight of the day finally came rushing through you in a torrent of frustration, pain, and despair. You felt one cry after another bubble past your lips, tears flooding from your eyes steadily, drenching the collar occasionally Nikolai’s shirt. In the back of your mind, you felt a twinge of guilt at possibly ruining his shirt, but in this moment, you couldn’t bring yourself to care. Not when his hands were running up and down your back, fingertips tracing your spine so so delicately, like you would break or fade away at a fractionally harsher touch.

“Come here, milaya,” he murmured into your hair, pressing a soft kiss to it before his hands slid down to the backs of your thighs, pulling you into his lap effortlessly. Your arms circled around his neck and pulled him closer, as if he’d ever let go. Nikolai whispered soft comforts into your hair and you felt a wave of gratitude that he was letting you cry your frustrations out before trying to figure out what they were.

“Shh, I’ve got you, I’m here,” his lips pressed so softly into your hair. They migrated to your temple and pressed another series of soft kisses to your skin, which was now flushed from how hard you had been crying.

Eventually, your sobs subsided and you simply stayed hidden away in the comfort of Nikolai’s warmth. His hands never stopped their comforting runs up and down the length of your back, occasionally pausing to rub soft circles here and there.

“You want to talk about it?” He asked into your hair, words followed immediately by yet another soft kiss.

You thought for a moment before shaking your head. “No, ruining your shirt helped,” you croaked out, the faintest of laughs following your words.

Nikolai chuckled softly, the sound rumbling through his warm chest and shaking his strong shoulders. The sound alone was enough to stop the sting of the day. If you could get drunk off of it, you would every day.

“Well I’m glad I could be of service,” he said quietly, the slightest of teasing in his voice.

You smiled into his neck, “Thank you,” you said simply.

“Anytime, my love,” Nikolai whispered. Another kiss to your temple.

Without warning, he stoop up and lifted you into his arms before dropping your bodies unceremoniously onto the plush bed. You let out a surprised yelp, your grip tightening from casual to vice-like.

“Nikolai!” You scolded, but your words had no bite to them. You couldn’t help the peals of laughter now spilling from your lips. They only intensified as Nikolai laid you on your back and began attacking your neck with a flurry of kisses. Your giggles filled the candlelit bedchamber, echoing off the walls.

After what felt like ages, he pulled back from your neck, a smile on his lips. He pressed a gentle kiss to your cheek, then the corner of your mouth, and finally your lips. You smiled into the warmth of his mouth, hands coming up to slide across his cheeks and into his blonde hair.

Nikolai pulled away, face mere centimeters from yours. “Are you sure it’s okay?” He whispered, eyes searching yours.

You nodded before he even finished his sentence, “Just a bad day— better now. Thanks to you.”

A smile brilliant enough to rival the sun itself crossed his lips. “What can I say, I’m happy to be of service to such a beautiful woman.”

His lips wandered, seemingly without any destination, down your jaw and your neck. There was no heat or expectation, no sense of urgency in the soft presses to your skin, which now felt flushed as you recovered from your bouts of laughter. You sighed happily, hands making their home in his soft, thick locks of hair, raking through them in a way that made you feel the upward curve of Nikolai’s lips against your collarbone.

“You know, my love,” a kiss. You hummed in response, listening to what he had to say. “I can think of other ways I might cheer you up, help you relax,” another few smatters of kisses, moving further up your neck and back to your lips.

You snorted a laugh and raised your eyebrows incredulously at your betrothed. “Is that so, moi tsar?” Your voice had a teasing coo to it as you looked into his hazel eyes. His lips curled into a soft smirk, the kind that was reserved only for you— only in these small, gentle moments where it felt like the world had shrunk down to just the two of you.

His eyes flicked across your features in clear adoration, a fondness growing (if that were even possible) in his gaze. You decided in that moment that any other comfort, even the warmest of baths or the richest foods, paled in comparison to the way Nikolai Lantsov looked at you. The last aching remains of your day drained completely as his eyes settled on yours, and you could almost cry all over again from the sheer amount of love staring back at you.

“What’s going through that beautiful head of yours, hmm?” Nikolai murmured softly, hand wandering up to stroke your locks of hair.

You shook your head fondly. “Pondering on how insatiable you are,” the lie was blatantly obvious. After all, you both knew that he could read you like a book.

Hazel eyes rolled briefly before returning to look into yours. “Right. Not thinking about how much you love and treasure your king and fiancee? How handsome he is? Or how clever, generous, charismatic, loving, daring, unparalleled, wise—“

“Oh for the love of the Saints,” you groaned with a laugh, hands tugging on his blond hair teasingly. “You do so love to hear yourself talk, my love.”

Nikolai leaned in, effectively closing the small gap between your faces. “I’d be more than happy to be shut up,” he whispered.

[darklinaforever]

I really think Mal Oretsev is the worst endgame romantic interest in existence.

Really.

There are many canonical ships I disagree with, but Malina ? This is the worst of all for me.

Alina had so much potential, and it was all wasted on a stupid tracker ; When she could have had the Darkling or Nikolai !

As much as I will always wonder what could be wrong in Alina's head to prefer her childhood friend to these two, and also what could have been going on in Leigh Bardugo's head when she wrote the character of Mal and the Malina relationship.

Like... she didn't notice that the character and the relationship were catastrophic ? Is that the height of romance for her ?

It sucks...

[witchthewriter]

𝐃𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐝𝐨𝐰 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐁𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬

⤷ gender neutral, ambiguous race, and any size reader. Requests are open, thank you for reading!    

Warnings: book & show spoilers

a/n: I’m trying to write the characters as a mixture of the book and show. Some of the characters act quite differently in the books and it’s a bit difficult to pin point their personality, but I hope I do them justice. Thank you for reading xx

ᴹᵃˢᵗᵉʳˡᶤˢᵗ      

𝑺𝑭𝑾🌿  

𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲: Everyone is settling down into their own homes. I don’t care what is canon and what’s not.

𝐊𝐚𝐳

・Likes things to be in their place. If they aren’t where they left them than he goes into a bit of a tizzy

   “Y/n! Y/n I specifically left them right here and they aren’t right. Here. Where have they gone??”

  “No, you moved them because you thought they were too vulnerable sitting there. Look in the third shelf down to your left.”

*Does what you tell him to do* *is embarrassed* *thanks you but not above a whisper*

・You have a lot of nice things in your home, but the most expensive things are usually the jewels and the jewelry that Kaz has gifted you

・He has a lot of the same clothing, so when you open his side of the closet there’s just ... black ... oh and grey

・His cane is never too far from where he is

・Despises the idea of getting a pet

・And you have to beg and beg

・But none of it worked

・So you had to come up with a plan. It was quite manipulative but hey, how else would you have caught Kaz’s attention?

・The dog you have now was once a puppy who had “accidentally” followed you home

   “How did it follow you home? We live in Ketterdam, there are a million homes here.”

“I guess it liked...me...”

・He ordered it out

・But you didn’t listen and somehow, the pup had wiggled its way into Kaz’s heart

・He swore he wasn’t going to pick up any poops, but that too was a lie

𝐀𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐚

・Once settled in, she comes to realise that she really enjoys the finer things in life

・Big bed, silks, many many pillows

・A big bath with hot water straight from the tap

・She adores a long hot bath, lots of bubbles, with lavender and chamomile, candles, and a good book to read - or just to lay there and soak

・She hates waking up early, but is the first one to crawl into bed (she just really likes being in bed)

・Has her own drawing nook - a desk near a big window where she can get natural light. Many types of pencils, quills, inks, etc. She draws people, memories, landscapes, dreams

・Her drawings are framed and are all over the house

・There’s also a library; a room with a cosy corner that has all kinds of books; fiction and non fiction - historical, religious, fantasy etc

・Oh and she adores having the fire going. She wants it on even if it’s barely even cold

・But she hates chopping wood, so when you tell her that it isn’t cold enough for a fire, she’ll go outside and use The Cut to get the wood.

・Loves when you braid her hair; loves it even more when you give her head a lil massage too

・She fusses over you whenever you’re sick. Making you soup, remembering remedies from her upbringing in the orphanage.

・If you burn yourself, cut or have any other injuries, she is constantly checking on it to make sure it doesn’t get infected

・She doesn’t mind doing the laundry - if it means you’ll fold afterwards

・There are a lot of different oils, perfumes, bath products, hair products all over the bathroom

𝐍𝐢𝐤𝐨𝐥𝐚𝐢

・Yes, he is used to being treated like royalty

・But he’s also experienced life on a ship - and that isn’t pretty (at all...it’s quite awful)

・Yet he has seen his destiny as being a ruler, so the biggest change in both of your lifestyles is ... you

・You would have to learn how to live during court

・You couldn’t just leave your chambers in your pajamas (I mean ... you could but drama would start at court most definitely)

・Both you and Nikolai obviously share the same chambers, and actually you both have your own wing in the castle (So I guess you could just stay in your pajamas if you wanted)

・It’s basically having your own home - or huge apartment

・The majority of the decor is white with gold trimmings and accents. Nikolai said you could change whatever you want

・The castle is never quiet, and there are always people coming and going, but your chambers are very very quiet.

・Nikolai doesn’t snore but does talk in his sleep

・It’s nonsensical, but it’s usually about the dreams he’s having

・You have servants that come and clean up after both you and Nikolai

・When Nikolai is finished for the day, he trots up to your shared wing and slumps against the door once it’s closed

・He sighs undoing his buttons, but you like to be the one to do that

𝐈𝐧𝐞𝐣

・Still very quiet around the home, so you get used to seeing her in different parts of the house in a small amount of time

    “I swear, sometimes there’s two of you!” You once grumbled, while cleaning up a broken tea cup because she popped up out of nowhere

・Doesn’t like loud sudden noises, so you live a bit from civilisation. Not too far though.

・She gets on really well with cats

・You’d end up adopting two kittens that were the only survivors of a litter

・They were tiny, covered in fleas and skinny as can be. But you both fed them, bathed them and made sure they survived

・One is called Umbra, and the other Sol

・You both take on the styling of the home. Inej quite likes the cottage-esque look. However she does want to honor her heritage and there are a lot of colourful cloth that drapes across the ceiling

・Inej had Jesper insert a rod that holds a long silk cloth so that she can practice her acrobatic skills

・Jesper visits as often as he can, and is usually found hung over in the spare bedroom

・As does Nina, who likes to ask what’s for dinner hours before dinnertime (usually an hour after eating lunch)

・You own the land, with Inej’s name not involved - you didn’t want her to feel tied down. And that she could leave whenever she desired

・Although it’s Suli culture to be travellers, Inej said she did want to be apart of the deed and you were more than happy to change it

・Inej doesn’t sleep very often; she knows when her body needs it but other than that, she really cannot get to sleep

𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐚𝐬

・Loves the feeling of a cosy home

・Has actually gone off to cry because living with you in such a lovely, warm, safe environment made him overwhelmed with happiness

・I have this feeling that you would be the type of person to rescue animals and Matthias has to put on this ‘No we barely have enough to feed ourselves, we can’t look after these animals,’ but his stance changes so quickly

・So you have about five dogs so far

・But you still go into town and feed as many as you can

・Matthias thinks he’s in charge, but after a few months together he comes to realise that you will always be in charge

・He actually really enjoys gardening

・Has those well-planned and established herb gardens. The ones that are held in perfect square timber raised beds

・Matthias absolutely threw himself into gardening. Bought books about it, spoke to the elders in town about how to perfectly grow herbs. He was both fascinated and in need on something to focus on after the tragedy he had endured

・You encouraged him, but said he had to promise not to make a mess inside.

・Is a very loud snorer, and hogs the bed, as well as the sheets. It’s just easier to sleep underneath him - not that he would notice. Once his head hits the pillow almost nothing can wake him until morning

𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐲𝐚

・Safety; that’s what she wants, that’s what she desires most

・A place that she can let her guard down and not have to worry about being used

・She doesn’t like uninvited visitors, and has special locks on all the doors so no one can break in

・When you introduced the idea of a guard dog, she was apprehensive.

  “What if it can sense ... the darkness in me?”

“There is no darkness within you, Genya.”

・So you got a Cane Corso, a beast of a dog. That scared even Genya the first time she saw her.

・Is a very light sleeper, but once getting your pup, Genya let it sleep on the end of the bed

・Even now, after your dog, Neith, has grown to full size, she still sleeps at the end of your bed (you know exactly when she jumps up and when she leaves because the bed moves...significantly)

・When days seem especially difficult for Genya, you like to leave little notes around the house, reminder her of all the things you love about her

・She likes to wake up before you and move the hair from your face and just watch you sleep

・Isn’t the best at cooking, so you usually take up that job. But she does bake pretty well. Very good at making tea cake 

・Knows a lot about healing so you have a lot of herbs, spices, flowers, vegetables that aren’t for eating per say, but for when someone is sick or wounded 

・Genya hated mirrors for a while, until you helped her get over the change in her appearance. You helped her on the road to confidence and self love. 

・You’re both still involved in helping the Grisha so you see Zoya, Nikolai, Tolya, Tamar etc 

・Genya doesn’t really like having people at the house though. It’s her sanctuary where there are no reminders of The Darkling or the nichevoya

𝐌𝐚𝐥

・Wants a simple life

・Doesn’t care for anything fancy, so you’d be the one to arrange everything

・I can see him as a farmer

・Out in the country, living off the land, but never taking too much and giving back

・We know from the books that he ends up running the orphanage with Alina, living a simple life. Looking after kids who need a home - and I think he would do that whether he was with Alina or not (and in this case...obviously not)

・He would be content with a slow life with you

・But he also wants to be of use to the community; to give back

・So you spend your days finding jobs for people who need them - with the help of Nikolai. You do the paper work while Mal meets the people and waits with them until a horse and carriage arrive

・You also have a huge vegetable garden that you allow the community to use as they please

・In thanks they give you something; knitted blanket, baked bread etc

・You have cows, goats, sheep and horses

・There are stable hands that tend to the horses. Usually the young people from the village (both boys and girls alike)

・The milk isn’t just for you and Mal but you go into town and give it to the people who need it most

・You don’t live far from the village. In fact you can see your neighbours just by looking out the window. They may look far, but really it’s only a ten minute walk

・You also teach people how to read and write

・Mal is absolutely head over heels in love with you

・Always makes sure you feel protected and safe

・Is actually very sensitive and feels things deeply. That’s why sometimes he has to take time to process his emotions alone

𝐙𝐨𝐲𝐚

・We know that Zoya is destined for greatness, hence she would end up living in a castle

・But if not a castle than a quaint chateu will do

・Is a stickler for mess

      “There is no reason for there to be so much untidyness!”

・Has a lot of pictures/drawings/paintings of her family up around your home

・She always needs the bed to be made every day; if you’re the last to get out of bed than you have to make it

・You see a different side to Zoya; yes a softer side but also the undone, sloppy version of her. She actually didn’t let you see her like that until a month into living together

・If you snore she makes you sleep on the couch

・No. pets. She’s the one who wears the pants in this relationship and her decision is final

・Until you start feeding an old cranky cat who doesn’t stray far from your home. You name him, but keep him a secret and sneak him inside when Zoya is away

・She pretends not to notice and lets you have your hidden pet

・Although you’d think there would be servant or maids, that’s not the case. You and Zoya split the chores equally; she doesn’t want another person touching her things

・She actually colour co-ordinates her clothes; they’re in colour order and when she’s especially stressed she’ll do the same for yours

・When clothes are folded, they have to be folded neatly- 

・Is a very, very good cook. She makes these pastries with goats cheese inside that are to die for 

・Has a vanity with ridiculous amounts of make up. When she has a bit to drink she always wants to give you a makeover 

・Takes her coffee and tea very strong 

     “What’s the point of polluting it with milk and sugar?”

・Is the last to fall asleep and the first to wake, but she stays in bed for 20 minutes because she likes being so close to you 

・Whenever guests come over she is the perfect hostess. But if they overstay their welcome she won’t hesitate to tell them it’s time to leave

𝐉𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐫

・IS SO DRAMATIC WHEN GETTING READY

   “This outfit worked better in my head”

・Wanted to have multiple mirrors in the bedroom so he could “see himself at all angles” but you told him “the fuck we are”

・He relented ... not without whining

・But Jesper’s clothes do end up EVERYWHERE

・He’s awful at picking up after himself in the clothing department

・But he does keep the bathroom really clean ???

・Even if it’s shaving or after a bathe, he’ll make sure it’s exactly how he found it

・Hates weird smells so he sprays perfume everywhere

・Liked the thought of living in the city to be close to the rest of the crows, so you accepted

・But you made him promise not to do anymore gambling -

・Your home is like an escape for Jesper

・Likes to go shopping with you. He likes picking out things so that you can match (you’re against it at first but ... also submit to it)\

・He always knows how to make you laugh, so whenever he forgets to do a chore he can wiggle his way out of it

・Will do all the grocery shopping and any errands you don’t want to do

・Also loves candles, especially scented ones but has been banned from having them burning unless you’re home too ...

・Moves around a lot in his sleep and has whacked you a few times

・Misses you whenever either of you are away. Keeps a piece of your clothing to smell

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠

・Although he spends a lot of time at the Little Palace, he wanted a place where it was just you and him. Where he wouldn’t be disturbed by questions or problems.

・A lot of his focus is on his plans, but he keeps maps and the like all in one room

・He wants to keep the bedroom for ... bedroom activities. As well as all the other rooms for their proper uses

・Aleksander doesn’t want his ambitions to hinder your domestic life

・He hates overhead lighting

・Prefers candles or lamps

・Always buys you new clothes, new shoes, new accessories etc. Wants you to have the best of the best 

・And he gets headaches very easily so you have tinctures and remedies on hand as well as around the house

・He prefers the quiet, and too much noise overwhelms him

・Pets aren’t really his thing ... maybe a bird though, but it wouldn’t have to make much noise

・He does love horses though. And would spend hours on them if he could. Just galloping away, far from his troubles.

・Has a maid that comes and cleans the house

・The only time you’ve seen him truly peaceful is in sleep, but that’s only when the nightmares haven’t started 

・He wakes up a lot during the night and doesn’t want to wake you. But you’ve told him whenever that happens he’s more than allowed to wake you up. Being in your arms help him go back to sleep

・100% lets you steal the blankets, without ever complaining 

・He’s more likely to remember things than you are, so he makes/buys you a calender and writes down everything you’d need to remember 

𝐍𝐢𝐧𝐚

・Isn’t very tidy. There are a LOT of food crumbs (especially in the bed)

・Her hair is actually very long, she just keeps it up and out of the way, so you get to see Nina with her long hair down

・But you also find a lot of Nina’s hair ... everywhere

・She does like when you give her head scratches - a lot of golden retriever energy

・You’ve actually been collecting it to prove to her how much she sheds

・Is always hungry and asks if you want to get food nearly every hour and a half

・She’s not that bad of a cook, but you aren’t much better. So a lot of your food is bought rather than made

・Always makes sure you’ve had something to eat though, especially after a long day or after a big gig with the crows 

・You, Nina, and Inej have a close friendship; so Inej likes to ... appear ... in your house

・Most of the time it’s because of an injury. So you keep your storages stocked up just in case.

・But other times it’s for a sleep over! Eating, all sleeping in the loungeroom, telling each other stories and secrets

・You invite Jesper and Wylan aswell... and have asked Kaz but he always declines. Well actually he doesn’t even decline he just doesn’t say anything or show up 

・Is a heavy sleeper when you’re in the house. But when she’s alone she can barely sleep

・Always kisses you when you walk through the door and before you leave. It’s become a ritual and if it isn’t done then it’s bad luck

・Learns your little quirks. Like if you like your sandwiches cut diagonally or straight 

・Nina is very romantic

・She loves going on little dates with you. And always makes sure you have time for a date. At least once a month. Even if it’s just going out to eat and then taking a walk underneath the night sky

[foetp]

alina/anastasia x the 3 types of boyfriend

[rosegoldendaydream]

shadow and bone made me a multishipper.

let me explain.

i read books. i ship mal with alina, nikolai with zoya, david with genya. right? everything is great, my ships are together.

but then!

then i watch shadow and bone. and now i ship mal with alina, alina with genya, genya with david, mal with nikolai, nikolai with zoya and zoya with alina. like, these actors really gave those characters so much chemistry!

[ilovesadiesink]

preparing for the trauma rn

[anxiousandpessimistic]

Kaz: I'm texting Inej, i'm gonna ask her to dinner. How should i say it "Let's get dinner" or do you wanna get dinner" ? Nina: Go with "Let's get dinner" so you sound like assertive and confident Kaz : For sure Wylan: Actually no cause now you sound a little aggressive Jesper: Cause you don't wanna be the kinda guy who's like " LETS GET DINNER" like some sort of caveman Matthias: You're supposed to ask her to dinner, not tell her to dinner Mal: Just say " do you wanna get dinner?" Kaz: Perfect Alina: Actually wait, now you sound kinda like a pussy Kaz: This is tough Genya: The last thing you wanna be is like that overly masculine guy who's like " lets get dinner,on the breadwinner bitch" Darkling: Women also love assertiveness Tolya: Say "Dinner would be something i would enjoy taking you to, if you are also interested in attending the meal David: The more words the better Nikolai: Wait, say " I would like nothing more, than to take you to the finest restaurant in town, for a lovely meal that we call dinner Kaz: Should i send that in a voice memo? Zoya: FUCK THAT. Say " Dinner tonight, take it or leave it BITCH" Cause she's playing games Tamar: Sign it, seal it, deliver it Kuwei: I dont know why girls are so difficult all of the time Kaz: I'm not gonna say that Inej: Definitely don't say that

[serpentthecrow]

Sleepy time with the grishaverse characters

A/n: I... Don't even... Sorry about that. My executive dysfunction did its magic. But here you have this as a peace offering since you guys liked the crows one. I can't even believe how long it's been. I'm probably not going to keep writing too many fics, if any at all. But this one's mandatory. And short.

Summary: headcannons on the sleeping habits of (some of) the grishaverse characters.

Alina Starkov

Hear me out

The girl's out like a light

Exactly the type of person to roll around the bed, end up in peculiar positions, and mainly, accidentally slap you or kick you in her sleep

Isn't picky, but if she COULD choose- only the softest mattress, duvet and pillows

She's petty like that

Has absolutely no night routine. Like. NONE.

Owns no pajamas. Just normal clothes passing as sleep clothes.

Gonna use her sun summoner powers when getting up in the middle of the night to fetch water etc., only to curse profusely because ✨light sensitivity✨

Midnight snacks. No elaboration is needed.

Definitely owns a stag plushie. Cause poor thing.

Mal Oretsev

Sleeps like he's in a coffin

No honestly. Like, on his back, straight as a plank. Psychopath.

The nightmares tho.

The biggest duvet stealer

Never actually uses the duvet tho. Kicks it away every time

Can barely be bothered to change

Absolutely cannot be bothered to make the bed

Hasn't got a single idea how to put on a bedsheet

Red flag: eats in bed too often

Occasionally has a dream about Nikolai throwing him overboard Volkvolny and grinning down at him, saints know why.

Would fall asleep under any circumstance. Light, loud sounds, anything. Bang two pans repeatedly next to his head, and the guy will still fall asleep if he's sure he can afford to.

Has a phoenix plushie. Pun intended.

Aleksander Morozova

does this guy even sleep? Questionable.

But in case he does:

A side sleeper

Surprisingly heavy sleeper

Rarely sleeps in bed when unsupervised tho. Not uncommon for him to fall asleep in a chair.

Black silk sheets only.

Talks in his sleep

Seriously.

If someone walked in on him sleeping, he'd be long since executed for treason.

Absolutely unaffected by caffeine

Produces a whole lotta shadows before going to sleep, roused by the slightest amount of light.

The extensive night routine is canon.

Doesn't have a plushie. The only one in this hc series btw.

Nikolai Lantsov

my favorite sailor bo- anyway

(Let's ignore Volkralai for the purpose of these hc's)

A stomach sleeper. We stan.

A pillow hugger. We stan.

Mostly blue bedding, especially in the palace or the spinning wheel, since we all know he misses the sea.

Another one with a whole-ass night routine.

Reduced amount of clothes when sleeping- usually just pants

They're pajama pants tho

Has some trouble falling asleep on land, he's used to the rocking of the ship

nap king, especially as Sturmhond

Reads a LOT before bed

A night owl- has to be reminded to got to sleep

Sometimes starts to rant about some invention of his

C A N N O T fall asleep without cuddles. Like, he's physically unable

The biggest manchild about waking up early.

Has a fox plushie. A fact.

Genya Safin

babygirl has nightmares, okay? Gotta start with that.

lowkey got accustomed to some level of luxury in Os Alta

not the biggest fan of cuddling. For understandable reasons

a warm beverage before bed

fuzzy socks

tries to maintain an exact time to go to sleep but ultimately fails because she's got trouble falling asleep

probably improves on her sleeping habits once she becomes a part of the triumvirateonly cause she has to tho

overthinking before sleep queen

does she have a plushie? Does David count? You tell me.

[wexpyke]

a Nikolai gif set a day keeps the nichevo'ya away

#you can pinpoint the exact frame where mal started liking nikolai

[unicat-w]

piece I draw for @grishaversebigbang, want to post this with a fic but my group kinda drift apart💔

it's mal/alina/nikolai, where mal try on some fancy clothes and nikolai got bi attack

more art by @ferrisraccoon

[emmedoesntdomath]

nikolai, grinning at alina: hey, pretty baby

mal, indignant: hey!

nikolai, eyes wide: oh, sorry

*turning to mal, grinning the exact same way*

nikolai, winking at mal: hey, handsome

mal, cheeks going red:

[infin1ty-garden]

GUARDIAN ANGEL

˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳ ✦ summary: hearing rumors of the fountain of youth and finally finding a heading, nikolai decides to follow the rumors ˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳ ✦ pairing: nikolai lanstov x gn! siren! reader ˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳ ✦ warnings: drowing, darkling, a bit of spice ˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳ ✦ word count: 2k ˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳ ✦ author note: inspired by this and sorry for not posting in a while I was on vacation

masterlist.

"Are we sure that compass even works?" Asked Tamar swaying from side to side due to the heavy rain and storm they were passing through. "It points to what the holder wants most. I think the instructions are pretty clear," Nikolai's attention only being on the compass. It's arrow spinning from one direction to another.

"You are going to crash the ship," yelled Mal as he fell down sliding to the other end of the ship. "Don't worry we're almost there," and then he let go of the wheel entirely. Tolya grabbed it but as if they'd entered another dimension. The storm was nowhere in site and not that far away, an island.

"See, I was right," as he said that the ship hit something causing him to fall overboard. He tried to swim up but the waves kept crashing in on him. He could hear people yelling for him and orders being thrown around. They turned incoherent as he sunk deeper.

He felt two hands taking hold of his arms as he was lifted out of the water in seconds. Once he managed to open his eyes, he was miles from the ship. He wanted to turn and see his saviour. "Don't strain your body too much, just relax your safe," he heard the most angelic voice say.

In a blink of an eye his feet met the sand. He coughed up what felt like half the ocean. When he turned to thank his saviour they were nowhere to be seen. Had he imagined it? Then he saw it, his ship being attacked by sire

But he could not help his crew. If he even attempted to swim to them, he would be instantly attacked. His gun was wet, so it was useless, and what could he do with a sword. All he could do was watch and hope they make it.

Most of the crew was alright. No deaths but they had to dry dock the ship, as going in the row boats would have been a death wish. Now, they had to find the chalices. "Captain," Tamar handed him a spyglass. Looking through it he saw Second Army flags. The Darkling was here or his grisha were.

"How did they get here before us?" Alina asked bewildered. "It doesn't matter we just need to get the chalices before them," he really should have better timing. "Hand over the map," the Darkling appeared, along with his forces. "There's no map," Nikolai replied, confidence radiating off of him in waves.

Then one by one his grisha disappeared until he was the only one left standing. "You and what army," Kirigan looks behind himself. Worry coating his face but then he smirked. "I don't need an army," as he raised his hands the sand beneath his feet disappeared. He dropped down into the newly formed puddle like it was a slide.

"Well, that happened," all anyone could do was nod along to Mal's statement. As they continued on following the compass, it seemed to lead them in circles. "I think your magic compass stopped working," Alina gave him a sympathetic look. "We have more company. Tamar reported seeing Fjerdan and Shu ships," great just what they needed.

"We still need the two chalices. Let me give that map a try," Mal took the map from Nikolai. The map was written in a language no one could understand. It wasn't in Fjerdan, Kerch, Ravkan, Shu, Zemeni, Suli, or even Old Ravkan. But now that they were actually on the island, they could at least recognise the landmarks drawn. Mal's tracking skill would finally come in handy.

After spending hours walking, they've decided to make camp and rest for a bit. They couldn't let the Fjerdans or the Shu be the first to discover the secret to the fountain. As Nikolai was starting to close his eyes, he heard a splash of water near him. He looked to where he assumed the sound came from and was met with the most beautiful pair of eyes.

Was this the person that saved him? He couldn't be sure. He slowly moved towards the person, worried that any sudden movement might scare them away. "I am not some kind of rabid animal," that voice, his guardian angel. "Your friends are on the west side," you could mean the Fjerdans or the Shu.

"They're not our friends," you sent him a sceptical look. He suddenly remembered why they were on this island in the first place. "You wouldn't know where someone could leave two chalices around here, would you?" At this point Nikolai was fully laying down in the mud that surrounded the pot of water.

His face inches away from it. "Hypothetically, I would know where something like that could be hidden." He smiled and then asked. "Hypothetically, could you show me?" You disappeared, only to emerge a few seconds later. Slowly moving closer to him as he had done only minutes ago.

What you did next was a surprise but not an unwelcome one. You kissed him. It was slow at first, as if giving him the chance to pull away if he so wishes. Instead he placed his palm on the back of your head. Pulling you as close as he can and uped the ferocity of the kiss. You placed your fingers at the bottom of his chin.

Putting slight pressure on it, due to this he opened his mouth. You quickly slipped your tongue in. He felt something foreign enter his system. You quickly pulled away and submerged yourself, only the top part of your face could be seen. Watched him swallow whatever you had just given him. I really hope I don't die from this.

You made a motion with your hand for him to enter the water. Waited for him, as he took off his jacket and shoes. His feet were searching for the bottom of the pond or whatever it was. He felt a hand grab his foot and pull him into the water. "You're taking too long," he realised he could breathe underwater. You gently grabbed his waist and he placed his arm around your neck.

He finally saw your tail. You were a siren. He was so gonna die but why had you saved him and why were you helping him now. He had too many questions. None of which he could ask. As soon as he had entered the water he was out of it. In Front of him was a ship, but none of the text in any language he knew. It did match the art on the map.

"Thank you," you nodded with a smile on your face. He walked closer to the ship. It was suspended in mid air. Wedged in between two huge pieces of stone. How could he get up there?

He finally entered the ship with your help and a lot of trial and error. Each step on the deck was taken with extreme consideration as one wrong move could send the ship falling. Even if the ship seemed to have been here for years with the plants that have taken over the deck. Nikolai didn't want to take any chances.

As he descended down to the lower levels of the ship, he was greeted with copious amount of dust and rot....and gold? But he had little care for it. Maybe after they find the fountain of youth, he could bring some of that gold back to Ravka. One room in the ship was clearly meant for dining. The table comfortably fit nine people.

The seats were filled with skeletons. The stench of the rotten food and empty glasses of wine could signify that these people were poisoned. The ship without a crew was probably left to roam the sea and had met its journey's end. Crashing into the rocks. Or maybe all of them have been stabbed, who knows.

The chalices were nowhere to be found. He went searching different rooms until he reached the captain's quarters. In the middle of the room the captain was sitting a skeleton like the rest of the crew but on the bed next to him a chest. Nikolai made his way to the bed as he did the ship swinged and then the voices came.

He wasn't alone anymore but he recognised one of them as Zoya. He needed to work faster. He got to the chest but it was locked. Nikolai could hear the voices getting closer. The key was laying on the chain around the captain's neck. Unlocking the chest and...nothing, just some documents. Where could the chalises be? He looked in the drawers, desk and finally under the bed.

There was another chest, this one without a lock in it, the chalices inside. Then the door burst open. "Hand them over," before he could think or even form a plan the ship was falling. When he awoke he was tied up, next to him, Zoya. The flags were the first thing he'd recognised, Shu. The second one, that they were tied to a tree. "Finally, the sleeping beauty's awake," one of the guards said.

Whatever they'd done to Zoya, she'd seen better days. Cuts were littering her face and bruises were starting to form. "The others," he'd simply asked. "Probably dead." The guards had left their posts to fetch their superior. In the corner of his eye, Nikolai could see something being thrown next to his feet. A knife, he quickly picked it up and placed it near his hands. Cutting himself and Zoya lose.

"We need to plan our next steps carefully since we don't have our weapons," just as he said that his and what he assumes is Zoya's sword were thrown out of the water. If she had found the ordeal weird, she didn't mention it, just grabbed her sword. "This way, I saw them place the rest of the weapons there."

They managed to escape the camp unseen. "I will let you go but the next time we meet, you won't be given the same courtesy," with that she disappeared in the forest.

The chalices weren't with the weapons. The Shu must have taken them. Then out of nowhere Tamar, Alina, Mal and Tolya come charging past Nikolai. Tamar carrying one chalice while Mal carries the other. "Sturmhond," Alina says just realising he was even there. "Run," yells Tamar as she grabs him.

Then he sees it, the Darkling and his volcra. His feet do the rest as he joins the group running. Hoping to lose him in the woods. "What happened?"

"What happened? Where were you? You left and didn't even tell anyone," Alina retorts.

"I got a lead to where the chalices might be."

"But WE found the chalices."

"And WE are going to lose them if you two don't shut it," Toyla interrupted, silencing them both as they hid. Once they saw the Darkling walk pass. They slowly walk in the other direction. "Where did you find them?"

"Near the entrance to some caves but that was nowhere close to where it had been marked on the map," Mal said in disbelief.

"Let me guess there was a river or some pond close by," Nikolai asked. Mal nodded. "But how could you know, it wasn't marked on the map." Nikolai shrugged. You must have taken them and brought them to his crew. "Now, we just need to find the entrance to the fountain," water splashed nearby. "Give me one moment," he said to the rest of them as he took the map and walked towards the water.

Tamar and Alina followed him. He kneeled down. "Yes," he asked, looking at the water. You slowly lifted your head and swam to where he was kneeling. He held up the map. Mal and Toyla joined the rest. Alina lifted her palms up as Toyla readied his weapon. "You are here and the entrance is here," now they could see the scales coating your arms, along with the tail.

All of them were thinking the same. You're a siren and you're helping them.

Thanks for reading! If you want a part 2 leave a like or comment

[depressedbagpipe]

A Heartrender's Fire: ch. V

Tolya Yul-Bataar x Lantsov!ofc

Words: 5258 Warnings: canon-typical violence, me forgetting how to write, jesper being dumb, zoya being zoya, Irina being a pain in the ass, kaz brekker (?) A/N: whoops, i got depressed! but I'm back! enjoy!

Series Masterlist Previous chapter

V: Yuyeh Sesh (Despise Your Heart)

“I’m gonna kill her,” Irina grumbled under her breath. Tolya stifled a laugh. “If she says one more thing…”

“You’ll smile at her with your most diplomatic grin and nod. Just like you were taught.”

“Did Nikolai tell you to say that?”

Tolya took a few seconds to respond. “Maybe.”

“I’m gonna kill you both, too.”

He brought a giant hand to his chest. “Ouch. That’ll be a bloodbath.”

“Anything to sit in silence.”

“That’ll be difficult with the Volcra.”

Irina squinted her eyes. “They sound a lot more promising at this point.”

She looked back at her land, where the Fold was only a dark spot on the horizon as they sailed towards Ketterdam. She flinched a little at the memory of their recent passage, feeling the strain in her arms from summoning tirelessly until they made it to the other side. 

Tolya’s careful eyes watched her, feeling the pain the girl was trying to suppress. Irina wouldn’t mention it, but she didn’t want to leave her brother behind. As excited as she was to be with Tolya on their little adventure, the risks were high on the other side of the Fold. Their goodbye had left a bitter taste in her mouth, and the anxiety seemed to crush her lungs every time she breathed. She hadn’t been ready to face her kingdom again, and she definitely hadn’t been ready for what awaited her now. 

“She didn’t even let you finish your poetry,” Irina pointed out.

“That I agree,” Tolya sighed.

“It was an excellent poem.”

“I know! I guess not everybody has the same appreciation for life’s beauty.”

“I guess not,” Irina smiled as she looked at him. 

It wouldn’t be the last time the giant had almost squirmed under the princess’ gaze. But he couldn’t admit that his eyes had lingered on her before she even returned his look.

“She isn’t that bad,” Tolya tried to argue, discreetly shifting his eyes toward the raven-haired beauty. “She’s feisty. Knows what she wants. Has zero tolerance for stupidity. I kinda happen to know two other women just like her.”

Irina scoffed. “Tamar and I aren’t assholes, you dumbass.”

“Ouch.”

“You know what I mean.”

“I always do.”

Irina eyed him again, trying to keep the warmth in her chest at bay.

“You two done with the whispering?” Zoya interrupted them, standing right in front of the couple with an unimpressed look. 

Zero tolerance for stupidity, Irina recalled. Yet I live with Nikolai.

“Yeah,” Irina grumbled. 

“Good,” Zoya gave a curt nod. “We should be arriving soon, so I say we look over our plan.”

Irina frowned. “Who put you in charge?”

Tolya, ever so loyal, stood straighter, following Irina’s irritation towards Zoya. “I advise you to watch your tone. Don’t forget who you’re speaking to.”

Irina recognized the annoyance in Zoya’s eyes, but also the slight tremble in her hands. She hated it. Tolya seemed to be the only one out of the three to respect Irina’s birthright, while even the princess liked to forget who her parents were. 

Zoya cleared her throat. “I apologize, moi tsarevicha.”

Tolya seemed pleased, yet Irina wanted to drown in embarrassment. She noticed the sarcasm from a mile away. After all, she was Nikolai’s kin.  

“We get to Ketterdam, we find the Crows,” Irina spoke fast, ready to divert the attention to the situation at hand. “Then we’ll cross the bridge when we get there.”

Zoya still looked at her unimpressed, but she nodded. “Of course, moi tsarevicha.” 

She was about to turn when Irina called her back.

“Wait, just…” she took a step forward, feeling Tolya’s burning eyes on her back. “Stop with the titles. I’m not Irina here, I’m Ainthe, alright?”

Zoya rolled her eyes but didn’t leave.

“That’s a stupid name.”

“Blame my brother.”

“Gladly.”

“We’re gonna be seeing a lot of each other for the next few days and I need to know you got my back. Because as long as I’m alive, I’ll have yours,” Irina pleaded with her eyes, looking for a way to break the Squaller’s walls down. “I’m not asking as a royal, I’m asking as a friend. An ally, at the very least.”

“We’re not friends,” Zoya pointed out, and Irina had to control herself not to roll her eyes in return. “But I volunteered for this. I’m just as interested as you to not have my home blown up to bits.”

The princess knew that was all she was going to get from the Etherealki soldier. She nodded at her, turning back to Tolya, hoping Zoya would follow her if only to honor the weird truce they both had established within seconds.

Irina couldn’t figure Zoya out, but as long as Tolya was by her side, she knew she could bear anything the Saints threw at her, even if at times all she wanted to do was strangle the Squaller until she drew the last wind out of her. 

–·–

The Crows were looking at Nikolai’s handwriting with a bewildered face.

“The Neshyenyer? Sankta Neyar’s blade?” Nina Zenik asked. 

The Heartrender was even more beautiful in person. Irina knew all the gossip from the Little Palace, and how much of a household name the Corporalnik had become over the years. Her sudden disappearance remained a mystery, but shortly after that, the Darkling had taken all the limelight. 

“So, you haven’t completely forgotten what you were taught at the Little Palace. Just your loyalty to Ravka,” Zoya interjected. 

Irina felt somewhat relieved. Apparently, Zoya was disdainful to everybody, not just her.

“Ravka? Or Kirigan?” Nina’s tone was ice-cold. “It didn’t take him destroying a city for me to question my loyalty.”

Irina took a sip of her drink, looking elsewhere but at the two Grisha throwing daggers at each other. 

It was Jesper Fahey’s turn to break the ice. “So, now that we all know that you two have history, what’s the payment for this particular job?”

“Name your price,” Tolya answered, busy studying his food. 

“It matters that much,” Irina backed him up, eyeing the strange group of misfits before her. 

Wylan Van Eck spoke. “Is that the Lantsov family crest?”

Nina nodded. “You know it is because it’s hideous.”

Irina tensed, although she had to agree. 

Thankfully for her, Tolya knew how to remain diplomatic. “Prince Nikolai requests your services to retrieve and deliver the Neshyenyer to Alina Starkov in East Ravka.”  

“She’s returned?” Nina seemed surprised, which only accentuated Irina’s hope. 

“As has the Darkling. With an indestructible army of shadow monsters.” Zoya’s words were followed by silence. 

Everyone at the table stared at her in bewilderment. 

“I do not like the sound of that,” Jesper shook his head before taking a big gulp of his kvas.

Irina took the next turn. “She needs the blade to kill them. It’s the only thing that might work.”

“Retrieve the blade and the Prince will pay whatever you ask,” Tolya finished. 

“But I like the sound of that,” Jesper smiled, downing the rest of his glass.

Irina smirked, already finding a favorite in the group.

“I assume same goes for you?” Irina asked Kaz directly, knowing that, without their leader’s approval, their plan would be futile. 

The man had remained quiet since they showed up at their club, yet Irina knew that he was already creating a thousand different plans in his head. He resembled Nikolai that way, and thankfully for her, she knew what to do to get her brother on her side. Kaz wouldn’t need much convincing either.

“I’d welcome the chance to help your prince spend his country’s money.”

Tolya smiled at his approval.  

“I don’t need kruge. I need to get someone out of Hellgate,” Nina suddenly spoke, sounding a bit too desperate. “The Lantsovs, they must be able to pull strings with the Kerch government.”

Tolya looked at Irina, who was frowning at Nina’s words.  

“For a certain Fjerdan?” Zoya creeped. When she received no answer from the Heartrender, she grinned. “He must be quite the slab of fur.”

It was Irina’s turn to roll her eyes. 

“The offer is the offer,” Tolya interrupted, successfully diverting attention from the two Grisha women. “And Prince Nikolai is a man of his word.”

Irina continued. “But we need to go now.” 

Kaz, with one last look at the princess, agreed. “It’s settled.”  He kept Nikolai’s official plead in his coat, and it was rather comical the way the white envelope disappeared in his pool of darkness. “We’re in.”

–·–

“The Neshyenyer at Ahmart Jen is definitely a fake,” Kaz Brekker entered the club’s salon once again, limping yet deadly. 

Irina groaned. “How many times are we going to have the same conversation?”

“Which we told you. Perhaps now you tell us something we didn’t know?” Zoya added. 

The princess was almost glad the Squaller asked instead of her. Even though the bastard was on their side, the way he carried himself was poignant and calculated. Irina knew she couldn’t keep her guard down completely around him, as Nikolai had admitted to her that Kaz had immediately blown his cover away. Perhaps he even knew who the princess was already.

“According to my contacts, it’s been stolen by a thief known as The Disciple. He had a penchant for stealing Saint-related relics while on jobs of all kinds.” 

“So he’s a thief and a collector?” Wylan asked as they all looked at their new fake identities, courtesy of Mr. Brekker. 

“Sounds like someone we know,” Irina mumbled, making Tolya grin.

“And retired,” Kaz continued. “But he has since put a few pieces of his presumed collection on the black market.”

Tolya spoke. “So, to get to him, we go to his fence.”

“Ohval Saran. She has a tea shop in Bhez Ju,” Kaz interjected. “To speak with her, we have to order yellow chrysanthemum tea, off-menu.” 

Whatever Nina said in Shu, Tolya responded with a big smile. Irina watched, tense, as the two Heartrenders quickly left their little party by the bar of the club to talk among themselves, laughing. She suddenly regretted all the times the twins had tried to teach her Shu, for maybe she could be in Nina’s place right now, laughing with Tolya in a language no one else in Ravka knew. 

Although Irina was looking down at her new passport, unimpressed, she noticed Jesper followed by a girl, and Kaz’s shoulders tensing imperceptibly before he, too, left his position at the bar and walked away to talk to them.

“That’s the Wraith?” the princess asked.

Wylan nodded. “Yeah. Guess she’s coming after all.”

“She’s pretty.” 

Zoya interrupted. “And deadly.”

“Just how I like my women,” Irina winked at Zoya before taking one last big gulp of her kvas, making Wylan giggle at the disgusted expression Zoya wore on her face. “C’mon, let’s pack.”

The boy was the first to go, leaving the two women sitting on the stools. The silence between them was awkward. Irina looked at Zoya curiously, before the Squaller snapped at her.

“What?”

“Sorry about that. I make jokes when I’m uncomfortable.”

“You’re uncomfortable?”

“Well, it’s not every day that I travel with someone who hates me.”

Zoya rolled her eyes. “I don’t hate you.”

Irina blinked. “You said we’re not friends”

“They’re not mutually exclusive.”

“Yet your face says something different.”

“Are you always this bothersome?”

“Only on my best days.”

“Why didn’t you say you’re Grisha?”

Irina’s smile was one of victory, even though she tried to contain herself. She knew Zoya had been hiding something ever since their passage, growing more silent and bitter the farther they sailed from Ravka. Yet the princess, being the younger sibling, was used to getting what she wanted by annoying the Saints out of people. Zoya was just another victim on her rather long list. But her victory was short-lived, for the weight of the Squaller’s question finally dawned on her. 

“It’s complicated.”

“Complicated?” Zoya scoffed.  “Do you know how much would’ve changed if the princess of Ravka had shown her powers?” She lowered her voice after Irina shushed her. “Representation matters, Ainthe. Maybe the Little Palace could’ve been a simple school for us, not a military academy to train us to survive,” Zoya whispered, glaring at the princess. “Ravka could’ve been a much better place. For all of us.”

Irina took a few seconds to breathe. Distress was running through her fingertips, shaking them, and she suddenly felt empty without her usual companion slowing her heart rate. She hated herself momentarily for wanting to rely on Tolya to calm down, creating an even bigger hole by her side where the giant should be. 

“Are you being serious, Zoya?” Irina closed her eyes momentarily. “You know my family. You’ve seen them up close. You’ve experienced their disdain first-hand,” she shook her head. “Much like Alina, I would’ve become yet another pawn for Kirigan. My father would’ve gladly sold me to the highest bidder, no matter who they were, and think of how many Fjerdan bounties would’ve been on my head had they known Ravka’s little princess knew how to manipulate fire with her hands.”

Irina recalled her conversation with Nikolai, and she couldn’t help the goosebumps on her skin. “Trust me when I say this, I’m exhausted from having to hide. I could only train at night, away from everyone, just so my power wouldn’t go out of control randomly at breakfast. I barely slept for years, nobody besides Nikolai knows and that was only because of an accident, and the only time where I felt I had some control in my life was on the Volkvolny with Sturmhond. And even that is over,” Irina gulped, finally allowing some of her pain to leave her skin. “So, yeah, I’m sorry I never said anything. But just like you, I was trying to survive.”

Zoya remained silent, eyeing the girl with something different glistening in her eyes. She wasn’t looking at the princess with acid on her tongue and sour eyes anymore; instead, she found herself caught in a whirlwind of senses she wasn’t used to feeling: respect, pity, consideration. Understanding. The Squaller was seeing the Inferni for the first time.  

–·–

“Just so you know, it’s considered bad luck not to honor the dead during Suntsa Sar,” Tolya said, eating yet again some walnuts he bought from a neighboring stand. 

The two Grisha had just finished their offerings when they walked back to the bastard, whose eyes were fixed on Inej Ghafa. Irina still found it weird that the Wraith believed so firmly in their Saints, yet she too had sailed in uncharted waters before. Very few things shocked the infernal royal anymore. The girl hadn’t talked much to Inej, but she couldn’t help but wonder how such a pure soul had been trapped in the cruel Kerch world. 

“If I truly believed in luck, I’d be in a lot less debt,” Jesper grumbled. 

Kaz continued. “And I’m more concerned with the living than the dead.” 

Tolya shared a walnut with Irina. “Tend not to your ghosts and they will come back hungry.” 

“Are you a ghost, then?” She grinned at the giant before taking a bite of her treat, quickly appreciating the savory snack. “You’re always eating.”

Kaz rolled his eyes. “The tea shop should be open now.”

With that, he left the four horsemen behind without another glance. Irina wondered if she’d ever get used to his cold nature, so different from the extroversion she shared with her brother. Kaz Brekker was a man of few words, but when he chose to speak, his tone alone could kill. His permanent scowl and his dark robes drew all the attention wherever he went, despite thinking otherwise, and for once, Irina was glad she wasn’t the one with the preying eyes on her. After all, she had no power outside of Ravka; the leader of the Crows could do much damage anywhere he went. 

Wylan quickly filled the silence. “Tolya, uh, I was actually looking to buy some firing powders. Do you want to come?”

Tolya looked at Irina first, as he always did. The girl shrugged before nodding, careless and curious. Wylan quickly took leave, with Tolya trailing behind, and a reluctant Jesper moaning behind them.  

“Always been a fan of shopping.” 

“Huh. For explosives?” Wylan didn’t even look at him, but the disinterest in his voice was too harsh not to notice. 

Jesper breathed out, defeated. “Sure.” 

“What did you do to him?” Irina laughed, keeping her voice down as she approached the sharpshooter. 

Jesper had a personality Irina could handle. He resembled Nikolai in a way, always up for a joke, no matter how dire the situation. He would never fill the void her brother left every time the siblings were apart, but for the time being, Jesper could make an excellent substitute. 

“What do you mean?”

Irina rolled her eyes. “Wylan’s upset. You’re the last person he spoke with. It doesn’t take a genius to figure out the rest.”

Jesper scoffed. “I didn’t do anything!” He avoided the girl’s look, finding her gaze oddly familiar. Something about her eyes told him he had seen them before. 

“Right.”

Jesper squinted, mumbling at last. “I may have hurt his feelings earlier. But not on purpose!”

“I hope not.”

The man looked close to tears, frustration radiating even from the top of his hat. “I made a joke about his fake passport name, alright?”

“And he didn’t take it lightly?” Irina offered, but Jesper shook his head.

“Let’s just say maybe he’s not the most… literate… person I’ve met…” Jesper whispered. Throwing caution out the window, he immediately decided he could trust the Grisha girl, despite not even knowing her real identity yet. 

Irina blinked, processing his words. He stared at the sharpshooter, confused. “I thought you were smart.”

If the insult hadn’t been directed at him, Jesper would’ve laughed. “Hey!” And still, he allowed a small grin to adorn his lips. “I didn’t know it before! And trust me, I feel bad enough already!” He looked back at Wylan, his eyes almost longing to shorten the distance. Irina recognized that look. She knew she always wore a similar one when the Heartrender was away.

“You better,” Irina grinned, enjoying the teasing.

“But anyway, there’s nothing to be ashamed of here! I can’t do math! I don’t understand why he’d still be mad at me.”

Irina huffed. “You men.”

“What does that even mean?”

“He’s probably embarrassed!” Irina exclaimed. “He doesn’t want you to think lowly of him, and if it is an insecurity of him and you just outed him…”

Jesper interrupted her. “Yeah. Point taken.”

The two of them stared at their respective counterparts, looking back at each other in silent understanding. Irina wanted to think an unlikely bond had just formed between them.

“What will you do about it?”

Jesper took a moment to answer. “Apologize?”

Irina nodded. “That’s the way to start.”

“Then what?”

“I can’t tell you what to do.”

“You just did, Ainthe.”

“Maybe that’s what I want you to think,” Irina grinned at him.

Jesper breathed out, yet some of the tension had been unknowingly lifted off his shoulders. He smiled back. “Thank you for this.”

She winked at him. “You’re welcome.”

“What about you?”

Irina frowned. “What about me?”

He glared at her. “Are you two even together?” He pointed at Tolya with his chin.

Irina felt the heat in her cheeks. “No, we’re not.”

“Then, when are you telling him how you feel?”

She scoffed. “I feel nothing!”

“Right.”

“I really don’t.”

“And I believe you.”

“Jesper!”

“Ainthe!”

It was Irina’s turn to glare at him. She too felt somewhat relieved. She never spoke to Nikolai about this, nor to Tamar. Her feelings were hers to keep and bury underground.

“It’s complicated.”

“Ah,” Jesper clapped. “There it is.”

“We can’t just… be together,” Irina chose her words carefully.

“Strict parents?” Jesper ventured.

Irina took the bait. “Sort of.”

He nodded in understanding. “I get it.”

“Besides,” Irina continued, desperate to shift the attention back to the sharpshooter. “He doesn’t like me.”

At that, Jesper laughed loudly. Both Wylan and Tolya looked back at them, surprised at the sudden noise, but Irina was quick to shush him as best as she could. 

“Now, I really needed that. Come again?”

“Jesper.”

“That’s the funniest thing I’ve heard in a while,” he dried a stray tear from his eye, still recovering from his outburst. “Yeah, this job just got a lot more interesting thanks to you.”

Jesper left a very confused Irina behind, following after Wylan who was bolting from stand to stand like a little kid in a candy store, eyeing up all the powders at hand. Irina could only stare at his back, wondering what the Saints the sharpshooter meant by that. 

–·–

The unlikely band of allies were, once again, retracing their steps. Sheltered by the darkness of an empty shop, Kaz was trying to hide the slight tremble of his hands. He wasn’t gripping his cane like he always did when he sat down, and for that, Irina could only wonder what demons the bastard had encountered during the short while he was out having a cup of tea. 

“Ohval’s not just a fence. She’s The Disciple.”

“What tipped you off?” Wylan asked. 

“Her tea cup. When she set it down, she did so without a sound.” 

“And her heartbeat never fluctuated once,” Nina added. “It held at one beat a second like a clock.”

Even Jesper accepted one of Tolya’s walnuts after closing the door, taking in his comrade’s words.

“So, she can control her heart rate and her emotions,” Tolya concluded. 

“Those are useful skills for a thief,” Wylan added.

“Now’s the part where you tell us where the blade is.” Jesper wasn’t even sitting down, far too restless. His conversation with the Inferni was long forgotten, all trace of the tear-spilling laugh gone.

Kaz looked at him. “Ohval has it. Her signal to the waitress to spill tea on me told me as much.” 

“It’s as if I know you,” he joked. And just like that, he was back.

“And if she’s not going to sell it to us, we’ll just have to take it,” Kaz concluded. Irina didn’t like the way his lip almost curved at the end. “After Nina and I ordered the chrysanthemum tea, I had Inej follow the tea shop employee who was sent to notify Ohval.” 

“She lives just outside the city,” Inej continued, casually playing with her knife. “When she stopped at the tea shop, she placed an order at the apothecary that she’ll be picking up tonight. I watched her home for a while, no one came or went except her.” 

“So, while she’s out of the house, Nina will tail her to make sure she stays out of the house. The rest of us will go in and grab the blade,” Kaz’s words were followed by a scoff.

Zoya was looking at him completely unimpressed, holding her own teacup in her hands. “You don’t seriously expect me to break into this woman’s house.” 

“Uh, why do you think we’re here?” Jesper’s bewilderment was almost comical. Irina was already used to the Squaller’s constant confrontation, but she enjoyed the showdown nonetheless. For once, she wasn’t a participant in Zoya’s wrath.

Zoya turned to look at him. “I’m a soldier, not a thief. Why else would I need you criminals?” 

“Oh, there’s much less of a difference there than you think,” Tolya offered, and even Irina had to agree.

“You just keep eating your walnuts,” Zoya tried to mock Tolya, but that only humored the giant further. “I’ll go with Nina.”

The Heartrender almost choked on her walnut at that, making Irina giggle.

“Are you sure you don’t need me?” Nina was now pleading to Kaz, and with good reason. “I mean, Zoya can tail Ohval. Even Ainthe can go.”

Irina quickly shook her head. “Saints, no, I’m breaking into the house too. I won’t be the only one not having fun.”

That earned a grin from Jesper. That weird bond only strengthened with her words.  

“Ainthe’s with me, anyways. Wherever I go, she goes. Prince’s orders.”

Irina glared at Tolya. So much for being discreet. 

She was pretty sure the bastard knew who they were, but thankfully for her, Kaz ignored them all. “Nina and Zoya will wait for Ohval at the apothecary. Follow her. If she starts heading home, buy us some time. Distract her.”

–·–

Irina whistled as soon as she saw Ohval’s house. Even though her home at the Grand Palace had nothing to envy the Shu Han mansion before her, she still knew how to appreciate art when she saw it. 

“Nice crib.”

Her voice got lost somewhere in the wind. The house sat in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by trees that hid its real size. The only light came from the few lanterns hung over the entrance and the moon that shone brightly on the thieves. The silence almost made Irina shiver, but she toughened up, almost forgetting that she could be as deadly as the misfits around her.

“This house is traditional,” Tolya had said as they arrived at the front door, drawing the map with a stick on the ground below them. “It has a specific layout. We enter through the courtyard, antechamber, middle courtyard, main chamber.”

“We sweep the entirety,” Kaz concluded, stepping closer to the main door. He turned to Wylan. “How long will it take you to set up?” He didn’t even have to look at him as he picked the lock.

“I can have the door open in about five minutes. And if Ohval trips it, we have two minutes before the firecrackers go off to get out.” 

“Even if she returns prematurely, we cannot leave without the blade,” Irina noted, making Inej nod with her. 

“Yes, the future of Ravka and my payment depend on it,” Kaz nodded, almost bored, and looked at the Inferni. “I’m aware.”

Irina didn’t know whether his words meant one thing or the other, but she didn’t say anything else.

“It’s more than the future of Ravka at stake,” Tolya intervened, feeling the need to save his princess from Kaz’s double-edged words. “If we fail, Shu Han, Fjerda, Ketterdam, and beyond, they’ll all feel the weight of the Darkling bear down on them.” 

“Way to up the stakes,” Jesper joked, always sarcastic.

It only took Kaz another extra five seconds to open the door. It creaked as Kaz pushed it forward, his dark robes disappearing in the darkness of the threshold. The rest of the party followed silently after him, eyeing the environment carefully, looking for any threat. Irina frowned when she couldn’t find any. 

Tolya wouldn’t admit it either, but the lack of security in the courtyard alone also pricked the back of his mind. Yet he continued forward, keeping Irina behind him within range. 

“Tolya,” she called to him, and her voice was enough to pull him from his dark thoughts momentarily. “Where do you think she keeps the blade? You’re the expert here.”

Tolya tried not to smile at her question, if only because the situation was so dire he couldn’t afford to make mistakes. “Probably at the other end. The farthest away from civilization.” 

Irina didn’t reply. Instead, she took a big breath, hyping herself up. Something about the house felt wrong, and the fire in her veins going crazy was only another indicator of that. 

“Jesper, we’re going in,” Kaz called him. Whatever conversation Jesper and Wylan were having was cut short, and by the look on the sharpshooter’s face, he was glad it did. “Close the doors behind you.”

Jesper joined them at the doors of the antechamber, rubbing his face in an attempt to hide the red in his eyes. Irina patted his shoulder in a weak attempt at comfort, but they all were immediately sucked inside the room as soon as Kaz opened the doors.

Once again, nothing came out to attack them. The antechamber was empty, and the room was fairly small compared to the courtyard behind them. It was dark, silent, and cold, not at all inviting as Irina had first imagined when she first saw the house.  

“Spread out,” Kaz ordered.

Tolya stood straighter. “I sense a heartbeat.”

Irina looked at him with wide eyes. That was not on their plans.

“I thought the compound was empty,” Jesper noticed, still lagging. 

His eyes still screamed an untold story, but he too stepped inside the room.

Tolya frowned. “It’s faint. Further in the house.”

That seemed to seal their fate. Tolya stepped on a floor tile, which immediately sunk under his weight. Something mechanic creaked, and the doors closed behind them, trapping the thieves inside the antechamber. Tolya and Inej tried to open them with all their might, Tolya with sheer strength and Inej using one of her knives, but the blade barely grazed the colored paneling of the doors. 

“It’s impenetrable,” Inej concluded, as Kaz felt the material with his cane.

“The frames are made of metal.”

Jesper whispered. “They’re Durast-made.”

“Damn it,” Irina mumbled. She had been trying to burn a hole in the paneling, but the wood around her would only become a casket to all of them if she summoned it completely. 

Dropping her hands, she met Tolya’s gaze. She didn’t like what she saw. The Shu Han giant looked apologetic, almost pained, and Irina knew that Tolya was already blaming himself for leading Irina straight into trouble. Irina felt a pang in her chest as she realized that Tolya still didn’t understand. Irina would follow him to certain death if that meant she’d be with him until the end. 

As they both tried not to panic, another cranking filled the air, making everybody turn their heads upwards.

“That does not sound good.”

Irina noticed it first. “There’s something in the air.”

A mysterious orange cloud of mist was suddenly filling the entire room, filtering through one of the lights. It didn’t take them long to start coughing, gasping for fresh air that was quickly disappearing from their reach.

“No, no, no,” Irina mumbled as she coughed violently, trying to get away from the mist as much as she could, but there was nowhere to run anymore.

“This is how we die,” Jesper moaned.

Tolya, with his eyes fixed on the smoke, sat down on the ground, bringing a hand to his chest and the other toward Irina, trying to keep in his coughs as he slowed both their heartbeats at the same time. Irina, who couldn’t keep straight anymore, fell to her knees next to Tolya, feeling the way her heartbeat fought against the enemy air.

“I got you,” Tolya whispered. 

Irina, despite it all, smiled at her companion, even though they both could see through his lie.

Jesper collapsed first, and so did Inej. Irina could feel herself growing weaker by the second, her legs weighing a lot more than they usually did. 

“Tolya…” Irina tried to speak, but her last strength only allowed her to fall sideways into Tolya’s lap, finally giving in to whatever poison was consuming them.

Kaz too was gone by then, and with another push, Tolya threw his arm over Irina’s back, his last attempt at protecting her, and with a heavy heart, he closed his eyes, focusing all his strength on himself. Maybe Tolya couldn't prevent the poison from killing Irina, but he might as well die trying. 

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