Queenofdarkestshadows:

queenofdarkestshadows​:

Zoya’s smug expression faltered for a moment, as Genya suddenly crossed the room back to her. She did not knew what reaction she expected from the other grisha girl…anger? annoyance? hurt? Anything but the curiosity and satisfaction that were all over her face.

The raven haired girl rised her eyebrow. ❝You realize that only now? I believed you to he wiser Safin.❞ Zoya said, trying to sound smug, but there was slight uncertainty in her voice. What did Genya saw? What walls had she let down?

She HAD to unsettle the mood to HER supremancy.

❝You are charming when you want, Genya, but you would still need to get in line like everyone else. I am all booked for breaking hearts for the next decade.❞ She flipped her locks to one side and winked at her.

Genya’s red lips had curled in a satisfied smile when Zoya’s smug expression had left her beautiful face. She’d take it as a personal victory. After all, not many people could brag about disrupting the great squaller. The redhead tilted her head to the side at the...compliment. Wow. This conversation was getting more and more satisfying. ❛ I’ve been known to be quite the patient woman. ❜ She said, quietly, twirling one of Zoya’s gorgeous lock with her index finger.   

defendrelor​:

NIKOLAI’S HAND at the base of his neck was a welcomed source of comfort as Isaak indulged in the utter proximity of the tsar to him. They’d had their fair share of moments like that, neither of them knowing how far to go, how far to stay away, both longing to be in each other’s vicinity. It had been different when he’d almost died. He’d clung to Nikolai, tears staining his face, blood welling over his lips as he called his name over and over in a pain and fear induced haze. He’d been beyond terrified. Beyond afraid of falling. Letting go. GIVING IN TO THE DARKNESS that had threatened to pull him under.

Isaak had barely gotten any rest at all in the past days. He was antsy, on edge, irritable far beyond usual. The fact that they wouldn’t let him sleep in his own room but in the infirmary, under the watchful eyes of the few healers on duty. This was the first time he’d been allowed to leave - and only because it had been the KING’S ORDER.

Ehri was INNOCENT, the very mention of the princess caused the knots in his stomach to tighten. HEARTBREAK and DAGGERS were the only two things that came to his mind when he thought of her. Upon feeling Nikolai’s warm hand on his chest a memory flooded his mind.

Isaak remembered waking up, that very hand on his chest, ungloved, dark veins running up the light skin. He hadn’t flinched for a moment, even if the pain in his chest had been unbearable. Rarely ever let he see anyone what the demon, the merzost, had done to him. EXHAUSTED, the tsar had looked exhausted and BROKEN. Isaak hadn’t understood it then but he did now. They were much closer than a king and guard should be. Isaak found no flaw in it, couldn’t, because he cared about Nikolai.

He cared about Mayu, too. Probably too much, otherwise he wouldn’t be standing here.

Nikolai’s touch had faded but Tolya had scurried over to wrap a massive arm around his shoulder and STEADY him. He wouldn’t have put it beyond the man to carry him.

The Eagle’s Nest, the dining room most commonly used by the tsar, with its gold laced tapesteries and the giant Ravkan double eagle frieze on the ceiling, was a sight to behold, even after seeing it for more times than he could count.

❝ Hopefully they won’t serve us any jellies today.❞

Mayu felt a sharp pain in her forearm, right before the King let them go and be escorted out of the sitting room. Another guard took care of Isaak while Tolya suddenly decided to remain behind with the king. Two guards were escorting Mayu out and into the dinning room, one of them pushing her wheelchair. Once the Tsar was out of sight, Mayu looked down to their arm and frowned. Something seemed to have pricked her skin. The puncture wound seemed to have been made by a nail. A VERY SHARP NAIL.

It can’t be, Mayu thought. The king was wearing gloves. There was no way a simple nail could cut through the fabric of the gloves AND the sleeve of her Tavgharad uniform. Then, she thought back to how uneasy she felt as he leaned over them back in the sitting room. She could swear he’d looked like a PREDATOR, enjoying the smell of fear coming from his prey. Mayu didn’t scare easily but, in this moment, she was glad Isaak would be the judge of her actions. And then, she’d blinked and the witty and charming Tsar was back. The shift had been sudden. So much so the Tavgharad had wondered if they’d imagined it all. But that pain was very much REAL. That puncture wound as well. They’d quickly rolled down their sleeve at Isaak’s words. ❛ I swear on the Six Soldiers, if they try to feed me any more jellies, they’re gonna regret bringing me back to life. ❜ She said as the guards pushed her wheelchair into the other room. 

When they entered the luxurious dinning room, food was quick to arrive. There were even some Shu dishes. Mayu had even spotted her favorite. And there was more than enough for three people, which meant Nikolai had known all along the two would accept to have dinner with him… or that he didn’t mind wasting food. Mayu decided that the first option was more suitable for a Tsar as brilliant and considerate as Nikolai Lantsov. The Too-Clever Fox still hadn’t joined them though. So, they waited and waited…AND WAITED. And after about fifteen minutes of waiting in complete silence and eyeing their favorite dish on the table, Mayu’s stomach growled, LOUD. She flushed, bringing a hand to their hungry belly. ❛ ——Will the king be joining us soon? ❜ the Tavgharad asked, hesitantly, looking at a guard standing in the corner of the room. No response. Though a quick look around let her know that all the guards in the room were exchanging looks. They’re confused. They don’t know why the king is taking so long. Mayu’s brown eyes suddenly fell on ISAAK, silently asking Do you know what’s going on?

queenofdarkestshadows​:

Zoya’s dark blue orbs followed the girls movements. Her expression reminded of a cat who acted all uninterested, then let its claws out when it’s least expected. ❝Well, I am not.❞ She grabbed Genya’s wrist, wrapping her fingers around it tightly.

❝I hate it when people are wasting my time. You are far from sobbing and pleading, so it’s quite disappointing, it’s also bad for my reputation, won’t you agree?❞ The grisha girl asked in exaggerated manner of a worry, that was far from truthful.

Genya studied Zoya’s features, carefully, trying to guess what was coming next. She was eager to see what the great squaller’s next move would be. The redhead gasped as soon as the brunette snatched her wrist. Startled by the sudden movement and the strength of her grasp. The tailor had quickly regained her usual composure though. ❛ Well, i’m not holding you back. ❜ she countered with a smile, amber eyes glancing to Zoya’s tight grip. ❛ In fact, by the looks of it, it seems you’re the one keeping me here. ❜ she added, ambers meeting the other grisha’s stunning stormy orbs. 

@defendrelor

They had failed. Mayu Kir-Kaat never failed and yet there she was, in a wheelchair, recovering from their own failure. As a Tavgharad, as kebben and a friend of Ehri. She was in the king’s sitting room, waiting, while their princess was with King Nikolai in his office, discussing the formalities for their wedding. The word itselft stung more than expected. It was her fault that Ehri was getting married off to the king of Ravka. If they hadn’t failed, distracted by their feelings for the presumed king and target, Ehri would be free. She would be on her way to the countryside as a normal girl living her commoner dream of teaching music to kids. Sure, Ehri would’ve still not been hers but they were never meant to be anyway. And, in death, Mayu would’ve been free of the pain and she would’ve rest knowing Reyem, their twin brother, was free from the khergud program. Now, there was no telling what was gonna happen to him. Isaak was on the other side of the room and Mayu hadn’t taken a look in his direction. It was the first time they were coming face to face since the assassination attempt. She couldn’t bare looking at him in the eyes and face the truth of what she had done to an innocent, to someone they could’ve loved. She shook her head to shake that thought. The silence was becoming too heavy and so she had decided to break it with a sigh. ❛ Saints! How long does it take to settle on a centerpiece? ❜ They said, the irritation clear in their voice. 

defendrelor​:

Mayu gets up on their feet and Isaak almost FOLLOWS SUIT, his face a perfect façade of serenity as he glades up at her, his heart racing at the thought of what she might attempt to do without the heartrender’s hold on her. Nothing, it seemed and he allowed himself to breathe a sigh of relief. He wasn’t so sure he’d have had the strength to intervene should the need have arisen. Isaak digs into his cabbage rolls with an unkingly appetite, savoring the taste on his tongue, happy to eat something that didn’t lack taste nor flavor.

Maybe he should ask Nikolai to give him a Dacha. In Udova or saints-know-where, far away from Os Alta, to live out his last days in peace. Could he really LEAVE like that, though? Could he live without the tsar? Would the guilt not overwhelm him? His sense of serving a greater good? He’d played hero and he’d witnessed first hand how easily they could turn into martyrs. So why stay? Why not leave? Was safety really more important to him than his friends?

Deep inside, Isaak knew the answer. He could never leave. He’d stay until his death. He’d serve to his LAST BREATH. He’d PROTECT Nikolai with all he had. Was giving one life not enough? How often had he died? How often would he return for the tsar’s sake?

His mind was heavy with thoughts, occupied with memories, terrifying and yet so very important. He was sitting here, breathing, his heart beating because Nikolai had found him. He’d been a pale, lifeless figure without a pulse because of Mayu. His loyalty only belonged to his king. No one else. Yet he felt drawn to the Tavgharad. He had no explanation for it. Other than… Love. Stupid, stupid love. Isaak Artymovich Andreyev a victim of his crush. Fallen to the blade of an assassin he fell in love with. Ehri’s face brought nothing but death but Mayu’s, hers was different. Soft. Warm. He knew they were kind. They were amicable.

❝ You should be.❞

Isaak didn’t take such a threat to Nikolai’s life likely. He’d gladly throw himself in the line of fire for him again if it meant he’d be safe and well and spared of the agony that was a wounded heart.

❝ If you had stabbed my king’s heart, you wouldn’t be sitting on this table today. In fact, you wouldn’t be sitting anywhere because you’d be dead.❞

He’ll never forgive me, Mayu thought as they averted their gaze. Was it what she wanted? Forgiveness? Why would they even embarrassed themselves with such a thought, huh? Why did she care so damn much what he thought of her? Because you love him, whispered a little voice inside. Oh, shut up! You’ve known him for what? About a week? You can’t fall in love so damn fast. That’s not how it works. Or is it? Mayu had only fell in love once before and she still loved that person. Over the years, Ehri had been her charge, her friend and then, one day, Mayu had realized they’d fallen for the princess. Falling for Ehri had been unprofessional on her part but loving Isaak would be treason. They’d never told Ehri. They’d kept their distance. Stayed reasonable. Always. Mayu was happy just by being by her princess’ side. She was her Tavgharad and her friend and that was enough for her. They didn’t need more than that. Didn’t need their feelings to be returned. But still, they’d never told Ehri. She didn’t want her to feel obligated to anything. Ehri didn’t care much for romance and she’d never talked about marriage like her sisters. That wasn’t something she wanted for herself and that’s why it broke Mayu’s heart to see Ehri wearing the Lantsov’s colors. Ehri didn’t want to marry the Tsar of Ravka but Mayu knew the princess would do it for her people nonetheless. Because when you’re royalty you don’t get to choose. You don’t even get to be yourself and follow your heart’s desires. Duty is all that matters. And love and happiness is really just a lucky accident.  

❛ Of course, i would be dead. I would be dead because i wouldn’t have missed my heart. ❜ Mayu replied, gazing back at him. Her tone had been a little sharper than she’d expected but oh well. ❛ I would be dead because i would’ve killed the king and i wouldn’t have cried. I would’ve been dead because stupid conflicted feelings wouldn’t have gotten in the way! I don’t miss, Isaak. I never do! ❜ They let out a growl of frustration, stabbing their food before dropping their fork, their hand slightly shaking. Some of the anger was coming out. ❛ I was meant to die! I wanted to die. I was ready to. If—  If i had died, Ehri would’ve been free from a life at court and my brother would’ve lived. But now—— Now, we’re stuck here, in this stupid palace and Ehri is getting married off while she doesn’t even want to! And if Makhi already know about the wedding, then Reyem is as good as dead. And all i’ve done would’ve been for nothing! And i— i just can’t bear the thought of——  ❜ She’d stopped herself, tears of anger and fear blurring their vision. She’d turned her head away, trying to blink them back. It didn’t work. ❛ I was meant to kill the king... ❜ They whispered, still avoiding Isaak’s gaze. ❛ Not an innocent... Not you. ❜    

queenofdarkestshadows​:

❝I am proud of EVERYTHING I do, and never babble things out. I have plenty of secrets to keep, I would not be in such high favor it I did not. ❞ The grisha girl said, tilting her head high. She had that manner of speaking down to people, as if she was above them.Obviously she wad not planning to admit a newbie student get a lucky aim at her in the training. ❝I was hardly disturbing David, more freeing him from YOUR babbling. I seriously don’t get why you even bother. That man is not gonna share you a second glace unless you will suddenly turn into some kind of machine.❞ She brushed her hands over her already perfectly smooth kefta. ❝Wearing red won’t change that.❞

❛ As if I wasn’t in high favor as well. Keeping secrets is what i do best. That and turning flaws into beauty. You’re welcome by the way. ❜ Genya stood proud and straight like a perfect soldier, waving the remarks off with a hand as if they were bullets bouncing off her kefta as she walked away. She stopped in the doorway, looking back at the girl. ❛ And what do you know when it comes to the matter of the heart, Zoya Nazyalensky? ❜