[  smut warning for inappropriate use of shadows my friends. and formatting is still being weird  ]

☆︎

I WARNED YOU, GENERAL, NOT TO TELL ME WHAT TO DO.

Ithaca didn't stop to rest. No, she followed the signs of Alina, paying attention to the trampled leaves and broken sticks. And it wasn't long before a set of muddy footprints turned into two, which confused her. But she got answers when she came across two very familiar voices whispering as morning came.

"Stink reminds me of Keramzin."

"It's the poultice Ana Kuya used to make. I added cloves to ease the pain. Remember how Ithy said the cloves made us weak?"

"That's because they do," Ithaca said, stepping out into the open with a grin on her face, startling them both.

"Ithy!" Alina exclaimed, a look of joy on her face as she got up to hug her. Only to come to a sudden stop. "He's here, isn't he? Kirigan? Where is he?"

Ithaca's smile faltered. "No, I left him back in the town you fled. He's gonna be quite pissed about it, but didn't need him slowing me down. But you've got to do what you've got to do when your best friend up and leaves in the middle of the night."

Alina seemed to sigh in relief now that she knew he wasn't here. And she let herself actually hug Ithaca.

"Why'd you run? What happened?" she asked, hugging her back. "I was worried sick. And don't even get me started on why the Saints Mal is here."

"Ithaca, it's all been a lie," she said, pulling back. "Baghra found me and explained it all.
We can't trust Kirigan."

"Alina, of course we can—"

"Can't you see that he's manipulating us? He has been this whole time. We've been nothing but playthings for him. He created the fold," she revealed, a horrified look in her eyes. And it only grew worse when Ithaca's face didn't change. "Why do you look like you're about to tell me that you know?"

"Because I know," she said, holding Alina's hands to keep her from pulling away. "He told me after you ran. After we... Look, Lina, just because he hid that from you doesn't mean he's a monster. You didn't have to run."

"Did he tell you he hid Mal's letters from us? He'd been writing to us the whole time," she revealed, making Ithaca's face fall.

"Why would he—"

"Because he knows Mal is the only one that could convince us to leave his side. And Mal wouldn't let him control us," she is aged. "And the stag I've been dreaming about. He stole pages from my journal because he wants to find it."

"The stag?" she asked, none of it making sense. Alina had been dreaming of the animal for years.

"It's an amplifier. One that could finally rival his power. He wants it for himself," she explained. "Baghra told me himself that he is a monster, Ithaca."

"He told a few lies. Kept some letters. That hardly warrants running," she scoffed. "Without me, by the way."

"Didn't you hear her?" Mal asked, getting up. "He created the Fold."

"He didn't mean to!" she defended. Then she sighed and rubbed her forehead. "You don't wanna go back? Fine. Fine, you don't have to. But by the Saints, Mal, why are you bleeding?"

"We got caught on the wrong side of the Fjerdan border. Barely made it out alive," he explained. "Mikhael and Dubrov weren't so lucky."

"No," Ithaca whispered, her eyes watering for her fallen friends. "Why were you so stupid to go behind enemy lines?"

"To get to that damned Stag," he grumbled. "We need to keep west, to get to the Fold."

Suddenly Alina looked up. "Did you tell General Kirigan where to find the Stag?"

"No. Well, not exactly," he frowned.

"When did you speak with Kirigan?" Ithaca asked, growing confused once more.

But she was just ignored as Alina asked another question. "How much does he know? Could he find it without you?"

"I pointed to a broad area on his map. That's it. It doesn't matter. We'll get to the Fold in a couple of days. And once we're through, no one can stop us," he said. Then he looked to Ithaca. "You don't have to come if you want to stay, but we can't. It's not safe for Alina anymore."

Though Ithaca doubted that, she nodded, knowing Alina came first. "I'll get you through the Fold."

"We should head north," Alina then told them, a frown on her face. "Find the Stag before he does."

"What? Why?" Mal asked, frowning.

"It's a powerful amplifier," she explained. "It might make me strong enough to... to destroy the Fold."

"Is that why General Kirigan wants it so badly?" Mal questioned.

But Alina shook her head, knowing Baghra wouldn't have sent her away unless it was for something much darker. "It must have some other use for him."

Ithaca tensed, realizing why he wanted the amplifier so badly. She'd mentioned it enough times — he wanted to be stronger to control the Fold. He was actually going to do it. Weaponize it. He was going to accomplish it all just like they'd planned.

But rather than clue her friends in, Ithaca found herself keeping silent. Because if Alina thought Aleksander was a monster then surely she would think the same of her.

☆︎

"I've never seen a berry bush picked clean so high," Mal said as they continued to the north, the sun nearing the horizon. "I'm sure it's the work of our Stag."

"Wish he'd have left some for us," Ithaca grumbled, her stomach rumbling. Alina was picking berries from one of the bushes, not many left at all.

"If we follow that path, we'll catch up to it in a day or two," Mal explained to them.

"Good," Alina said, offering him some berries. "Here."

"Listen, we're getting close to Fjerda," Ithaca spoke up, familiar with the city territory. "I don't like putting either of you in harm's way."

Alina raised an amused eyebrow. "Since when have you backed down from a fight?"

"You know I don't want a fight when you're near," she told her softly.

"I feel the same," Mal said. "As bodyguard to the Saints—"

"Oh, fuck off," Ithaca laughed, knowing she didn't need his protection. Mal just smirked and shoved her to the side.

Alina just smiled sadly. "What if there's no real Saint here? It's just me."

"When I was eight, while Ithy was out hunting for dinner, you defended me from boys three years older than you with nothing more than a letter opener. Consider this payback," he told her.

"Well, if I do anything particularly heroic, I'm going to need you there as a witness so you can write songs about me later," Alina joked.

"You've got some catching up to do," Ithaca said, grinning. "They've got war ballads dedicated to me."

Alina hummed and finished off her handful of berries. "Delicious. I could eat five more."

"That palace food is looking pretty good right now," Ithaca complained. They'd always survived off little food, but now that they'd gotten accustomed to three meals a day, it was hard to go without.

"You really developed an appetite, didn't you?" Mal asked, looking between the girls. He thought they looked stronger and healthier — less like orphans of Keramzin. "That's new. Not bad, I'm just... I'm saying it looks good on you."

"Thanks," Alina mumbled. "Using my power is definitely changing me. My appetite, for sure."

"It's like we feed off the summoning," Ithaca said, Aleksander having explained it to her once. "That's why Alina was always so sickly and frail."

"I wasn't sickly," she scoffed.

Ithaca jokingly pinched her fingertips together, and Mal nodded along, laughing a bit.

"No, you look great," Mal assured her. "I mean, you look healthy. Is that what, um... being a Summoner does to you? Like Ithy said?"

"That's how he's lived for so long," Ithaca said with a nod. "At least, how he explained it."

"Who?" Mal asked.

"Aleksander." Then Ithaca frowned. "Lina, you really think he'll not stop hunting you down?"

"We're the only threat to him now," she told her.

Ithaca hated that. She hated the thought of being an enemy to Kirigan. Even now, as she was doing everything to keep Alina safe, she still thought of herself on Aleksander's side. She was quite sure she'd never been more conflicted in her life, but it would all be over once Alina crossed the Fold and got away.

"Who's Aleksander?" Mal questioned, studying Ithaca warily.

"General Kirigan," she specified, looking at the ground. "Lina, I know that you think he's bad—"

"He is, Ithy," she stated in a firm tone. "He's a threat. He's killed so many people. He's used Genya and countless others to get where he is. Surely you can see that. He's not the Saint he claims to be."

"I can," she said in a hoarse turn. "But I'm not a Saint either, Alina. I'm... dark and dangerous. I always have been. Saints, I killed the bunny rabbit Mal found when we were kids because I was hungry. I can't say for certain I wouldn't make the same choices Kirigan has in his place."

"But you're choosing to help me," Alina said softly, squeezing her hand. "You're helping me run."

"I may love him, but I love you more," Ithaca promised. "You'll never be a prisoner again if I can help it."

☆︎

The trio sat in the snow, the sun sinking down over their heads. They were just waiting, Mal certain that they had the right spot. All there was to do was wait for the Stag to show, if it ever decided to.

"Mal," Alina said, her voice shaking a bit, "when we find the Stag, I need to be the one to kill it."

Ithaca raised an eyebrow while Mal chuckled. "You're a terrible shot. They made you a cartographer for a reason." She just scoffed playfully and nudged his shoulder. "Of course. I'll line it up for you, you take the shot." Then Mal grimaced. "It's just... do you really wear its bones?"

Ithaca looked at her own hands, recalling Aleksander's story about the friends that tried to kill him for his bones. She couldn't imagine ever trusting anyone after something like that.

"Yeah. At least, that's how it's been done," Alina mumbled.

Then they heard a faint rustling sound, and Mal slowly stood, his hand on his gun. The girls followed his stead, keeping quiet as they moved through the snow.

"That way," he whispered before leading them forward.

They crept through the woods until they came across a magnificent, large, white Stag with looming antlers. Ithaca kept to the side as Mal held Alina from behind, placing the rifle in her hand and lining up the shot. Slowly, sensing them, the Stag turned to face them.

Ithaca flinched back, seeing an odd light shining at the center of its antlers, almost calling out to her and Alina.

"Hang on," Alina said, lowering the gun.

"What are you doing?" Mal asked as Ithaca slowly moved forward.

"We need to get closer to it," Alina insisted.

"If we keep it alive, how do we—"

"I don't know. Kirigan didn't want me to have an amplifier," she explained. And Ithaca had never spoken to him about getting one for herself. "So he didn't teach me about this. Maybe there's another way to do this."

Alina handed the gun back, and once she was unarmed, the Stag began walking toward her. Ithaca let her pass her, keeping her eyes glued to the creature. Slowly, Alina reached out, touching the animal's nose. Warm sunlight emitted from her, and she smiled, it feeling a thousand times better than when she'd used Kirigan as an amplifier.

"Ithy," she whispered, nodding her head toward the beast.

Carefully, Ithaca touched the Stag's side. And starlight shot from her body, surrounding them and melding with the sunlight, nearly blinding Mal. But then she pulled away with a frown, feeling cold. It wasn't like the warmth that accompanied touching Aleksander. It was like the Stag's amplification wasn't meant for her.

Aleksander's was.

Suddenly an arrow flew through the air, sailing into the Stag's side. The animal bellowed and fell to the ground in a heap, bleeding onto the pure white snow. Ithaca looked up, seeing a Healer with a crossbow in hand. So, Mal quickly shot him. Ithaca helped Alina up, who'd fallen over when the Stag fell.

Mal then raised his bow and arrow to go ahead and kill the animal, only for Zoya to appear, using the wind to disarm him.

"That animal's not meant for you," she said.

"And who's it fucking meant for?" Ithaca asked, glaring at the woman.

A scream then tore through Mal's throat as an arrow sailed through his chest, making him drop to the ground. Ithaca caught him and held him up as Alina ran to join them.

"Mal!" she shouted, beginning to tear up.

They heard a squelching sound, and Ithaca looked to Ivan, who was using his ability to make the boy bleed out faster. Alina acted quickly, using her power to knock back both Zoya and Ivan before going back to Mal.

"It's gonna be fine," Ithaca said while breaking off the arrow head. Alina held him close as the Starlight Summoner ripped the arrow out through his back, making him cry out. "You're fine, yeah?"

But he wasn't going to be. Because dark shadows soon crept around them. Ithaca looked up and spotted Aleksander coming toward them, a dark look in his eyes.

He was furious with them. With her.

But rather than address them just yet, he instead began forming the Cut. Realizing this, Alina ran for the Stag and threw up a barrier of light just as he released it, the light keeping the Stag safe from him.

"You can't save them, Alina," Kirigan said, a fake look in his eyes. "You and Ithaca may have the power of light, but not the power to heal. I know the tracker is important to you. Give me the Stag, and I'll have my Healer save him."

"Aleksander," Ithaca pleaded while holding her hands over Mal's wounds, feeling his blood stain her skin. "Please, don't do this to her."

But he refused to look her way. She wondered if it was because he'd cave if he saw the tears in her eyes.

Mal tried to crawl from Ithaca's hold toward Alina, holding out a hunting knife. "No."

"Stay still," Alina pleaded with him. "You've lost too much blood."

"You have to kill it," Mal said, whimpering. "You have to."

But Alina couldn't bear the thought of losing him, so she lowered the barrier and ran to him. Only for Ivan, the healer, and Zoya to pull the three apart.

"No! No! No! No!" she screamed desperately as Ivan punched Mal.

Ithaca let out an angry huff and grabbed Zoya's wrist, flipping her over her shoulder. "Don't fucking touch me!"

"No! You said you wouldn't hurt him!" Alina cried.

"I am a man of my word," Kirigan said, nodding to the other Heartrender. "Heal him. He was only protecting Miss Starkov and Miss Zaiste."

"I don't need protecting," Ithaca muttered, glaring at him as she stood in front of the Stag protectively.

"Stand down, Little Star," he said, finally dragging his dark eyes to her form. "This was what we wanted."

"I told you," she whispered, her bottom lip trembling. "Alina always comes first."

Then, with reflexes far faster than his, she spun and performed the Cut, a blinding, razor-sharp beam of light flying toward the Stag, severing its head from its body.

"No!" Kirigan shouted angrily, shadows encompassing them all. "What have you done?"

She looked at him darkly over her shoulder. "I warned you, General, not to tell me what to do," she reminded him. "Let's see what good your amplifier does you now."

☆︎

Ithaca sat on her knees in a lavish tent. The only reason she wasn't fighting was because of Ivan, who had a tight grip on Alina. He was using his powers, threatening to stop Alina's heart if she stepped out of line.

They weren't the only three in the tent. David and Aleksander were there as well, and Ithaca watched silently as the Durast built something with the antlers of the Stag. She couldn't bring herself to look at Aleksander, and he couldn't look at her either, both of their hearts aching to hold the other but knowing it wasn't an option. Not so long as Mal and Alina were being kept prisoner.

When David came over, two pieces of antlers in hand, Alina struggled against Ivan. "What are you doing?"

"I'm going to place this around your neck," he said, holding out one that resembled a collar. Then the other which looked like a crown made of antlers, looking to Ithaca as he did. "And this on your head."

"I meant why? I didn't kill the Stag. It's not my amplifier. She killed it. She gets its power. Not me or Kirigan!" Alina sneered, rubbing it in Kirigan's face.

But he seemed unaffected by the fact that Ithaca had killed the beast, much more calm now. "You asked for this yourself, when we met. To transfer your gift to someone who could use it."

"I can use it now," she said angrily.

"You know so little. You'll learn," he said simply.

"Oh, I know things," she muttered. "General Kirigan, is it? Or is Aleksander a fake name you fed to Ithaca, too?"

"Careful with your words, Alina," he said slowly. "Consider whose life is in your hands."

Realization crossed both girls faces. He still had Mal in his clutches. "You said you'd let him go."

"I said I would heal him. What happens next is up to you—"

"None of this has been up to her!" Ithaca shouted. Alina had been ripped from her home and controlled from the moment she entered the Fold that day.

Slowly, Kirigan knelt in front of Ithaca. He cupped her face, and she hated that she wanted to lean into his touch.

"Do you know the only thing more powerful than you or me? Than Alina?" he asked softly. "The three of us. Together. Together, we can end all wars. We can protect our own. This is the life we dreamt of, Little Star. Surely you can make Alina see reason."

Ithaca held her breath, wanting so easily to give in. But how could she when her best friend was in chains?

"Are we destroying the Fold?" Alina asked firmly.

"We can do anything. Together," he told the girls. Then he slid his hand from Ithaca's cheek to her hand, helping her stand. She stared deeply into his eyes before offering her free one to Alina, who hesitantly took it, giving in and trusting Ithaca.

Then David neared them, placing the collar first around Alina's neck like a necklace. After that, he placed the headband gently onto the crown of Ithaca's head before stepping back nervously.

That was when things changed. A second, unnamed Durast entered the tent as David placed a round chunk of the Stag's antlers on Aleksander's hand.

"What... what's happening?" Alina questioned.

"Aleksander?" Ithaca asked with a frown, getting ready to rip the antlers from her head.

"Wait," Alina said, squeezing Ithaca's hand tighter. "I don't understand. What—"

Suddenly, the other Durast put his hand on David's shoulder and reached out for Alina as David did so to Aleksander and Ithaca. A golden glow surrounded their hands, and Ithaca gasped as she felt the band of antlers being absorbed into her skin. Pure power flooded through her veins, a rush of energy surging through her.

She could feel it all — the darkness at her fingertips and the warmth of the sun in her palms. She could feel them.

Ithaca gasped and looked to Alina, who was horrified by the antlers protruding from her collarbone. And Aleksander's hand was melded with the piece of antlers as well, the skin growing around it.

"What did you do?" Ithaca asked, reaching up to touch the short antlers she now possessed.

"That should, uh..."

As David trailed off, Aleksander finished for him. "Bridge the gap?"

"Yes. You should now have full access to all of her light. In theory," he muttered before scurrying away with his fellow Durast.

In an instant, Ithaca's glare was back, realizing what Aleksander had truly done. He was taking their power.

"Ivan," Aleksander said, not taking his eyes off Alina. "Take Miss Zaiste to my tent."

When Ivan shoved her forward, she pushed him back. "I'm sure I can find it on my own," she spat.

☆︎

Ithaca paced angrily in the empty, black tent, waiting for him to return. She didn't like that he was alone with Alina, worried about what he'd try.

She clenched her fist angrily, hating that she'd been played the fool by him. She hated that he'd used her to get to the Stag's power. And she hated that she'd let herself get close enough that he could actually hurt her feelings.

Because fuck, if her heart didn't still ache for him, it only made worse by the new bond. It was like she could feel him all around her, the shadows ready to be used by her own hand, a personal reminder of him that would never go away. And part of her didn't want it to go away.

She barely heard when he entered, her back to the entrance of the tent.

"You ran from me."

"I didn't run from you. I ran to Alina," she muttered. "That's what I was meant to do. Find her."

"And killing the Stag? What's your excuse for that?"

"You pissed me off," she seethed while turning to glare at him. "I thought we would make a real plan. One that Alina was willing to help with. But you're forcing my hand by making her a prisoner. I cannot stand behind you any longer."

"Then stand at my side," he begged, coming closer. "You are not my prisoner, Ithaca. You are my equal — you were made for me. Don't let Alina get in the way of us."

"She already is in the way. And she'll stay there," she whispered, taking a step back. "No amount of sob stories will change my mind."

"I would've thought you of all people would understand what it's like. To live in hiding for fear of being murdered simply for being.
It's why I built the Little Palace in the first place," he insisted. "Everything that I have done, everything that I have ever done, has been to make Ravka safer, to make Grisha safer!"

"Did you think Genya was safe when you placed her under the King's watch?" she threw back at him. "That Nina was when you had her be your spy? And am I to believe that you will show your mother mercy for getting Alina to run. You say I am the rash one, but had you thought for even a minute about this, we wouldn't be in this situation. You didn't even give me a proper chance to help you make Grisha safe."

"Perhaps," he whispered. "But you have given me one. A chance to make amends. To finally win. The Fold was not your mistake—"

"Was it a mistake?" she cut him off, already knowing the answer.

He averted his eyes shamefully. "I never intended for it to be the blight it's become. Or for men like the King or Zlatan to exploit it for their own gain."

"You put that collar on Alina to exploit her power for your gain!" she snapped.

And shadows began to creep up the walls, this time not of Kirigan's doing. Ithaca was calling on them all on her own, not that he noticed. All he could do was stare at her with a pained expression.

"For us," he insisted, reaching for her hand. "To help us conquer the Fold together. You and me. Together forever."

"Don't touch me!" she snapped, ripping her hands away. "Saints, I hate you!"

His face darkened at her words. "Is that so?"

"Yes!" she hissed, not meaning one bit of it.

Aleksander stalked toward her until she was backed into the pole holding up the tent. "Say it again."

"I hate you," she said, her voice cracking.
Saints, she hated that her eyes were watering. Why couldn't she just go back to the unfeeling warrior that she'd been before meeting him. "I - I hate you."

He slowly touched her cheek before sliding his hand down, cupping her neck and keeping her in place. He could feel her pulse drumming away beneath her skin. "My Little Star hates me. That won't do."

"I'm not yours," she said, shaking her head only for him to tighten his grip around her neck.

"Yes, you are," he said darkly. "Just as I am yours. Say it."

"No," she denied stubbornly.

"I'll always be yours whether you want me or not," he said softly.

Slowly, like he was afraid of scaring her off, he leaned down, testing the waters. Given that the pole was behind her, Ithaca couldn't back away — at least that's what she convinced herself of. But both knew she had the time and means to get away if she really wanted to. Saints, she could've been in Shu Han by now if she wanted to be.

Ithaca clenched her eyes shut, holding her breath as he brushed his lips against hers lightly. Then she stood on her toes, meeting him halfway in the kiss. She melted into him, the kiss full of tongue and teeth as they let out their frustration.

Aleksander's hand was still around her throat, feeling more comfortable than any necklace ever had. He used that hand to guide her toward the bed while the other pushed her kefta off her shoulder, leaving her in a plain shirt and a pair of breeches.

He was anything but gentle as he pushed her onto the bed and held her arms above her head. He kissed her until she couldn't breathe — until she didn't want to breathe because that meant his lips weren't on hers. And once she was a breathless mess, he began to suck on her neck, every intent of leaving bruises so she'd remember who she belonged too when she looked in the mirror.

"You'll never leave me again," Aleksander stated against the base of her throat, not a hint of a question in his tone. It was an order and she was inclined to follow. "You're mine."

But she stubbornly bit her tongue, which he didn't care for a bit. Ithaca moved to pull him back into a kiss, only to find her hands still restrained. Given that his own were exploring her sides, she gathered that it was his shadows keeping her hostage.

"Let me go!" she said, seething.

"Not until you say what I want to hear," he said, hands working underneath her shirt.

She sucked in a breath when he pushed her shirt over her chest, exposing her to him. He kissed up from her belly button to her breast, taking the left one into his mouth. He sucked on her soft flesh until her eyes fell shut in bliss, her head falling back against the pillow. His hands that remained effortlessly free worked her pants down her legs.

And as soon as the first breathy moan left her throat, he was off of her.

Ithaca looked at the man in disbelief as he stood at the edge of the bed, staring down at her.

"What are you doing?" she questioned.

Aleksander tilted his head and turned his hand. Before her eyes, a small, black tendril formed around her ankle and slid up her bare leg. She grew tense as it neared where she wanted him most.

The shadows grazed her opening, making her gasp from the cold feeling, before falling on her clit. She cried out as it felt like an ice cube on her skin, the mass of black beginning to move against her core. Her legs shook and her head swam from it. It felt like heaven and yet it still wasn't enough because it wasn't him.

"A - Aleksander," she choked out. "Need you. Not your shadows."

"Then say it," he demanded. "I'm yours."

"And you're mine," she cried, a writhing mess as he stood before her, drinking in the sight. "I'm yours. I've always been yours and I — Ah! — I always will. Please."

"My Little Star, begging," he hummed, twisting his hand yet again.

She cried out as the shadows worked inside of her entrance, stretching her out far more than anything ever had. And it hit deep inside of her, brushing the very apex of what made her come undone. Aleksander watched with keen eyes as she writhed, helpless to him and his power.

"Aleksa — Saints! Don't stop," she choked out, changing her tune as she felt the coil inside of her tightening. Tears pricked at her eyes as she chased after the release. Her hips lifted off the bed to meet something that wasn't there.

"You know what else I want to hear."

She looked at him through her lashes, only thoughts of him in her lust-addled mind. In that moment, she didn't care that Mal was a prisoner. She didn't care that he was controlling Alina. Because both knew she wouldn't give a damn if he were doing this to any other two people on the whole planet.

"I love you," she moaned, her eyes falling shut. "Saints, I love you more than I love them at times."

Her eyes rolled to the back of her head and she choked on a moan as the shadows inside of her curled inward, hitting something completely new. And as it brushed that spot again and again and again, she felt an orgasm crash into her like a Tidemaker's wave.

She felt the shadows dissipate instantly, soon to be replaced by Aleksander's tongue, who lapped up her cum like it was his last meal. Already feeling sensitive, she tried to reach down and pull him back, only for her hands to still be restrained.

His mouth was so warm in comparison to his shadows, his tongue fucking in and out of her before moving up to her clit. She whined when he began to suck on it.

"Please," she begged. "Let me touch you. Please."

He hummed in response against her cunt, not letting up on her wrists. Instead, he called more shadows to keep her legs parted for him. Then they crept around her eyes, taking her sight away.

All she could hear was the sinful sound of him eating her out. All she could feel was his beard scraping her thighs and his tongue licking quick circles around her clit. All her moans were lost to the shadows, him taking complete control of her senses. She was at his mercy and she loved every second of it, both knowing she could overpower him if she truly wanted to.

It built and built inside of her until she was coming a second time on his perfect tongue. As she came down from her high, he kissed his way up her body softly, savoring every touch as if she'd disappear beneath him.

"I love you, Little Star," he whispered against her lips, giving her sight back so that she could see the honestly in his eyes. "No matter what happens tomorrow. Never forget that."

Tears pricked at her eyes, terrified for what was to come. "I love you too."

Then he leaned in to kiss her sweetly, gently, and she sighed happily into his mouth, feeling it as his shadows released her wrists. In an instant, she was holding him, clawing at his clothing. Once she had him in all his glory, he wasted no time in sinking into her, not even giving her the time to adjust to his impressive length.

She swore and bit down on his shoulder, a cry muffled with a moan. Then he began to roll his hips, finding a brutal pace and staying there. Soon, she got used to the feeling and began to enjoy it while leaving biting and bruising kisses of her own, ones she'd kill him for if he got a healer to erase them.

The bond made it so much better, she was convinced, than the first time. It was like he was intertwined with her very soul, darkness and starlight surrounding them, keeping them hidden away from the world that was so desperate to tear them away from each other.

Her head swam, her body trembled, her voice cracked as she cried out, feeling euphoria from the top of her head to the tips of her toes. Light emitted from every inch of her body as she came, his shadows swallowing her light.

"Just right," he groaned, continuing to piston in and out of her. "And all mine."

"All yours," she breathed out, wrapping her legs around his waist to keep him as close as possible as he came inside of her.

He moaned lowly and sank his head into her shoulder, open mouth pressed to her skin. As he caught his breath, he pulled out of her, and she whined at the loss, only to take in a sharp breath when he scooped up their combined cum and shoved it back inside of her. She lifted her hips off the bed and whined, not wanting him to stop.

Her abused cunt ached and yet yearned for more as he worked his fingers in and out of her slowly.

"Want you to walk around all day knowing that I'm inside of you," he murmured, kissing along her neck. "I love you, my Little Star. I always will."

☆︎

Aleksander was resorting to old tactics and keeping Ithaca and Alina separated once they reached the camp next to the Fold. Ithaca was kept to his tent while Alina had her own with guards stationed outside of it.

Ithaca was restless, knowing that within two hours, they'd be going into the Fold — whether to tear it down or strengthen it, she wasn't sure just yet. But she knew that she'd have to find a way to protect Alina while still standing at Aleksander's side.

She knew she couldn't leave him. She wasn't strong enough to do so.

Much to her surprise, it was Genya who came into the tent. She had a black and silver dress in hand and her kit, as well as a red and blue kefta around her form. Ithaca sighed in relief at the sight of her.

"How's the king?" she asked simply.

Genya smiled timidly. "Terribly ill."

"Good," she nodded. "One good thing should come from this all."

"I'm happy you're at least pleased to see me. Alina is cross with me," she told her, leading Ithaca to a chair so she could work on her. "You as well."

"Me?" Ithaca asked, frowning deeply. "What have I done?"

"From the way Ivan makes it sound, the General," she said, a smirk on her face. "He says a little light show was put on during the act."

Ithaca nearly blushed and averted her eyes. "How can I look Alina in the eye and tell her that I love him still?"

"She shouldn't be surprised," Genya told her. "You may shimmer and shine like starlight, but you are just as shrouded in darkness as the General. Saints, I've never gazed upon a more powerful pair."

"I don't want you to fear me, Genya," she said softly.

"I thought you wanted everyone to fear you."

"Not you. Never you. You've had enough fear your whole life."

Tears welled in Genya's eyes and she suddenly hugged Ithaca, who hesitated before reciprocating. She'd never hugged anyone that wasn't Mal or Alina.

"I hope you survive him."

☆︎

Ithaca stood on the skiff, standing tensely at Aleksander's side. He'd told her she looked beautiful in the dress, but she ignored him, more angry than anything that Ivan was tying Alina to the deck of the skiff by her ankles.

"This isn't a good look for you," Alina told him. "Everyone will see that I'm your prisoner."

"I doubt very much they'll notice your feet," he said before pulling off her cloak, revealing the antlers protruding from her skin. Between that and the ones coming from Ithaca's head, no one would be paying any kind to the floor now that the two light summoners had amplifiers.

"Where's Mal?" Ithaca whispered to Aleksander, having expecting him to be on the skiff with them.

"Safe at camp," he lied. "He'll be released when we're done here."

"Done doing what?"

"You'll see, Little Star."