✧ ♥ ✧

Just like Katya's first impression had implied, Alina Starkov proved to be quite ordinary when her face was revealed to the king, the cortiers and the Grisha. She was not too pretty, nor very tall. But there was something else about her that was intriguing. Despite being in the focus of so many highborn people she stood straight in her simple soldier's garb, seemingly unafraid and calm. She had an inner strength Katya instantly envied.

Aleksander introduced the Sun Summoner to the royal couple in an ominous tone. "She will change the future. Starting now." He moved his hands and darkness began to spread.

As usual, Katya found his shadows pleasant, but by the nervous giggles and collective 'oohs' from the audience she realized they must be a bit frightened.

Bending close to Starkov's ear, Aleksander murmured: "Now call the sun."

When he touched her, a sphere appeared between the girl's hands, dazzling and brilliant like pure daylight. It hurt Katya's eyes and she averted them with a pang of jealousy. This was what a true sun looked like. Her own attempts had never been anything but common fire.

Aleksander beamed. "You were perfect." Then he turned to the other Grisha. "Welcome home, Miss Starkov!"

With cheerful, expectant smiles they met her with open arms, greeting her as one of their own.

Only Katya lingered in the background, her stomach heavy and her throat too tight. She was unable to take her eyes off Aleksander's and the girl's joined hands and his glittering eyes as he looked at her. He wasn't pretending; no one was that good an actor. He was clearly intrigued by Alina Starkov, desiring her – or at least her power.

It made Katya feel like a failure.

✧ ♥ ✧

After the demonstration Katya managed to avoid the Sun Summoner for the better part of the time. The girl had her own rooms in the Little Palace and mostly went about in the company of Genya, one of the queen's Tailors. Tailors were a lesser kind of Grisha who had the ability to enhance and beautify a person's features, and it seemed Genya did a great job. The few times Katya saw Starkov – mostly during supper – the girl was now positively glowing with health and loveliness.

Zoya was her normal horrible self, swiftly adding the Sun Summoner to her hate list, and the first time they had combat training together the two got into a fight. Afterwards Zoya was harshly rebuked by their instructor Botkin, but when she stormed away she didn't miss an opportunity to throw a snide remark at Katya in passing: "Why, if it isn't the former favorite! How does it feel to be replaced?"

Katya's blood boiled. Horrible witch! She wanted to throw a scorching fireball into that leering face, but stoically managed to hide her ire and hold her tongue; she refused to give Zoya the satisfaction of thinking her daggers had struck home.

But secretly she had to admit the taunting words touched a sore spot. She did feel replaced. Aleksander hadn't visited her cabin for days and it didn't take a genius to figure out why.

✧ ♥ ✧

Though it was rather meaningless now that there was a real Sun Summoner, Katya maintained her training with Laika. She couldn't stand being idle, and summoning was at least a pastime she enjoyed. It helped take her mind off things she couldn't do anything about.

During one such session she was nearly discovered by Starkov and the Apparat walking together a few yards away. Crouching behind a shrubbery, Katya gave Laika an anxious look. "Schh," she breathed.

The wolf calmly met her gaze with intelligent eyes. She always seemed to understand.

The Apparat's voice came drifting. With a chill, Katya realized he was talking about amplifiers, and in the Sun Summoner's arms she saw a book about the Saints.

Did Aleksander plan to give her an amplifier too? Instinctively Katya pulled Laika close; she was not giving up her wolf!

She strained her ears to hear what the pair said next, but they had already changed topics to Baghra and training. Soon they disappeared in the direction of the old woman's cave and Katya lost sight of them.

Full of worry she left her hiding place and hurried over to the Little Palace. She must make sure Laika was safe.

Unusually, Katya had to wait a long time outside Aleksander's office. Ivan, the Heartrender who guarded it that day, smirked when he said the general was busy.

Bastard. He probably enjoyed seeing Katya replaced too.

When at last she was let inside, Aleksander remained seated at his desk. He gave her a small smile that didn't reach his eyes. "What can I help you with? Please be brief, I have a lot of work to do." It seemed he didn't want her there.

Katya stifled a wave of mortification before replying with forced calmness: "I heard the Apparat talk about amplifiers with the Sun Summoner. Is that the plan? Are you giving her one too?"

He frowned. "That accursed sneak, he couldn't know... He shouldn't know about that."

"So it is true?" Her heart beat faster. "Laika is mine! I'm not giving her up."

"Of course not. Even if I wanted to take her, it wouldn't work that easily. Only the one who captures or kills an amplifier animal controls its power." His gaze softened. "The wolf is attuned to you now."

Katya's shoulders lost some of their tension. "Well, if Starkov wants to kill my amplifier she'll have to face me first," she said threateningly.

"She wouldn't dare try, I'm sure," said Aleksander smoothly. He picked up a pencil drawing from the table. Black coal filled the edges of the paper, outlining a magnificent white deer, its huge crown extending like branches of a tree. "She's been having dreams about this."

"Morozova's stag..." Katya touched the sheet. "Did she draw it?"

"She did. And these dreams are no coincidence, I think. First the Sun Summoner appears, unaware of her own strength and unable to control it, and next she dreams of an animal who could help her use her power and enhance it. It must mean something."

"She can't control her power?" 

"No, not yet, hence the training with Baghra. And don't look so smug."

"I didn't." Katya hid her smirk behind her hand.

"I've ordered the First Army to send out trackers after the stag and I have good hope they will find it – like that corporal did with your Laika." He paused, and when he continued he sounded beseeching. "Look. I know what you must feel about all this, and I'm sorry I can't see you as often as I used to. But when we have caught the stag everything will change." He lowered his voice. "I will be able to control Miss Starkov's power and use it to amplify my own."

"Really? How?"

"I can't tell you the details yet, but trust me, it will work. Alina will be a tool in my hands. And then..." His eyes sparkled. "...freedom. For all of us. A world controlled by the Grisha."

Katya pondered this. It sounded like a plausible explanation for Aleksander's interest in Starkov and it aligned with his secret plan to control the Fold – so then why did she get the feeling he wasn't completely honest? She recalled the way he and the Sun Summoner had looked at each other and knew she wasn't imagining the attraction between them.

How could she trust that he would only use Starkov as a means to an end, and nothing else? She pictured them the way they had stood after the demonstration, hand in hand. Shadows and Sunshine, the black king and white queen of the Grisha.

Aleksander seemed to sense her doubts. He tried to pull her to him, but this time Katya evaded his grasp and backed away. "I thought you were busy."

He raised an eyebrow. "Not that busy."

"Then you'd better get busy," she snapped. "Create your Alina-tool, carry out your plan. Do your thing. Maybe I'm still there when you're done, maybe not. I won't be waiting forever." Turning her back on his surprised face, she promptly left, shutting the door a little too forcibly behind her.

She couldn't continue to be the third wheel, she refused to humiliate herself any longer. If Aleksander wanted to be with her he had to end things with Starkov first.

It was time to take control over the situation and stop being weak. Katya may not be a Sun Summoner, but she was the most powerful Fire Summoner in the Second Army. She wouldn't be Aleksander's obedient pawn anymore.

A/N:

In the next chapter Katya will explore her true strength, finally furious enough to do so independently of Aleksander. A secret power will be unlocked...

Thanks for the votes and comments!