I was not quite satisfied with the outcome for Aleksander in the original books and show, so this is an alternate version of what happens after Season 1. :)

Warning for tooth-rotting fluff!

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Epilogue: The Birthday

Exhausted and completely satisfied, Katya lay on the black silk sheets, her heated skin slowly cooling down. "This must be my best present ever," she mumbled sleepily. "It was amazing. Thank you."

"What, did you think that was all? Mere physical pleasure?" Aleksander chuckled. "I have so much more planned for this day." He pushed back a strand of damp hair from her forehead and gave her a peck on the nose. "Ready for your birthday breakfast?"

She smiled, giving him a proper kiss in return. "I could eat a whole stag," she said when she released him.

The tray Aleksander brought her didn't include venison, but was instead a mixed platter of all her favorite dishes.

"You cooked this?"

"I tried."

The toast was slightly burned and the honey had spilled onto the eggs, but it was the most delicious breakfast Katya had ever had. Living in the palace normally meant exquisite meals prepared by an armada of cooks, but also rather impersonal. That Aleksander – the King of Ravka now! – had gone up early to cook for her made all the difference.

"You even picked lily-of-the-valleys!" Wiping her eyes, she pulled him in for a sloppy kiss.

"Ugh, you taste honey." He made a mock grimace. Aleksander preferred bitter coffee imported from the south and dark bread.

They ate in peaceful silence, him munching his frugal bread and reading a news bulletin, her stuffing herself with sticky toast and sweet tea.

Though they had been married for several years, this was the first birthday Katya was not obliged to celebrate in the Fold, or in a damp soldier's camp somewhere. They had had a tough start, which made this lovely morning all the more deserved, she figured.

After breakfast Genya arrived to make Katya pretty for the day's celebration. Since the old king was thrown in prison, the Tailor was free to work with whom she chose, and was paid for her service as well. She now had a lucrative business going for her downtown. Today Aleksander had hired her for his queen's benefit.

Genya didn't talk much when she worked on Katya's face and hair; she had been Alina Starkov's friend and probably wished she was leading Ravka rather than Katya and Aleksander. Perhaps one day Genya would leave the country and join Alina's and Mal's Grisha army in Shu Han, like so many others. It was easier to travel there now that the war had ended and the hostilities between the rival Grisha armies were less severe.

Katya didn't mind that some left Os Alta; she had even cheered when Zoya did as one of the first. After all, Katya still had her shadow army and Aleksander had created another like hers – but where her shadow men burned with the heat of the living, his were cold as air on a cloudy winter night.

Together they managed quite well on their own.

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When Genya's expert hands had finished their magic, Katya's dark tresses were arranged in an intricate hairdo and her face tinted with just enough color to enhance her natural look. She wore a figure flattering, ebony dress, custom made by Fabrikators to ascertain it was as protective as a kefta. It was only slightly too low cut for comfort.

Her husband's eyes grew impossibly dark at the sight of her, and almost involuntarily his gaze trailed to her cleavage.

When she consciously pulled on the hem he caught her fingers and kissed them. "Don't fidget. You look absolutely stunning."

"Ditto." She hungrily took in his smart kefta, ceremonial cloak and knee high boots.

Fishing up a flat box from his pocket, he opened it for Katya to see. A dazzling row of onyx pearls gleamed back at her; a necklace and matching earrings. Their surface swirled as if filled with inky storm clouds.

"Saints..." she whispered, gingerly touching one. "I didn't know there were pearls this color."

"There weren't," he smirked. "They were white before I poured shadow into them."

"You are spoiling me," she scolded, trying to check her giddy smile as he helped her put them on. This day just kept getting better.

He offered his arm. "Time to go to your birthday feast."

But to Katya's surprise the courtyard outside the palace was empty except for their elegant carriage and an escort of shadow men.

"Where is the party?"

"You will see."

The ride took a while, but Katya was being excellently entertained in the silky black confinement of the carriage. In no time Aleksander had put her on his lap, freed her bosom and pulled up her dress, eager to show her just how well he thought she looked in it.

Despite the morning's lengthy love-making neither of them were tired, as if they could somehow invigorate each other merely by being close.

His lips and talented fingers drew Katya mad with desire, and when she finally sank on top of him, reveling in the sweet fullness, she felt his power tingle deep within. His intoxicating darkness thrummed through every nerve, heightening her senses manifold.

"I love you," he mumbled huskily, his breath against her neck giving her shivers.

"I love you more." She increased the pace and was rewarded by a hiss of pleasure.

Katya bit the collar of his kefta to keep silent when the intense release shook her, anxious not to alert the driver of their activities, but Aleksander ruined her efforts by loudly groaning her name as he climaxed with her.

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Merry music woke Katya from her slumber and she curiously peeked out between the dark curtains. She drew in a shocked breath. It was as if the pavilions, musicians and peddlers from a palace Winter Fete had been removed together with all the Grisha and dropped in the middle of a simple village.

But this was not any village.

It was Katya's village.

"No," she whispered, suddenly terrified to leave the safety of the coach. "They hate us."

"Not any more." He took her hand, squeezing it comfortingly as he helped her step outside.

"But... how?"

"All it took was a little planning. A bountiful gift of food and other necessities, a week-long festival," he indicated the colorful tents, "and of course my trusted servants influencing their emotions." He nodded at Ivan, Feydor and a few other Heartrenders nearby.

Katya didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Would she be able to see her family again? Her old friends? "That's cheating," she managed, biting her trembling lip.

"Of course," he retorted smoothly. "I am the King of Shadow after all, nobody expects me to play fair."

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Late at night when the coach set them off back home, Katya was dead tired. It had been such an emotional day, with so many meetings, so much joy. Yes, her relatives and old neighbors still approached her with a certain measure of awed intimidation, but at least she felt accepted, and many had even looked at her with pride. She was one of them, a simple villager's daughter, yet she had been elated to be the most powerful woman in Ravka.

And of course the feast had been outstanding, with fantastic food and wine, skilled entertainers and dancing until the stars came out.

"Thank you," she mumbled for the umpteenth time that day, yawning sleepily.

Aleksander picked her up, carrying her inside with ease. "You deserved this after all years on the road. This birthday I wanted you to feel like a queen."

When he put her on their bed she pulled him down with her, clothes and all. "You never do anything by half measures, do you?" she said into the crook of his neck.

"Not when it's to make you happy." He raised his head to meet her gaze, suddenly looking very earnest. "Remember that time when you asked me what I saw in you?"

She nodded.

"I told you then I'm attracted to your power, but I've come to realize it's so much more," he said seriously. "I have had other women before you, as you know; my childhood sweetheart Luda, even a brief affair with Zoya." He chuckled at her wry face and covered it with light kisses until she couldn't help smiling. "Thing is... All of them wanted to change me, make me good. But I'm not a good man and you always accepted that." His eyes became a bit misty. "I have no words to express how much that means to me. How much I love you for it."

"Like calls to like; I'm not a good woman either." Katya cupped his cheek, rubbing it with her thumb. "In you, I see myself; my ambition, my sense of order and control... That's why we get along so well. Whether we are training, fighting or attending meetings, I'm never bored with you." She smirked. "Not even when we have to search for clues in a musty library or hike in the woods."

"I thought you loved sleeping in a damp tent," he deadpanned. "Waking up full of mosquito bites and earwigs under the pillow."

"With you, even camping is tolerable." She kissed him. "And that is truly a compliment."

Not long afterwards Aleksander drifted to sleep with his strong arms wrapped around her, but she lingered at the edge of sleep, sorting through the day's many impressions. A fire cracked on the hearth and at the foot of the bed Laika snored softly.

Surrounded by her loved ones, Katya felt safe, warm, and cherished – and happier than she had ever been.

A/N:

And now it's The End, for real this time. :) Thanks for reading!