┍──────༺⋆⋅☆⋅⋆༻──────┑

ℝ𝕖𝕒𝕘𝕒𝕟 𝕊𝕥𝕒𝕣𝕜𝕠𝕧

┕──────༺⋆⋅☆⋅⋆༻──────┙

I'd never felt more drained in my entire life.

After the trip through the Fold I woke up to a Healer fixing my broken ribs. It hadn't hurt, thankfully, but it'd itched like hell. Talk of me lighting the Fold, without the general's help was constantly being whispered between the other Grisha.

It was even worse after we'd arrived at Os Alta after about a week of sitting inside the general's carriage in awkward silence. When I had first woken up in the Healer's tent, I had been brimming with energy. Using my powers had somehow refreshed me.

But week's worth of nightmares and sleepless nights quickly devoured that energy, leaving barely anything left. I'd barely spoken since we'd made it past the Fold and was still yet to say more than a few words as the general and I entered the Little Palace and began climbing the stairs to my room.

"While you're here you'll be participating in combat training with the other Grisha. But your summoning training will be done with me and in your own time." He explained, stopping at the door to what I guessed was my new room. "I'm going to make sure to assign you an escort to follow you around."

"Why? Am I in trouble?" I asked.

"No. But your light show in the Fold was most likely seen for miles. Word about you will find its way out into the public. That is if it hasn't already." He saw my head drop and cleared his throat as if trying to alleviate the situation. "Do you think you'll be able to dine with the others for dinner tonight?"

My hand touched the door handle. I was desperate for the conversation to end so I could just lie in my bed for all eternity. "I don't know," I mumbled, fiddling with the sewn bottom of my ruined kefta.

"That's fine," he replied in a cool voice. "I just thought it'd be a good way to introduce yourself to the others." I watched him glide to the end of the hall before glancing back at me. There was a long awkward pause before, "I'll make sure to order a Fabrikator to make you a new kefta. Any requests?"

"Requests?"

"Did you want a new colour or...?" He shrugged.

"Ugh... Blue's fine for now. I'll think about it."

"Alright then." He disappeared from the hallway gracefully, like a moving shadow. I finally pushed open the door and froze a few steps into the room.

In Ketterdam it had been me, Mal and Mum squished into a single room for as long as I could remember.

The room that stood before me was six times as big. It was on one of the highest floors of the Little Palace, giving me a perfect view of the gardens from my small balcony. A huge canopy bed laid against a wall. There was a sparkling mirror lined with gold, an oak desk, an enormous closet, my own mini library and a few comfy couches by an empty fireplace. Expensive oil paintings lined the walls.

There was a door at the far end of the room that I swung open, almost sobbing at the sight of my very own bathroom. My own bathtub, my own basin, my own towel. My own toilet!

If only Mum could've seen this... But she already had. She'd spent time in the Little Palace before she ran. She'd made friends with the other Grisha. She'd eaten with them, told stories with them, studied with them, trained with them... and then she'd abandoned them to defend themselves while she lived a quiet life in Ketterdam of all places.

My excitement, which had been popping like a firecracker, sputtered and died out. The drowsiness returned and every part of me felt like it was forced under some kind of weight. my feet dragged across the soft, carpeted floor to my bed.

I passed by a mirror on the way and stared at my reflection. Genya had done an excellent job. I looked exactly how I didn't feel. Fresh and genuine, possibly even dashing.

My body cried for something soft to sink into and I gave in to its whining, plummeting onto my bed. In seconds, I was out like a light.

──────༺⋆⋅☆⋅⋆༻──────

I woke up to a knock at my door. The sun outside was gone and I wondered how long I'd slept for. Most of the day by the look of it. The knock came again and I slowly pried myself from my bed. "Coming," I called out, my throat a little dry.

Genya's touch-ups had worn off a bit, revealing dark circles below my eyes and my true pale complexion. My hair, which Genya had worked so hard, was ruffled and pointing in a few odd directions. But I was still too exhausted to care. I hoped it wasn't her on the other side of the door.

Luckily, it wasn't. Instead, an enormous hulk of a boy filled the doorframe. He smiled at me, with perfect white teeth. He was tall and most likely older than me. He was dressed in an Inferni kefta. His muscles flexed as he held out a long silver dinner tray to me.

"Hiya squirt!"

"Ugh..." I groaned, still trying to take him all in. I blinked my tired eyes, wondering how on earth someone so muscular could exist. "Ugh..." I repeated, taking a stunned step back.

"You look awful." The boy grinned, inviting himself into my room. I realised I was still dressed in my ruined kefta, which I quickly threw onto my unmade bed. The boy dropped the tray on my desk and allowed himself to inspect my room. "Nice place. I mean, my room's fine but this is like extra fine."

"Ugh... I'm sorry, who are you?" I asked, too tired and flustered to really care much for manners.

"Oh, I'm Tony. Tony Petrova." He held his huge hand out for me to shake. "Nice to meet you, moi soverennyi dva sol'lune."

I blushed at his words. I'd been called many things. The bullies at school had called me cruel names, my mum used to call me 'button' or 'sweetheart' and Tony had called me squirt only moments ago. But I'd never been called 'Sovereign of Stars'.

"Please, just call me Reagan." I took his hand shaking it a bit. His fingers looked like they could wrap around my palm twice.

"Reagan Starkov, or Reagan Kirigan?"

"I... Just Reagan, I think."

"Alright, Just Reagan. It's an honour to finally meet you." He gave an over the top bow which only made my cheeks flush redder. "You've might've seen me when you arrived?" He asked, trudging around my room again. I got the feeling he wasn't the type who could stand still for very long.

I nodded. The truth was I'd been too consumed with the grandness of the Little Palace and its extravagant gardens to really pay attention to the Grisha. I had met eyes with one for a second, but her glare had surprised me.

"Well, the General's assigned me as your sort of bodyguard." He said, plonking himself down on my bed and kicking his shoes off. I closed the door which he'd left gaping open and shuffled over to the tray on my desk. "Oh, good ahead. Eat. But be warned, the General insisted we eat humble foods."

"Better than what I've had most nights," I admitted after sniffing the cooked herring, brussel sprouts and a slice of bread. I glanced at the Inferni still resting on my bed, his hands propped behind his head. "Go on, eat. I've already had my fill."

I popped one of the herrings in my mouth and had to struggle not to groan at the warmth of food in my mouth. I hadn't realised how hungry I was as I sat down and scoffed down the warm meal. When I'd finished I leaned back in my chair.

"Hungry aren't we."

I jumped, having forgotten I wasn't alone. "So," I scrapped my fork around the dish. "You're my bodyguard. Does that mean you'll be staying here?" I asked. I'd grown up with little privacy and I wasn't eager to give it up just yet.

Tony must've seen my discomfort and laughed. He had a low laugh, so strong I was afraid it might shake the paintings off the walls. "No, no. But I'll be escorting you to training, dinner and whatnot. Oh, I'll also be with you during the Winter Fete!"

"Winter Fete?"

"Yeah, the Little Palace holds a Winter Fete for all of Ravka's nobles every year. Grisha are, of course, invited too. It's gonna be so great, I get to spend the whole night standing beside the Star Summoner."

"Star Summoner?" I was taken aback.

"Yeah, that's what they're calling you. Didn't you know?"

My Grisha order had already been named! But I'd only been in Os Alta for one night. I knew I shouldn't be surprised, new back in Ketterdam had spread like wildfires in a forest.

But why Star Summoner? I didn't summon stars. Sure, I had to admit though, it had a nice ring to it.

"Oh, I almost forgot!" Tony gasped, making me jump. He pulled something out from underneath his kefta and handed it to me. "Tah dah!"

It was a brand new kefta. Summoner's blue like before with gold and black embroidery. "Thanks." I took it gratefully. 

"Don't change into it yet, you're still disgusting." His nose wrinkled as he sniffed me. "Ugh, you reek of horse. You should go bathe. I'll be here when you're done." He said, pushing my bathroom doors open for me.

"Right... Wait, so just checking that you aren't sleeping here..."

"What?" The Inferni whirled around. "You're going back to bed? Now?"

"No," I replied, putting my new kefta down on my bed. "After I have my bath." I corrected. The warm food had woken me up a bit and returned some of my humour which I'd been sourly lacking since the almost failed trip through the Fold.

Hopefully, I'd never have to endure that again... But I doubted it.

"No, no, no. No!" Tony shook his head. "No, when you're done I'm taking you downstairs to meet some of the others. It's about time you get out of this room, and besides, everyone's squirming to meet you. And if you don't come then I'm going to have to explain what a stick in the mud you are over, and over, and over again."

"But-"

He held up his big finger, pushing it against my lips and grinning the type of mischievous grin you'd see of sly foxes. "Ah! No 'buts', you'll do as you're told, oh bright one."

"But I-" I never got finish my sentence before Tony lifted me off the ground with ease. I couldn't help but feel vulnerable in his arms before he finally set me down beside the bathtub. "I'm guessing you know how to work one of these." He said, cheekily offering to turn the taps for me.

I slapped his hand away and frowned, but I wasn't angry in the slightest. "I'll be fine." I insisted, shooing him away with a flick of my hand. Tony chucked me my clothes and a new towel. "I'll be out soon, just give me a few minutes."

The bath had been amazing. The warm water was just what I needed, and when I got out and spotted my reflection in the mirror I was shocked by how much dirt I'd washed off. How long had I been such a grubby mess? My cheeks turned pink at the thought.

"Looking good!" Tony smirked as I exited the bathroom, drying my coal coloured hair. "Let's go. If we're quick enough the others will still be down there." He seized my wrist, dragging my across the floor and giving me barely enough time to shrug my boots on.

"Others?"

"You know, fellow Grisha like yourself. They're gonna be so stocked to meet you! Everyone is!"

Well, that was new. I'd never really been wanted by anyone except my family, of course. But sometimes I had even doubted if Mal had wanted me around. When I was younger and my Grisha abilities had first appeared, Mal had grown oddly distant.

It was only now that I knew why. Because my shadows had reminded him of the General. My father. That man both he and my mother both hated because they couldn't see things his way.

"Come on. The lounge room is this way!" Tony wrenched me forward by my wrist again causing me to almost trip down the flight of stairs. Did this boy ever tire of running?

Eventually, we reached the lounge room. It was big, with a dozen red, velvet couches and plush chairs spread out over the wide, fluffy white carpet. The room was soothingly warm and bright, which paintings of fields and maps of Ravka everywhere.

Long, shimmering windows covered one wall, giving a view of the Grisha training grounds. There was a long table with half-empty bowls of pastries in them.

Despite only just having dinner, my stomach growled for one of the sugar-covered pastries. But Tony didn't give me a chance to consider grabbing one. 

There were only a few Grisha still awake. Two Squallers and a Heartrender were whispering a low conversation to one another. A Durast was asleep in front of the biggest and grandest fireplace I'd ever seen, an open book resting on his steadily rising chest. "Hey, guys!" Tony called out, even though they were only a few steps away. "Look who I was able to drag out here!"

'Drag' was right. I almost tripped again when Tony finally let me go. I straightened, waving an awkward, quiet wave. The crackle of the fire and the Durast deep breaths were the only sounds in the room as the two Squallers turned around and stared.

The two of them smiled, giving a little bow and curtsy. "Moi soverennyi dva sol'lune." They whispered together.

I heard Tony snicker beside me as I hesitantly gave a bow back. I wanted to elbow him in the ribs but my eyes caught those of the Heartrender. I tried to mask my shock as I recognised her as the same Grisha who had greeted me coldly in front of the Little Palace.

"Guys, this is Reagan. Star Summoner. Reagan, this is Xavier and Isabelle. Squallers. And this," he nudged me forward to the Heartrender, who looked my age and a little young to be a Grisha. "This is my little sister, Milana."

I took a step to the side, looking between Tony and Milana. I was surprised to find that I could clearly see some resemblance between the two. Tony was bigger, with every inch of his body covered in muscle and a kind stance and warm smile. Milana was a tad bit smaller than me, with a slender figure, high cheekbones and a glare so sharp I was certain it could cut through bricks.

They were both attractive in their own ways, but they shared the same wavy blonde hair, tan skin and strong, sky blue eyes. If they had accents, or if their hair was slightly paler, they could've been mistaken as Fjerdans. They probably did have some Fjerdan heritage somewhere down the line.

I wondered whether or not Milana had the same straight, pearl white teeth that Tony was always displaying. But I couldn't tell. Her mouth was a thin, angry line. She didn't bow to me like Xavier and Isabelle had, but I couldn't decide if that was a good or bad thing. "It's nice to meet you." I offered my hand out to her, but she barely glanced at it.

"So, you're the so-called 'Star Summoner'?" She asked, arms crossed in a tight formation on her chest.

"Apparently."

I felt very vulnerable under her cold gaze as her eyes ran down me down with the most judgemental stare I'd encountered so far. There were so many red hot emotions in those sky blue eyes of hers that I could barely meet them. "And you've been training how long?"

"Um... Not much. I'm self-taught. Mum helped me a bit-"

Her scoff cut me off. "Well, thankfully that hard work was enough to get everyone across the Fold, right?" I felt sick in my stomach and saw a glint of something sly and vicious in her eyes. "How did that go by the way?"

I knew she already knew the answer. There was no hiding the number of casualties our trip through the Fold had caused to the Grisha at the Little Palace. Luckily, before I could choke back a pathetic reply, Tony stepped in between us. "Okay, thanks Milana." He muttered under his breath. "That was really welcoming."

"Wasn't meant to be." She sniffed, pushing him aside and striding towards the door.

Tony called out after her, "Where are you going?"

"Bed. I'm tired. Make sure you don't keep Starboy up past his bedtime." Her voice echoed from the empty hall after she swung the door open, leaving it gaping open, and strutted from the room.

I tugged at my stomach, feeling ready to throw up. Tony's great hand landed on my shoulder, squeezing it tightly. "Don't worry, she's like that to everyone."

Milana's voice sailed back to the room. "No, I'm not!"

Tony's eyes rolled and for the first time so far, his smile was no longer present. His feet landed heavily on the floorboards as he slammed the door shut. But by the time he'd turned back to me, I was blinded by the flash of a smile. "Ignore her. I always do."

Still, Milana's words kept coming back to me, playing over in my head like a broken record or a bad song. I was barely listening as Tony, Xavier and Isabelle began pummeling me with questions of Ketterdam and West Ravka and tried explaining my new life at the Little Palace.

I stared down at my kefta. With its gold and black threads. My thumb traced one of the golden swirls up my cuff.

'Enough to get everyone across the Fold'

──────༺⋆⋅☆⋅⋆༻──────

Hello once more!

Sorry, the chapter took a while to post.
I'm bubbling with ideas which I can't wait to write!

Don't forget to like the chapter and
write a quick review below.

Your feedback is very much appreciated!

See you all next time!

- DawnTide