CHAPTER EIGHT.

The morning was slow for Liliya as she lay on her back. She was naked. The covers wrapped around her to cover most of her but her legs hung off the edge of the bed. Her eyes closed as she listened to the early morning sounds. She was exhausted and tired. Aleksander was still asleep and he had been sleeping against her before they split away at some point during the night.

Liliya was glad. She had agreed to meet with Roma and she needed to get out of bed but she didn't want to. Her arm over her face as she let out a soft sigh. Aleksander shifted but she didn't move her gaze. Just waited, listening.

"Good morning," He said. His exhaustion was evident in his voice. Slightly deeper and gruffer than normal but it was definitely him. She could hear the smirk in his words. Liliya let her arm drop and turned to face him. Pushing her whole body over. The covers slipping down onto the bed before she slid closer to him. Her hand resting on his cheek and pressing a soft kiss to his jaw before she rolled back onto her back.

"Morning," She responded. He moved closer and discarded the covers, crawling on top of her. His arms caging her in as his face hovered inches above hers. He then pressed a much more passionate kiss to her lips. A soft whine escaping her lips as her arms moved to wrap loosely around his shoulders, kissing back.

"I'll be back late tonight," He mumbled against her lips as he pulled away. Liliya opened her eyes and looked into his. Her hand coming to cup his bearded jaw. Her fingers caressing the soft skin. She then pressed another kiss to his lips.

"Okay. Are you going to speak to Alina?" She asked. Aleksander hummed in thought, letting his head drop to the crook of her neck. He nipped the skin of her neck making her moan softly before she tugged at the back of his hair.

"I am planning on it," He responded as he trailed kisses along the column of her throat and down to the valley between her breasts. The kisses turned soft before he lifted his head and rested his forehead against hers.

"Good," Liliya said before she pressed a soft kiss to his lips. Then she proceeded to push him off her and she sat up, stretching her arms above her head. Yawning and groaning at the pleasure she got from stretching out, "I'm not doing all the work. I do that enough here," She mumbled, a smirk spreading across her face. Aleksander watched her, narrowing his eyes as she slid off the bed. The smirk continued to grow as she sauntered across the room to grab a new set of underwear.

"Milaya," His tone was warning and Liliya looked back at him, quirking an eyebrow, "Don't make me regret allowing this," He continued. Liliya shook her head slightly at him and pulled out her underwear from the drawer. She then walked over to him and smiled at him, "I told you that I wanted you to seduce our Sun Summoner. I will do my part, you do yours," He asserted. Liliya sighed but nodded. She turned her head away slightly, her lips pressing together before she nodded again.

"I know. I'm sorry," She mumbled. He pulled her closer and pressed a long but soft kiss to her lips. It was his way of placating her and letting her know her apology was accepted with using words. When she pulled back, her smirk had returned, "I need to speak to Roma. Lev left again and I think he's worried," Liliya said as she pushed off the bed. Her underwear were quickly pulled on and she grabbed the rest of the clothes for the day.

"Keep an eye on the situation with Isaak. Lev was lying to us when he returned. He knows something," Aleksander commented as he sauntered over to the bathroom. Liliya pulled her eyebrows together, shaking her head before she put it to one side. Once she had gotten dressed, she walked out into the War Room.

Roma was stood in front of the map, staring at the markings and markers that had been made on it. His hand moving to scratch the back of his head before he pushed his fingers through his curly locks. When he heard the door, his head shot up and he sent her a tentative smile but the worry reappeared relatively quickly.

"Is Lev safe?" Liliya asked as she walked over. Roma shrugged and Liliya bit the inside of her cheek before she nodded. She stood opposite the man and he looked up.

"I don't know. I recieved a letter from him while he was here. A little village," Roma explained, pressing his finger against the map. A small town not far from Os Alta.

"When was that?" Liliya questioned. If Lev had left a week ago, there had to be more. He had been gone for so long and he'd took his horse and plenty of supplies for a long journey.

"A week ago," Roma said. Liliya stared at him, narrowing her eyes before she scoffed. She pushed the hair from her face and shook her head. It was stupid, ridiculous. They should not have waited this long to find out where he is.

"And what did he say?" Liliya questioned. There was a relatively elaborate system that the Grisha used to communicate and it meant that every Grisha from the Little Palace could be easily tracked. If Lev had fell off that system and stayed off it for a week, something was wrong.

"That he was going to continue to try and discover was Isaak was doing. He didn't want to be trapped in the Little Palace and he would be safe. Promised to check in," Roma explained briefly, throwing his hand out. Liliya let out a disbelieving breath, shaking her head.

"And you waited a week to tell me?" Liliya asked, practically shouting. Her voice laced with anger. Roma just stared at her and shrugged. She tilted her head, waiting for an explanation but he didn't seem to know what to say, "Roma, Lev might be dead! Isaak is dangerous!" She exploded. Her arms throwing up into the air. Aleksander could likely hear her in the room and she just hoped that he didn't come out.

"Don't you think I know that! I just had faith that he would return," Roma explained as he stepped back from the table, "I was going to go and find him myself but I thought I'd tell you first," Roma added as he glanced back. It was only then that Liliya had spotted the bag rested against the side. It was bulky and looked like it had enough to survive for a while on a long journey. Liliya shook her head.

"No, you're not leaving this Palace. I won't allow it," Liliya said as she walked right for the bag but then a set of shadows threw her off-course. Liliya stumbled and her head shot to see Aleksander stood at the door of the bedroom. She raised an eyebrow.

"You cannot make those decisions," Aleksander said. Liliya glared and Roma looked almost relieved. He then turned to face Kirigan.

"Lev has gone missing and I know where he could be. Last year when we were tracking the Boy, we set up safe points if we ever got into trouble. I know where they are and I can travel to them. I can check if Lev is there. I have no intention of going after Isaak, simply bringing Lev back," Roma explained. Liliya just stared, dumbfounded and frustrated.

"You better leave quickly then," Kirigan said simply. Liliya stared up at him, clenching her jaw as she crossed her arms over her chest. Aleksander didn't even look at her until Roma had left the room, happy that he had been given permission. Once the door was closed, Liliya shoved right past Aleksander back into the bedroom, "Milaya," He said. His tone was harsh and warning her not to defy him.

"He's going to die, Aleksander! He's going to get killed!" Liliya shouted. Her voice louder than she had expected it to be but her anger was rolling off her in waves.

"Do you have so little faith in Roma and Lev? They can handle themselves," Aleksander said simply. His voice didn't raise. It was calm. Quiet. He was calm. She hated it when he was calm. She just wanted him to get angry.

"You don't know Isaak, Aleksander. I'm afraid of him for a reason," Liliya spat as she turned to grab her training kefta. She needed to throw some punches at somebody who preferably wasn't Aleksander. That would end badly.

"And I have no doubt of that, milaya, but you are allowing your emotions cloud your judgement. Lev returned alive after an encounter with Isaak. You overestimate his power," Aleksander said simply. Liliya scoffed and shook her head. She pulled her kefta off and replaced it with her training one before she turned to face him.

"I understand that what we want will get blood on our hands. Plenty of blood on our hands but I do not want the blood of Roma and Lev on mine. They are my friends. I care for them. If they die, it is on nobody but me. I want to do this still Aleksander but we have to kill Isaak first before he kills all of the Grisha. That is what he will do," Liliya explained. Her breathing was quicker than usual and her mind was racing at a million miles an hour. She couldn't have that blood on her hands. Not people that she knew and cared for.

"When you agreed to this, you agreed to it at any cost. That cost may include the people you love," He said and Liliya nodded. She took a deep breath. He was right. She wanted to be with him, love him and she wanted to make everyone pay. Maybe the blood of Roma and Lev would be worth it but she felt torn and unsure.

"At any cost," She mumbled. He nodded and cupped her face with her hands.

"What we are doing is going to help everybody. The blood that we spill will only allow more to thrive. For the Grisha to thrive," He responded. Liliya nodded and he pressed a soft kiss to her lips. He mumbled soft praise and she felt her head rest against her chest. They had to do this, for the Grisha to thrive. To survive.

***

The training room was quiet and empty bar from the redhead and the brunette. Alina had discarded her blue kefta and Liliya had removed her black one. They lay in a pile on the floor as Alina punched the punching bag. Liliya had schooled her on her fighting technique, pulled her hips to the right position and adjusted her thumbs. They had an hour or so of fighting training before they went to study. Botkin wasn't happy but he had no choice in the matter.

"Are we not going to fight again?" Alina asked as she threw another punch. Liliya could see that she was getting bored and it was dull. Liliya agreed but it would allow her to grow stronger. It would make it easier and if Baghra did what she was supposed to, Alina's looks should improve the more she used her abilities. She was the Sun Summoner but she still looked like the First Army girl that they had discovered a week or so ago.

"We will. Five more minutes of this. It'll keep your strength up," Liliya explained as she circled around Alina. She watched her technique from the back and noticed her thumb had moved place again. It was liable to break if she kept it there. Liliya stepped forward and her body pressed against Alina's, "Your thumb," Liliya reminded as she grabbed a hold of Alina's hand from behind and adjusted her position.

Alina was quiet as Liliya fixed it. Her front pressed against Alina's back. The brunette was blushing. It was subtle but Liliya could see it. It made her smirk and a part of her wanted to try and push it but instead she stepped back.

"Try again," Liliya instructed. Alina nodded and took a deep breath before punching again. The thumb didn't move this time. It stayed perfectly in place, "Do you know why your thumb should be there?" Liliya questioned as she circled around again. Alina throwing a few more punches before she paused, breathing heavily.

"Yeah. I'll break it if I leave it there," Alina explained. Liliya nodded and watched her face. Her eyes scanning across her features. Alina was beautiful. Liliya couldn't deny that fact and it only made it easier for both her and Aleksander to love the brunette or... pretend to love her. She was also somewhat desperate to be loved and Liliya recognised that.

"Good," Liliya nodded before she walked over towards the middle of the training room. She gestured for Alina to come over and the brunette did but only with some reluctance. Her hands resting at her sides as she watched Liliya's every move, "We should really wear our keftas but I always preferred it without," Liliya explained. Alina shrugged and moved to stand across. Her fists lifted to protect her face.

"You do a lot of things different," Alina commented. Liliya nodded and had to stop herself from smirking. Alina had no idea what she had planned and how it was very much different from how everyone else worked.

"General likes how I work. It's not conventional but it works. I'm his best tracker and his best fighter," Liliya bragged. The smirk appeared despite her best efforts and Alina cocked an eyebrow. Liliya just smirked and used her hand to gesture for Alina to attack. The brunette waited before she did.

The first movement was mechanical and held very little power behind it. Liliya easily knocked it away and stepped closer. The fight was quickly in motion. Each punch was more aggressive than the last and the kicks they threw out became harsher. Skin slapping against skin as they blocked and hit each other. It was exhausting - for Alina - but Liliya had grown used to this style. The pain was second nature to her and it was easy to push through it.

Alina had to time out after a few minutes. Her nose was bleeding, a cut along her cheek and multitude of bruises littering her body. Liliya wasn't much better off but she had been close to taking Alina down before she had timed out. She was learning so Liliya allowed it, taking two steps back. Liliya wiped her nose with the back of her hand but then heard something.

Alina was moving and she went straight for Liliya's legs. But Liliya was quicker and the redhead kicked forward. Her foot colliding with Alina's kneecap. Hitting at the perfect angle to make her knee give way. The brunette fell to her knees and Liliya smirked. She then grabbed a hold of Alina's hair and forced her to meet her gaze.

"No more time out in our training then," Liliya smirked before she stood back. Alina stood up and the two of them began again. The punches were harsher. Alina didn't like how she had been so easily caught out and pushed herself harder. That was a mistake. It made her sloppy and soon enough, Liliya had her pinned to the floor. Her hands pressed above her head and straddling her stomach. Alina couldn't move and their faces were inches apart.

"Your nose is bleeding," Alina commented, bitterness lacing her tone. Liliya shrugged and let her face move just a little closer.

"So is yours," Liliya whispered. Alina was about to close the gap between them but then the door opened. Arina was stood at the door and announced that Botkin wanted them to leave. Liliya sighed and rolled off Alina. She stood up and offered her hand out. Alina tentatively took the redhead's hand and was hauled to her feet.

Once they had grabbed their keftas, the pair walked out of the training rooms. They passed a few people but were quickly at the Little Palace. They needed to go to the Infirmary but once they were healed, they headed straight for the library. Liliya pulled out a few books that they needed and the two sat down in a quiet corner.

"I thought you were supposed to go easy on the new recruits," Alina said as they sat down across from each other. A stack of books in front of them. Liliya chuckled and grabbed a book from the pile. She began to flick through it, shaking her head.

"Botkin doesn't and neither will I. You learn through doing and working hard in the Little Palace. If you can't handle it, you'll be given another job that doesn't require you to fight. It's as simple as that," Liliya shrugged. The Grisha had to be strong to live in the world that hated them and their entire existence. Alina nodded and grabbed a book. She began to aimlessly flick through it and Liliya could see that she was unsure on what she was supposed to do.

"Go over the basics of the Grisha teachings again. Do use your abilities, you need to understand them even to the smallest extent. Once you understand them, using them becomes infinitely easier," Liliya explained. Gesturing to the book she had left open on a new page on the table. Alina looked at it for a moment before she picked it up.

"If you're just going to make me read, why are you here?" Alina asked. Liliya glanced around and shrugged.

"You wanted me to help you," Liliya retorted. Alina sat for a moment, unsure of what to say. She had been so easily called out. Liliya chuckled softly and then reached out to take another book, "So you need to tell me how to help you," She added. Alina nodded and then focused on the book. Liliya watching with a curious gaze. Her smile only grew.

Alina wanted something. Liliya didn't know what but it was something and she hoped it was what she sought out too. What her and Aleksander needed. They needed her. Her trust and Liliya was sure that Alina was willing to give it to her. They just needed more time and then it would be perfect.

***

author's note! so i'm hoping that this marks the return of daily updates for this book once again, based on the length of the previous act and my general writing, from here there should be like... idk 20 chapters, maybe less i'm not sure yet but that's my rough estimate, but that means that my the time i'm off for summer, this might be done or just about to be done which gives me some room to write some other shadow and bone fics until season two arrives that is! i just wanted to lay my plans out here, there will be another act for season two most likely, but yeah, i hope you enjoyed THIS chapter! thank you so so much for all the support (88k reads???), it genuinely MEANS THE WORLD! so thank you so so so so so so much, i can't say it enough <3