CHAPTER TWENTY

The fete was the next day and Liliya had cancelled all her lessons with Alina until afterwards. It was unnecessary to overwork the Summoner especially considering that she could control her powers well enough. Her fighting was better. Not perfect but she could hold her own from what Liliya had observed. It was enough and the Stag was being found.

A company of First Army soldiers had been sent to track it and Liliya wasn't sure what their status was. She didn't entirely care. Her mission was to keep Alina under their charm and she had played the part perfectly. Since discovering that Daish had been killed by her, she didn't care anymore. Nothing else mattered but killing everyone.

She would kill Alina if she had to but she needed to kill Isaak. He was a threat and all threats had to be eliminated. Nothing could stand in her and Aleksander's way. They had things that they needed to do and they needed to do them quickly. The stag was the last piece in the complicated puzzle and Isaak was an outsider threatening to break the puzzle apart.

"Lili?" Alina said, snapping the redhead out of her daze. The two had been lounging in Alina's room. Alina was walking around and trying to busy herself while Liliya lounged back. The nightmares had only got worse and sleep was constantly threatening to take over but she did her best to ignore those feelings. It didn't matter.

"Yes?" Liliya asked as she lifted her head to face the black-haired girl. She was now fiddling with some clothes, folding them over as she walked to the foot of the bed.

"Are you okay?" Alina questioned. Her voice was tentative and it was almost as if she was afraid that she would offend Liliya for asking. Liliya smiled and slid off the bed. Her exhaustion made her wobbly for a moment before she walked over and wrapped her arms around Alina.

"Just thinking, dove. What were you saying?" She mumbled against Alina's hair as she held her tighter. Alina relaxed into the hug and let her forehead rest against Liliya's shoulder. The two just stood like that for a moment and Liliya allowed Alina to think.

"Aleksander has asked me to wear black to the fete. They are your colours. Yours and Aleksander's... not mine," Alina responded as she pulled away. Liliya sighed at her words and watched as she walked over to the mirror. Her hands pressed against the blue kefta she was currently wearing, biting her lip slightly.

"You are one of us, Alina," Liliya reassured as she walked up behind the girl. Alina shook her head, letting her hands fall to her sides. The two met gazes in the reflection and Liliya smiled softly. She hoped that her exhaustion had been masked well enough by Genya. She needed to look perfect.

"No I'm not. I am not a Shadow Summoner," Alina argued. Liliya sighed and ran her hand down to Alina's waist, pulling her back slightly. The redhead rested her face against the back of Alina's head, pressing a soft kiss to her hair.

"But you are a Sun Summoner and we work perfectly together. I create darkness and you create light. The building blocks of the universe," She attempted to explain but Alina just shrugged. She let her eyes close for a moment before she moved away.

"It wouldn't be right," Alina said rather stubbornly. A sigh escaped Liliya's lips and she opened her eyes to watch as Alina sat back on the bed.

"You are over-thinking," Liliya argued.

"I don't want to embarrass myself by putting myself on your level," Alina quickly defended herself but Liliya scoffed. A loud scoff.

"You are on our level," Liliya corrected. A hint of aggression in her tone. It wasn't intentional but she had become increasingly impatient with the young girl. Alina - even with her abilities - didn't ever seem to understand the gravity of her position. She could save and destroy the world and she would never understand. She had grown up a human. She would never understand.

"I am nothing like either of you," Alina mumbled. Liliya stared and then walked over to grab Alina's wrist. She pulled the black-haired girl closer and cupped Alina's face with her hands.

"Stop," Liliya insisted. Alina just stared at her, drawing her eyebrows together. The confusion evident on her soft features.

"What?" Alina asked softly. Her voice was quiet and soft. It was almost as if she was afraid of what she'd said wrong. Liliya ran her thumb along Alina's cheek before she tucked some hair behind her ear.

"Stop doubting your abilities. Just because I can summon shadows and control fire does not make you any less. You will save all of Ravka. You are our equal. You will wear black," Liliya said as she gently stroked Alina's hair. The black-haired girl leaned into Liliya's touch as the two stood there for a moment. Alina leant forward and pressed a soft kiss to Liliya's lips before she stepped back. The two keftas she could wear were hung up on the side already.

"The black kefta is gorgeous..." Alina admitted as she walked over to it. Her fingers ran across the soft material before she glanced back at Liliya. Liliya's black kefta was wrapped snugly around her waist and it always looked perfect on her. Alina didn't know how she always managed to look so beautiful.

"And fitted just for you. You will look perfect," Liliya added as she walked over. Alina ran her fingers along the bottom of the kefta before she turned around to face the redhead. Liliya's arms wrapped around Alina's neck again and the two just stared at each other for a long moment before Alina rested her head in the crook of Lilya's neck.

"I will not need to be the one that has to look perfect," Alina mumbled. Her eyes squeezed shut as she held Liliya just that little bit tighter. Her voice trembled slightly and Liliya sighed, pressing a soft kiss to her temple.

"Genya will do her job," Liliya reassured as she pushed her fingers through the girl's hair. If Genya was able to change Liliya's eye and hair colour, there wouldn't be a problem with changing a whole appearance. Genya had brought that up originally but decided against it eventually.

"I didn't know she could disguise people," Alina admitted. Liliya chuckled and nodded her head. She then cupped Alina's cheeks and lifted her chin up, pressing a kiss to her lips.

"Genya can do many things you did not know about. Be lucky that she is there to protect you and keep you safe. Exposing you to the public like this is dangerous," Liliya explained. Alina bit her cheek before she sighed. The frown spread across her lips as she drew patterns on Liliya hip.

"Then why do it? Why go through all this trouble when you could just hide me away?" She asked. Liliya sighed and moved her hand to tuck Alina's hair behind her ear again. Her fingertips running across the black locks.

"Because you are the hope of Ravka. Stop asking silly questions," The redhead reprimanded. It wasn't a particularly harsh statement but Alina still looked annoyed. Frustrated even. Liliya thought that she had got through this and it only became more infuriating that it seemed to have returned.

"I didn't want this. I don't know why I'm the chosen one," She complained and Liliya stepped away. Her hands rubbed her face before she took a seat on the bed. Alina just needed to understand that she was the only hope for Ravka but she was so reluctant to believe anything. She was a skeptic but Liliya couldn't blame her. She was a skeptic of the idea of the chosen one herself.

"The Saints chose you for a reason, Alina," Liliya said. It was something similar to what Yanovich would say. Something a believer, a human would say. Someone that believed the nonsense that they were fed about Saints and heroes and villains. Alina was like him in that way. Maybe less believing but she was still raised so human.

"A stupid reason," Alina mumbled bitterly. Liliya's head snapped to look at the black-haired girl before she scoffed again.

"Be quiet," Liliya snapped. This caused Alina to flinch slightly, not expecting such a harsh tone. Liliya sighed, knowing that she shouldn't have said that. It was cruel to snap. Alina had done nothing wrong except be a skeptic. She had every right to be a skeptic but Liliya knew she couldn't be. It would mess with their plans.

Alina was a wild hog and Liliya was the lion waiting to pounce. It would all be futile if the hog realised they were being hunted.

***

The night before fete's was always when Liliya felt the most nervous. It was a futile feeling that always went away the second she stepped through the door but this felt different. It could have been the threat of Isaak or maybe the shaky stance she constantly felt like she had with Alina but she knew something was wrong.

Not that she paid attention. There were more important things that she had to do and worry about and talk about that didn't include any of these things. Aleksnader and she had to keep up the ruse for just a little longer. The fete was the perfect place to test just how well they were doing.

In a room of crowded people, they had to show off Alina and convince the world that she is the saviour of Ravka. She will do everything that is believed and she has the power to. Liliya wasn't worried.

"Liliya, it is time to sleep," Aleksander said as he stepped away from the sink. Liliya was lying in the bath. Her head practically underwater as her mind drifted like it often did. He had been washing his face but he knew that they needed to sleep. Both of them. Especially with Liliya's nightmares that had become worse. Much worse.

"Would you help me out of the bath?" She asked as she pulled herself up. Aleksander walked over to her and offered his hand out. A smile on his lips as she took his hand. He helped pull her up and once she was, he walked into the bedroom.

Liliya grabbed a towel and wrapped it around her, unplugging the bath. The water began to disappear down the drain and she watched. Her eyes glued to the water line as it slowly lowered before Aleksander calling her name pulled her from her thoughts.

"I'm coming," She reassured before she dried her hair and body down with the fire from the candle. It was quickly done and with the addition of her night dress, she was ready for bed.

"You have been very distracted, milaya. I hope you are not doubting this," Aleksnader said as he watched her walk about. Liliya shook her head. There would be no way she could doubt it now. Nothing else mattered but getting it done. She had broken her moral code so there was nothing holding her back.

"I am doubting nothing, kotik. Don't worry. I'm just nervous," She placated as she turned around to face him. A soft smile spread across her face. Aleksander - who was leaning against the headboard - watched her, briefly raising an eyebrow at her words.

"Nervous?" He questioned. She nodded and pushed her fingers through her hair. With a glance back, she realised that her hair's parting had become messy in the bath. So as she began to talk, she fixed her parting carefully.

"We are showing off our Sun Summoner. I don't want anything to happen to her. Especially with Isaak," Liliya attempted to explain her anxiety. It was difficult. Aleksander always seemed to be so stoic and calm that she was sure he didn't feel anxiety. She was sure that he wouldn't understand her anxiety.

"Should Isaak appear, he will be dealt with," Aleksander dismissed. Liliya dropped her hands as she stared at him. She shook her head and turned to face the mirror, checking that her parting was straight now.

"He wants to use Alina like we do but he would not be able to control her. He would kill everyone, including her and us," Liliya mumbled as she pushed her hair out of her face. It felt better. A little messy and frizzy but it would calm overnight.

"I will kill him first. Come into bed," Aleksander urged as she turned around. Liliya nodded and walked over. She pushed the covers back and slid underneath. Her head rested against the headboard, staring at the ceiling while Aleksander observed with curiosity.

""You need to talk to Alina again. I am on shaky standings with her. This plan cannot fail," Liliya spoke up after a moment. Aleksander then reached out and gently tugged her into his lap. She complied, straddling his waist as he cupped her cheeks.

"I have a plan. I wouldn't fret, milaya," He reassured before he let his hands trail down her neck. His fingers ran patterns along the column of her throat before he let it rest against the top of his chest.

"If you plan on sleeping with her, tell me so I can make myself scarce," Liliya said as she moved her left hand to run through his hair. Her other rested in her lap as she admired his face. His eyes trailed along her throat and up to her face. The hint of a smirk appearing on his lips.

"And if I wanted you to join in?" He questioned as he tilted her chin. Liliya leant into his touch before she shook her head.

"I'm not sure how comfortable Alina is with another woman," Liliya responded. They had kissed plenty but there was a difference between kissing and having sex. It maybe wasn't as big as Alina believed but they had to retain her trust. They couldn't let her escape or be scared. They needed her trust to allow this to happen. They needed Alina.

"Just follow my lead and everything will go well," Aleksander said, bringing her back to reality. Liliya nodded and then pressed a long soft kiss to his lips. Her fingers cupped his face, keeping him close.

"I don't doubt that," She mumbled against his plump lips. He kissed her back, fervently. Letting his tongue dominate the kiss before he pulled back again.

"Of course you don't," He said as he ran his hands down her waist. He took a hold of her hips and flipped them over so she was underneath him. A giggle passed her lips and she wiggled to get more comfortable. One of his hands rested behind her head, keeping him upright. The other cupped her cheek still.

"We have a throne to take and our enemies to destroy. I have faith in you, Aleksander," She promised before he leant forward. The kiss he gave her was unlike most. It was sweet, soft, almost vulnerable. It was the kisses that she often longed for but only got on special occasions.

"I will protect you, at all costs," He promised in return. His words echoed that of his vows. He promised to protect her, always. Keep her safe even from the most harmless of beings. She knew that she had him but it still made her grin when he said it verbally. It made her happy.

"And I will love you, through everything," She added. Aleksander shook his head slightly at her words and she pouted. He gave her a look in response and she put it away as he began to gently kiss her skin. His arms kept him upright as he did so.

"Don't make promises you cannot keep," He mumbled softly. Liliya scoffed and lifted his chin up so she could look into his eyes. She lifted him closer, resting their foreheads against each other.

"I'm not," She said. Her words were soft but honest. She would never make a promise to Aleksander that she would never keep. He meant far too much to her to lie and he hated when they lied to each other.

The happiness bloomed across his face. His eyes lit up like a toddler that was given a new toy. It made her grin even wider and she cupped his face, kissing his lips. It was a long but soft kiss before he pulled away. He moved his face so his lips rested against her ear.

"I love you, Liya," He whispered softly. His voice was so soft and it made her stomach erupt into butterflies. Her legs moved to wrap around his waist and she pulled him down against her. Lips quickly began to be peppered across his face as he chuckled softly. Just those simple words made her forget every anxiety that she had over the fete.

She knew that it would be okay. If Aleksander was there, everything would go to plan. No matter who was trying to kill Alina and what threats they faced, as long as they had each other it was fine. It would be fine.

"One more question," Liliya said as she pulled back from the kisses. Aleksander tilted his head and urged her to go on. The redhead waited for a moment, feeling her stomach turn at the thought, "Will Yanovich be in attendance?" She asked. Aleksander expected the question and had ensured that he would be at the fete. Aleksander nodded.

"He is and he knows what happened with Daish. It might be worthwhile to talk to him," Aleksander suggested but that's as far as he went. He knew that Liliya's mind would spiral so he allowed himself to indulge in loving her. His lips connected with hers and he kept her close. He knew his love would help calm her mind so that's exactly what he gave her. He wanted to make her feel better especially considering what he had planned for Alina. He had to ensure that things would go smoothly and that meant that there could be no hesitation.

***

author's note! i don't think the second scene particularly is as cohesive as i want it to be so please excuse that if you noticed it, basically i wrote that yesterday and my brain was MELTED over the heat that england is currently experiencing and yeah, i mean today's just as bad but i've managed to get myself under control and it's been better and i've managed to pre-write a bunch of the next chapter so maybe a double-update today? idk BUT here we are! here is this chapter! we're finally getting to the fete and we all know what's gonna happen next... hehe I HOPE YOU ENJOYED!! thank you sm for reading <333