SECRET LETTER

"𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘬 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘳𝘱𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘢𝘨𝘦, 𝘩𝘢𝘭𝘧-𝘣𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘥. 𝘚𝘵𝘢𝘺 𝘢𝘸𝘢𝘺 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘙𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘢."

━𝐃𝐄𝐀𝐑 𝐑𝐀𝐈𝐍𝐀,

I am not sure if this letter will even find you but I thought why not give it a try.

Alina has been sent to the little palace, I hope you do look out for her. This letter is for me to thank you—

"Who is this from?" a voice asked from behind Raina as the letter got ripped out of her hand.

"Aleksander! Give it back" Raina screeched as she tried to take the letter out of his grasp.

Aleksander kept his hand high as Raina tried jumping for it.

Raina groaned, "Aleks give it back or I will not hesitate to electrocute you".

Aleksander merely chuckled as he reached down and gave her a peck on the lips, "Sorry darling but you have to go get ready."

"What–why?"

"Alina needs to go to the Grand Palace" he teased, grinning as he knew Raina would throw a tantrum about why she did not need to come along.

He was right because as soon as Raina heard that she started whining, "Nooo. I don't like going there" she shivers as she thinks, "The King gives me the creeps."

Aleksander chuckled as he took her hand and gently brought her to his chest hugging her.

"Go get changed" he whispered as he kissed her head.

Raina grudgingly complied and as soon as she walked into the bathroom, Aleksander brought the forgotten letter out.

He opened the letter up and saw the name stated at the bottom.

"Malyen Oretsev".

□ □ □

Raina walked towards Alina and Genya who were standing a few feet away.

"Has a Grisha ever escaped?" Alina asked curiously as she blew the veil that was covering her face.

"Why, planning to make a break for it? '' Raina teased as she came in front of them. She suddenly burst out into a fit of giggles as she held onto her stomach.

"Oh, my― Alina," Raina said as she reached forward, touching the golden-stitched veil that Alina had on.

"I know" Alina groaned as she blew the veil making it fly up before settling back down. "I look absolutely ridiculous," she huffed.

"Well, it suits you" Raina winces as she tries to think of a compliment.

A hand is placed on the small of Raina's back which causes her to jump in surprise. Turning around she saw General Kirigan scrutinizing the enormous palace in front of them.

"I think the Grand Palace is the ugliest building I've ever seen," Kirigan said bluntly, which caused all of them to look at him.

Raina scoffs in disbelief, "Even though I hate it here, you cannot deny that the view is breathtaking".

She takes Alina's hand, pulling her slightly away as they walk through the courtyard into the Grand Palace.

Neither of them sees the twitch in Kirigan's eye as she does so.

Raina nudged Alina, "How was your rest?"

Alina frowns as she once again reaches out for Raina's hand, "Restless".

"Honestly Alina, don't think too much about it. You're safe here" Raina whispers in a soothing tone.

Alina can't help but be grateful for Raina, someone she can easily talk to. It seems that everyone here judges her one way or another; but being here beside Raina, hand in hand might help calm her nerves.

"How are you feeling?" Raina asks with a charming smile.

Alina scrunched her nose as she shook her head letting out a defeated sigh, "You're asking me to do something I didn't even know I could do three days ago".

Suddenly losing the warmth of Raina's hand in hers, Alina glanced up seeing General Kirigan holding Raina's hand, looking straight at her as he spoke, "Do you believe I brought you here to make a fool of you? To make a fool of Raina and me?"

"As I said before '' Raina spoke upbringing Alina's attention back to her. "Do not think about it so much. Just keep your focus on me and General Kirigan, and you'll be fine. Once the King sees what you can do and we have his blessing, you will remain here to train."

"With me" she adds, causing a slight smile to appear on Alina's face. Kirigan's grip on Raina's hand tightens as his prominent frown gets deeper. He did not like this.

Walking into the Great Hall, they see rows of Grisha on either side and sitting in the middle of everything were King Pyotr and Queen Tatiana. Raina entered after Alina causing every single Grisha present to bow their heads down to her as a sign of respect.

General Kirigan slightly shook his head at Raina who was ready to leave his side. Raina bit her lips to conceal the groan of frustration and instead rolled her eyes. The King kept gazing at her figure making her extremely uncomfortable, that manipulative and awful old bastard.

She watched helplessly as Alina received impolite comments from both sides.

The King looked at Alina as she lifted her veil. "I thought she'd be taller."

"I thought she'd be Shu," the Queen sniffs before narrowing her eyes and adding, "Well, I suppose she's Shu enough."

Raina's jaw tightened and she felt Kirigan gently rubbing his thumb as he knew this would get her riled up. Raina, being half Suli herself, hated when people would remark about others' physical appearance as if it was a terrible thing.

She glares at the Queen who continues to talk, "Tell her... Oh, I don't know... good morning."

Alina, who felt the same way Raina did, lets out "I don't actually speak Shu, Your Highness."

The Queen raised her eyebrow, "Then what are you?"

Alina falters as she glances around overwhelmed until Raina stepped forward, briefly bowing her head down before speaking up. "She is Alina Starkov...the Sun Summoner, moya tsaritsa."

General Kirigan joins Raina's side, "She will change the future." He raised his hands and the shadows engulfed the entire hall turning it pitch black, "Starting now."

Raina uses her other hand to grasp Alina's arm. She locks eyes with Alina and gives her a nod while whispering, "Now call the sun."

A blinding light filled the hall, reflecting every surface. A half-circled-shaped figure made out of pure light found its way around Alina, Raina, and General Kirigan. As soon as the whole room lights up, everyone in the hall including the King himself starts to clap.

Raina grins proudly and subtly winks at Alina who looked amazed as she stared at her hands in wonder and shock.

"How long will she need?" the King asks as the noise around reduces.

"Destroying the Fold will be no easy feat. She alone may not be able to do it. She will remain with me at the Little Palace to train... undisturbed."

The last word comes out as a silent threat by Kirigan who stares back at the King. The King scoffs before firmly stating, "Then train her quickly. Our wars have been a noble pursuit, but this chatter from the West about becoming a sovereign nation, that needs to stop. The sooner we are one country again, the better.

Raina could see how those words got to Kirigan's nerves as he stiffly bows, Raina and Alina follow. "Agreed... moi tsar."

"You were amazing" Raina squealed as she pulled Alina to a well-deserved hug. "Absolutely perfect!"

They were back at the Great Hall entrance as the rest of the Grisha's surrounded them.

Alina was currently hugging Sana; a tidemaker before Raina squealed leaving her side.

"Zoya" Raina grinned as she rushed over to her black-haired friend who was wearing a blue kefta with silver embroidery, hugging her tightly.

Zoya chuckled at her friend's enthusiasm, hugging her back before letting go, "Raina, I missed you."

Raina falsely pouted, "General Kirigan has been keeping me busy."

"Ahem," Alina coughed as she stepped forward causing both Grisha's attention to her.

Raina took Alina's hand bringing her in front of Zoya who stood there with a warm smile.

"Alina, let me introduce you to one of my closest friends, Zoya," Raina said as she turned to Zoya who smiled at Alina, welcoming her.

"It's such an honor to formally meet you."

Alina nods at Zoya as Raina lets a smile break out on her face at the sight of her friends getting to know each other.

"Raina" General Kirigan called out as he stopped behind her, letting his hand rest on her waist.
"I need to talk to you."

Sighing, Raina nodded, looking over at Zoya and Alina who were staring at the General with different emotions. "You both carry on, I'll see you later."

Kirigan slid his hand from her waist grabbing her hand onto his as they both walked out the Grand Palace.

Alina exhaled heavily before turning to Zoya who was already looking at her with cold eyes.

Zoya stepped forward wrapping her arms around Alina whispering in her ears, "You stink of the orphanage, half-breed. Stay away from Raina."

□ □ □

Raina moaned into Aleksander's mouth as he pushed her harder against him.

He held onto her hips tightly as one of Raina's arm went up to his neck while the other rested in his chest.

Aleksander swiped his tongue over her bottom lips for access which she immediately allowed.

Both their tongues fought for dominance, Aleksander winning as his hand went down to caress her ass, slowly traveling through her inner thigh.

"General" Ivan's voice rang as he stood outside.

Aleksander groaned as he leaned his forehead to Raina's as she giggles.

He went for a kiss which Raina dodged as she went in front of the mirror soothing her kefta out.

Arms slither around her waist as Aleksander placed his chin on her shoulder whispering, "We can just ignore him".

A knock is heard on the door once again.

Raina shakes her head laughing as she looks at him through the mirror, "I don't think Ivan will leave."

She turned around giving him a quick peck, walking backward, winking at him before turning around and opening the door.

Aleksander shook his head, smiling.

"General" Ivan greeted as he pushed the door close.

Kirigan huffed as he raised his eyebrow, "Ivan, when I am busy in the room with Raina.. do not enter."

Ivan cleared his throat before apologizing.

He hesitated before handing General Kirigan an envelope, "This contains all the information the trackers could find out."

As Ivan left the room, Kirigan opened the envelope and held the paper with his fingers reading the name boldly stated on top.

"Malyen Oretsev...I have finally found you."

𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐞!

hmm whats kirigan going to do with mal. meeting the king and queen. some fluff. an envelope.

the real question is who do you want raina to end up with... kaz or kirigan

let me know your thoughts

xoxo NS