reminiscing is dangerous

Valeriya felt suffocated in her dress. It was a ruffly blue number that she adored. It was off the shoulder with straps to cover her shoulders. The neckline was ruffled, but her figure was still obvious because of the blue corset covering the bodice.

She felt like hyperventilating. In less than an hour, she would be at the Grand Palace surrounded by all of the people she couldn't stand. In many years past during the showcase, she'd sneak off with Nikolai and get wasted on his balcony. They'd drink kvas until the bottles they'd stolen were empty and the stars began to dance in the sky.

It was a foolish idea, especially because of the wicked hangover, but it was their thing. A day didn't go by when she wished he'd never left for school in Ketterdam. Or where she wished their final conversation had gone better.

Valeriya felt her head become foggy and her eyes well up. She couldn't cry, it took an hour just to get her makeup and hair looking presentable.

A knock at her door caused her to jump.

"Vale, you in there?" Zoya's voice rang out from the other side of the door. Valeriya glanced at herself in the mirror to see if her nerves weren't apparent.

"Come on in Zoy," Valeriya said, flopping down onto her bed.

Zoya looked beautiful in her dress kefta. It was elaborate with more gold than usual and a fancy gold collar. Her hair was done up in gold chains, adding to her natural beauty. "No kefta?"

Valeriya sat up "Didn't feel like it," she said with a shrug.

"You doing okay, sunshine?" Zoya asked, patting Valeriya on the head.

"Not great," Valeriya admitted. She paused debating if she should vent. "I just-"

Zoya cut her off, "We don't have to talk about him if you want. I know you miss him."

"It's just hard, especially on days that were enjoyable because of him," Valeriya whispered, her voice cracking.

"Hey," Zoya whispered. She took Valeriya's hand in hers and pressed her ring into her chest, close to her heart, "Keep this close and he won't fade away. Your memory of him will live on."

Valeriya sniffled, trying to keep her tears back. "I've lost so many people, but he has been one of the worst. Yali and Nik just-"

"Let's focus on happy things tonight," Zoya said, pressing her head against Valeriya's, "Like the fact that David's gonna get dressed up and stare at Genya all evening and how trashy these noble bitches will look."

Valeriya let out a hiccupy laugh.

Zoya pulled away from Valeriya. "Let's get you all fixed up to break some hearts."

"That's your job Zoya."

"And I'm damn good at it too."

♕

There was a slight chance that Valeriya was going to chuck herself off of a balcony. She was quick to find David, knowing his hiding spots better than he did, but she didn't spend much time with him before people started crowded and he ran away.

Every other Grisha was in their kefta, except for Valeriya. She didn't really care though - even when Ivan shot her a less than pleasing look. She'd worn this dress almost every year to the demonstrations. Well, at least since Nikolai left. He'd practically swooned over how pretty she looked in it. Wearing it made her feel closer to him, even though he was with the Saints now.

The ladies that were invited by the Queen looked tacky as ever - just as Zoya predicted. Speaking of Zoya, she hadn't seen the raven-haired girl since they walked to the Grand Palace together.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Fedyor and Ivan by the desserts. It appeared that Fedyor was trying to shove a pink meringue into his mouth. They argued silently until Fedyor finally shoved the meringue into Ivan's mouth. Valeriya could almost swear that she saw Ivan smile. The world didn't stop turning though, so it must have been a trick of the light.

Valeriya thought she overheard a pair talking about West Ravka, but she ignored it. Anyone who thought that West Ravka could successfully secede was kidding themselves.

Talking to Ivan and Fedyor, Valeriya saw the suspicious guard from earlier. She moved to go over to him, but he ran out the way he came in. She sighed and went into the ballroom, snatching and downing a drink from a servant.

Kirigan approached King Poytr, walking in as he was the one who ruled the nation.

"Tsar. Moya tsaritsa," he addressed walking up to the royals that sat on plush chairs. He bowed and began small talk with them.

Valeriya turned away. The more she heard the King and Queen talk, the more tempting the balconies looked. Before she turned away, her eyes caught Vasily. Another server passed by her and she took another drink, not caring what it was. After downing it, she realized it was champagne.

Alina entered then with Genya, looking like the Saint she was. She was dressed in a black kefta with gold embriodered, perfectly contrasting the darkness of Kirigan's kefta. Valeriya noticed the look in her eyes. It was one she'd seen often. Another foolish girl falls for a man that only cared about power. Zoya was a victim of his too, but Valeriya kept a watchful eye to ensure Zoya would be okay. Powerful men were enticing and dangerous.

The demonstration began. The Inferni began throwing flames into the ceiling, showcasing their powers. They passed the fire between them, eliciting gasps from the crowd.

From where she was standing, Valeriya could see David again. His gaze was locked on the ginger in front of him, so he'd never notice Valeriya. Genya turned to face David and he quickly looked away, trying to seem inconspicuous. He pretended to look around in search of something, looking anywhere but at Genya.

Valeriya giggled. A man shot her a glare and she pretended to cough.

As soon as Genya turned away from him, he went right back to staring. Valeriya rolled her eyes. It was obvious that Genya liked him too, but David wouldn't do anything.

The Inferni finished and clapping ensued. That was when she saw him.

The guard from before. Another guard walked up beside him and whispered something. Wait, she knew that face. Her stomach sunk to her feet and she gasped.

The guard was supposed to be dead.

Yali could not be alive.

She just couldn't. 

author's note !

anddddd we're back!  with a cliffhanger too ;).  i hope you guys enjoyed this chapter!  i decided to include a gif at the beginning of this chapter to show vale's dress.  

i just realized we have no ship name, soooo ideas?

and shoutout to magnottic for being so sweet!  your message made my day!

love you guys! 

(and p.s. you'll find out who yali is next chapter)