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Chapter no 8

Ruin and Rising (The Shadow and Bone Trilogy, #3)

SERGEI LEFT THAT NIGHTย on theย Ibis, the cargo barge that had been pressed into service while theย Pelicanย was being repaired. Nikolai had offered him a place at a quiet way station near Duva where he could recuperate and be of some help to the smugglers passing through. Heโ€™d even offered to let Sergei wait and take shelter in West Ravka, but Sergei had simply been too anxious to leave.

The next morning, Nikolai and I met with Mal and the twins to figure out the logistics of pursuing the firebird in the southern Sikurzoi. The rest of the Grisha didnโ€™t know the location of the third amplifier, and we intended to keep it that way as long as we could.

Nikolai had spent the better part of two nights studying Morozovaโ€™s journals, and he was just as concerned as I was, convinced that there must be books missing or in the Darklingโ€™s possession. He wanted me to pressure Baghra, but I had to be careful how I approached the subject. If I provoked her, weโ€™d have no new information and sheโ€™d stop my lessons.

โ€œItโ€™s not just that the books are unfinished,โ€ Nikolai said. โ€œDoes Morozova strike anyone as a little โ€ฆ eccentric?โ€

โ€œIf by eccentric you mean insane, then yes,โ€ I admitted. โ€œIโ€™m hoping he can be crazyย andย right.โ€

Nikolai contemplated the map tacked to the wall. โ€œAnd this is still our only clue?โ€ He tapped a nondescript valley on the southern border. โ€œThatโ€™s a lot riding on two skinny pieces of rock.โ€

The unmarked valley was Dva Stolba, home to the settlements where Mal and I had been born, and named for the ruins that stood at its southern entranceโ€”slender, wind-eroded spires that someone had decided were the

remnants of two mills. But we believed they were actually the ruins of an ancient arch, a signpost to the firebird, the last of Ilya Morozovaโ€™s amplifiers.

โ€œThereโ€™s an abandoned copper mine located at Murin,โ€ said Nikolai. โ€œYou can land theย Bitternย there and enter the valley on foot.โ€

โ€œWhy not fly right into the Sikurzoi?โ€ Mal asked.

Tamar shook her head. โ€œCould be tricky maneuvering. There are fewer landing sites, and the terrain is a lot more dangerous.โ€

โ€œAll right,โ€ agreed Mal. โ€œThen we set down in Murin and come over the Jidkova Pass.โ€

โ€œWe should have good cover,โ€ Tolya said. โ€œNevsky claims a lot of people are traveling through the border cities, trying to get out of Ravka before winter arrives and the mountains become impossible to cross.โ€

โ€œHow long will it take you to find the firebird?โ€ Nikolai asked. Everyone turned to Mal.

โ€œNo way of knowing,โ€ he said. โ€œIt took me months to find the stag. Hunting the sea whip took less than a week.โ€ He kept his eyes on the map, but I could feel the memory of those days rising up between us. Weโ€™d spent them in the icy waters of the Bone Road with the threat of torture hanging over us. โ€œThe Sikurzoi cover a lot of territory. We need to get moving as quickly as possible.โ€

โ€œHave you chosen your crew?โ€ Nikolai asked Tamar.

She had practically broken into a dance when he suggested that she captain theย Bitternย and had immediately set about getting familiar with the ship and its requirements.

โ€œZoya isnโ€™t great at working in a team,โ€ Tamar replied, โ€œbut we need Squallers, and she and Nadia are our best options. Stiggโ€™s not bad with the lines, and it canโ€™t hurt to have at least one Inferni on board. We should be able to do a test run tomorrow.โ€

โ€œYouโ€™d move faster with an experienced crew.โ€

โ€œI added one of your Tidemakers and a Fabrikator to the roster,โ€ she said. โ€œIโ€™d feel better using our people for the rest.โ€

โ€œThe rogues are loyal.โ€

โ€œMaybe so,โ€ Tamar replied. โ€œBut we work well together.โ€

With a start, I realized she was right.ย Our people.ย When had that happened? In the journey from the White Cathedral? The cave-in? The

moment when weโ€™d faced down Nikolaiโ€™s guards and then a king?

Our little group was splitting up, and I didnโ€™t like it. Adrik was furious at being left behind, and I was going to miss him. Iโ€™d even miss Harshaw and Oncat. But the hardest part would be saying goodbye to Genya. Between crew and supplies, theย Bitternย was already weighted down, and there was no reason for her to come with us into the Sikurzoi. And though we needed a Materialnik with us to form the second fetter, Nikolai felt Davidโ€™s best use was here, putting his mind to the war effort. Instead, weโ€™d take Irina, the rogue Fabrikator who had forged the cuff of scales around my wrist back on theย Volkvolny.ย David was happy with the decision, and Genya had taken the news better than I had.

โ€œYou mean I donโ€™t get to go tromping through a dusty mountain range with Zoya complaining all the way and Tolya regaling me with the Second Tale of Kregi?โ€ Sheโ€™d laughed. โ€œIโ€™m crushed.โ€

โ€œWill you be all right here?โ€ Iโ€™d asked.

โ€œI think so. I canโ€™t believe Iโ€™m saying this, but Nikolai is growing on me.

Heโ€™s nothing like his father. And the man can dress.โ€

She was certainly right about that. Even on a mountaintop, Nikolaiโ€™s boots were always polished, his uniform immaculate.

โ€œIf everything goes well,โ€ said Tamar, โ€œwe should be ready to leave by weekโ€™s end.โ€

I felt a surge of satisfaction and had to resist the urge to rub the bare spot on my wrist. But then Nikolai cleared his throat. โ€œAbout that โ€ฆ Alina, I wonder if you might consider a slight detour.โ€

I frowned. โ€œWhat kind of a detour?โ€

โ€œThe alliance with West Ravka is still new. Theyโ€™re going to be feeling pressure from Fjerda to open the Fold to the Darkling. It would mean a great deal for them to see what a Sun Summoner can do. While the others start scouting the Sikurzoi, I thought we might attend a few state dinners, shear off the top of a mountain range, put their minds at ease. I can take you to join the others in the mountains on the way back from Os Kervo. Like Mal said, they have a lot of territory to cover, and the delay would be negligible.โ€

For a moment, I thought Mal might speak up about the need to get in and out of the Sikurzoi before the first snowfalls came, about the danger of any delay at all. Instead, he rolled up the map on the desk and said, โ€œSeems wise.

Tolya can go as Alinaโ€™s guard. I need practice on the lines.โ€

I ignored the twist my heart gave. This was what I wanted. โ€œOf course,โ€ I said.

If Nikolai had been anticipating an argument, he hid it well. โ€œExcellent,โ€ he replied, slapping his hands together. โ€œLetโ€™s talk about your wardrobe.โ€

* * *

AS IT TURNED OUT, we had more than a few other issues to handle before Nikolai could bury me in silks. He had agreed to send theย Pelicanย to Keramzin once it returned, but that was just the first item on the agenda. By the time we were done talking about munitions and storm patterns and wet weather gear, it was well past noon and everyone was ready for a break.

Most of the troops ate together in a makeshift mess hall that had been set up on the western side of the Spinning Wheel, beneath the looming watch of the Three Foolish Sons and the Bear. I didnโ€™t feel much like company, so I grabbed a roll doused in caraway seeds and some hot tea brimming with sugar and walked out to the southern terrace.

It was bitterly cold. The sky was bright blue, and the afternoon sun made deep shadows in the cloud bank. I sipped my tea, listening to the sound of the wind rushing in my ears as it ruffled the fur around my face. To my right and left, I could see the spikes of the eastern and western terraces. In the distance, the stump of the mountaintop Iโ€™d severed was already covered in snow.

Given time, I was sure Baghra could teach me to push my power further, but she would never help me masterย merzost,ย and on my own, I had no idea where to begin. I remembered the feeling Iโ€™d had in the chapel, the sense of connection and disintegration, the horror of feeling my life torn from me, the thrill of seeing my creatures come into being. But without the Darkling, I couldnโ€™t find my way into that power, and I couldnโ€™t be sure the firebird would change that. Maybe it was simply easier for him. Heโ€™d once told me he had far more practice with eternity. How many lives had the Darkling taken? How many lives had he lived? Maybe after all this time, life and death looked different to himโ€”small and unmysterious, something to be used.

With one hand, I called the light, letting it slide over my fingers in lazy rays. It burned through the clouds, revealing more of the jagged, ruthless cliffs of the mountain range below. I set my glass down and leaned over the

wall to look at the stone steps carved into the side of the mountain beneath us. Tamar claimed that in ancient times, pilgrims had made the climb on their knees.

โ€œIf youโ€™re going to jump, at least give me time to compose a ballad in your honor,โ€ said Nikolai. I turned to see him striding onto the terrace, blond hair shining. Heโ€™d thrown on an elegant greatcoat of army drab, marked with the golden double eagle. โ€œSomething with lots of sad fiddle and a verse devoted to your love of herring.โ€

โ€œIf I wait, I may have to hear you sing it.โ€

โ€œI happen to have a more than passable baritone. And whatโ€™s the rush? Is it my cologne?โ€

โ€œYou donโ€™t wear cologne.โ€

โ€œI have such a naturally delightful scent that it seems like overkill. But if you have a penchant for it, Iโ€™ll start.โ€

I wrinkled my nose. โ€œNo, thank you.โ€

โ€œI shall obey you in all things. Especially after that demonstration,โ€ he said with a nod to the lopped-off mountain. โ€œAnytime you want me to take off my hat, please just ask.โ€

โ€œLooks impressive, doesnโ€™t it?โ€ I said with a sigh. โ€œBut the Darkling learned at Baghraโ€™s knee. Heโ€™s had hundreds of years to master his power. Iโ€™ve had less than one.โ€

โ€œI have a gift for you.โ€ โ€œIs it the firebird?โ€

โ€œWas that what you wanted? Should have told me sooner.โ€ He reached into his pocket and placed something atop the wall.

Light glinted off an emerald ring. The lush green stone at its center was bigger than my thumbnail and surrounded by stars of tiny diamonds.

โ€œUnderstatement is overrated,โ€ I said on a shaky breath.

โ€œI love it when you quote me.โ€ Nikolai tapped the ring. โ€œConsole yourself knowing that, should you ever punch me while wearing it, youโ€™ll probably take my eye out. And Iโ€™d very much like you to. Wear it, that is. Not punch me.โ€

โ€œWhere did you get this thing?โ€

โ€œMy mother gave it to me before she left. Itโ€™s the Lantsov emerald. She was wearing it at my birthday dinner the night we were attacked. Curiously

enough, that was not the worst birthday Iโ€™ve had.โ€ โ€œNo?โ€

โ€œWhen I was ten, my parents hired aย clown.โ€

Tentatively, I reached out and picked up the ring. โ€œHeavy,โ€ I said. โ€œA mere boulder, really.โ€

โ€œDid you tell your mother you planned to give it to a common orphan?โ€ โ€œShe did most of the talking,โ€ he said. โ€œShe wanted to tell me about

Magnus Opjer.โ€ โ€œWho?โ€

โ€œA Fjerdan ambassador, quite a sailor, made his money in shipping.โ€ Nikolai looked out at the cloud bank. โ€œAlso my father, apparently.โ€

I wasnโ€™t sure whether to offer congratulations or condolences. Nikolai talked about the conditions of his birth easily enough, but I knew he felt the sting of it more deeply than he admitted.

โ€œItโ€™s strange to actually know,โ€ he continued. โ€œI think some part of me always hoped the rumors were just that.โ€

โ€œYouโ€™ll still make a great king.โ€

โ€œOf course I will,โ€ he scoffed. โ€œIโ€™m melancholy, not daft.โ€ He brushed an invisible piece of lint from his sleeve. โ€œI donโ€™t know if sheโ€™ll ever forgive me for sending her into exile, especially to the Colonies.โ€

Was it harder to lose a mother or to simply never know one? Either way, I felt for him. Heโ€™d lost his family piece by pieceโ€”first his brother, now his parents. โ€œIโ€™m sorry, Nikolai.โ€

โ€œWhat is there to be sorry about? Iโ€™ve finally gotten what I wanted. The King has stepped down, the path to the throne is clear. If there werenโ€™t an all- powerful dictator and his monstrous horde to attend to, Iโ€™d be opening a bottle of champagne.โ€

Nikolai could be as glib as he wanted. I knew this wasnโ€™t how heโ€™d imagined assuming leadership of Ravkaโ€”his brother murdered, his father brought low by the sordid accusations of a servant.

โ€œWhen will you take the crown?โ€ I asked.

โ€œNot until weโ€™ve won. Iโ€™ll be crowned in Os Alta or not at all. And the first step is consolidating our alliance with West Ravka.โ€

โ€œHence the ring?โ€

โ€œHence the ring.โ€ He smoothed the edge of his lapel and said, โ€œYou know,

you could have told me about Genya.โ€

I felt a wash of guilt. โ€œI was trying to protect her. Not enough people have done that.โ€

โ€œI donโ€™t want lies between us, Alina.โ€ Was he thinking of his fatherโ€™s crimes? His motherโ€™s dalliance? Still, he wasnโ€™t quite being fair.

โ€œHow many lies have you told me,ย Sturmhond?โ€ I gestured to the Spinning Wheel. โ€œHow many secrets have you kept until you were ready to share them?โ€

He tucked his hands behind his back, looking distinctly uncomfortable. โ€œPrinceโ€™s prerogative?โ€

โ€œIf a mere prince gets a pass, so does a living Saint.โ€

โ€œAre you going to make a habit of winning arguments? Itโ€™s very unbecoming.โ€

โ€œWas this an argument?โ€

โ€œObviously not. I donโ€™t lose arguments.โ€ Then he peered over the side. โ€œSaints, is he running the ice stairs?โ€

I squinted through the mist. Sure enough, someone was making his way up the narrow, zigzagging steps along the cliff side, his breath pluming in the icy air. It took me only a moment to realize it was Mal, head bent, pack on his shoulders.

โ€œLooks โ€ฆ bracing. If he keeps this up, I may actually have to start exerting myself.โ€ Nikolaiโ€™s tone was light, but I could feel his clever hazel eyes on me. โ€œAssuming we best the Darkling, as Iโ€™m sure we will, does Mal plan to stay on as the captain of your guard?โ€

I caught myself before I could rub my thumb over the scar on my palm.

โ€œI donโ€™t know.โ€ Despite everything that had happened, I wanted to keep Mal near. That wouldnโ€™t be fair to either of us. I made myself say, โ€œI think it might be better if he was reassigned. Heโ€™s good in combat, but heโ€™s a better tracker.โ€

โ€œYou know he wonโ€™t take a commission away from the fighting.โ€

โ€œDo what you think is best.โ€ The pain was like a slender knife gliding right between my ribs. I was cutting Mal out of my life, but my voice was steady. Nikolai had taught me well. I tried to hand the ring back. โ€œI canโ€™t accept this. Not now.โ€ Maybe not ever.

โ€œKeep it,โ€ he said, curling my fingers over the emerald. โ€œA privateer learns

to press any advantage.โ€ โ€œAnd a prince?โ€

โ€œPrinces get used to the wordย yes.โ€

* * *

WHEN I GOT BACK to my room that evening, Nikolai had more surprises waiting. I hesitated, then turned on my heel and marched down the corridor to where the other girls were lodged. For a long second, I just stood there, feeling shy and foolish, then I forced myself to knock.

Nadia answered. Behind her, I saw Tamar had come to visit and was sharpening her axes by the window. Genya sat at the table, sewing gold thread around another eye patch, and Zoya was lounging on one of the beds, keeping a feather aloft with a gust from her fingertips.

โ€œI need to show you something,โ€ I said.

โ€œWhat is it?โ€ asked Zoya, keeping her eyes on the feather. โ€œJust come and see.โ€

She rolled herself off the bed with an exasperated sigh. I led them down the hallway to my room, and threw open the door.

Genya dove into the pile of gowns laid out on my bed. โ€œSilk!โ€ she moaned. โ€œVelvet!โ€

Zoya picked up aย keftaย hanging over the back of my chair. It was gold brocade, the sleeves and hem embroidered lavishly in blue, the cuffs marked with jeweled sunbursts. โ€œSable,โ€ she said to me, stroking the lining. โ€œI have never loathed you more.โ€

โ€œThat oneโ€™s mine,โ€ I said. โ€œBut the rest are up for grabs. I canโ€™t wear all of them in West Ravka.โ€

โ€œDid Nikolai have these made for you?โ€ Nadia asked. โ€œHeโ€™s not a big believer in half measures.โ€

โ€œAre you sure he wants you giving them away?โ€

โ€œLending,โ€ I corrected. โ€œAnd if he doesnโ€™t like it, he can learn to leave more careful instructions.โ€

โ€œItโ€™s smart,โ€ Tamar said, tossing a teal cape over her shoulders and looking at herself in the mirror. โ€œHe needs to look like a King, and you need to look like a Queen.โ€

โ€œThereโ€™s something else,โ€ I said. Again, I felt that shyness creep over me. I

still didnโ€™t quite know how to behave around the other Grisha. Were they friends? Subjects? This was new territory. But I didnโ€™t want to be alone in my room with nothing but my thoughts and a pile of dresses for company.

I took out Nikolaiโ€™s ring and set it on the table.

โ€œSaints,โ€ breathed Genya. โ€œThatโ€™s the Lantsov emerald.โ€

It seemed to glow in the lamplight, the tiny diamonds twinkling around it. โ€œDid he just give it to you? To keep?โ€ asked Nadia.

Genya seized my arm. โ€œDid he propose?โ€ โ€œNot exactly.โ€

โ€œHe might as well have,โ€ Genya said. โ€œThat ring is an heirloom. The Queen wore it everywhere, even to sleep.โ€

โ€œToss him over,โ€ Zoya said. โ€œBreak his heart cruelly. I will gladly give our poor prince comfort, and I would make a magnificent queen.โ€

I laughed. โ€œYou actually might, Zoya. If you could stop being horrible for a minute.โ€

โ€œWith that kind of incentive, I can manage a minute. Possibly two.โ€ I rolled my eyes. โ€œItโ€™s just a ring.โ€

Zoya sighed and held the emerald up so it flashed. โ€œIย amย horrible,โ€ she said abruptly. โ€œAll these people dead, and I miss pretty things.โ€

Genya bit her lip, then blurted, โ€œI miss almondย kulich. And butter, and the cherry jam the cooks used to bring back from the market in Balakirev.โ€

โ€œI miss the sea,โ€ said Tamar, โ€œand my hammock aboard theย Volkvolny.โ€

โ€œI miss sitting by the lake at the Little Palace,โ€ Nadia put in. โ€œDrinking my tea, everything feeling peaceful.โ€

Zoya looked at her boots and said, โ€œI miss knowing what happens next.โ€ โ€œMe too,โ€ I confessed.

Zoya set the ring down. โ€œWill you say yes?โ€ โ€œHe didnโ€™t actually propose.โ€

โ€œBut he will.โ€

โ€œMaybe. I donโ€™t know.โ€

She gave a disgusted snort. โ€œI lied.ย Nowย I have never loathed you more.โ€ โ€œIt would be something special,โ€ said Tamar, โ€œto have a Grisha on the

throne.โ€

โ€œSheโ€™s right,โ€ added Genya. โ€œTo be the ones to rule, instead of just to serve.โ€

They wanted a Grisha queen. Mal wanted a commoner queen. And what did I want? Peace for Ravka. A chance to sleep easy in my bed without fear. An end to the guilt and dread that I woke to every morning. There were old wants too, to be loved for who I was, not what I could do, to lie in a meadow with a boyโ€™s arms around me and watch the wind move the clouds. But those dreams belonged to a girl, not to the Sun Summoner, not to a Saint.

Zoya sniffed, settling a seed pearlย kokochnikย atop her hair. โ€œI still say it should be me.โ€

Genya tossed a velvet slipper at her. โ€œThe day I curtsy to you is the day David performs an opera naked in the middle of the Shadow Fold.โ€

โ€œLike Iโ€™d have you in my court.โ€

โ€œYou should be so lucky. Come here. That headpiece is completely crooked.โ€

I picked up the ring again, turning it over in my hand. I couldnโ€™t quite bring myself to put it on.

Nadia bumped my shoulder with her own. โ€œThere are worse things than a prince.โ€

โ€œTrue.โ€

โ€œBetter things too,โ€ Tamar said. She shoved a cobalt lace gown at Nadia. โ€œTry this one on.โ€

Nadia held it up. โ€œAre you out of your head? The bodice might as well be cut to the navel.โ€

Tamar grinned. โ€œExactly.โ€

โ€œWell, Alina canโ€™t wear it,โ€ said Zoya. โ€œEven sheโ€™ll fall right out of it onto her dessert plate.โ€

โ€œDiplomacy!โ€ shouted Tamar.

Nadia collapsed into giggles. โ€œWest Ravka declares for the Sun Summonerโ€™s bosom!โ€

I tried to scowl, but I was laughing too hard. โ€œI hope youโ€™re all enjoying yourselves.โ€

Tamar hooked a scarf over Nadiaโ€™s neck and drew her in for a kiss.

โ€œOh, for Saintsโ€™ sake,โ€ complained Zoya. โ€œIs everyone pairing up now?โ€

Genya snickered. โ€œTake heart. Iโ€™ve seen Stigg casting mournful glances your way.โ€

โ€œHeโ€™s Fjerdan,โ€ Zoya said. โ€œThatโ€™s the only kind of glance he has. And I

can arrange my own assignations, thank you very much.โ€

We sorted through the trunks of clothes, choosing the gowns, coats, and jewels best suited to the trip. Nikolai had been strategic, as always. Each dress was wrought in shades of blue and gold. I wouldnโ€™t have minded some variety, but this trip was about performance, not pleasure.

The girls stayed until the lamps burned low, and I was grateful for their company. But when theyโ€™d claimed the dresses they liked, and the rest of the finery had been wrapped and returned to the trunks, they said their goodnights.

I picked up the ring from the table, feeling the absurd weight of it in my palm.

Soon theย Kingfisherย would return and Nikolai and I would leave for West Ravka. By then, Mal and his team would be on their way to the Sikurzoi. That was the way it should be. Iโ€™d hated life at court, but Mal had despised it. Heโ€™d be just as miserable standing guard at banquets in Os Kervo.

If I was honest with myself, I could see that heโ€™d flourished since weโ€™d left the Little Palace, even underground. He had become a leader in his own right, found a new sense of purpose. I couldnโ€™t say he seemed happy, but maybe that would come in time, with peace, with a chance for a future.

We would find the firebird. We would face the Darkling. Maybe weโ€™d even win. I would put on Nikolaiโ€™s ring, and Mal would be reassigned. He would have the life he should have had, that he might have had without me. So why did that knife between my ribs keep twisting?

I lay down on my bed, starlight pouring through the window, the emerald clutched in my hand.

Later, I could never be sure if Iโ€™d done it deliberately, or if it was an accident, my bruised heart plucking at that invisible tether. Maybe I was just too tired to resist his pull. I found myself in a blurry room, staring at the Darkling.

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