Chapter 12: Rest of the tour, Genya and the King
"I would never dream of putting her beneath me Zoya. Once the King has met her tomorrow, she's lieutenant General"
Lieutenant General? I don't know a thing about leading..and he found me in 1st army a year ago. I thought
The idea of being high up on the list already was too much as I looked at him knowing I didn't deserve to be put so high up. Though maybe he'd made the choice out of me kicking him so hard he landed on his ass. "General, but she needs to practice with the rest of us to get accommodated and it's normally procedure for people to be student status first." Zoya said as I actually agreed with her knowing that it wasn't going to make me on the good side with other people if he did. "Zoya, from what she did this morning I think she can manage just fine." Aleksander said
That got Zoya's attention as she looked at me and I shrugged knowing the only thing I did was knock him off the bed. "What did you do to the General this morning?" Zoya asked me as I was going to answer but Aleksander spoke up. "I provoked her to see how she'd handle if someone were to grab her around her neck..surprisingly she's got a strong kick." Aleksander said as I just looked at him.
Do you even feel pain? I thought
That was a good thing to know for future but I had to play nice for now and Zoya didn't like me already so it didn't matter. "Still General, she's new and if you raise her up too high the King will think she's ready." Zoya said as I knew I was subjected to different rules than her as Aleksander looked at Zoya. "You question my authority Zoya, she's my betrothed meaning she goes where I do and she remains at my side." Aleksander said as Zoya didn't like it.
Well I can always kick his ass again..if he ever tries that again. I thought
It was after that he led me away but I was no fool. As I looked back the anger was clear in her eyes. I questioned if this girl was who he'd been with before finding me. Though I was well aware the ordinary circumstances were gone with the arrangement between the families as I looked at him.
"So..she's jealous." I said bluntly as I knew he'd probably deny it. He looked forward his arm still around me as we walked. "Many have tried to get my attention. Most will be envious of you, being my bride to be. That comes with being with a powerful Grisha as you are. That most don't know yet." He said as I walked but I did something not many probably would knocking his hold on me off as we walked.
Annoyance..I could tell that he was and that was fine as we walked knowing it was ok but I knew the truth. I wasn't some naïve girl who he was trying to claim before anyone met me. So as he pointed out he showed me where the combat training was and I was impressed to say the least. Grisha training, boys and girls side by side and then I saw my brother well half brother..when he was alone despite the General being there I whistled a little which got Aiden's attention.
He looked and I waved at him since he was a squaller and I saw out of the corner of my eye Aleksander was annoyed. I rolled my eyes and looked at him "He's my brother." I said as he was surprised but that was my family secret. I could tell from the kefta that my brother wore was the Squaller kind...like Zoya.
Aiden walked over to us as he showed Aleksander respect then looked at me "I see you finally came, is Dad pissed?" He asked as I laughed a bit "When is he not pissed?" I asked as Aiden and I knew the whole thing of me being caught was true. "So a year, not many could get away with that." Aiden said as I smiled. "Not many have Grandma" I reminded him as he nod. He hugged me as that surprised me "I'll have your back, whatever you need." He whispered then went back to training.
I had to spend the rest of the day with Aleksander and then go to bed as the following day I was dealing with getting ready. In fact I was already bathing for the day when I heard people walk in and I walked out in my robe seeing servants and a woman in white with red hair. "What is the meaning of this?" I asked as my hair was wet and I'd been up early considering I'd known about the presentation to the King.
"We are to prepare you for going before the king." A servant said as I looked at all of them "Not necessary, please go. I'm well aware I need to go before the King today." I said as Genya may have picked up on my annoyance with the intrusion and clapped her hands. "Everyone out." She said as the servants left leaving us alone closing the door.
"Knocking would be wise next time." I suggested as Genya looked into a bag she had "Happy to get rid of the shrews. You're Amira, the special Summoner." She was busy but I didn't know what the big deal was. "What have they been saying about me this past year? An ungrateful Grisha? A sham of a-" Genya cut me off. "On the contrary, you are not to be talked about in any disrespectful way..you're the General's fiancé, correct?" She asked
"Betrothed..arranged marriage, not really my choice." I said as she looked at me seeing I had the ring on but I wasn't a giddy bride to be. "Many would kill for the position you're in..but you may change your mind in time." She said as she had me sit down and I did as she looked over me. "No scars and you seem well taken care of.." she said as I smiled. "My family is Grisha..and my mom was former 2nd army."
She was surprised but that was to be expected as she did what she had to do before I finished getting ready as I had no first army clothes. The King could no longer claim he found me being a year later so the kefta would do. Well you know how the meeting with the King would probably go..without going into too many details since I was well aware of what was to be expected. Aleksander talked mostly for me on what to do with everything that happened..and the youngest Prince also vouched for me so that was a benefit.
After my demonstration and everything, he led me out holding an arm around me as we walked in the middle of Grisha. "You did well, now there will be an easier transition to all of this." Aleksander said to me as I knew he was just adding to the problem