Chapter 7: The Ring
You hate it when I cry. Yet that's exactly what I feel like doing being the heretic's bride to be. I thought
I knew mentally I was making my opinions on the fact that's what my father called him. I didn't know his story and with everything going on there wasn't going to be much time for me to do so. I looked at my wrist, his initials were not there but I traced where they were. I had always believed the saints would not lead me astray so there must be a reason to this. The other Grisha believed in him.
A month passed since then and he hadn't came back but I always could tell when he was visiting without anyone knowing. I'd feel it on my wrist as his initials appeared. He may not have made any announcements of his trips but when I looked out the window to see I'd see an outline of someone watching the house. I knew though as I stared at the figure but it never made a move to the house and then turned to walk away.
Respecting what my parents said..for now. I thought
When my parents had to go to deal with some things back in our home village, so I was left with my grandparents, Nico and the other first army soldier. Grandma had treated Nico and this soldier with respect as they were doing as they were assigned. It was during one of our meal times did the first army soldier speak up.
"So you were a map maker before you were discovered. How did testers not know of you?" The first army soldier asked as I had some of the tea grandma had given. "I have never been tested and had I not been bold infront of the General that would have been my first test." I admitted as the first army soldier was shocked. "But it was the law every child was tested." He said as Nico spoke up this time. "May I?" Nico asked my grandmother who nod. "An undisturbed Grisha bloodline can hide themselves if they know how. There is history between her bloodline and the General's bloodline." Nico said as the first army soldier looked at Nico wondering how he knew so much about the family.
"Nico was privileged to know we're a full blooded Grisha bloodline. My parents, my grandparents, my aunt and my cousin are all Grisha." I said as I took another sip of my tea again. "And you will be Ravka's savior when you go to the little palace." The soldier said as I laughed a bit. "I think you've been misinformed on things. While I may be helpful to destroy the fold, it would take more than little ole me to take down the fold. By my mark on my arm when the General shows up more is at play." I told him as I finished the tea and looked at my grandma. "May I have more please?" I asked as my grandma nod getting more tea.
"What do you mean more?" The soldier asked as Nico looked at her and knew it was not going to be easy. "As we know each Grisha has a Grisha soulmate or they should. Rare if their soulmate is human. Mira is the General's grisha soulmate, so when he can get her to the little palace I would assume he'll be courting her in preparation for making her his wife." Nico said as the solider looked surprised "That's why he didn't want you touching her Nicolas." The solder said
"It's more than that, he's my betrothed before my birth. An old family promise but that doesn't mean I agree." I said seeing the shock knowing it wasn't going to be easy. Grandma handed me my glass of tea. "So you just know when he comes to visit?" The soldier asked. I was going to answer but then I felt the tingling and showed my wrist as the initials appeared and then within minutes they were vibrant. "I can." I said as I took another sip. "He's here grandma." Grandfather walked to the door and opened it as the General looked at him "You must be Mr. Silina, her grandfather." Aleksander said as I was not moving to greet him. "John Silina, Inferni. General Kirigan" Grandfather said as he led him in. I was sipping on my tea as I was sitting by Nico. I didn't care what he said these were my choices.
"Morning Amira, I see you're following your grandmother's rules." Aleksander said as I looked at him. "I believe father said you were not to come here until I was eighteen." I said as a comeback. "Your father did say that but your grandmother said I could visit." Aleksander said
Saints! Grandma's house, Grandma's rules. I thought
"You may see her but not alone, Nicolas must be there. You may step outside with her." Grandma said as I didn't want to but the General offered his hand to me. I gulped a bit as I finished my tea and then got up as I walked over and put my hand in his as he led me out. I heard Nico walk behind us.
Once outside he turned to me and I let his hand go as I stepped away but he got close as I hadn't realized part of my hair had blown in my face with the wind. It was actually a windy day compared to normal but I felt him move the strands out of my face and tuck them behind my ear. "What do you want? You've been sneaking around the property and looking at the house." I said as he got into the pocket of his Kefta and pulled out a box. "I want you to wear this, when you're eighteen." He said as he put the box in my hand.
I wondered what it was but I felt Nico get close as he whispered "Mira, this looks like a box for a ring." the idea he already had picked out a ring to signify our arranged marriage from an old blood pact as I opened the box to look at it.
If I wasn't controlling myself my mouth would have dropped, it was beautiful...but it was black. His color, meaning he was showing that I was to be his and I guessed he wanted me to wear this at the presentation to the King. Why else would he be giving me a ring and I looked at him.
"It's beautiful." I said as he made sure no one was looking and he took it out "Let's see if it's the right size. They took a guess from information they had on you." Aleksander said as I looked at Nico but knew if it was the wrong size he'd take it away for alittle while longer. Taking a deep breath I offered my hand to him, the one I would wear it on as we watched. As I watched it slide on easy and he let go. I did a few tests to see and it wasn't budging it was the right size.
Saints, this only makes it feel real... I thought
"When you go before the King, I want you to wear it after you're eighteen. I don't want you taking it off unless you're at combat training in the little palace." Aleksander said as I looked at him and he took another step forward "I want them to know that you're not to be messed with."
"Understood." I said as I took it off and put it back in the box. "Is there anything else?
"The night of your birthday, I want to take you out for dinner. I'll have everything prepared. I'll come back another time when your father has left." Aleks said before taking my hand and kissing the top of it. "Till next time Amira." I kept reminding myself who he is yet my heart didn't listen as I felt it skip a beat.
Watching him leave was easy as I walked back in and my grandparents looked curious "So what did he want to speak of?" Grandma asked as I took my seat at the table and put the box where she could see it. Grandma looked at it and then at me before she picked up and seen it. "He's very serious about this." Grandma said "Well at least it's a pretty ring for when you're eighteen." You get what you wanted all along Grandma..You and Baghra. I thought