Chapter 9: 18th birthday
I was blushing still from his words as he called me a rare flower but there was something more to this that I didn't understand. "Why would you say that?" I asked as he looked at me as if he was contemplating his words. His dark eyes looked in mine making me question if I should have asked that as his thumb lighty rubbed my cheek. "All the other Grisha girls try to get my attention, you push me away..you think that doesn't make me want you more? Your stubborn, your defiant, and you have a certain way about you that most Grisha girls do not."
I wanted to push him away and I should have but the fact I wasn't like others made me happy. "Two weeks Amira..that's all you have then you're mine. Mine to take with me and mine to claim within the little palace." Aleksander said as I glared at him knowing that it wasn't going to change my defiance. "I'm not yours yet." I retorted
My defiance only fueled his ambition to have me but that did not mean I would give up so easily as I smacked his hand away. "Keep this up and I won't go at all." I said as I turned to go inside but my actions didn't help with what was going on as he grabbed me and pulled me back to look at him. "I think you forget something, you exposed yourself to people. You have a target on your back and the King is expecting your cooperation. Now I humored your grandmother's request to wait till your eighteenth birthday but you cannot deny the King." Aleksander's annoyance clear.
Saints! he's right, my little light show in the fold has been dangerous all this time. I thought
"Fine, then two weeks..I'll go.." I said as I knew I couldn't trouble my grandmother with the enemy coming after me. I'd grown a bit too comfortable being at my grandmother's place and I always knew that it would be like this. "You'll wear the ring at your presentation.." Aleksander said as I didn't look at him as I got free and crossed my arms.. "I'll think about it.." I said as I knew the truth that I'd wear it. I'd honor my grandmother's promise that she made centuries ago. "But I'm not giving up Nico so figure out something."
When I looked seeing the annoyance as Nico was a man, a human but still another man and he didn't like it. "Good day General, I have things to do." I said as I walked into grandma's place and I tended to my grandfather I heard the sound of him leaving. I knew I was cruel but he was not winning me over that easily as I sat with them. "Amira, don't you think your being harsh..the General has been making up for what he's done." Grandfather said as I checked on him and I moved his sleeve to see his amplifier.
This is only going to last for so much longer.. I thought
"I am but I don't want him to get the wrong idea...he probably sleeps with every one of his soldiers and I don't want to be a second choice to anyone." I said to my grandfather as I knew ever since I was found Aleksander had kept coming to me. He never talked about his time in the little palace and he just wanted me. "Amira, I don't have many years left..if you're going to honor Catalina's promise do so before I die." Grandfather said as I merely looked at him.
Only a few years..Dad is older than Aleksander but still that doesn't change the fact that he's so much older than me..and the idea that grandfather's amplifier is wearing down..his life is fading little bit every year..until it'll be time he'll pass like a mortal. I thought
"What would you have me do?..if I can." I asked as he looked at me and he knew that I only wanted the best. "Marriage isn't easy but he is your Grisha soulmate. You should marry him, I'd like to see my granddaughter dressed up as beautiful bride before I die." Grandfather said as I knew that was a lot to ask. I knew that it was not going to be easy to just say things and then stand in an alter saying I do when I did not. "I'll see what I can do." I said
Two weeks went by before I knew it and my eighteenth birthday came, all my family gathered for the day as I was dressed up in a dress that grandmother had chosen and then Nico was by my side. Aleksander had came a few times during the two weeks but tonight was the best way to figure it out. We did a small celebration before suddenly I felt the feeling on my wrist and I knew he was here.
"I'll get it." Nico said as he went to my room and gave me the box. I accepted the box as I opened it looking inside seeing the ring, this ring after today was to be going on my hand. Mother came over and looked at it "That's beautiful." Mom said as I nod before I closed it. The sound of the knock on the door was evident as I walked over to my cousin Adrian as I hugged him. He hugged me back "It's ok Cousin..you'll be fine." Adrian assured but I knew better. "He's going to take me away.." I said softly
Adrian, my handsome cousin was still hugging me when I heard Grandma answer the door. "Ah, come in. She's with the family." Grandma said as I let Adrian go to turn around to see him walk in. He had a kefta on his arm that was his color but the design was my grisha power. I gulped a little knowing that it was not fair that I had to endure this but it was also not fair to everyone else to risk keeping me.
Aleksander walked over to me as he looked at me in the dress, despite the looks dad was giving and my mom holding my father back he seemed to like what he was seeing. "Happy Birthday Amira." He said as he opened the kefta and then offered it to me but I did not take it. He saw the box in my hand as he adjusted the kefta on his arm but took the box out of my hand and then put the ring on my finger. "Perfect fit." Aleksander said
"You're sure this is the best choice for her?" My mother asked as she seemed to see I wasn't ready to do this. Nico walked over as he saw that too and had gotten between Aleksander and me. "You're making Mira uncomfortable..can't you see that." He said as Aleksander seemed annoyed. These two were very close in height that they stood literally eye to eye and yet Nico was a human. "We're in Poliznaya, she has till tonight and the carriage is outside." Aleksander said as he seemed to keep his composure. Nico though didn't move as his look challenged Aleksander's and I grabbed hold of Nico. "Don't..you stand no match against him." I said softly
Nico knew that I had no choice, I'd gone on that skiff because I knew the risk of being exposed and yet it wasn't my fault that it'd came to that. It was one of our units fault for lighting that lantern! Despite his anger Nico did back down and we enjoyed the party, the first army soldier noticed Nico never left my side and even Aleksander did too. Out of the corner of my eye I could see he was..annoyed.
Night time came as I knew it was time and I hugged my family members knowing this would be the last time I see them for some time. They could visit me but now I was under the protection of my betrothed. We walked out as Aleksander had me change out of the dress into comfortable clothes and then put the kefta on for my safety. When we got in the carriage he put his arm around me as if protecting me as Nico and the other first army sat beside us. "To the first army camp." He ordered
The travel was quiet to the first army area where I'd been found out nearly a year ago and once we arrived he opened the door to the carriage. He looked at the first army soldier by Nico "You get out here." He said as the first army soldier looked confused then at Nico "What about him General? He's first army too." The soldier asked as Aleks's arm seemed to tighten around me. "I have need of him at the little palace, out." Aleksander said, his tone was clear as my terms were set out before he'd even tried to get close.
The first army soldier got out as the door closed and he tapped on the carriage to get it moving again. Nico looked confused as Aleksander's arm did not relax around me "Amira made her terms clear, to get her I had to find a way to bring you." Aleksander said but the look alone told me he didn't want to. That he hated it that I was so close to another man but this was my best friend of many years. "You'll do tasks, simple ones that won't risk your life..but you'll look out for Amira as you have. By the promise and the ring on her hand, she's mine." Aleksander said
Nico wanted to object that it was not my choice yet to do so but he didn't knowing we were still close to the first army camp. Aleksander could easily change his mind if he so wished to and I was hoping he wouldn't. My bag that was packed had the small things my family gave me except the one in my hair..a hair pin that my grandma was adamant about saying that it was from Sankt Ilya and she'd prefer me to show my roots.
The ride was quiet and this time I could not escape him or outsmart him to stop this so after so long we arrived at the little palace. Aleksander must have felt how tense I was cause he was rubbing my arm as if to comfort me but as the door opened he let me get out first and had Nico get my bag as I got out and Aleksander got out beside me. "Welcome to the little palace Amira." Aleksander said
It's just like mom described.. I thought