That afternoon I am escorted to a council meeting and I stand next to Aleksander, as everyone peers down at the table I feel him slowly slip his hand into my own, I look at at him and we both smile. "Then there is the matter of the Sun Summoner" I hear one of the officers say, we look away from each other and I ask "what about her?" awkwardly everyone looks at each other and I suddenly feel as though I am the only one who doesn't know whats going on, Kirigan clears his throat and explains "Alina, she um she went missing last night" I step away at that and look up into his eyes, my hand falls to my side and I ask "did you know about that before or after you came to my room?" not caring about secrecy anymore, the other men in the room start murmuring to each other and he answers "before" looking rather ashamed. Stepping back again, I shake my head "what you didn't think I would find out? that I wouldn't want to start looking for my cousin immediately?" I ask and he doesn't meet my gaze.

"Alina is the only way to destroy the Fold how can you not be looking for her right now?" I ask and he answers "I have men looking now" I rub my temples trying to figure out how this might have happened "she is all I have" I say quietly and Aleksander steps forward placing a hand on my shoulder "not all" he says and I look into his eyes and can tell he means it but I will be damned if I do not help with the search. So I look around at the other people in the room and say "whatever your plans are to find her I want to help" Kirigan is by my side again a gentle hand on the small of my back as one of the men in a purple Kefta says "I advise against that my lady it isn't safe for you out there".

Kirigan chokes on a laugh before I say "you try being cooped up here for months like a caged animal, see how safe it is for everyone else" the threat dancing in my eyes, the man steps backwards and dips his head slightly "my apologies my lady" I ignore him however and the meeting continues. Once it is done Aleksander and Zoya slip away to deal with a person who tried an assassination on my cousin last night, before they go however the Darkling takes me hand in his and brings it up to his lips, he presses a kiss to it and says "David has something for you I think you will like" my face lights up and I ask "what is it?" he smiles and starts to walk away "go and see for yourself" smiling giddily I start down the corridor, the opposite way.

I reach the Fabrikator work shop and head over to David's wish station, I tap him on the shoulder and grin as I sit down "I heard you have something for me" I say and he nods shyly before reaching under the table and pulling out a quiver of arrows. He hands them too me and I raise an eyebrow asking him to explain, "I have designed these arrows to hold your lightening when you shoot it, they have a longer range then normal arrows to keep you off of a battle field" his explains, his voice raw from so little talking. I slide an arrow out of its holder and examine it closely, it is made from Grisha steel with feathers from a bird I have never had the pleasure of meeting, its feathers reflecting the light from the sun coming through the window. Carefully I place it back and slide the quiver onto my back "can I try them out?" I ask and he nods standing up and following me outside by the lake.

There are already targets set up for me, and I grab a practise bow. I am about to nock an arrow when David taps me on the shoulder from behind, I look back and signals for me to move further away. I move far enough back that I can hardly see the target and I look at David, "just shoot" he says never meeting my gaze, sighing I nock and arrow and pull the string of the bow back. Letting out a breath I loose the arrow while shooting some of my gift into it and I know when it finds its mark in the centre of the target because lightening strikes. I turn to the Fabrikator who is looking at his creation with weary eyes, "this is amazing David" I say pulling him in for a hug, he tenses at first before slowly hugging me back "I am glad you like it" he answers and we head back inside as I ask him about the bird who's feathers are in my arrows.

-----

Later that day I am making my way to dinner when Aleksander steps into my path, "hey" I greet my heart racing in my chest at the mere sight of him, we continue down the hallway together but instead of going to the banquet hall he steers me in the direction of the doors leading outside. I give him a look as we exit the Little Palace and I ask "where are you taking me?" he looks back at me with a hint of excitement in his eyes "I thought we would dine out by the lake tonight" he tells me and soon we come into view of the lake, a table with a white cloth over it, a candle in the middle and two chairs waiting for us.

Kirigan tucks me in before bending down and kissing my cheek, making me blush "this is beautiful" I say as he sits down opposite me and our first course is served. As we are tucking in Aleksander asks "how do you like your new toy?" my eyes flash brightly and I finish my bite to eat, leaning back in my chair "they are amazing, although kind of cheating" he raises an eyebrow and suddenly I am very aware of the guards around us, "how so?" he asks gently and I answer "you don't want me going anywhere that I can get hurt, its cheating" he flashes me a smile and leans forward, elbows on the table "I know you are too head strong to stay out of the fighting completely, this was a compromise" I huff and smirk back at him "like I said cheating"

At the end of the meal Kirigan offers me his arm and we take a stroll around the lake, the moonlight reflecting off of it, "we have found the location of your cousin" he tells me and I look up, his black hair blending into the night sky "where?" I ask quickly as we continue to walk "a few cities away, a days ride with no rest, we start the journey tonight" I stop then and he turns to face me. "by 'we' do you mean-?" I starts to ask before he cuts me off by nodding his head and answering "you are to come too" I smile, go up on my toes and peck him on the lips "then what are we waiting for?" I ask in a hushed tone against his lips which form into a smile.