After changing into a dress (media) I make my way to Alina's room and instead knocking I go straight in. There wasn't any privacy in the First Army I doubt there should be any now. Once inside I see her positioned at the desk writing something on a piece of parchment, "writing to Mal?" I ask making my way over, she doesn't look up but nods her head and asks me "have you heard from him?", I sit down next to her and watch as she writes "no I haven't" I say softly and I see the hurt on her face. To lighten the mood I order us some food, macaroons to be precise and ask "how was your training?" Alina gives me a briefly look before folding up the letter and placing it in an envelope, she hands it to Genya to be sent to our friend and I am stuffing my face with macaroons when she answers "alright, I punched Zoya in the face" I frown finishing my bite and ask "who is Zoya again?" Alina places her hands in her lap and explains "the one who slept with Mal, she wasn't happy about me punching her and I got flung into bale of hay" I choke on the bite of the sweet I have in my mouth and once I swallow I say "Saints, Lina are you alright?" she nods her head and there is a silence before she asks "I heard you were training with the General what was that like?" I snort and lean back in my chair "don't even get me started".

While we talk Alina tells me she is dreaming of the stag again and I pose the question "couldn't it be Morozova's stag?" we ponder this before she shakes her head "that's impossible, it is just a fairytale they don't exist" I raise an eyebrow and lean forward "aren't they? we were fairytales once too and now look" I spread my arms to make a point. There is a knock on the door and Karlan appears, straightening his red Kefta "Salem, you have been requested by Baghra" I frown, standing up and straightening out my dress "who is Baghra?" Karlan seems taken aback that I don't know who this person is and he just replies "you will see". As I stride past him I say "very mysterious of you Karlan" making him laugh.

Heading out into the open air I watch as Tidemakers manipulate the lake that is in the grounds of the Palace, "do all you guys do is show of your gifts?" I ask jokingly and Karlan smiles "we practice, to make sure we are not caught unaware and it keeps us healthy" I raise an eyebrow at this but I don't get an explanation. We reach a cave like structure and we stop at the entrance "I will be back when you are done" my friend says and starts walking back towards the Palace. Slowly I turn around and face the door, I open it and am instantly hit with a wave of heat, "shut that door you are letting the hot air out" an old woman voice sounds from inside. I step in closing the door behind me and make my way towards the sound of the woman.

Beside a fire place stands a woman with white hair, she is a little bit shorter than I am but I can feel how powerful she is from across the room. She turns around, her eyes straight on me as if trying to figure me out. She comes towards me and says "well, let me have a look at you" ands moves around me slowly taking in every inch of my body and face, making me feel exposed even though I have a beautiful dress on. She sighs as she comes back to face me and demands "now summon lightning girl" I hesitate and wring my hands "how- how do I do that?" I ask and the old woman, Baghra chuckles "I heard you killed 6 Fjerdan soldiers with your hands at your sides. You now how to summon girl" this makes me go red and I insist "it was a mistake" she chuckles again and looks me straight in the eye, her face suddenly going quite serious "then if you can't summon. Get out" and she chases me from the cave.

Once outside I see karlan and Darla waiting for me, "have fun?" the fame asks and I throw her a look "that woman is nasty" and this makes them laugh. As we walk but up to the LittlePalace Darla says "yeah well Baghra is like that but she helps all the children learn to summon their magic" I frown as we enter the main hall "I am not a child" Karlan shoots me a look, "its the same principle, you just have to learn it a lot later in life" I wack him on the arm and say "I'm not that old" he smirks "sure" and I poke my tongue out at him. I have been so distracted by our conversation that I didn't even notice we are in The Darkling's quarters, I look around confused and ask "what are we doing here?" the twins share a look and Darla says "general Kirigan insists you sit in all war council meetings, help learning strategy" I huff and roll my eyes "it's like being in school again" I mutter but don't bother to protest.

After the meeting I am the last to leave and as I make for the door Kirigan says "I hope I didn't make you uncomfortable" I pause, my hand lingering on the door handle. I turn around to face him, his features are soft and he seems sincere but I ask "for what?" even though I know what he is talking about. I haven't stopped thinking about it but I want to make sure I wasn't making it up, he moves around the table and leans on it "for kissing you yesterday and the Grand Palace. it was the only way I could think of helping you without making it too obvious" I blush and look down at my feet "it's ok, you only stopped me from making a fool of myself" I hear his footsteps as he moves closer, I look up and see he is close to me, I would only have to stand on the tips of my toes and we would kiss again.

"are you aware of the myth surrounding you Salem Starkov?" Kirigan asks, the way he says my name makes it sound like a prayer I would never get sick of hearing. I take a breath and answer "I am to rule a kingdom with a dark prince by my side. I am familiar with the story" he smirks and I realise what he is implying. Slowly I take a step back, my head spinning with the idea and I reach for the handle again "I should go" I mutter and disappear out of the door.