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ellewritesalright · 11 months

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Where the Roses Grow

Tamar Kir-Bataar x reader

A/N: This is a request from an anon! I hope you like it you darling anon and all other readers!! It's set in a weird canon-adjacent moment during Siege and Storm but honestly the actual canon is irrelevant for this.

Request: "maybe reader could realize her feelings for the heartrender? all the fluff in the world is heavily needed right now"

Synopsis: You slowly come to realize your feelings for one of the sun summoner's personal guards.

Warnings: A short fall from a ladder, but otherwise nothing!

Word Count: 2235

..........

You saw the flash of golden hair as you passed down a hallway in the Grand Palace. You took a step back and stopped in the doorway to the drawing room, staring at a figure you hadn’t seen in years as he spoke to a woman you didn't recognize.

"Nikolai?" You called.

The blond haired prince whipped his head in your direction. He grinned, "Saints, is that really you?"

You nodded and bounded over to his side. Your old friend hugged you readily. "How long have you been back now?"

"Just since yesterday--I was going to come see you soon as I could, I promise, but I got caught up with some princely duties."

"You are forgiven," you smiled. His companion caught your eye and Nikolai followed your stare.

"Oh, right! Tamar, this is my longtime friend," Nikolai said, introducing you to the woman flanking him. "She’s a gardener and groundskeeper here at the palace."

"Head gardener now, actually," you corrected.

He beamed at you. "Well, my parents would be foolish not to promote you. Congratulations!" Nikolai gestured to Tamar, saying, "Tamar is a good friend and valued member of my crew."

"I see," you said. You politely smiled at her, asking, "And how do you like it in the palace?"

"It's growing on me," she replied, a twinkle in her eye. "Now that I know you're responsible for them, I should commend you for the gardens. I've travelled the world, but the gardens here are the most beautiful sight I've ever encountered."

You let out a light chuckle, trying to distract yourself from the heat in your face. "Thank you for the compliment. I will struggle not to let it get to my head."

"I especially love the area of the gardens with all the different coloured roses--they're all spectacular." She smiled at you. Saints, she had a pretty smile.

"Thank you,” you grinned, “that's my favourite area too.”

Then, a lumbering figure appeared at the doorway.

“Tamar, you’re needed at the Little Palace,” this tall man said. You looked between him and Tamar, noting the familial resemblance.

“Surely your sister's not needed right this second, Tolya,” Nikolai smirked, an impish glint in his eye as he looked at Tamar.

“That’s alright, your highness,” Tamar said, a playful edge to her words, though you didn’t understand the glare she sent to Nikolai. She looked at you with a charming smile. “It was good to meet you.”

“Good to meet you too,” you beamed.

Nikolai snickered from beside you after she and her brother were gone.

“What’s so funny?” You questioned him.

“Nothing,” he said, straightening out. “Nothing at all.”

……….

You stood in the gardens, trying to puzzle out how to shape a new topiary. You could always make it match the Lantsov crest, though you'd already done one near the garden entrance off of the ballroom. Maybe you could make it an animal, but you had no idea what to choose or where to start.

You climbed up your rickety ladder; it was the least of your worries right now, but the old ladder looked like it had been around when the palace was first built. Still, your boots reached the third wrung as you examined the tall tree.

From your new vantage point, you watched the topiary leaves catch in the light breeze. This topiary was near the passage to the Little Palace, so perhaps you should cater it to the Grisha passing through. Something for the new leader of the second army could work. A sunburst for the sun summoner, or maybe a stag?

In all your wondering, you didn't notice anyone approaching.

"Working on something new?"

The voice startled you so badly that you lost your balance on the ladder. It wobbled to the right, then to the left, and you tried to grab hold, but as soon as it dipped to the left you were wheeling backwards to the ground. You scrunched your eyes shut and readied yourself to strike the hard pathway stones. But they never came.

You made your impact against a set of strong, leather-clad arms. Your eyes blinked open at your rescuer.

"Tamar," you breathed, looking at the woman holding you. She smelled sweet, like vanilla. "Thank the saints for you.

She set you down, a slight worry in her brow. "I’m sorry I frightened you. I thought you saw me."

"I would have, but I was too focused on this stupid topiary," you said, righting your soil-covered apron.

She glanced up at the tree. "Do you know how you'll shape it?"

"That's what I've been trying to figure out."

"Well, I'm certain that whatever you make will be gorgeous."

"I'm glad you think so. I don't have much confidence in this topiary, I'm afraid."

"You'll find a way, I know it."

Her eyes fell on your fidgeting hands and you tried your hardest to keep them still. Saints, there was no reason she should make your heart race like this.

"Are you going to Nikolai's dinner tonight?"

"If I can get my work done before then, yes. But I've still got three whole garden beds to weed before I'm done for the day."

"Do you need any help? I would be happy to pitch in," she said, smiling brightly with interest.

You felt your heartbeat pulsing in your fingertips. "Do you have experience gardening?"

"Well… no," she said with a tilt of her head, "but I'm a fast learner."

"I'll believe it when I see it." You handed her a trowel from your kit. "Follow me."

Tamar took to the work with ease. Granted, it wasn't the most challenging task, but it was a big help to have her there.

You watched her closely at first to make sure she wasn't digging out the plants that were there on purpose. But even once you trusted her to do the job, you found your eyes straying to her. There was something about the way her mouth pursed with focus and her hands moved so swiftly--so precisely--that split your attention as you worked in the next garden bed over.

A couple times she caught you looking, and you had the embarrassing task of glancing away as quickly as humanly possible. Saints, you felt warm under the collar when she looked at you. It was her eyes and their mesmerizing dark brown that made you so nervous. But, even with the nerves, something in you grew so excited whenever her stare was on you. Whatever it was, you couldn't tame it; though you didn't think you wanted to.

The two of you finished in record time despite your distractedness, and you thanked her.

“I’ll definitely see you later then?” she asked, wiping her hands off on a cloth you’d given her. She stepped closer as she handed it back to you. As she got closer you noticed the lovely combination of leather and vanilla floating towards you.

“I don’t see why not,” you said, taking a breath to slow your heart.

“Good,” she smiled. Then she was off.

……….

It wasn’t often you were invited to these sorts of events. Though your work had garnered much praise from the royal family and everyone who visited the palace, only twice did the Lantsovs let you attend a dinner with their fancy guests. The first time they sat you near the very end beside a religious lord who kept going on and on about the saints. The second time you were stuck once again at the end of the table in the midst of a group of bankers from Kerch; they were polite when they spoke to you, though you could tell they weren't overly excited to speak to a gardener.

Tonight, however, was very different. Nikolai had gathered a whole group of his friends from his days in the army, from his time at sea, and a bunch of assorted friends he'd met along the years. And best of all, his family and all the stuffiness hanging around them wasn't there.

You were sitting near to the middle of the table, caught in many interesting conversations and entertaining anecdotes. To your left was a squaller who had sailed with Nikolai, and to your left sat Tamar.

The room was loud and exciting, with laughter abounding, but the brightest laugh came from right beside you. Every time Tamar laughed you instinctively looked at her, eager to catch her smile and see the way her chest buckled.

Nikolai began a long story of one of his trips at sea, and Tamar interrupted him halfway.

"The whale was four times the size of the Volkvolny, mind you–"

"Four times?" Tamar had an incredulous tilt to her head. Her arm touched yours as she leaned into the table and your heart sped up. "It was barely the same size as the ship, Nikolai!"

"Well, either way, the whale was huge," he said, a not-so-sheepish smile on his face.

He continued, but you were so attuned to the warmth of Tamar's arm touching yours that you could hardly keep up with his story. Only when she leaned back in her seat and her arm fell to her lap did you start listening again. But by that point you were a little lost, and not just because of the odd twists and turns in the prince's story, but because of the way your eyes trailed to Tamar whenever she wasn't looking in your direction. There was no use even pretending to pay attention to Nikolai as you watched Tamar. She seemed to enjoy the story, though, and you relished in her smile and laughter, breathing it all in like incense.

And then, with widened eyes, you watched her reaching behind you, as though she was ready to rest her arm around you. Embarassment flooded your veins as you realized she was only settling her hand on the back of your chair. She looked at you and you frantically schooled your features to be calm and collected. A small smirk played on her lips before she returned her attention to Nikolai's stories.

You needed to control yourself.

Gazing at your hands in your lap, you took a breath, and closed your eyes for a moment. You glanced up when you heard your name being uttered across the table.

"Am I boring you?" Nikolai teased. "I really thought my stories were more entertaining than that."

"Not boring me at all," you replied, your face heating up. You didn't like having everyone's eyes on you suddenly. "Though I think I just need to get some fresh air. If you'll excuse me."

Receiving a polite nod from your host, you stood from the table. You made your way to the hall, calculating the nearest door to the terrace, which happened to be through the drawing room. Once you were outside breathing the fresh air you felt a bit better. You slouched against the wall of the palace, letting yourself slide to the ground. The stone below you was cool. Crickets hummed faintly.

There was no use in stopping your mind as it wandered back to the dining room, back to Tamar. Her smile, her smirk, her laughter, her warmth… it wasn’t just that you couldn’t think about anything else, you didn’t want to think about anything else.

Vaguely, you heard footsteps prodding closer on the stone floor, so you started to stand. Tamar stepped onto the terrace as you dusted yourself off. There was tension in her brows as she approached you.

"Are you alright?" She asked.

You nodded, watching as her expression eased up. "Yes, why wouldn't I be?"

"Your heart is racing faster than I’ve ever heard it–I thought something might be wrong,” she said, unknowingly careless as she revealed herself to you.

"You knew my heart was racing?" You watched her head duck a little, as though guiltily. "Oh. You're a heartrender, aren't you?"

She nodded, the line of her mouth twisting in apology. "I probably should have told you sooner."

"Wouldn't have hurt to mention it," you replied, feeling very warm all of the sudden.

"I'm sorry," she said. "Sometimes when I tell people it makes them act differently around me, and I didn't want to risk that with you."

You felt your heart speed up a little at those words of hers, something you realized she would also notice. But the thought was almost comforting, as you didn't have to explain that intricate, intimate part of yourself to her.

"Why's that?" You asked her.

She gave you a small smile. "Because I like you, and I didn't want you to be anything besides yourself with me."

"Thank the saints," you muttered to yourself. Tamar's brows knit, but you grinned. "I'm sure you can tell already since my heart is pounding… but I like you too."

She seemed pleasantly surprised. "You do?"

“Very much so."

A bright smile spread across her face, and you didn't need to be a heartrender to know her heart was also leaping with joy.

“Would you like to go for a walk in the gardens?" She asked, still grinning at you. "Where those lovely roses of yours grow?"

“Isn’t it a bit cold out now that the sun’s gone down?” You grinned, at her, a teasing edge to your words.

She stepped closer to you and grabbed your hand, lacing her fingers with yours. “You'll always be warm with me.”

..........

A/N: Thanks for reading! Feel free to like, reblog, and comment if you want to read more, I really appreciate the feedback! Otherwise, I hope you have a great day/night :)

Masterlist

#tamar kir bataar x reader #tamar kir bataar fanfic #tamar kir bataar oneshot #tamar kir bataar imagine #tamar kir bataar x you #grishaverse fanfic

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wh0refornikolailantsov · 11 months

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Compass Of Pirates - Nikolai Lantsov

Summary: Nikolai is given a compass that he was told would solve all his problems, and yet he cannot figure out why it doesn't seem to work. Yes, I am merging with Pirates Of The Caribbean because I fucking can.

Content Warnings: No Beta/Proof Reading.

Nikolai Taglist: @hauntedenthusiasttragedy

The brass points across the centre of the compass are centred by a sundial, which as far as Sturmhond can tell is the most functional part of the compass. He holds the compass in the clutch of his palm, staring at the red arrow as it gently swings between two points, neither of which are north. He had picked it up from someone in one of the markets in the last port they docked in. It was this rocky, mountainous island, just off the northern coast of the mainland. The name of the port escapes the captains mind, but it was some fishing port with a name not unlike a weapon of some kind. But that isn't really important, what is important is the illusion of help this compass had been acquired under. "It will bring you to what you most desire," they had said, "the compass never leads you wrong." He had been dubious but nevertheless he has hope he isn't sure he has a right to, and yet he was finding the outcome very disappointing.

"This thing doesn't even point north," Sturmhond says, staring again at the compass in his hand. Mal shrugs, offering out his open hand.

"May I?" he asks. He hands it over, without pause and the dial spins to quickly into a new direction the moment it touches Mal's palm. Mal watches the dial and follows it's direction. He knows exactly what the privateer has observed, that this compass does not point north, but instead it is now pointing at Alina, who is leaning over the edge of the ship, staring at the way the waves are breaking onto the boats side, creating the white foam of sea spray and she is smiling like she has never seen the ocean before. "Oh, Sturmhond," Mal says, "it points north alright," he chuckles, "true north."

The Captain frowns. "True north?" he questions, staring the tracker down. "What kind of navigational system are you working on Oretsev?"

"The only one that hasn't ever lead me wrong," he hands the compass back to Sturmhond and the moment it enters his hand it changes direction back to where it had been previously pointing. Mal taps the fabric of his shirt, directly over his heart. "I told Alina about true north once, she asked me what scared me most, and I told her I get the most scared when I am lost, but I don't really get lost. Yet, getting lost happens even if you know where you are sometimes. So I told her about cardinal north and true north."

"Cardinal north is a direction on a map," Sturmhond says. Mal nods, not letting his eyes leave the Sun Summoner. "So, as for true north?"

"True north is home," Mal says, sounding more like a poet than a tracker, "it is where you feel safe and loved."

"Miss Starkov is your truth north," Sturmhond says with a nod. Mal doesn't even need to respond to that. "So you think this compass points to what exactly?"

"Whatever you most desire, that's what the translation says on the side isn't it?" Mal says, finally looking at him. "You did see that, didn't you? Since you're always six steps ahead of everything, and ever so flawless Captain?"

He is too eager to test the theory to even care about Mal's teasing of him. He just thanks him absentmindedly and follows the compass forward. "Don't walk off the edge of the ship," Mal calls after him, "or do..."

He spends a good while walking the length of the decking, trying to figure out why the dial spins into a change of direction, seemingly without link. "Maybe you don't know what you want," Mal teases, observing him.

"Doesn't this interest you?" Sturmhond asks, running a hand through his tousled hair.

Mal shrugs. "What use is a compass what would be pointing right beside me all of the time?" he asks. "Besides my heart always brings me back to her."

"You're good with your words when it suits you, aren't you?" Tamar asks, coming to stand beside Mal, bored of her card game and far more interested in whatever it is that has gotten the Captain all pacing and flustered. "Still staring at the broken compass?"

"It's not broken," Mal says, "it's just not helpful."

"A compass's only purpose is to point north, and it doesn't, so it's broken," Tamar argues.

"It's a heart compass, not a compass," Mal says. The Heartrender laughs.

"Those are legend," she says, taking some walnuts from her pocket to snack on. She offers him one and he shakes his head to dismiss the offer.

"Wasn't the Stag legend too?" Mal retorts. Tamar gives him a shrug.

"That means nothing of all legend," is her response, but she keeps watching Sturmhond.

"It doesn't even make sense," he says finally holding the compass up and above his head to see how the dial moves. "It's not pointing to anything, I thought it might've been pointing to Ravka but I was wrong."

"You're suggesting your truest love is a country?" Mal asks, "what kind of excessive patriotism is that?"

"You're not patriotic?" Tamar asks, her tone littered with laughter.

"No," he admits, not feeling pulled down by the admission, "I came here for Alina. She's my flag, my nation, she is the one thing I remain loyal to."

Tamar's question was to sway Mal from paying too much attention to the captains words, but he doesn't throw her a look of gratitude, instead he returns to his fixation on the compass, as it spins to point towards the ships bow. Some of the crew start to appear on deck, changing placement as the time passes, and Tolya walks beside you, as you tell him something out of their earshot.

He takes his eyes off the compass, staring directly at you, forgetting what his original intentions had been, he offers you a smile and you grin back, all teeth and cheer. Even after the days at sea nothing seemed to sway your mood.

Tamar elbows Mal in the side and before her can take issue with it, she nods his attention to Sturmhond, who has lost interest in the compass altogether in your presence.

"Got it working yet?" you ask, coming closer to the three of them Tolya by your side.

"Think it might be a lost cause," the privateer admits, holding the compass down and to his side, as if to hide it's direction from those around you.

"Come on, Captain, plenty have said that about broken things, but often you just need time or the right pair of hands," you say, "show me?"

He hesitates and Mal and Tamar share a look, a look that spreads into matching grins. "Oh, he is not as smart as he gives himself credit for," Mal says in hushed words.

"Most of the time he is, but any heart can get blind sighted, and when the heart is blind, the mind can fog," Tamar says, voice equally low.

You look at him and he is smiling at you like you're a sunrise, like he is seeing you for the first time, and you wonder how he always manages to look at you like this. Look at you in a way that makes your head spin and your stomach twist. You know Sturmhond, and you know the man can flirt like second nature, that no one you've yet to meet have been susceptible to his charms, so you try not to let go to your head. But that's not easy when he looks at you like he has just discovered what love is for the very first time.

He holds out the compass out and you look at it, not reaching to take it from his hands, you move around to his perspective for the dial to swing back in your direction. You lean around him, to get a better look and then stare out at the ocean. But he just watches you, not as much are daring to confirm what he suspects by glancing to the compass.

You move back in front of him, and the dial points to you, and you turn your head to look at the big blue expanse behind. "Compass doesn't know north that's for sure," you say, giving him a wild smile and a shrug. "But I guess it's no better than most of us in that."

"It doesn't know north," he agrees, shoving the compass back in his pocket, "but it seems to know things I should have before now."

"Hmm?" you ask, turning back to him from the waves.

"Nothing, now, tell me, what was so funny?"

#shadow and bone #grishaverse #nikolai lantsov #nikolai lantsov fanfic #nikolai lanstov x reader #nikolai x you #nikolai x reader #malina #alina x mal #tamar kir bataar #sturmhond x reader #sturmhond x you #sturmhond #tolya my darling i adore you

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cherryblossomtimemachine · 1 year

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It's these four officer!!! They're the ones that stole my heart!!!!

#i need more of them or i'll lose my mind #give me all the lgbtq+ content #especially tamar and nadia i didn't get enough of them #also more domestic wesper please and thank you #i'd watch a show just about these four #tamar kir bataar #nadia zhabin #tamar x nadia #tamadia #jesper fahey #wylan van eck #jesper x wylan #wesper #six of crows netflix #shadow and bone season 2 #shadow and bone netflix

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infin1ty-garden · 8 months

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VALENTINE'S DAY

˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳ ✦ summary: headcanons of the shadow & bone characters on valentine's day ˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳ ✦ character(s): nikolai lantsov, tamar kit-bataar, tolya yul-bataar, genya safin and zoya nazyalensky ˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳ ✦ warnings: none ˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳ ✦ word count: 752 ˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳ ✦ author note: NOT A MODERN AU! sorry some are a bit shorter

masterlist.

NIKOLAI LANTSOV

✦ He would overplan and over think every detail, he's worse than Genya

✦ Thoughts like "Which gift would you like better?" "An outdoor or indoor date?" "Maybe a date at the theatre?"

✦ He'd spent nights planning but nothing seemed right, Zoya knocked some sense into him. "I think they wouldn't mind all this expensive stuff, but you being there is enough"

✦ Would end up going simple, inviting you to dine with him

✦ The food would be some of the best you'd ever tasted

✦ After the dinner you would walk the gardens together, enjoying the fresh air when with his luck, he's being called back to the palace

✦ "May I have this dance," Nikolai intrigued by what your doing, takes you up on the offer

✦ The two of us danced until the meeting was on the back of his mind but eventually he had to leave but not without a kiss

TAMAR YUL BATAAR

✦ Tamar's mentality is more of "let's see what the day brings" but she does have some stuff planed

✦ The ship had docked in Novy Zem, a festival taking place near the docks. Tamar remembered you wanting to visit it

✦ The festival had carts lining the street with all kinds of delicacies from every corner of the world. Streets booming with colours. It was a beautiful site

✦ Tamar and you spent the day trying all kinds of food and just being around each other. She didn't mind spending all her money just for you to keep that lovely smile

✦ Then the both of you found yourselves in a local bar, singing songs you'd only learned the words to an hour ago

✦The day ended in a cot, somehow two people fitting in such a small space. You laying completely on her, sound asleep

TOLYA YUL BATAAR

✦ Tolya is the romantic out of the twins

✦ Still he would go simple being apart of Nikolai's crew means travelling a lot and that leaves out, a typical dinner date

✦ Living on a ship as well doesn't help. There aren't many places for a quite talk, let alone a date

✦ Instead he turns to what he knows best, poetry. He would spend days looking for the perfect book and then weeks annotating it. Underlining verses that reminds him of you or moments shared together

✦ He would invite you to the deck and by the time he did most of the crew were asleep. You thought he'd forgotten the holiday all together, you were wrong. He gave you a box of sweets he'd bought at the port in Novy Zem, along with the book

✦ You'd spent the rest of the night sharing the sweets and just enjoying each other's company

✦ When you finally had the chance to read the book, some of the poems described the stars lost in the night's sky, a sea of darkness, finding their true purpose upon the arrival of the moon. "You're my moon, the only purpose I need" (sorry it's cheesy)

GENYA SAFIN

✦ Genya would go above and beyond to make the perfect valentine's day date

✦ A picnic date if the weather calls for it with both of your favourite snacks, foods and deserts

✦ If it does end up raining a nice date indoors would be something she prefers over, a fancy dinner

✦ She doesn't mind dining in a expensive restaurant, but she thinks a more personal dinner at home, is better

✦ Genya would plan everything down to the last minute especially if it's your first valentine's day together

✦ She ended up getting her picnic date

✦ All kinds of foods were lined up in front of you as you enjoyed the sunny day and spending time with Genya

ZOYA NAZYALENSKY

✦ You would be the one planning the date and Zoya would act as if the holiday has little significance to her. You'd decided a date at a fancy restaurant was the way to go

✦ She'd loved it, the one you chose wasn't too crowded and the food was delicious. You'd talked about your future plans with one another, how your day had gone and so on

✦ After leaving the restaurant, the two of you headed somewhere a bit more reclusive to watch the fireworks

✦ Zoya too busy staring at the fireworks, didn't notice your hands putting something around her neck. Once she tore her eyes from the literal explosions of colour, she spotted a beautiful necklace. "Happy Valentine's day."

Thank you for reading!

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depressedbagpipe · 4 months

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A Heartrender's Fire: ch. II

Tolya Yul-Bataar x Lantsov!ofc

Words: 5050 Warnings: me not knowing how ships work? i know the volkvolny is supposed to be a whaler but idk, rewatch the episode if you're having doubts. the sea whip scene + a bit of blood, cringe dialogue, lots of filler (it's not me it's the plot) BTW I'M NOT SURE I'VE PROOFREAD THIS AT ALL SO BEWARE A/N: somehow this chapter got incredibly long for a mere filler, anyways, enjoy. again, just in case anybody got lost along the way, this is strictly self-indulgence imagining my oc as part of the show, do with that what you will

Series Masterlist Previous chapter <> Next chapter

II: Rusalye

Irina was aware of the hustle on deck before she was fully conscious. She had been sprawled on one of the side benches, completely asleep as the sun went up and her guard ended. The previous day's affairs had left her exhausted and she hadn’t even been bothered enough to go below deck to her shared cabin. Fully trusting the crew surrounding her, she un-gracelessly flopped down on the wooden bench and closed her eyes for what she thought had been minutes.

Thankfully for her, a huge shadow loomed over her, sheltering her from the unforgiving sun rays that seemed to follow the Volkvolny. Whether that was because of the Sun Summoner, Irina didn’t know.

“Enjoyed your nap?” Tolya’s voice made her open her eyes.

Her pupils shrank involuntarily, adjusting to the bright sky above her. The giant blocked the sun with his existence, and with the sun rays surrounding his head, he looked heavenly to Irina, who was making a huge effort not to let her eyes droop again and cave in the slumber.

She smirked. “Greatly.”

She took Tolya’s hand, who gently pulled her up on her feet. She lost her footing slightly as a particularly big wave made the ship lurch to the side, making her crash into his side. His big arm steadied her, coming around her waist as she braced for the impact. It was moments like these that Irina wished she would’ve crashed into the floor because it would’ve saved her from the embarrassment of having to look into his eyes and thank him for his service. Because no matter how many years the twins had been by her side, a sliver of doubt always clouded her judgment. Did he feel the butterflies too, or was it just sheer loyalty to them as Sturmhond and Ainthe?

Irina discarded those thoughts as she stretched, rubbing her eyes and observing the decks. She took a deep breath. “It’s warm today.”

Tolya nodded. “It is, thanks Saints for that.”

She snorted. “You can’t complain that you’re cold when you’re constantly bare-armed.”

He smirked. “You know sleeves limit my movements,” he said as he too scanned the rest of the crew.

“Right.” She wasn’t looking at him but felt his eyes on her. “That’d explain why Tamar is always fully dressed and just as capable.”

She turned her eyes to him, but her teasing gaze made him chuckle. They both remained at the poop deck, eyeing the crew work around the main level.

“There she is,” Irina noticed the Sun Summoner suddenly appear on deck, with a wonderstruck look on her face. She eyed the two squallers working the main sails, exchanging words with her friend.

“Did you ever meet her?” Tolya almost whispered in her ear, his eyes never leaving the Sun Summoner.

Irina shook her head, noticing the way his eyes lingered on the other girl. “No. But our parents did, apparently. Kirigan wouldn’t have kept her hidden for that long,” she noted.

“So she wasn’t tested as a kid, then?”

The girl shrugged. “Maybe she was, maybe she wasn’t. It’s not like I’ve had the chance to really get to know her yet. But he isn’t Grisha.”

“I know.”

“Those two…”

“Definitely.”

The two shared a knowing look, silently deciding to drop their conversation, but also agreeing to pay close attention to the couple as they slowly arrived at their spot. Tolya walked down the poop deck to join his sister, while Sturmhond joined his, coming behind her.

“Be nice,” Irina warned her brother.

Sturmhond feigned innocence, bringing a hand to his chest. “I’m always nice, dear sister.”

“Like hell you are.”

“I just enjoy annoying you.”

Irina didn’t say anything else, for the couple arrived at their deck. Mal was about to touch a lever when Sturmhond stopped him, coming closer to them.

“Ooh, definitely don’t touch that.” Mal rolled his eyes again. “So, Miss Starkov,” he approached Alina. “What say you and I chart the course to your destiny to find the Sea Whip?”

Alina looked at Mal, who stood straighter, with his hands in his pockets. “That’ll be me, I’m the tracker.” Alina stared at him proudly.

Irina stared between the two men, enjoying the bickering. Her brother. with a confident smirk, pulled his golden compass out of his clothes, dangling it in his hand as he showed it to them.

“My lucky compass. Seen me through thick and thin. Okay then, tracker, which way is north?”

The royal siblings stared at the tracker with mixed emotions. Sturmhond felt oddly confident, and Irina was simply curious. From the way the guests held themselves, they weren’t used to the sea like Sturmhond and Irina were, and even after years of sailing, Irina sometimes couldn’t tell which way was where. Mal adjusted his posture again, raising his eyebrows and looking out in the distance. Alina looked at him like he had hung the sun in the sky.

“Well, I can tell you a few ways, based on the position of the sun and my shadow, based on the direction that we’re sailing in, and based on…” he stopped when he looked at Alina, who was glaring at him. Irina knew another silent conversation had just passed between them, and wondered just how deep the bond between the summoner and the tracker ran. “It’s that way.”

Sturmhond had all eyes on him, who looked down at his compass with a little skepticism. Even Irina peered at the golden needle, confirming Mal’s declaration.

With a nod, Sturmhond dropped the compass and patted Mal on the back, forcing him to walk with him.

“Let me introduce you to our navigators. What did you say your name was again?”

The girls were left by themselves.

“Don’t mind him. He likes to tease,” Irina told Alina with a smile.

The Sun Summoner smiled back at her, a little shyly still, but appreciative nonetheless.

“Mal can be a little… hotheaded too. But thank you…” Alina stopped, suddenly remembering she hadn’t caught the second-in-command’s name.

“Ainthe,” Irina finished for her.

Alina smiled. “Nice to meet you, Ainthe.”

“Pleasure’s all mine,” Irina smirked too. “How did you sleep?”

“Surprisingly well. A little on the noisy side, though.”

“I apologize for Tolya’s snoring. It can be quite much sometimes,” both girls laughed. “Let me show you around the place. Last night Sturmhond wasn’t his usual welcoming self.”

“When is he ever welcoming?” Alina laughed but allowed the girl to lead her through the main deck, pointing out the names of several crew members who were working nonstop, pulling on ropes and fixing on the heading.

“I can’t believe there’s Grisha on the crew…” Alina exclaimed.

Irina smiled. “This is a haven for anyone who needs it.”

“And he is your brother?”

“Unfortunately.”

They shared another complacent look before Tamar called Alina’s attention.

“Oi, Sun Summoner! Join us.”

Tamar stood up, leaving space for Alina, who eyed wearily the cards game the twins were playing together with some of the Grisha on deck. Tolya laid his heavy arm on Irina’s shoulders after dropping his cards on the small wooden table, Shu words leaving his mouth in satisfaction at winning yet again. The two of them stared at Alina as she sat down, her confidence gone in an instant.

“What does that mean?”

Tolya frowned. “You don’t know it? It means ‘victory’ in Shu.”

Tamar went back to shuffle the cards, while Alina looked down, embarrassed. “Um, I don’t speak Shu.”

Tamar saved her. “Understandable. We know what Ravkans think about mutts like us. And in Shu Han–”

“They prefer to remind us we’ve our Ravkan mother’s blood,” Tolya finished for her.

Irina scoffed. “Blood is blood. Only fools think otherwise.”

Tamar gave Alina her own set of cards, while she stared at the odd group around her with a shy grin.

“Is that why you’ve chosen a life at sea? Because it understands that?” Alina asked.

“It’s why we chose Sturmhond,” Tolya answered, taking a seat on a barrel.

Tamar chimed in. “He understands.” Then, she looked at Irina, with a grateful smile. “They both do.”

The girl winked at her friend, inviting herself to sit on Tolya’s leg, fully knowing he could support her weight as she watched them play their card game.

It wasn’t long until Alina noticed Tamar’s amplifier, right behind her left ear. “Is that a shark’s tooth? You’re Grisha?” Tamar met her eyes, with a certain spark in her gaze. “Um, what order?”

She shared a look with her brother. “Uh, Tolya and I don’t really do that, but if we were in Ravka, we’d be Heartrenders,” she explained, while Tolya simply kept eating, sometimes even sharing some of the food with Irina, who remained silent. “But I have this so, it’s a win for me,” Tamar kept looking at her brother with a smirk.

It was still a touchy subject for the giant. “If only I’d been thirty seconds faster…”

“Story of your life, little brother.”

Irina shrugged, patting Tolya on the shoulder. “Younger siblings unite.”

Alina chuckled.

Tolya got her attention. “We’ve been told you’re looking for an amplifier yourself.”

Irina added. “The Sea Whip.”

“Is it true?”

Alina didn’t answer, but merely nodded, taking a deep breath.

“Possessing two amplifiers… it breaks all the rules,” Ngarra, the crew’s most proficient Durast, who had been sitting next to Alina, finally spoke.

“Says the Durast who’ll be fusing the amplifier, if we find it,” Tolya made his sister chuckle.

“So I have a vested interest in your plan. But I don’t want to die in the process,” Ngarra added.

Alina laughed softly, yet with certain doubt in her voice. “Trust me, I don’t want to die either.” She looked at Tamar, eyeing her amplifier for a brief second. “Um, when you fused your amplifier, did it show you its last moments?”

Tamar nodded. “Tolya swimming up as I took its life.”

Irina shuddered slightly at the memory of the big white shark, and how close she had felt to dying when she saw the great creature swimming at a dangerous speed to them. The vessel they had boarded had tipped over in the strong tempest, and both crews were swimming towards the whaler they called home in the rain when one of the Tidemakers saw the big animal not far away from where they all swam. Irina had been unwillingly rushed through the water by Greyven on Sturmhond’s orders, and all that was left to do was see how Tamar threw herself at the beast in front of her brother. It seemed ages ago, yet Irina sometimes still felt the tilting of the vessel, and the cold splash of the True Sea deep in her bones.

Ngarra asked. “What did the Stag show you?”

Alina sighed. “The last thing it saw was me, reaching for its muzzle. Like it always should have been. Because… I’d always dreamt about it,” her gaze got darker. “But now I’m dreaming about the Sea Whip, and the Firebird, too.”

“You think the three are connected?” Irina asked, re-adjusting her position on Tolya’s leg.

The Sun Summoner struggled for words. “I think… I think they are to be connected… through me. So I can then destroy the Fold,” she shook her head. “But I can’t be sure unless I try. Unless we try.”

“It’s uncharted territory,” Ngarra argued, but she also felt the promise of adventure.

Tamar shrugged. “What are we, if not experts in uncharted waters?” She dropped her cards on the table again. “Who’s ready to test their mettle?”

–·–

“Stop with the flirting,” Irina told her brother.

“I’m not flirting,” Sturmhond defended himself.

“You so are! I thought you were a lot more intelligent to know she’s already spoken for,” she frowned, talking in quiet voices so the Sun Summoner wouldn’t hear them.

“I’ve called everybody ‘sunshine’ at least once before,” he said, pulling his sleeves up as they made their way to the war room, just below the main deck. “I’m not gonna stop now just because she is a Saint.”

Irina shook her head as she took her place to his right, impatiently waiting for the crew to begin their council. “I know what you’re planning. And I hate it.”

“You’re gonna have to trust me on this one.”

“She’ll hate you when she finds out, too.”

“That’s why you’re not coming.”

“What?”

“I need you on the ship.”

“You need me out there, Sturmhond.”

“Should anything happen to the captain, the second-in-command steps in.”

“Nothing’s gonna happen to you. Or me.”

“You’re right. Because you’re staying.”

“You know fire comes in really handy sometimes.”

“We got the Sun Summoner.”

“Ouch.”

“You two are literal children,” Tamar groaned, flanking the Sun Summoner.

Tolya stood on the other side, in front of the royal siblings and next to his sister. When everybody took their place around the wooden table, Sturmhond began his speech, ignoring his sister’s glare. Whether he liked it or not, she was coming.

“Thanks to navigation from our Summoner’s tracker friend here,” he eyed Mal, who, again, rolled his eyes, “we’ve traversed the Bone Road to the island of Jelka.”

A sailor threw a small pouch to Tolya, who caught it in his hands. Tamar stared at him questioningly, looking at the brown fabric trying to catch a glimpse. Even Irina stopped paying attention momentarily as she frowned, seeing the giant open the pouch and start nibbling at whatever the sailor had fired at him so he could eat.

“As for the Sea Whip, we have some storybook drawings, no telling what it really looks like.” Sturmhond walked back to the only wall that was covered by a black curtain, and gripped the small rope that opened it. “Rule of thumb for the unknown, come prepared!”

The Volkvolny’s wall of weapons was visible to the newcomers, both of them gasping at the big number of armaments that Sturmhond kept partially hidden.

Mal stepped closer, not wanting to let his amazement show to the sea prince. “Are all pirates this well-armed?”

“Privateer,” Sturmhond complained.

“I don’t know the difference.”

Sturmhond walked to him. “The difference is, I have a license. And a healthy love for innovation: gadgets, marvels, things that go boom...”

“Especially things that go boom,” Irina mentioned, making her brother smirk.

“Anything pique your interest?”

“Yeah,” Mal swallowed.

Sturmhond grinned. “Well, take it, for our excursion.” Mal took the harpoon, a special design Sturmhond had taken years to perfect. “Fabulous choice. You have excellent taste in weaponry, Mal. The cable’s Fabrikator-made. Tensile strength of 80,000. Yield, 50.”

“Impossible,” Mal wondered, although he was starting to believe that very few things were impossible for the privateer.

“When people say ‘impossible,’ they usually mean ‘improbable.’”

Mal laughed. “Not me. It’s incredible.”

“I designed it myself. In fact, my inventions are all around you,” he whispered his next words. “You just have to know where to look.”

Sturmhond addressed the crew once again. “So, we’ll go in quietly, on Miss Starkov’s orders, to injure it for your death blow.”

Alina interjected. “I’m not killing it.”

That made the room silent.

Irina then intervened, her voice calm yet defiant, just like her brother had taught her. “You have to kill it, to claim its power. That’s how amplifiers work.” She spoke from experience, of course. The wolf’s fang she wore as a necklace and kept hidden with her clothes, unlike her friends, wasn’t completely fused to her body, but still allowed her to amplify her own powers at her will. She had never taken it off, and always thought she never would.

Alina shook her head. “It wasn’t with the Stag. I think I can do it without killing it.”

Sturmhond chuckled. “As… As lovely as that sounds, I’m not sending my crew in to tame a mythical beast with nets and good intentions.”

The Sun Summoner didn’t back down. “This is the job you were hired for, privateer. We capture it. Alive.”

Nobody had time to add anything else before Greyven called Sturmhond’s attention. “Captain! We’ve reached the island.”

Irina smirked, her blood buzzing in her ears as fire burned in her veins. “Let’s go.”

When she passed next to Tolya, he took her hand in his, dropping a couple of the seeds he had been eating into her palm. Without another word, the crew went up to the main deck, staring at the dark island looming in the distance, shadows and black clouds swirling around it, a silent warning to anyone who dared trespass its borders. Anyone who, unlike the crew on the Volkvolny, wasn’t stupid enough to get any closer.

“Well, that’s not foreboding.”

A distant thunder crackled.

“Could be anywhere in there,” Tolya noted.

“We enter through that one,” Mal decided, pointing at an opening that quite frankly looked even worse than the island itself, making Tamar frown.

“You sure?”

“There’s a frequency. I’ve heard it before. It’s in there.”

The royal siblings shared a worried look, but Sturmhond quickly made the call.

“You heard him. We’re going ashore!”

–·–

The tunnel was dark, wet, and unforgiving. The entrance was the only beacon of light in the narrow passage, but as soon as the crew walked into the lion’s den, the darkness engulfed them, as if it was the only one living there. Just a small party had been chosen to look for the Sea Whip, and much to her brother’s protest, Irina had been the first to volunteer. She now silently walked after her brother, who shone a weak light that had nothing to do with the endless pit of obscurity that lay before them. Greyven, their trusted Tidemaker, walked after them. Tolya and Tamar followed, with the Sun Summoner and Mal at the back, the party finishing with two other sailors.

Sturmhond quickly loaded his gun as soon as he heard the still water move unrhythmically, distant and different from the steps of his crew.

“That could be it.” He didn’t move his eyes from the front but addressed the Tidemaker. “Greyven, tell me. Anything in the water?”

Greyven searched, sending small yet powerful waves around him, his Grisha powers doing the rest for him as he tested the waters, looking for the possible bane of their existence.

“There are holes in the cave floor.” Everyone instinctively looked down, suddenly weary, not trusting their feet anymore. “So be careful where you step. Otherwise no.”

Mal frowned. “No, you can’t tell, or no, there’s nothing in there?”

“Whichever makes you feel more comfortable,” Tolya cocked his head to the side, continuing his walk.

Tamar followed, twisting her axe once again. “Comfort’s overrated.”

Irina grunted, hating the way the water clung to her feet. “Of course you’d say that.”

They all managed to take two more steps when a deep and chilling noise alerted them. They ducked, their hands and weapons ready, but nothing met them halfway. The gurgling continued, low and menacing, regardless, making the sailors confused. Nobody dared speak as they looked around, both relying on each other for comfort and checking each other’s blind spots, but no light could prevent them from following blindly into danger.

Disaster happened quickly. One of the sailors suddenly disappeared before everyone’s eyes, a somber and horrifying creature yanking him up from his back and pulling him away from the group through one of the dark holes in the ceiling, and the chaos began. Everybody started firing at the creature, following the noise of its cries while they all screamed in fear, the darkness seemingly getting worse.

“Drop the nets! Aim to kill!” Sturmhond called, breaking his promise to the Sun Summoner as soon as he lost a member of his crew.

“No! Don’t!” Alina pleaded, but Sturmhond’s order had already been called, and the situation was too dire for them to show mercy.

Irina had her revolvers ready, preferring the quickness of the explosion to her own summoning, unconsciously mirroring her brother’s stance as they stood back to back, looking around, trying to catch the next glimpse of the Sea Whip.

“I couldn’t see it. It’s toying with us,” Sturmhond panted, completely wet. His gun was pointed at nothing, but not once he blinked or staggered. “Conserve your ammo, or we’ll be dry by the time we need it.”

A couple of moments of silence were followed by another loud scream, both siblings yelping when the sailor guarding their backs disappeared as well, his terrified face being the last thing anyone saw as he was dragged underwater. Tamar searched the passage for him, trying to feel his heart, but the look on her face made everybody know that another one of their party was gone for good.

Irina’s heart drummed loud in her ears, and if she had been paying a little more attention despite the situation at hand, she would have noticed Tolya’s left hand, the one who wasn’t grabbing his sword, extended towards her, calming her clock down just a tad, enough to allow the girl to think a little bit clearer.

Another distant noise echoed in the tunnel.

“It can camouflage,” Sturmhond’s voice, though low, reverberated in the cavern.

Mal saw it first. Before the creature growled and threw itself at Alina, he was already pushing the two of them away from its path. The creature dipped and threw Sturmhond down as it ran away from the group, and the prince quickly stood back up, secretly hating the cold that was now seeping into his beloved blue jacket. He looked wildly around him. Nobody knew where the creature would be coming from next, and that fear only grew stronger with every passing second.

“It sounds like it’s everywhere,” Sturmhond noted.

That seemed to call it again. The Sea Whip appeared right in front of Alina, glaring at her for a second before throwing itself at the group. Tolya and Tamar tried slashing the creature, but with sheer strength they were pushed away, unscathed. Irina and Mal weren’t that lucky. The creature slammed the girl into the wall as it went for Mal, knocking her unconscious. While she slowly drowned, the Sea Whip had its mouth on Mal’s crossbow, even sinking its teeth into his flesh as Mal fought it off. Alina didn’t hesitate to put it down, sending a powerful beam of light its way, effectively killing the creature, and leaving it unmoving on the water, with its mouth wide in pain and shock.

Nobody spoke. They panted, staring at the sinking creature before them, a group realization that they had somehow finished their mission, only somewhat differently than what they had originally expected.

Sturmhond walked forward, touching it. “It’s dead.”

Alina sighed, defeated, and they would have remained silent if the sudden light beam that filtered through the entrance of the cavern hadn’t shone on the water to reveal a light stream of blood coming from the side of the wall, where a gap stood where another Grisha should have been.

Sturmhond frowned, suddenly desperate, with his heart almost echoing off the walls. “Ainthe?”

–·–

Irina woke up to a pounding in her head. She groaned, bringing her hand to her head, trying to locate the source of the pain. It wasn’t uncommon for the girl to wake up to headaches, especially after wild nights on kvas, but her body still felt cold, and shivers seemed to haunt her despite her many layers.

“Easy there, you took a big hit,” she recognized her brother’s voice.

When she finally opened her eyes, she was lying in her bed at the captain’s cabin, with her brother sitting down next to her, and Tolya and Tamar standing by the end of the bed, looking at her expectantly.

“At least I didn’t have to walk back all the way to the ship,” the girl grinned, feeling the pain slowly fade as she sat up. Her brother helped her, and although the wrinkles in his forehead let her know he was worried, his eyes sparked with humor.

“Tamar did a good job patching you up on Jelka, but don’t worry, the Healer came and did the rest,” Tolya spoke with a soft voice, which anyone who hadn’t known him previously would think it’d belong to someone else.

“Thank the Saints,” Irina joked, already putting one leg on the floor.

“Hey!” Tamar pretended to glare at the girl, but emotion got the best of the Heartrender, and she quickly threw her arms around the princess, hugging her tightly. “I’m glad you’re okay.”

Irina closed her eyes, taking in the smell of seawater off her. “Me too.”

“We got the fetters,” Sturmhond reminded them when they pulled away. “We should start.”

“Why the rush?”

Sturmhond stopped, looking back at her with a look she couldn’t quite decipher. The Heartrenders left the room, sensing the captain’s discomfort.

“My sister almost drowned because of a couple of scales from a mythological creature that shouldn’t have existed in the first place. I want them gone as soon as possible.”

Irina stared at him, finally understanding the situation. “Nikolai—“ she began, but he cut her off.

“That’s why I didn’t want you to come,” he spoke. “Every time you’re not in my sight I feel like you won’t ever be there anymore. It’s my responsibility to take care of you, Irina.”

She shook her head. “I’ve never been your responsibility, Nikolai. I made a conscious decision to follow you to the end of the world.”

“Whether you want it or not, you’re part of Ravka too. Should anything happen to me, or Vasily…”

“Don’t.”

“Irina.”

“I don’t care. I came here to live. For freedom. And sometimes we gotta fight for it. And that’s okay.”

Sturmhond sighed in frustration. “You could’ve died, for Saints’ sake! Don’t you realize that? Why are you so calm about this?”

She shrugged. “Because you were there. And Tolya, and Tamar. And a fucking Saint. I always know you will protect me, Nikolai. I’m not scared.”

He stopped, looking at his younger sister with a new profound admiration. “And what if I’m not able to protect you?”

“Then I’ll protect you.”

She sent a spark to one of the candles that had gone off a few minutes before, making Sturmhond stare at the flame dancing in her fingers.

“Sometimes I forget you’re the most powerful of the two of us,” he said rather defeated, but still managed to put a smile on his face.

Irina smiled. “That’s okay. I’ll remind you of it.”

He chuckled lightly, welcoming the heat that warmed his heart at the sight of his sister, alive, well, and joking, even if she had literal fire coming from her fingers.

“Let’s get this over with.”

“Lead the way, then.”

–·–

“We hold ourselves bound to this mission. To ensure that our fallen crew did not die in vain. And we honor the ultimate sacrifice that they made in our quest to find the Sea Whip. Let us bow our heads for the crew lost today. Let the sea carry them to a safe harbor, and may the Saints receive them on a brighter shore,” Sturmhond recited, a bit too accustomed to the speech to his liking.

“May the Saints receive them.”

Tolya and Tamar left the Sea Whip’s scales at the small barrel before them, and Irina discreetly sent a spark up, her own memorial to her fallen crew. The full moon was high up in the night sky, allowing the ship to sail peacefully. The candles had been extinct, and only the moonlight provided any sort of light to the moving waters.

“Alina, we’re ready,” Sturmhond called the Sun Summoner.

Irina and Sturmhond walked away from the center of the deck, standing on opposite sides as they looked at Alina, who took Sturmhond’s previous position. The girl was still wearing Irina’s clothes, kindly lent to her to fight the Sea Whip, and Irina couldn’t help but notice how the other summoner managed to wear them better than she did. She felt another pang in her chest at the thought but discarded it altogether. It was show time.

Ngarra took Alina’s hands and carefully embedded the two fetters into her wrist. Quickly, power flowed through her, and in an effortless display, Alina allowed the light to breeze and dance around her.

Everyone at the Volkvolny and a ten-mile radius could feel the power coming from the summoner. Warmth seeped into their bodies, melting their doubts away and igniting the privilege of hope. Despite the brief jealousy, Irina felt it too. They had a chance to win over Ravka, thanks to the girl who now seemed a bit too lost in her own strength.

Mal called out to her when the brightness became too much. Irina closed her eyes, turning her face to the other side, the heat in her face suddenly too intense to be deemed pleasant. But Malyen Oretsev didn’t back down and eventually pulled Alina away from her trance with a hug, which she quickly returned before they both seared their fates with a kiss. Irina chuckled slightly and diverted her gaze to give the couple some privacy, even though the entire ship was staring at them.

The fire in her veins was calling out to her, wishing to unfold just like Alina had done with hers, but Irina kept it contained. She knew she would eventually burn something down the longer she spent without utilizing her capabilities, but she still remained hidden, especially now in front of a Saint. After the day's events, after Tamar’s intervention, Greyven’s usefulness, the Healer’s help, Ngarra’s fusion, and Alina’s display, Irina felt like an Inferni suddenly didn’t make any sense on a ship. Instinctively, she looked back, searching for Tolya’s gaze, but for the first time, he wasn’t looking at her. Tolya was looking at the Saint with the same spark in his eyes Irina had convinced herself at some point was only reserved for her. And the sudden lack of attention she wore like a failure.

Sturmhond cleared his throat to catch everyone’s attention once Alina and Mal were done.

“Well, then. Where to now, Summoner?”

Irina swallowed the lump in her throat and forced herself to look back at the couple.

Alina nodded as she only looked at Mal. “East Ravka. Then, the Fold.”

Next chapter

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alexzalben · 1 year

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Shadow and Bone Season 2 premieres March 16, 2023 on Netflix

First look images, followed by quotes from Eric Heisserer, Daegan Fryklind, and Leigh Bardugo, as well as a synopsis and more info on Season 2, which I cannot frickin' wait for.

Eric Heisserer and Daegan Fryklind (Co-Showrunners / Executive Producers / Writers) & Leigh Bardugo (Author / Executive Producer) on what fans can expect this season:

HEISSERER: The most wonderful thing about Season Two is that we get to advance the story of these characters that we'd left in precarious positions at the end of Season One. There's a lot of potential for them this season. They have to face the consequences for their actions, and then they get to meet new people along the way. The Grishaverse also expands in this season, both in mythology and in characters. In doing so, we expand the world, we go to new locations, we visit Novyi Zem and Shu Han, and those are all integral to the narrative.

FRYKLIND: We've also really dug into more of the mythology this season in terms of the amplifiers, but also the creator of the amplifiers, Morozova, who he was, what his backstory is, and how he ties into this world. We go out and we go deeper.

BARDUGO: I think the readers now trust our writers the way that I do. This season I was able to step back and put the show more firmly in their hands. I think when we approached Season One, a lot of people were like, "It's impossible. It can't be done. Why would you bring SHADOW AND BONE and SIX OF CROWS together?" And I think now, we have that trust. And I think it's going to be very, very exciting for them to see the way that trust pays off in Season Two. Every part of the Grishaverse is coming into play. We are going to get to see some incredible new characters. We're going to see characters interacting with each other, questing with each other, fighting and laughing with each other, who we never got to see together in the books. And I think that's a unique thing about this show. Readers are not only going to be surprised by the way that these storylines crash into each other, they're never going to know where the next move is coming from—and that actually was a pleasure for me because I got to be surprised by my own stories.

ABOUT THE SERIES

Co-Showrunners / Executive Producers / Writers: Eric Heisserer (Chronology) and Daegan Fryklind

Author and Executive Producer: Leigh Bardugo

Executive Producers: Shawn Levy, Josh Barry, Dan Levine, and Dan Cohen for 21 Laps Entertainment, Pouya Shahbazian (Loom Studios) and Shelley Meals

Directors: Bola Ogun (Episodes 1 & 2), Laura Belsey (Episodes 3 & 4), Karen Gaviola (Episodes 5 & 6) and Mairzee Almas (Episodes 7 & 8)

Season 2 Format: 8 x 1 Hour Episodes

Cast: Jessie Mei Li (Alina Starkov), Archie Renaux (Malyen Oretsev), Freddy Carter (Kaz Brekker), Amita Suman (Inej Ghafa), Kit Young (Jesper Fahey), Danielle Galligan (Nina Zenik), Daisy Head (Genya Safin), Calahan Skogman (Matthias Helvar), Lewis Tan (Tolya Yul-Bataar), Anna Leong Brophy (Tamar Kir-Bataar), Jack Wolfe (Wylan Hendriks), Patrick Gibson (Nikolai Lantsov) and Ben Barnes (General Kirigan)

Synopsis: Alina Starkov is on the run. A beacon of hope to some and a suspected traitor to others, she's determined to bring down the Shadow Fold and save Ravka from ruin. But General Kirigan has returned to finish what he started. Backed by a terrifying new army of seemingly indestructible shadow monsters and fearsome new Grisha recruits, Kirigan is more dangerous than ever. To stand a fighting chance against him, Alina and Mal rally their own powerful new allies and begin a continent-spanning journey to find two mythical creatures that will amplify her powers. Back in Ketterdam, the Crows must forge new alliances as they contend with old rivals and even older grudges that threaten not only their place in the Barrel, but their very lives. When a chance at a deadly heist comes their way, the Crows will once again find themselves on a collision course with the legendary Sun Summoner. Based on Leigh Bardugo's worldwide bestselling Grishaverse novels, SHADOW AND BONE returns for a second season of new friendships, new romance, bigger battles, epic adventures — and a shocking family secret that could shatter everything.

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steponmeinejghafa · 6 months

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𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐝𝐨𝐰 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐁𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭

Hi there! I'm Anne, and I see you've stumbled upon my humble corner of he internet. Below is a masterlist of all my imagines, to make searching a bit easier!

Requests are: Open [✔] Closed [•]

Rules: 1. No smut for the boys because I am canonically a lesbian <3 At most I will write fluffy stuff for them. 2. Only parental/platonic/sibling imagines for Wylan because he is my precious gay child. 3. No age gap, no incest (because yuck wtf), absolutely NO teacher x reader, however 'legal' it may be. 4. Only tame kinks in smuts (Like praise, degradation, choking at most. Mommy kinks to a definite minimum.) 5. I am hopeless at poly imagines and relationships so please- don't-don't ask for them.

Character lists below the cut <3

Zoya Nazyalensky

Miniseries

First Bench Pt.1

First Bench Pt. 2

First Bench Pt.3

First Bench Pt.4

First Bench Pt.5 (TW)

First Bench Pt.6 (Coming Soon)

Fluff

Touch Starved

After Hours

Hot Chocolate

A Little Too Much

Smut

Angst

Parent

Alina Starkov

Miniseries

Fluff

I’m Here

Serial Cuddler

Sick (Coming Soon!)

Smut

Angst

Dear Alina

Parent

Little Disturbance (Darklina)

Malyen Oretsev

Miniseries

Fluff

Angst

Parent

Aleksander Morozov

Miniseries

Fluff

Angst

Parent

Little Disturbance (Darklina)

Genya Safin

Miniseries

Fluff

Smut

Angst

Beautiful Girl in a Broken World

Parent

Nikolai Lantsov

Miniseries

Fluff

Angst

Parent

Tamar Kir-Bataar

Miniseries

Fluff

Smut

Angst

Nadia Zhabin

Miniseries

Fluff

Smut

Angst

Kaz Brekker

Miniseries

Fluff

Angst

Parent

Jesper Fahey

Miniseries

Fluff

Angst

Parent

Wylan Van Eck

Miniseries

Parent/Platonic/Sibling

Inej Ghafa

Miniseries

Face In The Crowd Pt.1

Face In The Crowd Pt.2

Face In The Crowd Pt.3

Fluff

Smut

Angst

Parent

Nina Zenik

Miniseries

Fluff

Just How You Like It

Dance With Me

Smut

Tease

Angst

Parent

Matthias Helvar

Miniseries

Fluff

Angst

Parent

Little Crow Series

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

Ships (Child!reader)

Malina

Genyadavid

Zoyalai

Work Break (Coming Soon!)

Helnik

Kanej

Tamadia

Wesper

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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syllvane · 1 year

Text

constellations- tamar kir-bataar x reader

You notice the gravity they carry with them the first time they enter the Spinning Wheel, although notice is a bit of a lackluster term, in your opinion.

They are impossible to ignore, like a full moon in the middle of the night, pulling the tides up to meet them.

Tamar - you don’t know her name yet, but you’ll listen closely whenever they’re near for the chance to learn it - is the one that strikes you the most, the one that your eyes always flit to when you’re supposed to be working, the one that will catch your eye and give you a small smile.

It’s the day after they arrive that Nikolai visits your workstation, a smile on his face.

“I saw you looking at Tamar yesterday.” He said and your head snapped towards him. “One of my crew members on the Volkvolny.”

“Right, Tamar.” You replied, testing her name out on your lips. “It’s not every day you bring new people-”

“Oh come on, how long have we been friends? You’ve never been a good liar.”

“I don’t even know her, Nikolai. I didn’t even know her name before you said it just now.”

“Well, maybe you could know her. She was asking about you as well.”

“First-”

“Oh boy.” He mumbled, leaning against a shelf with an amused expression on his face. “I’m listening.”

“- I did not ask about her.”

He shrugged.

“Point taken.”

“Second,” You started before the conviction in your voice faded, replaced with something softer. “She asked about me?”

His lips curled into a smile and you immediately regretted asking.

“She did.”

“What did she ask?”

“I am sworn to secrecy-”

“So help me Saints, I will fuck up your boat if you don’t tell me.”

Nikolai paused, his head tilted to the side as he looked at you, as if he was calculating how serious you were.

“She asked your name, for one, and also the kind of work you do here.” He said, narrowing his eyes slightly. “That’s all I will say.”

“That’s very unhelpful, Nik.”

“Yes, well it’s the most I can say without betraying either of your trust.”

He stood up straight, looking around your workstation.

“I should let you get back to work.”

“Don’t be a stranger, Nik. You’re gone enough as it is.” You said and he looked at you, a genuine smile appearing on his face, like spring after a long winter.

“I’m sorry that I’m not here often.”

“You’re doing important work, I understand.”

“Yes, well… you’re always welcome on the Volkvolny as well.”

You returned the smile, giving him a nod.

—

“So, Nikolai said that you’re a Durast. A visionary, was his exact words I believe.” Tamar said and you nearly fused the engine that you had been working on with the table out of surprise.

You looked at her sheepishly, hoping that she hadn’t noticed your panic.

“He gives me too much credit.” You said, trying to turn your attention back towards the engine, though everything about her demanded that you focused on her.

“I’ve always found that he’s a pretty good judge of character.” She said lightly. “Don’t tell him I said that though. He has a big enough ego as is.”

You looked up at her to see her already smiling at you, her eyes sparkling.

“I won’t, but his ego is nothing compared to his brothers and his parents’.” You smiled, looking back at your project in thought before looking back up at her. “He’s a good man in spite of them.”

“That, he is.” Tamar nodded, her attention drawn to something over your shoulder. She narrowed her eyes before looking back to you, her features softening. “So, change of topic, but what do you do for fun here?”

“Well, as you can possibly imagine, there isn’t the widest array of options in a remote workshop. You and,” You turned, confirming your suspicion that the man she had been walking with when you first saw her was watching the conversation intently, “…him are probably better off passing time however you pass time on the ship.”

Tamar’s cheeks reddened and she laughed slightly.

“That’s my brother, Tolya. He is very… I’m sorry about him.” She said, running her hand through her hair.

“You don’t have to apologize, I… before this was Nikolai’s workshop, it was an observatory. The glass dome portion is actually really beautiful on a clear night. It’s not fun, but-”

“I’ll meet you there tonight?” She asked and you felt heat rise to your face.

“Yeah. I’ll meet you there tonight.”

—

When you arrive at the glass dome, there are several moments of panic you go through.

What if she doesn’t know how to get to the glass dome? You never specified a time, what if she got here earlier and thought you stood her up? What if she stands you up? What if-

The metal ladder leading up to the dome creaked and any panic dissolved into a different kind of panic, one that fluttered inside of your chest like a bird.

Tamar emerged from the trapdoor and she smiled brightly as she saw you.

You helped her out and she looked up, her breath caught in her chest as she looked at the copper menagerie on the ceiling of the dome.

“You were right, this place is beautiful. How did you find this place?” She asked, her attention falling back onto you.

“Lots of time exploring, that’s what I do for fun. Occasionally I find places like this.” You smiled, looking around at the metal and glass work, the love and care that must have gone into crafting each specific constellation. “Do you want to see something cool?”

“Always.” She responded and you glanced at her, smiling before you looked back up towards the copper and the star-filled night sky.

You raised your hands and, with all the care in the world, began to rotate the copper sheet so that constellations and animals carved in copper would match the night sky.

You heard her gasp but maintained concentration until you were sure that everything was in the correct place.

You looked at her, power coursing in your veins, and she grinned.

“My own personal astronomer.”

“At your service.” You joked and she grabbed your hand, her skin warm against yours.

“Can I kiss you?”

The bird inside your chest fluttered and you found yourself leaning closer towards her.

“Please.”

#tamar kir bataar #tamar yul bataar #tamar kir bataar x reader #tamar x reader #tolya and tamar #shadow and bone #shadow and bone x reader #shadow and bone imagine #grishaverse x reader #grishaverse imagines #grishaverse #nikolai lantsov

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sapphicsaints · 1 year

Text

sweet solutions

Tamar Kir-Bataar x female reader

NSFW

A/N: I'm still new to writing these, but theres not a lot of Tamar Kir-Bataar fics anywhere so I figured I'd try my best :) I'd love any feedback.

Summary: You keep slipping your guards and Tamar comes up with a solution.

Warnings: Mentions of violence and slightly spicy content.

Word Count: 3.1k

You were sick of Nikolai’s hovering. Ever since the civil war ended and you returned home, he insisted on always having guards with you. The last straw was when he decided you needed two extra guards – even though there hadn’t been any assassination attempts in months, let alone on palace grounds.

That night, you convinced a friend to tailor you, and snuck out your window with her at night, going to have a few drinks in one of the many taverns. Later, after she’d fixed your face, you stumbled back through your window, landing on the carpeted floor with an oof. You groaned and slowly pushed yourself up, just to see Tamar sitting on her bed.

“Oh, you’re finally back”, she said.

“Yes, why are you in my room?”.

“Why do you think?”

“You wanted to raid my closet” You answered, swaying back and forth with a cheeky smile.

Tamar glared at her, and your mouth snapped shut – her gaze was furious.

Tamar’s hands rubbed over her face, “I have eyes everywhere”, she said finally. “I haven’t told your brother yet but you’re getting reckless”.

“Who gave you the right to spy on me?”

“Who gave you the right to sneak away in the middle of the night!”

“I didn’t need the right” you yelled, “I’m not some naive little girl”.

“We’ll talk about this tomorrow”, Tamar said, she pulled you into a hug and kissed the top of your forehead. “Go to bed”.

She headed out the door and you flipped her off behind her back.

“I saw that”, she yelled out. You’d forgotten about the mirrors.

You brushed your teeth, washed your face, threw your clothes off, not bothering to change into a nightgown, and collapsed on your bed into a restless sleep. You never could sleep well after drinking.

-Break-

You woke up to knocking on your door.

“Go away” you yelled, pulling your pillow over your head.

“I’m coming in”, you heard Tamar’s voice.

She took one look at you sprawled out, half-naked, on your bed and threw a dressing gown at you. You caught it, sat up, and tied it around yourself.

“You didn’t like the view?”, you said with a pout

“Oh I liked it”, Tamar winked, “But it’s a bit distracting right now”. You rolled your eyes.

You rubbed your temples, trying to ease the headache from your hangover. “Any chance you’ll help me with the headache”.

“Nope. You earned that”.

You groaned and threw a pillow at her, which she dodged before walking over to sit next to you on the couch.

“I can get your brother to loosen up on the guards”, she said.

It seemed too good to be true, you narrowed your eyes, “what’s the catch?”

“I teach you how to fight”.

You shuddered. You’d been able to draw with Tamar once. Just once. And you still considered that one of her biggest achievements. The girl was uncanny in a fight – silent and as cold as steel. She loved to tease and antagonize you too, or at least she used to. The two of you hadn’t sparred since Spinning Wheel.

Your stomach dropped thinking of that place. You’d gone back once to visit with Nikolai and the twins after the war ended. Nikolai decided to permanently close the base, as a memorial. There were too many painful memories littering that large room, the halls, the four flights of stairs that were angels compared to the giant metal contraption Nikolai had rigged.

You’d barely survived the escape from Spinning Wheel, tagging along with a group of first army soldiers. You’d served in the first army as infantry – following in your brother's footsteps. Marksmanship was your best skill – and you could hit a target 500 feet away easily. It was pure luck you came across the Soldat Sol and Alina’s group a few days before the ambush. Luckily, they recognized you and you convinced them to let you join in on the ambush.

“It’s my country too” you argued. You proved your skills with a rifle and they let you fight. Alina had argued against you going, but Tamar stood up for you. You’d grown closer since she’d decided to stay at the little palace. Neither of you had put an official label on what you had, but you both understood you were exclusive – Tamar had a jealous streak. Something you liked to tease her about, in good faith. Your brother liked to dangle the possibility of an engagement to you with influential nobles and foreigners as a bargaining tool. He knew not to cross the line and try and set up a real engagement, last time he brought up marriage you decked him in the face. His pride prevented him from getting the bruise healed. There was zero chance you’d end up with some grubby-handed noble, and your brother understood that.

You came out of your daze, turning to look at Tamar

“When do we start?”

“I have some things to do but I’ll find you mid-afternoon”.

You nodded, “Alright”.

Tamar gave you a quick kiss before you left. You caught yourself smiling for a few moments after she left, holding a hand up to your lips,

“Pathetic” you mumbled under your breath.

Tamar did find you later in the library, you were brushing up on some liturgical Ravkan. It was horribly dull but you wanted to keep up with your language studies. She laughed at your choice of reading and put the book aside before pulling you up out of your seat. You were excited about the lesson.

“No weapons”, Tamar said, starting to off her axes, pistols, dagger, and all of the other weapons she carried on her at what seemed like all times.

‘She probably sleeps with them’ you thought.

You took out your pistol, pulled the daggers out of your boot, inside your shirt, and the ones tucked into your waistband. The war had left a sense of paranoia in you, and your weapons almost felt like a safety blanket. You felt a bit naked without them.

“Your hair knife”, Tamar said with an amused expression

“I almost forgot about that, thank you” You replied genuinely, and you had forgotten about it. It was a dull blade – it wouldn’t cut through your hair, but someone would feel it if you jammed it into their eyes. Once that was removed, you both took up your stances. Tamar tweaked your form, pushing your front elbow in slightly.

You felt nerves trickle up into her, you’re a little rusty on hand-to-hand combat – and haven’t been practicing as much as you should’ve. Tamar leapt into action without warning – silent, cold, and deadly as always. Your nerves started to disappear as you dodged the first blow, and the second, the third landed and winded you a bit, but you aimed a knee right for Tamar’s stomach – and it hit before the other girl lifted your knee to push you right on your back. You wasted no time rolling to her feet, skipping the kick, and this time running straight towards her, you faked a blow to Tamar’s stomach and went straight for the headbutt, your forehead smashing into her nose. It was something of a classic move of yours. But, Tamar didn’t miss a beat. She took the chance to trip you, and fell on top of you, straddling your waist. When you kept trying to punch her, she pinned your wrists down to your side.

Tamar was too strong for you to buck off with your hips, so you just squirmed as much as you could, bringing her leg up to push against a certain area … Tamar jumped in surprise and you took the chance to flip her over, you on top this time. She hesitated too long, and Tamar flipped you so your back was pressed against her chest, her legs locking yours down, and with you in a headlock.

Tamar POV

Y/N did well in their first round. Tamar released her from the hold and stood up, offering the other girl a hand, she yanked her up, so her mouth was close to her ear. “Good one princess”, she said in a low tone. Her face flushed and she pushed Tamar away. Tamar loved teasing her, they’d grown closer since Tamar and Tolya decided to stay on with the King. Everyone knew they were together in some way, but the two of them hadn’t put a label on anything.

“Again”, she said.

They went another round. The fight lasted almost the same length, and Y/N was giving everything she had, Tamar didn’t hold back. It ended with Y/N on her back again, Tamar straddling her – carefully positioned so she couldn’t pull the same trick, although Tamar thought she really wouldn’t mind it. She shook that thought from her head before standing and offering another hand. She whispered in her ear again this time,

“I think you can do better than that”.

Tamar saw the fire build in Y/N’s eyes. The last round was a good one, Y/N’s movements were more aggressive, and she hesitated less – but she had some tells. She would give the smallest bounce before she made any move. Although she seemed on fire, Tamar could sense her growing tired. Y/N had landed awkwardly at some point, and even though she got back up – Tamar noticed her wincing and favoring her left shoulder. Tamar ended the fight quickly.

She stood up again, on shaky legs, “another”.

Tamar shook her head, “that’s enough for today”.

“Come on, please”

“No”, Tamar gave Y/N a look that told her it was the end of the conversation. Y/N rolled her eyes but let Tamar wrap her arm around her waist and lead her back inside. She walked her to her doors, intending to say goodnight there but Y/N pulled her inside, closing the doors behind her.

“Why haven’t you actually kissed me yet?” Y/N blurted out. They’d been flirting and dodging around each other for weeks. Tamar relished the stolen moments, small kisses, and general affection they had together but feared pushing anything too far.

Tamar’s eyes raised, “Why haven’t you kissed me?”

“Because I’ve been waiting on you”.

Tamar reached for her, one arm wrapping around her waist and pulling her flush against her body – the other hand came up to fist the hair on the back of her head. The kiss wasn’t gentle, it was rough and full of passion.

Y/N looked down at her clothes, “I need to change”. She walked off to the corner without another word and started stripping out of her clothes. She threw them into a corner before walking towards her bathroom, “feel free to join me”, she said turning back to look at Tamar, as she headed to fill up her bath.

Y/N must have seen how Tamar’s jaw dropped through a mirror, she said “Close your mouth. You’ll catch flies”

Her mouth snapped shut, her cheeks flushing. Tamar wasn’t surprised often, but Y/N seemed to have a knack for it.

“At least I’m not on duty tonight”, she thought to herself. Tamar wanted Y/N to be officially hers. They’d dodged around the conversation for a while, preferring to show each other how they felt through actions. They’d also avoided anything too intimate – holding hands, cuddling, and small kisses were about all they’d shared.

She was lost in her thoughts for a few moments before she stripped and followed the princess into the bathroom. She admired her figure, lean muscle, with scars littering her arms and torso. A black sun tattoo stands out on her upper right shoulder. Tamar had given it to her the night before the ambush. She turned and caught sight of her rosy, pale nipples and forced herself to look Y/N in the eyes.

Y/N POV

“Like what you see?” You asked with a flourish, filling the bath with hot, soapy water. You were pleasantly surprised Tamar had decided to follow her. It was your boldest move yet – and she was hoping it would pay off.

“Yes, yes I do” Tamar’s eyes were roaming over her body, taking in every inch of her. You were doing the same, from the glint of muscle on her forearms to the perfect shape of her breasts, and the chiseled lines built into her stomach.

You turned and climbed into the tub, waving Tamar over to follow you. The other girl rolled her eyes, it was a ridiculously oversized tub, ornate and ugly. You hated it and knew Tamar thought it was obscene.

“This is the gaudiest tub I’ve ever seen”, you commented as she settled in the water. Tamar moved behind her, letting you rest up against her – she hummed in contentment.

“Let me clean you up”, she said – Tamar reached for a rag and started dabbing at your split lip from training and scrubbed away the dirt you’d accumulated during the day. You turned around and returned the favor. You sat, enjoying each other’s presence, till the water started turning cold. Tamar climbed out first, lending you her hand, and grabbed two towels for both of you.

You toweled yourself off, heading towards your wardrobe. You found a pair of comfortable loose black pants that looked like they could fit Tamar, and a rough spun top. You tossed them towards her and Tamar caught them gracefully, slipping on the clothes.

You looked out the window, it was getting late – the sun had already set – and they’d missed dinner. Towel wrapped around you, you turned to Tamar, “will you spend the night with me?” you asked, a bit afraid of the answer.

“If you want me to I will”.

“But do you want to” You pushed

“I do” Tamar smiled, she slipped around her and pulled out one of her old nightgowns she never uses anymore –

“Here, I like this,” she said, you elbowed her but Tamar’s expression was serious. You sighed and dramatically rolled your eyes,

“If you insist,” you said, quickly slipping it on. You grabbed a blue dressing gown and tied it around herself, “wait here”, she said, heading towards the doorway, “I’ll get us some dinner”.

You took a secret passage out to the kitchens and saw Enya in there, cleaning up the last of dinner.

“Any leftovers for me?” You asked

Enya jumped, “Quit scaring me”, she threw a towel at you. You ducked it and laughed. You’d grown up around Enya, and she was one of the few adults that didn’t treat her differently.

“I’ll send you up a tray, now shoo,” she said.

“Could it be two?” You asked.

Enya hmphed but nodded, waving you away.

You hurried back to her room as quickly as you could. You were happy Tamar was still inside, leaning back in an armchair, reading one of your books. She closed it as you entered the room.

“What was that all about?” she asked.

“Getting us some food” you smiled.

“You could’ve rung for someone? That’s what your brother does”

“I like to visit Enya”

“You know the kitchen staff?” Tamar asked, without a tone of surprise, more one of admiration

“I did grow up here” you replied to her.

You flopped down onto Tamar’s lap. “I hate these rooms”

“Hm … why?” Tamar started kissing down her shoulder, biting gently near her neck as Y/N let out a small moan.

“They’re too lonely”.

Tamar stopped and turned her head to look at her. The other girl shrugged her shoulders and Tamar pulled her in for a kiss.

“Move in with me”, she said without thinking.

“I would in a heartbeat”

“What would your brother say?”

“Who cares”

“He is technically my employer”

“He would never get rid of you”

Tamar just hummed in reply.

“Plus, he hasn’t quit telling me to make a move on you”

Tamar leaned back to look at her, “Funny. Zoya’s been saying the same thing to me”.

“Maybe we’re both just idiots”

“Just you, princess”.

“Okay, humbug”

“No”, Tamar started laughing

“Humbug” Y/N said in a sing-song voice.

Tamar pinched her side, Y/N squirmed in her lap, “Quit doing that”.

Tamar whispered into her ear “Quit moving like that”.

“Are you sure you want me to”, she answered, slightly breathless

Then, a knock sounded on the door and you leapt up to answer it. You opened it and found two trays left on a table outside, ‘Enya must’ve told them to do that’, you thought.

You smiled and brought the food in – it was your favorite type of meal. A bowl of some sort of stew, some bread, and grapes. You threw a grape at Tamar, who caught it in her mouth.

You ate in silence; you didn’t realize how hungry you both were and devoured your food – it tasted like heaven. After you finished, you silently stood up to take the trays back outside the door. When you turned back around, you started to feel shy – and maybe a bit insecure.

Tamar POV

As Y/N turned back to look at her, Tamar could see the hesitation on her face. She stood up to meet Y/N halfway, and pulled her into her arms, “are you sure you want me to stay?”

Y/N pulled her face back to look at Tamar, she leaned up on her toes and kissed her, “yes”, she said and kissed her again.

Tamar grinned before picking her up and spinning her around. Y/N laughed, and it was a sweet sound. She picked her up, letting her wrap her legs around her waist, and carried her to the bed. They collapsed onto it together, a tangle of limbs and laughter.

“Can we just sleep?” Y/N asked, her voice quiet.

“Of course, love,” Tamar said, she pulled the girl in closer, and let her cuddle up on her chest. She ran her fingers through her hair, and slowly fell asleep – listening to the sound of her heartbeat.

Y/N is an early riser like Tamar, she felt the other girl slip out of bed in the morning. She sat up to see Y/N standing next to one of the mirrors in the room, tilting her head to the side. Y/N slowly turned around, hands on her hips,

“TAMAR KIR-BATAAR” she screeched.

“Yes?” she answered slowly.

“What is this?” Y/N pointed at a purple bruise forming on her neck, stalking back over to the bed.

“It’s a gift” Tamar grinned.

“Take it back”

“No”

“Can’t you fix it?”

“I won't”

Y/N groaned and Tamar pulled her in for another kiss.

#tamar x reader #tamar kir bataar x reader #tamar kir bataar #shadow and bone #grishaverse #grishaversefanfic #fanfiction #oneshot #grishaverse imagine

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naushtheaspiringauthor · 4 months

Text

~Child Of The Storm~

Nikolai Lantsov x OC

Image by - @brokendreamtale2

Warnings- none

A/N- lemme know if you'd like to be added or removed from the taglist!

Taglist- @pansexualwitchwhoneedstherapy @sirisuorionblack @nadeleine123n @marauders-wife

Ch-46 ~Plots within plots~

“I’ll ask you again, priest. What is this? Why are my friends in custody? Why are they bleeding?” Alina asked, brimming with anger

“These are not your friends. A plot has been discovered to bring the White Cathedral down around our very ears.”

“What are you talking about?”

“You saw the boy’s insolence today-”

“Is that the problem? He doesn’t tremble properly in your presence?” Alina’s voice began to rise

“The issue here is treason!” He drew a small canvas pouch from his robes and held it out, letting it dangle from his fingers.

“Blasting powders, made by this Fabrikator filth with materials gathered by your supposed friends.” he spoke

“So David made blasting powders. There could be a hundred reasons for that.”

“Weapons are forbidden within the White Cathedral.”

Alina arched a brow at the rifles pointed at them. “And what are those? Ladles? If you’re going to make accusations—”

“Their plans were overheard. Stand forward, Tamar Kir-Bataar. Speak the truth you’ve discovered.”

Tamar bowed deeply. “The Grisha and the tracker planned to drug you and take you to the surface.”

“I want to return to the surface.” Alina spoke, her words brimming with resentment

“The blasting powders would have been used to ensure that no one followed,” she continued, “to bring down the caverns on the Apparat and your flock.”

“Hundreds of innocent people? Mal would never do that. None of them would. And it doesn’t make any sense. Just how were they supposed to drug me?”

Tamar nodded to Genya and the tea that sat beside them.

“I drink that tea myself,” Genya snapped. “It isn’t laced with anything.”

“She is an accomplished poisoner and liar,” Tamar replied coldly. “She has betrayed you to the Darkling before.”

Genya’s fingers clenched around her shawl. We both knew there was truth in the charge.

“You trust her,” Tamar said..

“They were only waiting to stockpile enough blasting powder,” said the Apparat. “Then they intended to strike, to take you aboveground and give you up to the Darkling.”

Alina shook her head. “You really expect me to believe that Mal would hand me over to the Darkling?”

“He was a dupe,” said Tolya quietly. “He was so desperate to free you that he became their pawn.”

She glanced at Mal.

”And what about her?” her gaze suddenly turned to Anaya. “She helped me escape the Darkling”

“They’ve all succumbed to his power. They are frightened by what he did. They fear him, and have thus given up their loyalty to him” the Apparat spoke

Alina furrowed her brows at Anaya but she refused to meet her gaze

“Plots within plots,” the Apparat hissed . “You have a soft heart, and it has betrayed you.”

“No, none of this makes sense.”

“They are spies and deceivers!”

She pressed her fingers to her temples. “Where are my other Grisha?”

“They have been contained until they can be properly questioned.”

“Tell me they are unharmed.”

“See this concern for those who would wrong her?” he asked of the Priestguards. “This is what marks her kindness, her generosity.” His gaze locked on Alina’s. “There are some injuries, but the traitors will have the best of care. You need only say the word.”

“Release them,” She commanded.

The Apparat shook his head, his expression full of sorrow. “Our Saint is being weakened by those who claim to love her. See how frail she is, how sickly. This is the corruption of their influence.”

A few of the Priestguards nodded

“She is a Saint, but also a young girl governed by emotion. She does not understand the forces at work here.”

“I understand that you have lost your way, priest.” The girl spoke

The Apparat gave her a pitying, indulgent smile. “You are ill, Sankta Alina. Not in your right mind. You do not know friend from foe.”

“You will release them,” she repeated. “I will not warn you again.”

A smirk flickered over his lips.

“You will be escorted to your chambers so that you may spend the day in solitude,” he said. “You will think on what has happened, and good sense will return. Tonight we will pray together. For guidance.”

“And if I refuse?” she asked, scanning the Priestguards. “Will your soldiers take up arms against their Saint?”

“You will remain untouched and protected, Sankta Alina, I cannot extend the same courtesy to those you would call friends.” he responded

“Do you know why I come here, priest?” Alina asked

He gave a dismissive wave, his impatience showing through. “It reminds you of home.”

Her eyes met Mal’s briefly. “You should know by now, an orphan has no home.”

She twitched her fingers in my sleeves. Shadows surged up the Kettle walls. It wasn’t much of a distraction, but it was enough.

The Priestguards startled, rifles swinging wildly, as their Grisha captives recoiled in shock.

“Now!” Mal shouted.

He shot forward, snatching the blasting powder from the Apparat’s hand. Tolya threw out his fists. Two of the Priestguards crumpled, clutching their chests. Nadia, Anaya and Zoya held up their hands, and Tamar spun, her axes slicing through their bonds.

The Squallers raised their arms, and wind rushed through the room, lifting the sawdust on the floor. “Seize them!” yelled the Apparat.

The guards sprang into action.

Anaya advanced towards one of the guards, thrashing him to the ground as she slid on one knee.

Mal hurled the pouch of powder into the air. Nadia and Zoya lobbed it higher, up into the master flue.

Another guard rushed towards Anaya, but before he could throw his fist at her, she slid on her knee and went behind him. She then knocked his leg with hers, making him fall upfront.

For a moment, there was a hush, suspended silence, and then high above them,they could hear a dampened boom.

A roaring sound rushed toward them. A cloud of soot and rubble billowed from the flue above.

“Nadia!” cried Zoya, who was grappling with a guard. Nadia arced her arms and the cloud hovered, twisted, siphoned into the shape of a whirling column. It spun away and collapsed to the floor in a harmless clatter of pebbles and dirt.

#nikolai lantsov x reader #nikolai lantsov fanfiction #nikolai lanstov x reader #nikolai lantsov x oc

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writing-sunshine · 1 year

Text

Three times Tamar helped Y/N and the one time she couldn’t…

Paring: Tamar Kir-Bataar x reader

Warnings: Fighting, guns, death, drowning

Summary: The title

“No, no, no, you don’t get to die on me today.” Tamar whispered to her love as she kept her hands steady keeping her heart beating. Every few seconds she’d stop, tilt Y/N’s head back a little and cover her nose while forcing air into her lungs.

A few minutes earlier there had been an argument between Y/N and a new crew mate, he shoved her and she lost her footing, falling overboard. In those short few minutes it took for everyone else to notice and rescue her, she had breathed in too much water. Likely due to the sharp shock of the freezing water.

2 minutes passed of Tamar working to keep her heart beating. Most had lost hope and already looked away, Tolya placed a hand on Tamar’s shoulder but she didn’t stop. There was a sudden movement from Y/N as she choked and sputtered on the water in her lungs, turning on her side so the water could leave.

Tamar let out a sigh of relief, closing her eyes briefly as the realisation that her love was so close to death. Once Y/N had caught her breath again, she pulled her into her arms tightly. Just for a moment they could forget about the world around them, just for that moment.

Challenging Y/N to see who could drink more was always a bad idea, she always wanted to prove people wrong when they underestimated her. But Y/N was a loud drunk that had no filter, usually professing her undying love for Tamar to those that would listen.

“She’s just so ama-zing, have you seen her with those axes. She’d fight anyone who was a threat to her friends and family.” Y/N hiccuped her way through the words, talking animatedly to a random person she’d found.

“Okay, it’s time to go now.”

Tamar had to practically carry Y/N back to their room that night because she’d drank so much she couldn’t walk in a straight line and kept bumping into the walls.

“Almost there.” As they entered the room, Y/N flopped onto the bed but not before saying how much she loved Tamar once more.

Tamar found the whole situation quite funny, laughing quietly to herself as she untied Y/N’s corset and took off her shoes before laying in the bed herself.

“Behind you!” Someone shouted and Y/N turned around using her daggers to slice at the man’s face and pushing him overboard.

The ship had been attacked by pirates while they were sailing through the night. Many of the crew members had been asleep until the shouts had been heard.

The pirates were out numbered 2-1 but still fought on. Another man had managed to grab Y/N, holding a knife to her throat and was about to slice open her neck when he stumbled. Tamar wasted no time in making sure his heart was no longer beating.

Running over to make sure Y/N was okay before continuing the fight. Luckily that night they didn’t loose anyone, Tamar not leaving Y/N’s side for a while.

One

It was a slaughter, guns firing from all over, grisha using their abilities to murder soldiers. They had to move back to avoid being killed themselves.

Their tactics were working though, ambushing the group from behind while blinding them with smoke. One woman with dark hair kept pushing forward with two others, each of their abilities amplified.

She froze water and shot them forward like bullets, many penetrating the wooden barricades acting as shields. Tamar was on one side while Y/N was a little in front of her. She looked back with a face full of determination, believing that they could win this. Nadia and her brother stepped out, using their combined power but it wasn’t enough. They were sent flying back.

The woman again froze water but this time with the help of her friend sent the dagger-like weapons faster towards them. Trying to stay alive they moved backwards again, Y/N rushing forward to protect Tamar as the blades sped towards them. She covered her body with hers and felt as each blade stabbed her.

Tamar turned around and Y/N fell into her arms, both of them protected by the barricades. It took a moment for Tamar to fully realise that she couldn’t save Y/N this time. There was no water in her lungs, her heart hadn’t stopped, she wasn’t drunk, there was no blade to her throat - but she was dying.

As Y/N struggled to breathe with frozen blades of ice stuck in her body, her eyes found Tamar’s who kept looking at the injuries for a solution. When it became evident that there wasn’t one, her eyes met Y/N’s and she knew it would be the last time.

“Thank you. Thank you f-for all those t-times you saved me. I love y-you Tamar.” She staggered through the words painfully as blood began to seep out from her wounds and mouth. It was like she was drowning all over again.

“Hey, you’re going to be okay. You don’t need to thank me, I would save you as many times as I need to.”

Tamar was never scared, but in that moment she feared death. Not for herself but for her love. Death was going to take away part of her life-her heart.

“I love you so much-“ but Tamar didn’t get to finish what she was saying because she heard the lack of heartbeat, Y/N’s eyes had closed. The last thing she heard was Tamar’s voice lulling her to sleep one last time

#tamar x reader #tamar kir bataar x reader #tamar kir bataar #tolya and tamar #x reader #shadow and bone #six of crows

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wh0refornikolailantsov · 1 year

Text

⋆｡°✩Shadow & Bone Masterlist✩°｡⋆

I take requests, hit me up if you wanna.

Number Of Requests Currently In Drafts/WIP: 36

Tolya Yul Bataar

Everyone's Fate Is Up To The Saints, Except Hers

Saints Or High Water

Maybe He Was All Blessings

By Stars

Keep You Near

Amateur Poetry

I Heard It In The Silence

One Bed

Safe With Him

Place Your Bets

Pay Your Debts

To Willingly Belong To Anyone Is A Rare Thing

In Times Of War

More Than Enough For Me

Tell Me Everything, And Then Tell Me Again

Find Your Way Back

Catch Me

Follow Your Arrow

Protecting You Is All I Know

The Bells

Miss Me?

Never Straying Far

Without You

All The Things I'll Never Say

All The Small Things That You Do

Restless

Keep Me Like A Prayer

Home Coming

On Platonic Love

Like A Drum

If All The Saints Allow

No Peaceful End In Sight

The Gentle Sound Of All That Is Right

Almosts / Almosts Part 2

Hold Onto Me

The Healing Of Power Of A Heart

Between Classes And The Bell AU Series

Even In Death

One In The Same

Held Together By Wool And Wanting

When You Wake Beside Me

In Wars Wake

Unburdened By You

If It's You Or The World, I Am Still Choosing You

UnLost

I'll Love You Anyway

I Know All The Steps, You Still Surprised Me

Softer Words No Poet Spoke

No Distance You Could Travel- Coming Soon

Head Above Water - Coming Soon

Tamar Kir Bataar

One Bed

Bruises

You Cannot Push Me Away

Cure Your Ills

All The Softer Parts Of You And I

Heart To Heart

Nikolai Lantsov

Better Late Than Never

Better Late Than Never Part 2

Tonight, Forever, Then, Here And Now

No Rest For The Wicked

Compass Of Pirates

One Bed

Metal Preserved Broken Promises

Dreams Of You

On The Rocks

Twist The Knife (In Deeper)

Appearances Aren't Everything - Coming Soon

Worth It All - Coming Soon

Every Foolish Thing - Coming Soon

Match Your Pace - Coming Soon

Alina Starkov

Love Alone Won't Win The War, But What If We Tried Anyway

Zoya Nazyalensky

The Oath I Intend To Keep

The Crows

Jesper Fahey

It's All Bad Choices From Here On Up Baby

Making Choices

Bottom Of The Barrel, And The Bottle

Shoot From The Hip

Don't Like Sleep, But We Like Sleeping In

Bringing A Knife To A Gun Fight

Sober Up

Sweat Bullets

For One Last Good Night With You

Make It A Double - Coming Soon

Nina Zenik

Couldn't Love Anybody Else

Eat, Drink, And Be Merry (For Tomorrow We Die)

Bedside Manner Isn't My Strong Suit, But I'll Try For You

Wylan Van Eck/Hendriks

Your Life Over Mine

Something About Timing

Comfort In Compassion

Fever Pitch

Light The Fuse - Coming Soon

Gunpowder And Lead - Coming Soon

Kaz Brekker

Get Out Of Ketterdam, Damn You

This Action Echos

Walk Away, Take My Heart With You

Leave Me With Ghosts

Small Sentiments

Diminishing Returns

Inej Ghafa

A Place For Me / A Place For Me Part 2 - Coming Soon

Tight Rope - Coming Soon

Matthias Helvar

How Do I Do This?

This Action Echos

I Didn't Ask To Have These Feelings For You

In His Arms / In His Arms Part 2

Wars Were Waged For Less Honourable Things Than Love

No Fault Of Hers

Bedside Manner Isn't My Strong Suit, But I'll Try For You

No Souls To Save - Coming Soon

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cherryblossomtimemachine · 4 months

Text

I'm still upset that Netflix canceled Shadow and Bone before I got to see Tamar and Nadia kiss.

#netflix hates lesbians #give them back to me you bitches #netflix sucks dirty toes #my babies deserve better #tamar my beloved #nadia my beloved #give me tamar and nadia content you bitches #tamar kir bataar #nadia zhabin #tamar x nadia #tamadia #shadow and bone netflix #shadow and bone season 2

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infin1ty-garden · 8 months

Text

MASTERLIST.

Hello everyone! My requests are OPEN

request guidelines here!

❝ [ prompts & scenarios ] ❞ & ❝ [ fic recs ] ❞

╰┈➤ ❝ [ formula 1 ] ❞

『 headcanons 』

LOVE ALARM ೃ⁀➷ what if the love alarm existed in real life feat. f1 drivers STILL ALIVE - scream/ghostface au! ೃ⁀➷ headcanons of the f1 drivers as the scream killer, ghostface

『 logan sargeant 』

I NEED YOU - the last of us au! ೃ⁀➷ in which you and Logan spend your last night in Jackson

『 esteban ocon 』

IF YOU NEED A HERO - spider-man au! ೃ⁀➷ headcanons of what it's like to meet spider-man! esteban ocon

『 lance stroll 』

ACROSS THE STARS - star wars au! ೃ⁀➷ headcanons of dating a inquisitor! lance stroll

『 lando norris 』

HOT BLOODED - figure skating au! ೃ⁀➷ after a falling out you and lando have to perform a routine together and old feelings start to come back

『 liam lawson 』

FULL THROTTLE - street racer au! ೃ⁀➷ liam thinks you deserve better

╰┈➤ ❝ [ shadow & bone ] ❞

『 headcanons 』

VALENTINE'S DAY ೃ⁀➷ headcanons of the shadow & bone characters on valentine's day

『 nikolai lanstov 』

GUARDIAN ANGEL - siren! reader ೃ⁀➷ hearing rumors of the fountain of youth, and finally finding a heading, nikolai decides to follow the rumors

『 zoya nazyalensky 』

NOW OR NEVER ೃ⁀➷ after a mission you and zoya are forced to share a tent together

『 alina starkov 』

I WOULDN'T SAY THAT - the mummy (1999) au! ೃ⁀➷ alina confesses her feelings while imhotep wants to sacrifice her

╰┈➤ ❝ [ scream ] ❞

『 headcanons 』

THE GHOSTFACES REACT TO YOU BEING A F1 FAN ೃ⁀➷ exactly what the title says

『 jill roberts 』

UNDER THE BLEACHERS ೃ⁀➷ jill’s childhood friend confess their love for her DYNAMITE TOUCH ೃ⁀➷ jill sprained ankle and you help her home THAT'S RICH ೃ⁀➷ you keep teasing jill about her height and she does something about it UNTIL THE END ೃ⁀➷ you move back to woodsboro during the events of scream 4 MEET MY FRIENDS ೃ⁀➷ jill's friends can't believe she is dating someone shorter than her

╰┈➤ ❝ [ heroes of olympus ] ❞

『 jason grace 』

YOU ARE MY HERO - superman au! ೃ⁀➷ headcanons of dating superman! jason grace

╰┈➤ ❝ [ slytherin boys ] ❞

『 headcanons 』

MEMORIES MAKE EVERYTHING SO DIFFICULT ೃ⁀➷ where you fake amnesia to get out of a fight with your enemy and he lies and tells you'd been dating for a year

╰┈➤ ❝ [ the quarry ] ❞

『 max brinly 』

I WOULD DIE FOR HER ೃ⁀➷ max does everything to save you the last night of summer camp

╰┈➤ ❝ [ detroit become human ] ❞

『 connor 』

A CALL AWAY ೃ⁀➷ connor and hank investigate a weird 911 call

╰┈➤ ❝ [ one shots ] ❞

『 kara zor-el 』

NOT ON EARTH ೃ⁀➷ you and kara decided to stay in for the night

『 dar-benn 』

I LOVED YOU FOREVER ೃ⁀➷ dar-benn tries to save you

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depressedbagpipe · 3 months

Text

A Heartrender's Fire: ch. III

Tolya Yul-Bataar x Lantsov!ofc

Words: 5199 Warnings: canon-typical violence and language, volcra, poor descriptions of grisha powers, grisha powers following the show's logic and not the one in the books, me making up names and titles. also justice for kovu cause the guy straight up disappeared mid-episode. also i don't speak ravkan (russian?) so let's pretend i know what I'm doing A/N: this took way too long because i essentially had a surgery performed on me last month and I'm *still* recovering. anyways, this is way too fun to write so don't worry, i am continuing this story. we're getting some backstories here, too, which i think is pretty neat.

Series Masterlist Previous chapter <> Next chapter

III: Like calls to like

The day woke up cloudy, but the spirits at the Volkvolny were as bright as the Sun Summoner’s light. Sturmhond had been preparing the ship for the trip to the Fold all morning, giving concise directions to the crew. Only a small group would be coming with him and his clients up in the air, and his sister quickly pointed out that she wasn’t staying behind, no matter how much her brother wanted to keep her safe on the ship while he returned to their homeland.

“Anything happens on the Fold, you’ll need me,” she had argued, once again before Tamar and Tolya’s unimpressed faces.

“I have a Sun Summoner now. I think I’ll be fine.”

Ouch, Irina didn’t let the reaction show in her face. Tolya did feel her heart beat just a tad faster, though. Not that he was actively seeking her heartbeat out. He would often find himself listening unconsciously and could distinguish it from miles away. Not even metaphorically.

“It’s my country too, Nikolai. Anything happens on the Fold, you’ll need me,” she repeated.

Sturmhond looked at his sister. Few times she ever addressed him with his name, right in the open, and he realized that no matter how much he wanted to keep his little sister away from danger, she would always find her way to it, face first, full charge.

“Fine,” he sighed. “You’re buying kvas later, though.”

“Deal.”

He still scowled when he took her in, smiling her victorious smile as she high-fived the twins, the three of them chattering amongst themselves as the ship took them closer to the black void that had haunted and fascinated the second prince for so long. Irina was fully aware of the danger, and despite her best efforts, a chill went through her spine at the thought of her first passage through the darkness, afraid, and alone.

I have a Sun Summoner now. Sturmhond could lie to himself all he wanted, but his sister knew he was just as scared as her. Only now they had a living Saint with them, able to wield the power of two amplifiers and the hope of an entire nation.

The Volkvolny sailed through the waves seemingly faster than ever. Irina almost wished the ship would stop and trap them on the sea forever, anything but returning to the one place she had been miserable at. No matter how many dirty taverns, war camps, and smelly docks she stepped on, the image of the Grand Palace was enough to fix a permanent frown on her otherwise peaceful manner.

But she was a big girl now. Whatever was waiting for her on the other side should fear her, too. She was powerful, not as much as Alina, or as intelligent as Nikolai, but she still had royal blood in her veins, which coincidentally pumped enough fire to bring down the whole palace with just a flick of her hand. She felt the warmth on her cheeks at the thought, and with a small smile, she looked up, finding Tolya’s gaze.

The giant was looking at her with an all-knowing grin, which she quickly replicated. He noticed her fingers had been absentmindedly tracing her own amplifier, barely taking it out of her clothes. He had noticed that little quirk of hers after she got it, almost a month into joining them on the crew. A failed smuggling operation on the Fjerdan border ended with Sturmhond almost decapitated by a wolf, and Irina melting the snow around them as she protected him from the pack that was sure to attack. Tolya had known Irina’s heart marched to a different beat than her brother’s, but it was only after seeing the flames around her body that he fully knew what was different about her. He had eyed her closely after that, always finding something new about her to stare at, from the way her eyes seemed to come alive in the sun and radiate warmth in the night. Or how she was grounding herself as her fingers danced down the wolf’s fang as if she too needed a reminder of the fire she carried in her soul. There were many things about Irina Lantsov that could be admired, according to Tolya. Not that he would ever tell her.

Simultaneously, Alina was also stroking her wrists, feeling the amplifiers without looking up. Irina glanced at her, noticing the way her face lit up when Mal approached her again. For a second she longed for it, that love out in the open, despite the dire situation the young couple was in. Their conversation was soon cut short by her brother, perched nearby, waiting for his big entrance as he always did. His voice was loud, demanding, and powerful–everything he had been raised to be.

“Who says you’ll be on your own?” He raised his leg on a box and casually leaned up front. “I want a front-row seat to the light show, thank you very much. Plus, the King’s on the other side of the Fold, ergo, so is my payment.”

“We could definitely use your arsenal,” Mal reckoned.

“Maybe some kind of fortified carriage?” Alina thought.

“Carriage? Land travel is so boring. And that’ll take days!” Sturmhond walked away from them, giving Irina the silent indication she needed to brace herself for takeoff. “Come along! Prepare to decouple!”

Tolya and Tamar quickly jumped to the section, their faces glistening with anticipation.

“Kovu.” Sturmhond nodded at the Squaller behind Alina and Mal. He pulled the lever that engaged the sails. “Secondary mast released!” Kovu shifted the position of the sails so they stood horizontal to the ship, all of it under the astonished eyes of the Sun Summoner. “Engage secondary sail!”

And with another push upwards, the Hummingbird flew out of reach as the rest of the Volkvolny stayed on the water. Alina stumbled over to the wooden bench Irina had fallen asleep just a day prior and looked around in disbelief and fear as the air grew colder and purer the higher they flew in the sky. Tamar chuckled at the girl, enjoying the sight of the Sun Summoner scrambling to stay sitting. Even Irina grinned, feeling somewhat superior for a slight second.

Even the Sun Summoner feels fear.

She couldn’t help but comment. “It’s like watching a newborn discover the world.”

Tolya laughed, who had casually stood beside her, looking at the sea below them and enjoying the sight of the horizon. Irina felt a warmth in her cheeks that she was sure wasn’t because of the chill that settled around the Hummingbird. Instead of looking in Tolya’s direction, she faced her brother, who was also staring at Alina with amusement, only his eyes were kinder and curious, a sight Irina knew too well was only reserved for very few women out there.

Yet Mal was the only one who got her to open her eyes and walk with her to the edge. Mal was the only one she trusted to catch her if she fell. Irina wondered what that would feel like, should the moment come. Who would come to her rescue, not for who she was, but because they cared about her.

Kovu kept working the sails as they rapidly approached Ravkan soil, the sea blending with the land. Irina’s heart drummed in anticipation, looking back as they left the sea behind.

“How are you holding up?” Tolya suddenly spoke. He seemed nearer, their arms barely touching.

“Meh.”

He shook his head, his eyes shifting from the sky to the ground below them. “Why haven’t you told them about you being Grisha?” He lowered his voice. Irina looked around, sighing in relief once she saw her brother keeping his guests entertained. “It’s bound to happen, anyway.”

“And give away the big reveal? No way.” Irina scoffed, looking back at him for a second.

“Don’t be like your brother.” Tolya’s seriousness would’ve caught her off-guard, but she was used to his sudden tone changes.

“I’m not like my brother. In fact, I’m better.”

“Something Sturmhond would say.”

“Something Ainthe would say, too,”

“See?”

“Shut up,” she giggled. He smiled too, missing the sound of her laugh. After the prior day’s events, he wouldn’t admit he would miss her laugh if she was gone. “Honestly, I don’t know. I’m so used to hiding amongst Ravkans… I can’t tell how they’ll react.”

“They’re good people.”

“How can you tell?”

“I happen to have a way with hearts.”

“You don’t say.”

“Captain! The Fold’s in sight!” Tamar called, effectively interrupting the banter between the two Grisha.

“Next stop, destiny.”

“For Saint’s sake, Sturmhond,” Irina groaned.

“What? I’m trying to add dramatic effect here.”

“We don’t need it.”

“Says who?”

“Says me.”

“Children.”

–·–

The Hummingbird entered the pit of darkness in complete silence. Thunder rumbled as the flying vessel tore through the barrier, and Irina took one last big gulp of fresh air before her body was completely surrounded by obscurity. Her eyes quickly adjusted to the black, and she released a silent breath, moving her head around as soon as she heard the first creature’s wail in the distance. Kovu kept the flying skiff afloat, his arms tiring but without complaint. Alina stood at the front, arms ready, while Irina gripped the ropes, looking wildly around.

The crew seemed to gather behind Alina, with narrowed eyes, trying to find some hope to hold on to.

“I hate this place,” Mal commented in a low voice.

They all knew they had to be very silent if they wanted to make it out alive.

“Eh, it’s just a bit of pitch black and bloodthirsty monsters,” Sturmhond joked. He ignored the unimpressed faces of his clients and faced his family. “What’s not to love?”

He gladly received in his open palm his firearm which Tamar had thrown at him, never losing his mischievous smirk.

“Seems like a good day to kill some Volcra,” Tamar growled, getting her own weapons ready as well.

Tolya sighed. “I’d much rather a hot bath and a book of sonnets.”

Tamar stared at him in disbelief. Tolya was looking at the darkness with a longing look, picturing himself in the warm water, and Irina had to glance another way just to stop those thoughts from wandering elsewhere. She rolled the sleeves of her red coat up, her hands tense and ready to summon. Should Alina fail, she would become the first line of infantry. Irina stood next to Kovu, guarding the Squaller at the back while the rest of the team remained at the front.

“All good?” she asked the man, noticing the faint line of sweat on his forehead.

“Could be better,” he replied.

Irina sighed. “It won’t take much longer, don’t worry.”

“That’s not what I’m worried about.”

The girl couldn’t say anything else, for she too felt the tension rising with every passing second. She knew it hadn’t been that much time since they entered, but any time spent inside the Fold felt like an eternity.

Alina stood up near the edge, and the light show quickly began. With heavy breathing, the Sun Summoner created a light barrier that first extended around the Hummingbird, and then expanded into the black void. Irina stared around in amazement, a hole opening itself in front of them where the ancient mountains of Tsibeya stood at the horizon, welcoming them home once more. Light and heat overwhelmed Irina as beams of light danced on Alina’s arms.

The barrier only got bigger from then on, and just as they were about to exit on the other side of the hole Alina had opened, things spiraled down. Alina’s light flickered, her arms flailing wild as she tried to call on her power once again, but nothing responded.

“Alina!” Mal kept calling her, but whatever made her stop had also thrown her off on the deck, the protective barrier of light gone with her.

The Volcra didn’t take long. Their growling was near, angry and ferocious, as the last beams of light extinguished around them. The Fold swallowed them whole again, and Sturmhond didn’t waste any time.

“Kovu!” he yelled at the Squaller as he took some steps back. “Get us out!” he stood before his sister, guns ready.

Kovu quickly rearranged the sails, making the ship fly faster at his mercy. Irina’s relief was short-lived, for one of the haunting monsters was now perched right beside them, ready to launch itself at its first victim.

Sturmhond quickly fired his revolver at it, making it stand back. The twins stood at the rear of the ship, the five of them standing in a circle as they protected each other’s backs. With Alina still on the floor and Mal perched over her, they weren’t the primary victims of the giant creatures.

Another one tore the main overhead sail open and landed on the deck right in front of the twins, who quickly got to work to end the monster’s life. The skiff was tilting dangerously, having lost its main support to stay afloat, but Kovu was doing everything in his power to get them out of the Fold on the other side while keeping the Hummingbird in the air. Irina didn’t need to be a genius to know they would not last long.

Sturmhond helped Tolya with a shot to where the Volcra’s heart supposedly was, and the giant quickly cut its head off. Irina assessed the damage, noticing the big hole in the fabric right above her head. She saw Alina finally stand up, still looking out of it, and because Mal only had eyes for her, neither of them saw the monster that was coming at a rapid speed to them.

Alina barely had time to look up before Irina stood protectively over them, firing a big and scathing flare up towards it, almost bursting it into flames as it fell through the void, fire following the Volcra as it sunk deeper into the Fold.

Irina smiled at the sight, her fingers itching for more, standing tall and proud at her own display of power under the stunned faces of Alina and Mal.

“You’re Grisha?”

“No time to explain, Sol Koroleva,” Irina said.

The Hummingbird hit the exit of the Fold with a strong thud, nothing in comparison with their previous smooth entrance. The ship kept descending, gaining speed as it did so. One of the engines didn’t survive the attack, and the smoke was quickly turning into a well-spread fire at the front of the skiff. Irina was almost sent back flying, and would have crashed into the ship’s barrier if it hadn’t been for Tolya’s extended arm, catching her and bringing her closer to him, pinning her to the same rope he was holding on to for dear life as gravity pulled the crew down.

“Kovu, begin descent!” Sturmhond called, balancing on two feet, even though there wasn’t much Kovu could do. “Brace yourselves for landing!”

They were hurtling straight to the ground, and the Squaller could only do so much to prevent them from crashing completely. Everybody was trying to grasp at anything that could keep them up, bracing for the incoming impact. Irina felt helpless once again, but she didn’t have time to feel sorry for herself, because, with another jolt, the Hummingbird finally crashed, sending everybody down on the ground, impacting with the walls as the ship swept along the flat land and continued forward. Tolya kept a hand on the rope and another slithered around Irina’s waist, keeping her in front of her as the ship continued in motion through the meadow. Irina could only count the seconds until the movement stopped, closing her eyes in a silent prayer.

Fortunately for her, it wasn’t long before it did.

Everybody was grunting and breathing heavily. Irina felt the burn on her hand from groping the rope for dear life, but Tolya didn’t take his arm off her.

“Is everyone okay?” Sturmhond asked loudly, quickly getting up.

Irina felt Tolya’s arm tensing slightly before finally releasing her, going to check on his sister who was still panting but seemed otherwise fine.

“You good?” Sturmhond asked Irina, placing a hand on her back as he checked for any injuries on the younger girl.

She nodded. “Yeah. You?”

He nodded too. That was all confirmation they needed before they both jumped over the deck onto solid ground, assessing the damage.

“Another one gone.”

Irina frowned. “This one worked. It was the Volcra.”

“It’s always the Volcra.”

But none of them could even breathe in relief before a bugle blew nearby. A regiment of the First Army had so lovingly decided to welcome them back to their land, with raised firearms ready to shoot at them, and its Colonel walking up front in a menacing stance.

The twins didn’t even shudder at the sight.

“Well, looks like we’re about to enjoy a traditional Ravkan welcome,” Tolya joked.

Irina smiled, feeling the air charging with her brother’s boastful ego, about to make his big entrance. Maybe she was a bit like her brother. Not that she would ever admit that.

“You’ve crossed illegally onto Ravkan soil. Identify yourselves,” the Colonel called.

Sturmhond jumped down, standing in front of his crew with a straight back. He took off his bag, giving it to Tolya. “I’ll handle this.”

Irina stood back, repressing a smile.

“What are you doing?” Alina whispered at him but shut up at the look Irina sent her. She hid back slightly behind Mal, mainly because she was still the country’s number one fugitive.

“Identify yourselves at once or be shot.”

“Have I really changed so much, Raevsky?” Sturmhond, very slowly, started undoing his blue captain coat, leaving behind his fake persona and embracing his birthright before the Colonel’s own eyes. “I know it’s been a number of years, but people swear I remain boyishly handsome.”

He was wearing his First Army uniform underneath, and just as the green attire caught the Colonel’s eyes, he smiled.

“It can’t be.”

Tolya was being used as a coat hanger by that point, with Nikolai Lantsov standing proud and tall, with a devilish grin as he walked closer to the regiment.

“Yes, it is.”

“Moi tsarevich,” Raevsky mumbled before kneeling, the rest of the troop doing the same. “My prince. We’d all but given up hope.”

Nikolai chuckled as he shook the Colonel’s hand. Raevsky didn’t waste any time and turned around, facing his regiment and presenting the prince with a boisterous speech.

“I present Nikolai Lantsov, Major of the 22nd Regiment, Soldier of the King’s Army, Grand Duke of Udova, and Second Son to his Most Royal Majesty, King Pyotr the Third, Ruler of the Double Eagle Throne,” the Colonel called.

Irina mouthed the titles as Raevsky went on, and even the twins shared impressed looks at the many names their fearless captain bore.

“You’ve got to be joking,” Mal whispered, both him and Alina frowning.

“Saints.”

Nikolai continued. “And in your own words, as I recall, ‘the greenest and most useless grunt you ever had the misfortune of commanding.’”

“Now, that sounds like you,” Irina spoke out loud, only noticing her mistake when the Colonel’s eyes glanced at her, also opening wide as he kneeled once more.

“Moi tsarevicha.”

The regiment, once again, copied their Colonel, kneeling as she walked closer to her brother, already regretting the attention she was receiving, but knowing the longer she stood without saying a word about her identity, the harder it would get later.

“I, once again, present Irina Lantsov, Grand Duchess of Mydrov, and First Daughter to his Most Royal Majesty, King Pyotr the Third, Ruler of the Double Eagle Throne.”

Nikolai chuckled when he noticed his sister's discomfort. “Thought you could get away with it?”

She groaned before motioning the Colonel to stand up. He took a step forward and bent down to kiss her hand, while Irina forced a smile onto her face.

“At your service, Your Highness.”

“We wanted to return sooner, but not without her,” Nikolai looked back at Alina.

Irina grimaced, knowing what was coming.

“May I present my esteemed traveling companion, former cartographer and sometimes Saint, Alina Starkov!” he extended a hand towards her, yet looked back at Raevsky.

His sister shook her head, seeing how Alina was taking fast steps towards her brother. Despite her protectiveness over him, she knew he had it coming.

“Sol Koroleva. We heard you were dead,” Colonel Raevsky spoke with fear evident in his face, but his words died as soon as Alina yelled.

“You lying bastard!”

The punch to Nikolai’s face was met with utmost silence. The sound of betrayal was too loud to say anything else in return.

–·–

“That was fun,” Tamar said as they rode toward the Spinning Wheel.

“It was terrible,” Irina groaned, closing her eyes momentarily.

“You looked so cute there, like all stiff and stuff, and all the soldiers in awe like ‘Saints, the princess’,” Tamar kept going.

“I didn’t know where to look anymore! Everything was so awkward.”

Tolya joined. “Were they curtsying the right way?”

Irina groaned. Tamar laughed.

The twins loved teasing the princess about her royal status every time they were on Ravkan soil. And while Irina pretended she couldn’t stand their banter, she knew she wouldn’t last a day without it.

“How long do you think she’ll be mad at him for?” Tolya wondered.

The three of them looked back at where the Sun Summoner ignored the prince, looking at everything except the blond next to him. The three of them rode at the front, followed a few feet away by Nikolai and Alina, the rear of the party finished by a brooding Mal and a silent Kovu. Alina was still ignoring Nikolai, and despite his best efforts, he couldn’t seem to get on her good side.

“No one can stay mad at Nikolai for long, but she seems stubborn enough to try,” Irina commented.

“You know what he’s planning, don’t you?” Tamar said as she looked ahead again, fixing her posture on her horse as she looked around, searching for anything dangerous that could find them on their route.

The princess nodded. “Yup.”

“And she’s not gonna like it.”

“Nope.”

Tamar groaned. “Did he tell you?”

Irina shrugged. “It wasn’t necessary. I always know what he’s thinking. I mean, when you grow up with him, it’s easy to read his mind. Heartrender or not,” she winked at her friend.

“It reminds me of this poem by a Kerch author, about the bond between brothers–” Tolya started, but his sister interrupted him.

“Is he dead?”

Tolya stopped. “Yes?”

Tamar shrugged. “Then I don’t care. I only vibe with the living.”

“In which case, last time on Novyi Zem there was this street artist who…”

The three of them continued with their playful chatter as their party rode on, leaving behind Raevsky’s regiment and the Fold. The Spinning Wheel was already in sight, and Irina felt a shiver set permanently in her bones as she gazed at the fortified mountain. She had spent years sneaking up there with her brother, perfecting her techniques, helping him build the place from the ground just to create something that would somehow resemble her ways. It had been her personal sanctuary once, and it was now full of Grisha displaced by General Kirigan’s torment and greed. Irina wasn’t truly the patriot that her older brother was, she too felt the tug in her heart at the thought of all the families that had suffered at the mercy of a pointless war, and the generations of both Grisha and Otkazat’sya that had been divided by the envy of the few. Her own life had been a constant lie because of it. And she was about to face it all over again, no matter how much she had convinced herself that she wouldn’t ever have to.

Those thoughts lasted long enough to reach the Spinning Wheel. Irina was still frowning as she got off her horse but forced a relaxed grin as soon as her brother appeared next to her.

“Welcome to the Spinning Wheel. My inventions workshop. It’s become something of a refuge for Grisha,” Nikolai spoke, introducing the place to Alina. He made sure to wink at his sister at the last bit of information, which the Sun Summoner clearly caught.

“Is that why you care so much? Because of her?” Alina asked the prince.

He simply shrugged, suddenly not caring about boosting his ego further. He looked at his sister, who was looking at him with a knowing smile.

“She’s my family above all. And as I already told you, you do what you have to do to protect the people you love.”

Irina shook her head, yet warmth spread across her chest. Nikolai finding out about her being able to summon fire had been an accident, much in the same way she found out. They were both playing outside the Grand Palace borders, sneaking around their older brother, their nanny, and the two guards who followed the small party into the outer world, as the princess liked to call it. The storm found them sitting on top of a tree, and suddenly, Vasily and the rest of their chaperones were running towards the palace again, leaving the two lesser children to fend for themselves. Nikolai was gripping Irina’s hand tightly as they made their way down and followed the path they had taken out of the woods when lightning struck a nearby tree and cut it in half. The trunk was about to crush them when the girl raised her hands in a terrified scream, and the next thing she knew, a huge chunk of ash was dissolving into thin air. Nikolai, wide-eyed and drenched, only took his sister’s hand once again and ran with her back to the palace. Without saying a word they sneaked past the guards at the entrance and escorted her to her quarters, helping her dry off. He sat her near her chimney, and with a silent nod, they both agreed no one ever would know about it. When she woke up the next day, Baghra was sitting by the window in her room, looking at the poor unfortunate royal soul with a sad expression on her pale, aging face.

–·–

“We’ve received accounts of First Army units found massacred, here, here, and here,” Nikolai pointed at the map. The improvised war room stood on one of the balconies overlooking the main entrance, and his most trusted advisors –namely, his sister, Alina, and Mal–, looked down as his fingers traced the old ink on the yellowing parchment.

“Too far from the border to be Shu incursions,” Mal commented.

“Or Fjerdan.” Alina kept her hands close to her, her hands almost itching to touch the intricate patterns on the paper, suddenly missing her simple life as a cartographer, before the entire world fell down on her shoulders.

“There’s good evidence that these units were holding Grisha captive. Some reports say soldiers were mutilated. Some… cut in half.”

Alina sighed. “It’s Kirigan, isn’t it.” But she didn’t even have to ask to know the answer.

“We haven’t been able to find his base camp–”

Mal shook his head in disbelief. “There’s no way he survived the Fold.”

“He survived it before,” Alina cut him off. “Besides, he’s the only one who can do the Cut. Baghra, yes, but this is him.”

Irina shuddered at the mention of her old teacher. The only Grisha who knew about her back at Os Alta. The only one who never treated her as a porcelain vase, but instead built her up to become strong and fierce in her abilities. With a frown, the princess realized she had missed the old hag. She could only pray the General had spared her.

“If he’s alive, it’s only a matter of time before word reaches him about your attempt in the Fold,” Nikolai voiced it carefully, but his statement stung Alina.

“‘Attempt,’” she repeated.

“No disrespect meant.”

“No, you’re right. That’s what it was. An attempt,” she still sounded defeated. “You three saw my light. It was… strong and angry and dangerously off-kilter. I can try to master what I have, but I’m afraid it won’t be enough.”

“We need to find the third amplifier,” Mal finished for her.

“The firebird,” Irina spoke, surprise laced in her tongue.

Nikolai stepped away from the table, turning around as if to follow his train of thought, his head orchestrating their next steps as they continued the meeting.

“The more we search for it, we are at the mercy of your protection in this country.”

Alina searched Irina’s eyes, desperate to get her point across. And Irina already knew what her brother was about to say.

“Well, until then, a proposal.” Nikolai turned around. Irina closed her eyes. “We can try to stop this country from falling apart and tell the Fjerdans to shove their bounty up their ass in the process.”

“And how do you propose we do that?” Alina asked.

“I bring you under the wing of the Royal Family, our name becomes a shelter to you, and a banner under which we can enact change.”

Mal frowned. “Your name?”

Nikolai nodded. Irina shook her head.

“Wait,” Alina caught on. “This is a ‘proposal’ proposal. You’re suggesting marriage.”

Mal looked ready to throw himself off the balcony at that point, whereas Alina seemed she was going to be sick any second from then on.

“Alina, I’m not proposing a love match. Just a political alliance of Grisha and Otkazat’sya.”

“Well, that’s just what royal marriages are, aren’t they? Strategy,” Mal was looking everywhere but the future royal couple.

“Precisely. Maybe we never get to marriage. An engagement signals a strong commitment to cooperation and it will allow us to enact meaningful change for Grisha and Ravka,” Nikolai explained.

“Don’t you have a Grisha sister, too?”

“Leave my sister out of this, Mal.”

Irina stepped forward. “Mal, I know Nikolai’s plan sounds crazy but it’s our safest bet. Nobody knows about me being a Summoner and the court will not take likely to the revelation. There’s never been a Grisha on the Ravkan throne and I certainly will never be the first one.”

“I’ve seen what you both mean to each other. I understand if you decline, but I hope you weigh the options and consider the benefits,” Nikolai nodded his head in silent farewell, and both royal siblings left the couple to talk it out.

On the way down, Nikolai grabbed her arm. “How long have you known?”

She frowned. “About the proposal? Since you saw her face on the posters.”

It was his turn to frown. “Not even I thought about that then. It was after she got on the ship.”

Irina smiled mischievously at her brother. “Guess I’m smarter than you now.”

He pinched her side, making her giggle.

“You should rest before tonight. Gotta be patient enough not to punch Vasily in the face.”

“How did you know I was thinking about doing that?”

Nikolai smirked. “Guess I’m still smarter than you’ll ever be.”

“You little piece of shit.”

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