Privateer ~ Nikolai Lantsov

Chapter 26

"I'm not leaving her alone with you." She defended.

"Just go. I trust he won't hurt me. He would have already. Thank you."  I ordered her to leave. She sighed and gave me a pitiful look as she left the tent.

He walked closer to me trying to comfort me. I backed away and ran into a table.

"Don't be mad." It was more of an order instead of trying to be kind. Nikolai was too stuck up to try and fix anything.

"Too late." I didn't look him in the eye.

"You can stay at the palace. You could be the right hand or even the captain of her personal guard. I could make you general."

I looked at him with a scowl on my face, "you," I dug my finger into his shoulder, "make. me. sick. Do you even know her age?"

"Please hear me out." He stopped me as I tried to walk away.

"Nikolai! You hear me out!" I screamed, "I waited years for you to come back. Years. I had feelings for you, you dimwit! You come back to act like we never had anything going on. Act like your brother never laid a hand on me! You act like everything's ok and that I will be ok with you and Alina. You're crazy."

"Feelings?" He paused and looked dumbstruck. Was it that surprising? "It's nothing more than a political matter Mia! I thought we were fine! I thought we talked this out."

"Well... I lied. I'm not fine and I am completely angry at you."

"It's nothing but a name in marriage."

"What about heirs, huh?"

"Well... yes—" I don't know what happened but his face turned white like he couldn't breathe. He fell back into a chair cleaning at his throat for a breath.

"Mia!" He attempted to get out. I stopped. I was the reason for his paleness. "You almost killed me!"

I backed away from him, "I'm sorry... I don't know what happened. I swear I didn't try to kill you." I looked at my hands. I was more powerful than I thought. I needed to control my anger.

He ignored what just happened and began to walk to me, "let me finish this story."

"Fine."

"She disagreed. She won't marry me."

I scoffed, "you could've told me this sooner!"

"But- she is returning to Os Alta with me. Please come with us. I would love to have you with me because you matter to me." I highly doubt that.

"Listen. Alina said she would help me as long as she is in command of the second army. And I want you to be there too. If she helps me you will be in charge of a certain thing. Important things. The second army, the first army, anything."

"What do you suppose I do when we get there? Am I supposed to sit aside and wait for you and Alina to do all the work?"

"No. You could help us. You are very powerful and I've learned over the years that you are quite popular with people. People love you, Mia."

"Stop calling me Mia." I snapped. He surrendered with his hands up apologizing.

"People love you, Amelia." He corrected. "With you by my side, we can save this country from falling. My father... he's horrible and you know it. You know my brother won't do any better. And you know I care for saving my country."

"What about the Darkling?"

"We will destroy him as soon as we possibly can."

"So all you want is to save Ravka?" I asked.

"Yes. And trust me. I care that you're happy too." Again, I seriously doubted that.

"You are a horrible person."

"I know. It keeps me awake at night."

"I will go. But not for you, for Ravka. For Alina. for the people."

"Oh Thank the saints!"

"Oh and those feelings i was talking about. It was just a fifteen year old me crush. Forget about it." I sighed. Because i was right i needed to let it go.

His smile dropped for a millisecond. But it came back as he left the tent.

A/n: Hi!!! Sorry all of this chapter was italicized lol and sorry for taking so long to update school is already kicking my butt and it's only been a couple of weeks. thank you for reading, voting, and commenting!! I hope you enjoyed this chapter Have a good weekend lovelies!

Kiss marry kill
Alina, Mal, Darkling