Privateer ~ Nikolai Lantsov

Chapter 33

"Short on friends your highness?"

"And long on enemies," replied Nikolai. "But I won't be there. My parents aren't quite ready to let me out of their sight. I've spoken to one of the generals, and he's agreed to have you as his guest."

Mal  crossed his arms, thinking, "So I go gallivanting to the woods for a few days... and you stay here." He said shifting his eyes to Alina.

Alina shifted in her chair. I didn't like the implication either, but I did have to admit it seemed like an obvious ploy. Too obvious for Nikolai, really.

"You know, for two people with a love eternal, you're awfully insecure," Nikolai said. "Some of the highest-ranking members of the First Army will be in the hunting party, and so will my brother. He's an avid hunter, and I've seen for myself that you're the best tracker in Ravka."

I felt a weight lift off my shoulders. Vasily would be gone. He wouldn't be at the palace. I was able to relax.

"I thought I was supposed to be guarding Alina," Mal said. "Not running around with a bunch of pampered royals."

"Tolya and Tamar and Mia can manage while you're away. And this is a chance for you to make yourself useful."

"And what are you doing to be useful, your highness?"

"I'm a prince," said Nikolai. "Being useful isn't part of the job description. But," he added, "when I'm not lazing about being handsome, I'll be trying to better equip the First Army and gather intelligence on the Darkling's location. Word has it he's entered the Sikurzoi."

We all perked up. That was an area between shu han and ravka. So the Darkling is in the south.

"We could bring war to him and he wouldn't expect it." Nikolai smiled at this news and so did the rest of us. "But there's, I'm afraid, some disturbing news.  It seems several soldiers have found religion and deserted.

"Members of the first army have been taking refuge in the monasteries, joining the Apparat's cult of the Sun Saint. The priest is claiming you've been taken prisoner by the corrupt monarchy."

"You can see why it might be wise for the captain of your personal guard to start forging alliances within the Grand Palace." Nikolai turned his gaze on Mal. "And that, Oretsev, is how you can be of use. As I recall, you rather charmed my crew, so perhaps you could pick up your bow and play the diplomat instead of the jealous lover."

"Eh, I'll think about it."

"Good boy," Nikolai smirked.

"Watch yourself, Nikolai," Mal said softly. "Princes bleed just like other men."

"Yes, I suppose they do. But they do it in better clothes," He brushed off food from his shirt.

"Saints," I said quietly.

"I need some air." Mal got up and left.

"Nikolai you are so dense!" I yelled getting up following Mal outside.

A/n: hey! this chapter i've been writing and it's been sitting here for a while. I don't know if it's good. it might be the worst chapter yet. but i hope you enjoyed it. and weren't completely bored lmao.

thank you for voting, commenting, and reading!! i can't thank you enough for reading this and actually liking it.

thank you for the kind words on the last chapter. i will now bless your eyes with wesper and inej and matthias. aka kit, jack, amita, and calahan.