[ She did know. And part of her convinced herself it wasn't happening, though. But of course, the alliance made sense. Of course he'd come back to it. Believing it wasn't going to happen was just avoidance of the situation.
And that situation was changing too. Nikolai wasn't some generic Prince to her out for her power anymore. He was her friend. Possibly her best friend in any world. Someone she trusted more than anyone else right now. He was important to her. Which meant the question was taking on a whole new meaning. Would it strengthen their relationship? Ruin their friendship?
Would it mean something more than alliance to them? ]
FROM: starkov.alina@cdc.org
Maybe I'll finally have an answer when you finally ask.
[ Nikolai isn't stupid. And he's thinking as Nikolai now, not as Sturmhond. He's thinking about a world far from here, a throne which he will now inherit, and wars that will go on whether the Darkling lives or dies. He imagines a better world.
A prince would be expected to marry into royalty. A Fjerdan princess. A Shu duchess. A match that would improve Ravka's relations with one of its foes.
That's not the alliance he wants. This is. He doesn't want a noble wife, he wants the Sun Queen. Sol Koroleva. That's the alliance, that's the match that would strengthen Ravka the most.
But it's what Nikolai wants, too. He cares about Alina, not just the Sun Saint. She, personally, is his ally. His friend, too. In this place, so far from home, she's the only one he genuinely, fully trusts. He's always known that he wouldn't marry for love. But with her? With her he can imagine it. She's the only woman who's ever made him hope for more. ]
FROM: sturmhond@cdc.org
When you're ready, then. I'll try not to ask until you are.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
FROM: sturmhond@cdc.org
Who says I would be embarrassed? I’m an excellent dancer, I’ll have you know.
FROM: sturmhond@cdc.org
By the way, that’s still my favoured nickname. Do feel free to stick to that.
no subject
Even interpretive dancing?
You would take it seriously.
no subject
FROM: sturmhond@cdc.org
Of course I do! I know how it annoys you when I don’t take things seriously. Now you’re annoyed when I do.
FROM: sturmhond@cdc.org
You can be difficult to please, lovely.
no subject
You'll get lazy if I don't hold you to impossible standards.
FROM: starkov.alina@cdc.org
If you say 'improbable' I'm siccing Koroleva on you.
no subject
FROM: sturmhond@cdc.org
I wasn’t going to say that.
FROM: sturmhond@cdc.org
I do think you mean ‘unlikely’, however. I’m fond of a challenge.
no subject
Then consider it a challenge to please me.
no subject
FROM: sturmhond@cdc.org
I do, actually. I hope one day I will.
FROM: sturmhond@cdc.org
You know there’s a question hanging between us. Some day I’m going to ask it. That’s a promise.
no subject
Oh.
[ She did know. And part of her convinced herself it wasn't happening, though. But of course, the alliance made sense. Of course he'd come back to it. Believing it wasn't going to happen was just avoidance of the situation.
And that situation was changing too. Nikolai wasn't some generic Prince to her out for her power anymore. He was her friend. Possibly her best friend in any world. Someone she trusted more than anyone else right now. He was important to her. Which meant the question was taking on a whole new meaning. Would it strengthen their relationship? Ruin their friendship?
Would it mean something more than alliance to them? ]
FROM: starkov.alina@cdc.org
Maybe I'll finally have an answer when you finally ask.
no subject
A prince would be expected to marry into royalty. A Fjerdan princess. A Shu duchess. A match that would improve Ravka's relations with one of its foes.
That's not the alliance he wants. This is. He doesn't want a noble wife, he wants the Sun Queen. Sol Koroleva. That's the alliance, that's the match that would strengthen Ravka the most.
But it's what Nikolai wants, too. He cares about Alina, not just the Sun Saint. She, personally, is his ally. His friend, too. In this place, so far from home, she's the only one he genuinely, fully trusts. He's always known that he wouldn't marry for love. But with her? With her he can imagine it. She's the only woman who's ever made him hope for more. ]
FROM: sturmhond@cdc.org
When you're ready, then. I'll try not to ask until you are.