"She is the Sun Summoner," he admonished. But Ivan was right, of course. The pair loved one another. Young love. The thought made his lips curl. It would be easy to use that love to drive his own plans. But for the moment, they had the children to corral.
"Will you though?" She questioned. "If I try to run? Will you hurt me?"
"Of course not." The General stepped into view, disapproval dripping from every pore. "We're here to ensure your safety, Alina. Yours and Nikolai's. You came out here, against my wishes, might I add. You could have been waylaid by Fjerdans. Or worse-"
"I killed Morozova's stag," Alina broke in. "That's what you've been training me for, isn't it, General? I'll have more power now. I'll be able to break down the Fold. To bring these wars to an end. ....but that's not what you really want, is it." She'd been a fool to trust him.