I pulled my sketchbook from my coat pocket and slid onto a workbench beside Alexei, who turned to me and whispered irritably, “Where have you been?” “Nearly getting trampled by the Darkling’s coach,” I replied, grabbing a clean piece of paper and flipping through my sketches to try to find a suitable one to copy. Alexei and I were both junior cartographers’ assistants and, as part of our training, we had to submit two finished sketches or renderings at the end of every day. Alexei drew in a sharp breath. “Really? Did you actually see him?” “Actually, I was too busy trying not to die.” “There are worse ways to go.” <<…>>
<<…>>
Alexei insisted that I retell the story of the Grisha coaches, and it was met by the usual mix of fascination and fear that greeted any mention of the Darkling. “He’s not natural,” said Eva, another assistant; she had pretty green eyes that did little to distract from her piglike nose. “None of them are.” Alexei sniffed. “Please spare us your superstition, Eva.”
<<…>>
On the way back to the barracks, we took a detour so that we could walk by the Grisha camp. The Grisha pavilion really was the size of a cathedral, covered in black silk, its blue, red, and purple pennants flying high above. Hidden somewhere behind it were the Darkling’s tents, guarded by Corporalki Heartrenders and the Darkling’s personal guard. When Alexei had looked his fill, we wended our way back to our quarters. <<…>>
/Shadow and Bone, Chapter 1/
👀 my lil' shipper's heart is fine.
And Alexei crack his knuckles when he's nervous.