So the darkling is an interesting character- the whole "..live long enough to see yourself become the villain" kinda vibe but his relationship with Alina makes me very uncomfortable. It isn't about ship v ship, for me it's the unbalanced dynamic, the sheer manipulation and possesive nature of it. It seems his feelings for her directly correlate to her powers and what he can achieve through her rather than actually her herself. Like here is this girl with a great power who can match him and he must have her, he must have it, in his control. He's the only one who should have her. Like when he said "I'll relax when I have Alina" that read to me as he needs her in his possession, more frantic obsession. There's a difference between we're meant to be and you belong to me.
