[ they have different ways of protecting her — ianthe and nikolai. he would throw himself on a pyre for her, but ianthe would sooner destroy the people who built it. neither is better than the other. in fact, it's probably better to have both. she'd needed someone on that stage with her, at lottie's party, just to survive. she'll also need someone as strong as ianthe if she wants to be able to fight him openly.
still. it's not relief that passes through alina's face when aleksander's name is invoked with violence. it reminds her that they will protect her, but alina is still weak, still letting herself slip into wanting his approval, wanting to feel again like she had at the little palace. chasing something impossible and letting him toy with her. she feels guilty for what she'd done with him at the library.
she's eager to bury that feeling. ]
I just don't want you to feel like you have to do something that will hurt you.
no subject
still. it's not relief that passes through alina's face when aleksander's name is invoked with violence. it reminds her that they will protect her, but alina is still weak, still letting herself slip into wanting his approval, wanting to feel again like she had at the little palace. chasing something impossible and letting him toy with her. she feels guilty for what she'd done with him at the library.
she's eager to bury that feeling. ]
I just don't want you to feel like you have to do something that will hurt you.