An Alliance

[Knight’s POV]

I follow silently as Tatiana’s grandfather leads us through his packhouse and to his office, where we can speak alone. As we move, I take in the walls, which are covered in photos of past leaders, and when we cross one that has a woman who looks almost identical to Tatiana, I can’t help but stop and stare.

The woman in front of me is beautiful and radiates a power so strong it managed to get caught in a simple photograph, but unlike Tatiana, her eyes sparkled with promise and weren't shadowed with demons.

“That’s Giana,” Tatiana’s grandfather explains, catching me. “It seems that my granddaughter took after her.”

As he speaks, he gives Tatiana a look that is both proud and sad.

“She did." I agree.

Beside me, Tatiana remains silent as she takes in her mother’s portrait, and when I can only assume it becomes too much for her, she turns away and starts examining another photo.

“Shall we continue?” Tatiana’s grandfather asks, catching on to Tatiana’s unease.

“Sure,” I respo