Summary

In Chapter 11, Nikolai kissed Alina in front of a crowd and they went wild with cheers for the Sun Queen. Alina was upset and so was Mal, but Nikolai explained that the image of unity was important for their politics, and he still needed to convince his father and brother to hand him the crown. On the night before their arrival, the party camped out at the dacha of a minor nobleman. Alina and Mal snuck away to kiss, but then a group of Grisha deserters led by Fedyor arrived and demanded to see Alina. She decided to forgive their desertion and allow them into her army, since if she imprisoned all the deserter Grishas she would have no army.

In Chapter 12, Nikolai reunited with his brother and parents. Nikolai charmed them all and the king agreed to give Alina the Grisha army...