Noble Hope| General Kirigan

𝟘𝟘𝟜

{Chapter four}

THE FAMILIAR SCENT OF CITRUS AND MUSK OVERWHELMED HER SENSES AS SHE ENTERED THE DARK TENT. It wasn't so dark that she couldn't see, of course.

She breathed in deeply, then released it in a sigh. The reminder of him was almost too much, but she couldn't be more grateful for such moments. He seemed real in moments like these. And Saints, how she wished he was real.

Every time she'd had this dream, it had felt like she wasn't really in her body. Instead, she was standing on the outside, watching the events happen from afar in a cloudy haze. She felt disassociated with her body like she was reliving a memory.

Already, Adaline could tell this time was different. The second she opened her eyes in her dream-like state, she could feel her mind attached to her body. This must have been her mind becoming desperate for even an inkling of him. She was fully cognisant, but the fact sailed over her head when she sensed his presence.

Adaline didn't even stop to consider her surroundings in the large tent she'd originally met him in, instead rounding the war table to where he was waiting. 

He looked real. All too real. It was cruel of her mind to play tricks such as this on her. But for now, she would take it. If this is what she could get, she'd force herself to be satisfied.

His hands immediately circled her torso, pulling her close and holding her tightly against his chest. Mother Above, she could even feel him. Every hard muscle of his chest from years and years of training, even the outgrown scruff on his chin that he rested atop her head. Addy took in lungfuls of his scent, using everything she had to commit this moment to memory. For now, he was so solid, so warm, so real. And right in front of her.

Her hands snuck up his chest to cup his cheeks as she pulled away from him. She finally, finally, met those eyes for the first time in weeks. If he were real, she'd be so angry with him. Unbelievably upset. Not only for leaving her but for that idiotic stunt with the fold. He failed to inform her of any of his actual plans. They were supposed to be a team, a duo, and he'd thrown it all away for power.

But if she really looked closely, could she be mad at him? If he had explained his plans before everything with the fold, would she have agreed with him? Would she have fought her own sister and brother just so she and other Grisha could live happily and in peace? Could she have done it all just to be powerful alongside her equal?

Addy ignored her inner monologue as she just shook her head and pulled his lips to hers. He responded eagerly, his hands grasping every bit of her he could find. He ran his fingers down her spine, threaded them through her hair, and even brushed his palms across her bottom, pulling her ever the closer. 

She was no better. Her ample fingers tugged at his locks, scratched at his beard, and traced every inch of his body, committing it to memory. Their lips fought in a violent, deprived battle as they attempted to fulfill all of what they missed.

He pulled away first, taking a long look at her face before embracing her once more. He knew his time was running short as he could feel his chest tightening with the strain on his powers. His lips grazed her ear as he inhaled breath after breath of pure her. Oh, how he missed her, craved her.

"Adaline," he whispered, pressing her even tighter against him when he felt her go tense at the sound of his voice.

Her heart cracked and split in two. The half of her that lived for him crumbled to dust. Addy just nuzzled further into him, never wanting to release him in fear of him disappearing again. "Aleksander," She choked, the tightness in her throat rising to the surface as she battled tears. That was the first time she'd said his name out loud since his death. "Please don't leave me again."

Her plead broke something deep, and possessive in him. All he wanted was to cradle his lover in his arms once again, and then obliterate every single thing in the world that had hurt his girl. His temper flared when he thought of Alina and her betrayal towards his Darkling, yes, but the idea of harm and pain coming to Adaline made him absolutely feral.

"Adaline, my love." His breath wavered as he fought the approaching headache. "I'll find you. I promise we will never be separated again."

Adaline was so caught up in the moment, she didn't notice the deep, dark scars on his face. Aleksander was so infatuated with her, he glossed over how thin she'd gotten, how dark her undereye circles were.

She barely had time to reign in her emotions before she was yanked from the vision, unaware that every second of the interaction was indeed, very real.

****~****

a/n

surprise surprise ;)

what'd you think? hope you enjoyed it!

See you soon <3

-Rory