Fifty-four

We fall asleep in each other arms, bodies too drained to even speak to each other or move. After welcoming him into my bed for months, just now I've allowed myself to fully enjoy him without being plagued by guilt. I'd like to believe the same applies to him. It felt different. I know it was. Something has shifted inside me and touched an indelible part of me.

Cocooned in his arms, I watch the first rays of the morning sun break through the window and watch as the little suspended dust particles dance happily highlighted by the beam of light. He breathes in against my shoulder and kisses the spot between my shoulder blades.

" Good morning," He rasps, curling his arm around my waist even tighter.

" How are you feeling?" He asks tangling our legs together.

" Sore," I reply honestly," In the best possible way," He chuckles, rolls me on my back, and throws a leg over mine.

Our sleep-glazed eyes meet, and he smiles," Good," He smoothes a hand over my stomach as if sensing the unease coiling tightly with each passing second.

" Then what's wrong?" His brows furrow watching my expression with alarming concern.

" Something changed," We are long past the stage we need to play coy. We're he has to guess what's on my mind or wait until my thoughts get loud enough for me to broadcast them far and wide.

" Such as?" He presses. But I can't give him an answer because I don't have a name for it. It's just a feeling.

" It's just a feeling. I can't explain," His fingers curl against my belly, gently kneading the soft flesh there.

He nods, and gives me a slanted smile, before dipping to press a kiss to my brow," Whatever it is, I'll be right here," That makes me laugh because he won't.

He will have to leave fairly soon, before the rest of the academy rouses.

" Things will change. I'm taking Eric's offer to take over Zareen," His hand stills on my stomach, without meeting my eyes, " Which means I'll be around more. It's only until you finish. He doesn't know this, but, " He shrugs, " What you don't know, can't hurt you," I don't think Eric will take the news with the same nonchalance.

" Mase, he will not be happy if he finds out that you use Zareen as a personal playground," In the few interactions I've witnessed between Mason and Eric, the strain between them is glaringly obvious. This will only make things worse. The damage will be irreparable.

" I'm aware," He sighs, " But, I can handle Eric. You worry about getting out of here. It will be far easier for us to see each other and be around without raising any eyebrows if you are a member of the order. It is not uncommon for older members to be assigned to a protégé. You could be mine, and any time we will spend together will not be put under a microscope, " It does make sense, but I still have my misgivings about it.

" A bit like the Trojan Horse story," He supplies with a mischievous grin. I'm not familiar with the story, so it goes without saying that he has my full attention.

" Trojan horse? Explain that," I shift to my side, and he mirrors my stance propping himself on his elbow, a few strands of hair touch his eyebrows, the dramatic contrast between his blond hair and his blue eyes makes me swoon. He is so damn handsome that it should be illegal.

Smirking, his tongue peeks out between his full lips, swiping suggestively over his bottom lip," How about I show instead, " His other hand traces the outline of my breast, circling until it reaches my taught nipple.

Quirking an unimpressed brow, I slap his hand away, and point a finger at him," Story first, and we can dilly-dally after, all you want," He chuckles, his laugh is raspy, and deep, his eyes sparkling with humour.

" Sometimes I wonder, about your true age," He pinches my nipple teasingly, grinning like an idiot.

" Now we both know that I'm older. And since with age comes wisdom, I thus declare that it is story time," He laughs again and shakes his head. The movement disturbs the tousled hair, framing his face. Devastatingly handsome. I've waited two thousand years for this, and I can wholeheartedly say that it was worth the wait.

" Fine," He concedes, " It is just a silly story, anyway. I don't know if there is any truth to it, but," He smacks his lips," During one of the many wars that the human race have waged against one another. There was one city that withstood countless attacks remaining undefeated. Despite various tactics, and considerable-sized armies that marched up to the gate of the city, none could tear down its defences. Until one day, one of the generals pertaining to the invading army came up with a new strategy to breach the city wall. They built a wooden horse, filled it with soldiers and rolled it up to the city gates as a tribute. Humbled by the gesture, they opened the city gates and carted the enormous horse within the city walls to celebrate their victory over yet another invading army. Until the soldiers began to climb out of the horse, kill its citizens and open the gates for the army to march right through to their doorstep," Fascinating. Interesting strategy. It has multiple applications. The gears in my head begin to turn while I keep my eyes fixed on Mason while he reads my silence as amazement.

" Pretty amazing right, "He chirps ecstatic. Agreed. I nod.

" Oho, " He purses his lips, finally understanding where my mind is going.

" Lily! The answer is no," He says firmly pushing himself to sit up on the bed so he can glare at me better.

I smile up at him from ear to ear. I feel like it's Christmas and the gift I've been wanting for years has finally been delivered. It's perfect.

More than perfect.

" If you think you're going to march right to his doorstep unprepared and I'm going to let you, you're sorely mistaken. I'd rather chain you in the cellar. You're not ready. We are not ready," He says almost pleadingly.

" You have a cellar?" I say trying to lighten the mood.

He spears his fingers into his hair tugging at the roots, and plops himself on the bed groaning, exasperated.

" That is all you heard, from everything I said. Jesus Christ Lily. You'll get yourself killed if not worse, captured," Mason gripes, staring up at the ceiling. The fight in him fading with each passing second.

" We will make a plan. It will happen sooner or later. He won't stop, and I'm tired of running, " I say quietly and we both fall silent.