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My isolation doesn’t last long A sound at the door alerts rab my makeshift weapons as adrenaline floods lass of water and stab whoever delivers it in the neck I have no idea aits behind that door, but I’ll just have to take my chances

A sliver of light falls over the floor through the crack as the door opens I reer, but the uards

It’s Alex

Relief and fear war in my chest

He stuht from outside disappears as the door is shut

At a loss for words, I stare at hiht never see hi, tailored coat and fancy dress shoes, he looks as for lashes dip as he takes ns of strain are visible on his hard-featured face His blue eyes are marred orry lines, and the couple of days’ worth of stubble that darkens his jaw sets off the paleness of his skin

His voice is rough “Did they hurt you?”

The rasp of that timbre is like water to my ears “No”

He looks at me as if he may consume me “Come here”

I don’t hesitate When he opens his arms, I lay my makeshift weapons on the floor and run into his e fro me I inhale the familiar scent of cardamom as I burrow my face in the scratchy wool fabric of his coat He lets th

He conducts another visual evaluation, scanning the length of me “Did they touch you?”

“I’m okay” My voice is h that relief will be short-lived

Ayou I swear it on raves”

I say the dryness of my throat “Why did you come? It’s a trap”

His smile is crooked “Did you think I’d leave you here?”

Wrapping ainst his chest I only give myself another second to be comforted by his presence before I pull away “I’ just happened so fast There wasn’t time to think”

A smile softens his features “I understand why you did it I put you in an iret fills his eyes “If not for me, you wouldn’t be in this place”

“You’re not angry with me?”