Alianna felt white noise cloud her ears and cloud her thoughts. She could see Rionan’s mouth moving, but couldn’t hear anything he was saying.
When I am gone.
“Ali?” he said, his voice sounding muffled. “Do you understand?” She stared at him, unmoving. “Ali – do you agree that we need to plan the best way to get the stone out? You might be able to guide me, given that you are human and know how your surveillance systems work.”
Slowly, his voice became clear again, and she heard the question he was asking her. She couldn’t ignore the splitting sensation she felt in her chest. Alianna felt it swallow her up, turning her hollow.
“Yes,” she said, her voice cold, “I understand.”
“Then it’s settled,” Rionan replied. “Tonight, we plan how we will be breaking into the museum.”
30
Confessions
Alianna had invited Rionan back to her apartment that night.
She had to go home to Shadow, who she felt she had barely seen since meeting Rionan. Since leaving the museum and making their plans, she hadn’t been able to stop thinking about what he’d said.
When I’m gone.
Alianna knew that whatever they were doing was never going to last forever. At least, that is what she had told herself when she agreed to that first walk on the beach, and the night at the gardens.
But then they’d started sharing more details about their lives with each other.
Then they’d shared heated nights, full of passionate kisses, caresses, becoming tangled with one another at The Rinniel.
Then she had found out that they had bonded with each other on a level that is sacred to Rionan’s people.
Alianna had not admitted what she felt for Rionan, and he hadn’t voiced it to her. Even if the magic that seemed to encircle them knew it, and made a decision for them.
She wasn’t ready to let him go. And so, she invited him to her home.
When they arrived at the apartment, Shadow jumped at Alianna in greeting, running in circles around Rionan’s feet, tail wagging. Rionan bent down, scratching Shadow’s tummy as he rolled on his back, chewing Rionan’s sleeve, gladly accepting his belly rubs.
When he was done saying hello to Shadow, Rionan stood and looked around. The apartment was easily half the size of his suite at The Rinniel, furniture basic and centred around a television. He strolled to her bookshelf, skimming his eyes over the titles displayed on the spines. Romance novels,works of fiction, about men who swept women off their feet. He turned to her, saying nothing.
“It’s not much,” Alianna said, gesturing to her apartment. “But it’s home.”
Shadow brought a toy to Rionan’s feet and dropped it, looking up at him with affection in his eyes.
Rionan breathed in. The apartment smelled of sea air, of coconut shampoo, and perfume. Of Alianna.
“It’s wonderful,” he smiled.
“I wouldn’t describe it as wonderful,” she replied. “But it’s the best I can do in Porthan, on my wage, anyway.”
Rionan watched Alianna as she moved to the kitchen cupboard, taking out Shadow’s food bowl and filling it for him. The dog sat waiting patiently, unaware of the tension between Alianna and Rionan.
Rionan had not been ignorant to the apprehension and sadness he felt in his chest since their discussion outside of the museum. A mix of his own emotion and Alianna’s. The sort of feeling one experiences while they are waiting for news that they assume will be bad.
“Ali, is there something you want to talk about?” he asked, quietly, gesturing to the sofa.
Alianna considered her reply, still watching Shadow. Slowly, her eyes met Rionan’s, and he was shocked to find her eyes lined with silver. He felt a weight crush down on his chest, and stepped forward towards her, taking her hand in his. He knew what was wrong. He knew exactly how she felt, for he was feeling that way, too. But he maintained his mask of composure, his expression portraying a concerned yet relaxed male. It would only make it harder if he broke it now.
“When you have the stone,” Alianna started, eyes on Rionan’s feet, “you will leave.”
Rionan didn’t respond, as her feelings of sadness washed through him with every word she spoke.
