Sour Candy | T. Drake ✔

[38] Unnecessary Concerns

The cold air pierced through her bones as she sat out in the courtyard, light brown irises flecked with the orange flames of the fire burning in front of her. Her features were set in a deeply thoughtful look, eyes narrowing as she pondered on what to do next.

She had been terrified when she was told that Talia had taken Mona out to the forest alone and almost expected the woman to return with a corpse or with a false story of how the child died in an accident.

But unlike her assumption, Mona had returned to the base safe and sound and was probably fast asleep by then in her own room.

She couldn't fathom why Talia was keeping Mona around and manipulating her into thinking that she truly cared for her. Aleama had spent years with the woman and knew there was nothing close to love in that stone cold heart of hers.

The only person she had loved was her son and even with him she had been very controlling such that when the boy got the chance to leave, he chose never to return.

A heavy cloak dropped onto her shoulders, startling her out of her wild train of thoughts and she looked up to see Udit.

"What are you doing out here so late?" He asked, hazel eyes narrowing in suspicion.

"I couldn't sleep," she mumbled, holding the cloak closer to herself, finding its warmth comforting.

"Why?"

She gave a vague reply, "no reason."

"You couldn't sleep yet chose to freeze out here in the cold."

"I'm not freezing myself, the fire keeps me warm," she replied, not wishing to look up at his intimidating stare, knowing that he would judge something was wrong the second he would see the conflict in her eyes.

He had taken up a twig from the ground, kindling the bonfire with it as he sat down beside her, "you will get yourself killed someday."

She didn't reply, staring ahead at the burning flames. She knew very well the severity of the risk she was going to take. But she had made up her mind to rescue Mona from her terrible fate.

"You are worried about Mona, aren't you?"

She turned her face away from him but his hand gently held her cheek, tilting it back towards him. "Udit, just let me be. I am under no obligation to justify myself to you."

He noticed that she was intentionally avoiding his gaze so he leaned closer, both palms cupping her face tenderly. Udit and Aleama had been from opposing factions in the League but with time they had begun to care for one another.

He was the only one she could trust enough not to plunge a dagger in her back and she knew he thought the same regarding her.

"Who asked you to justify yourself? I am just worried that you are putting yourself at too much risk."

"And what about Mona? Is she not at risk?"

He sighed, kicking the twig into the fire, "no. She's safe."

Aleama pulled apart from him abruptly, "you are loyal to Mistress too, why would you listen to me?"

"I am listening to you. But I also want you to know that by worrying too much you are risking your own life. Mistress does not plan to hurt Mona. If she really wanted to get rid of her, why would she keep her alive for so long?"

Aleama didn't respond but the frown lines on her forehead deepened.

"Stop trying to do anything stupid that will put you on her suspect list," he resumed, voice dropping low because he didn't anyone to overhear them, "you know better than me how dangerous she can be."

"I know. That's why I fear for the girl. She knows nothing about her..."

Udit felt the frustration increase as he reached out towards her again, hands fastening onto her arms as he turned her towards him again. "Why don't you understand? You are getting worried for all the wrong reasons. And due to this unnecessary concern, you're putting both of us in danger."

She looked at him in surprise, "both of us? I don't recall you being a part of whatever I'm thinking about. You are not..."

But she stopped herself upon sensing the intensity of his gaze and the pain flickering on his otherwise intimidating features.

"Udit..."

"No, you're right. I'm not a part of this, why the hell do I care then? Do whatever you want." He had stood up and she did the same, grasping his wrist before he could storm off.

"I don't want you to be in any trouble due to me," she spoke up, "that's what I meant to say, it's not like..."

Her voice trailed off when he pulled her closer, stealing her breath away as he kissed her. She froze against him, unable to process what had just happened.

He had pushed her back against the cold external wall of the courtyard however, his cloak prevented the cold from seeping into her body that was pressed against the wall. She did not know why Udit had taken the first step so abruptly but didn't resist against him either.

When he broke off the kiss, his heartbeat was so erratic that she could hear the thumps it created within his chest loud and clear. Breathing jagged and forehead resting against hers, he uttered, "everything you do directly affects me. If you let yourself be killed so stupidly, what would become of me?"

"Udit, I..."

But his finger traced the curve of her lips, silencing her temporarily.

"Trust me when I say this, Mona is in no danger as long as she stays in Mistress' protection. If she was taken somewhere else, then she would be in greater peril."

"But she will kill her..." She was still adamant on her point though her mind was a hazy blur after the kiss, her hand resting on his chest, feeling the racing heartbeat underneath her fingers.

Udit had leaned closer, fierce eyes burning down her soul, "trust me. Nothing will happen to her. I'll make sure of that."

Her eyes fluttered shut, feeling his lips capture hers again and she let herself melt in the moment, her figure falling almost limp in his firm arms.

"Aleama..." His eyes flickered in concern.

"If anything happens to Mona, I swear I will kill you with these very hands that you're holding right now."

Her voice was feeble but determined. Udit knew very well that once she set her mind on something, she never backed off from it.

"Fine. If something happens to her, I'll give you my own sword to kill me."

She shook her head, "swords aren't the only weapon used to kill someone. I thought you knew better."

A small smile flickered on his face as he lifted her up in his arms, watching her snuggle her head closer to him to get more comfortable, "ah, it's no use killing a dead man either, especially not when the killer digs out the same grave over and over again."

She looked at him at that remark, a smile tugging up on her features, "you let yourself be killed over and over, it's not my fault." But after a pause, she added, "but I'm damn serious, Udit. If anything happens to Mona, I will not hold myself back."

***