Sour Candy | T. Drake ✔

[49] Reunion

Udit had been relieved to find Aleama safe and sound. Damian had taken him to the apartment they had accommodated her in and after explaining the situation to Aleama, he had gone back to the manor while Udit stayed.

When Damian had left, Aleama approached him at last. Her hands closed onto his arms gently as her eyes took in each feature of his, making herself believe that he was actually there in front of her.

The way she had left the League in such dire circumstances, she had almost started to believe that she might never see him again.

Yet there he was standing in front of her.

His broad palms fitted over her cheeks, hazel eyes soft with relief to see her at last. Then he leaned closer, gently brushing his lips over hers.

"I am so so glad you're alive," he mumbled, pulling her even closer as he deepened the kiss.

Aleama's eyes had fluttered shut until he pulled apart briefly, her eyes locking with his intense hazel irises once again. And at that moment, she was thinking how different Udit was with her as compared to how he was with others.

On the battlefield and in the League, he was a ruthless warrior, a knight with his full devotion subjected to the Demon Head. But with Aleama, he was just a simple man in love; a fierce protector but a very caring partner.

His gaze traveled down to her hand, the deep red garnet shining over her ring finger and a smile broke out on his face. "You kept this?"

"It was the last symbol I had of you, Udit. How could I ever part with it?"

His smile widened and he kissed her again, finally able to accept that they were reconciled at last.

A while passed in silence as Aleama had taken him in to her room, knowing that he was tired from the lengthy travel and would need to rest.

She asked him to freshen up and told him that she would bring something to eat for him, leaving for the kitchen after that remark.

When she returned, Udit had taken off his cloak and heavy armor, washed his hands and face as well and he looked much better than before.

"Here," she made him sit down on the bed and gave him the bowl of rice and stew that she had cooked herself.

Udit gratefully accepted it, realizing that he hadn't eaten properly ever since he had left the base as he had been too occupied with the responsibility of getting Mona to Gotham safely.

Aleama watched as he finished his meal, her light brown eyes glazing over in concern to see that he had been practically starving, "when was the last time you ate?"

"I don't remember. Probably had dinner at the base before we set out."

"I still can't believe it," her voice was hushed and her eyes were distant as if lost in deep thought.

He looked up at her, "can't believe what?"

"I can't believe Mistress actually cared for her," she replied, "I have known her for years, Udit. And she has never ever truly cared for anyone other than Master Damian. By now, I had almost started to believe that she had a stone in place of a heart."

"Don't say that."

She raised an eyebrow skeptically, "you still can't hear anything against her?"

He shook his head, "it's not like that. If she hadn't asked her father to spare me, I would have been dead years ago, before I even got to meet you. I owe a lot to her, that's why I am still loyal to her."

"Even though she tried to take me away from you and almost succeeded."

He recalled what Talia had said to him that day and spoke up, "it may seem strange to you, Aleama, but she knew very well that I hadn't killed you. She told me herself before sending me with Mona."