The Cadre of Embers

Chapter 14

 The next morning over breakfast, Jasper shared with Althea and the rest of their group, which now included the young Elizabeth, that he had been asked to join some of the cadre members from the Parisian institution, to dispatch on an important mission.

When Althea had asked him where he was going and for how long, he just sighed and conveyed that he was unable to disclose the details of his sudden trip.

Althea's heart ached with the unknowing of where he was going or what he would be doing for the time he'd be away. Throughout her breakfast she had hoped that he wouldn't be sent anywhere unsafe.

They sat together now in their spot on the bench in the courtyard, surrounded by the autumn mums. Althea had limited time before her training was to start, but she used it, clinging to Jasper's warm embrace as he held her.

"I promise my love, I will be back before long and we will be together once more," he cooed in her ear, his light breath tickling her neck. She removed her head from his shoulder and looked at him as she sat in his lap. She hated the uncertainty that seemed to buzz in the air around them. But she supposed she needed to get used to it, this, the cadre, the powers, the missions... it was her life now. Well not the missions yet, but she supposed with time, it would be her venturing off to far corners of the world in search of recruits.

"Okay..." she breathed out, looking between his hazel eyes. "I am going to miss you though," she admitted.

He smiled warmly at her. "Not nearly as much as I will miss you." Jasper placed a gentle kiss to her forehead before standing and placing her steadily on the ground.

"It's nearly eight o'clock... allow me to escort you to the training yard before I leave?" he asked, reaching an outstretched hand for her to take. With a small pout, she placed her hand in his and let him walk her to her usual meeting spot with Arsalan.

When they exited the institution doors towards the large grassy field, Althea turned to him, not particularly seeking the sly judgement Arsalan would surely give her if he were to see the two of them together.

"I can take it from here," she announced, staring up at him admiringly. She really would miss him immensely while he was away. Not only because of the kisses and warm embraces that had become their routine, but because he was her dearest friend here at the institution... With the others so busy all of the time, Jasper was one of the only people who took time from his day to spend it with her... and that felt nice.

With a small nod, and a glance towards the large field behind her, he bent down to leave what she thought would be a quick kiss to her lips. However, as his hand latched onto the back of her neck, and he pressed his mouth firmly to hers, her knees nearly buckled beneath her. The kiss was full of longing and a surprising amount of desire and need. Althea locked her arms around his neck just to keep from falling down beneath the pressure, as his tongue roamed the inside of her mouth.

When he finally pulled back, Althea was breathless and panting like a fool. He'd never kissed her so... vigorously before. But she assumed that was his way of expressing how much he would miss her while he was away.

"Goodbye my love," he said, taking her hand in his and bending to kiss it.

"Goodbye," she sighed, and watched as he walked back inside.

When she turned around, Arsalan, to her surprise, stared at her from only a few yards away. Had he been standing there the entire time? Suddenly Althea's cheeks grew hot as she swallowed harshly and neared him.

She opened her mouth to greet him, but he turned away from her and said sternly, "you're late." She couldn't be that late, it was only nearing eight when they left the courtyard ten minutes ago. She rolled her eyes.