A young doctor unexpectedly finds herself forced to indoctrinate into a paramilitary organization, where a stoic hero silently falls in love. Slowly, he earns her trust. The love between them burns away the darkness of the past and acts as a beacon...
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We made quick work of the trip back. Arthur rushed into 5 Alpha, Solan floated in cautiously, and I lingered in the doorway.
Aldric sat in an armchair, his head tossed over the backrest. A bottle of the dark liquid Arthur usually drank was clutched firmly in his grip.
Arthur sat down on the coffee table right across from his brother.
Aldric picked his head up to take another swing right from the bottle.
"How was your night?" Aldric slurred, looking at his brother.
"Fine. How was your night?" Arthur returned calmly without missing a beat.
Aldric slumped forward, his shoulders shaking up and down in a silent sob. The sight split my heart in two, the moment raw.
I should not be here.
I turned to exit, but Solan's hand wrapped around my wrist. He was half turned towards me, one finger raised—a silent request for me to wait.
I nodded acknowledgment, wrapping my arms around myself and exiting the building to give Aldric more privacy.
Several minutes later, Solan exited, too, stepping past me and heading towards my room. I fell in step beside him silently. There was nothing to say.
"I knew this was inevitable, but I still feel unprepared." Solan muttered, shoving his hands into his pockets. "I'm not the best at comforting people."
"I disagree." I said without thinking.
"Yeah, well... you're probably the only one." He said under his breath.
I shrugged, and we walked the rest of the way in silence.
I was surprised when Solan followed me into my building, but instead of questioning him, I made the short trip down the hall and opened my door that he shut behind us.
I waited for him to say something, watching as he looked around my barren room. His eyes settled on mine, and he stepped forward lifting several white books I recognized immediately—my medical publications.
I raised a brow in question, and he extended his arm, caging me between the wall, his body, and my bed.
My heart rate picked up anxiously as old fear surfaced, but his eyes stayed a haven for me to hide within.
Solan's hand settled back at his side, now empty. I turned, my back now to his chest; the white books on neat display on my bookcase.
I turned back towards him.
"Unpack. Please." He murmured while reaching into his interior coat pocket to retrieve envelopes and stamps. He extended them to me, and I took them gratefully.
I dropped my gaze and turned them over in my hand, forcing back all the emotions washing over me. He has done so much for me, and in the six months of knowing him, he's only asked me for two... well, three things. To trust him, be honest with him, and unpack my bags.
