City of Fire

Chapter Forty

"Ilona"

She'd never been so tired in all her life. She started walking back towards her room, glancing down at the bracelet Erin had given her. It helped take the edge off of her exhaustion. Lowering her arm back down, she was a few feet from her rooms when a figure stepped out into the hallway. It was the girl, Teresa, with Tidus beside her. They were laughing and making jokes, Teresa's eyes shining with affection as she looked up at him. Ilona felt something wrap around her heart and squeeze tightly but she shrugged it off. Stepping farther back and into an alcove she waited for them to leave.

"What are you doing?" It was Adrian and Ilona jumped, yelping in surprise.

"Shush!" She snapped and glanced out to see that they'd gone. She gave a small sigh of relief and turned back towards Adrian. "What are you doing here?" She questioned and Adrian lifted a brow at her abrupt change of topic but answered.

"The Fire Council sent me here to fetch you. They wanted to host a Gathering." By the way he said it she assumed that it was a big deal and sighed. Reaching up she rubbed her temples.

"When?" She lowered her hand and Adrian shrugged one shoulder.

"In a few hours, the captains will be returning shortly from the walls to tell us what the armies are doing." Ilona nodded her head and turned away.

"Alright, I'll—" the castle shook and Ilona fell back against him. He steadied her and she furrowed her brows in irritation. "I hate it when it does that," she grumbled and Adrian agreed with her.

"Oh, before I forget," he reached behind himself and drew out a long, shimmering piece of white silk embroidered with turquoise colored thread, "I would like to wish you a happy birthday." He smiled at her and she stared at it. It looked like something someone would buy from a billionaire. "Allow me?" He lifted the scarf and Ilona could only nod as he draped it around her neck.

"It's so soft," she whispered while touching it. It felt so light, as if she was touching water and Adrian grinned.

"It took me at least a week to make it," he stiffened; worry filling his sky blue eyes, "do you like it?" Ilona gazed up at him, a smile on her lips.

"I love it, thank you." She wrapped him in a hug and heard him give a relieved sigh.

"I'm glad," he patted her shoulder and Ilona stepped away.

"You made it yourself, did you?" She turned and started walking, Adrian beside her and he nodded.

"I did," he lifted a brow at her, "you sound surprised?" She gave him a cheeky grin.

"I just never pegged you as the knitting type," Ilona teased while opening the doors to her room but halting at the threshold. Adrian smiled at her, his eyes softening.

"There are many things you do not know about me, Dominus," he bowed low and reaching out touched her fingers with his own. "I shall leave you," he straightened and gave her a stern look. "Rest, you're going to need your strength when we face the captains and Fire Council." Ilona sighed but nodded her head at his words.

"I will, but make sure you do as well." She looked at his worn face, "You look like you need it." He smiled at her and nodded.

"I will." He replied and with that Ilona stepped into her room and Adrian headed down the hall. Carefully taking the soft scarf from her neck she placed it on one of the dressers. Washing her face and neck she patted her skin dry, glancing out the window at the bursts of fire down below. After Adrian had shown up they'd raced back to the main foyer to find it in chaos. Apparently the Hollows had started to lay siege to the south tower, a very well built tower that was used to control the main road. The Fire Council had dispatched soldiers to it, hoping to take it back but it had proved futile. She sighed, running a hand through her hair but jumped when there was a knock on her door.