Nightswan

NaNo - Day 16

- Alessio -

"I need you to go away for a few days," Alessio said, putting his dish in the dishwasher.

"What? Why?" Vasilisa followed, slipping in her plate then closing the door to the device. They stood on either side, and Alessio tried not to flinch at the emotions playing on her face—mostly fear and confusion. He'd seen too much of both recently, and it was like a snake was constricting his heart in his ribcage.

"Nothing's wrong," he said. "I'd tell you if something was."

"Where would I go?"

"Maybe you could convince Thaddeus to take Lily and Karisa someplace."

"I don't want to leave you..."

The serpent tightened in his chest. He had some things he needed to accomplish, and Alessio couldn't get any of them done if he were worried about Vasilisa. He never imagined it'd ever be this hard for him to say no to her. Then again, he never thought she'd want to stay with him, either, especially once she learned of who he really was. She didn't seem to focus on his work in the Flight, though. She focused on everything else about him. Alessio actually expected the Flight to break their relationship. Instead, it had only seemed to make them stronger.

He never thought he'd be thankful for the Flight, but Alessio actually was. He hated that it put Vasilisa in danger every single day they left their apartment. He hated that it had also ripped away some of her innocence. She didn't look at him the same way as earlier in their relationship, but maybe that wasn't entirely a bad thing.

"I can call them, if that's what you think would be best," she said.

"I do," he said. "I don't want you to be anywhere near here in case things go awry."

"Is everything okay?" Her voice shook, and he could've sworn he saw her face going white.

Alessio stepped toward her and took her in his arms. When he felt hers come around his waist, he felt his muscles relax. He slowly rubbed up and down her spine with one of his hands, up until he felt her press her cheek into his shoulder, at which point Alessio put his palm underneath her hair, against the back of her neck.

"Everything is fine," Alessio said.

"Why don't I feel that it is?" She moved her head from his shoulder so she could look up at him. Alessio couldn't help himself; he put his hand against her jaw and rubbed her cheek with his thumb.

"There's nothing to worry about." He smiled at her. "I've done this before."

"Done what?"

He clenched his jaw.

"Tell me."

"I can't."

"Why not?"

"I cannot tell you everything that happens in the Flight, Vasilisa. For your own safety."

"What if I don't want to be safe?"

"I want you to be safe," he said. "And ultimately, in this situation, what I say goes."

"Shouldn't this be a discussion?"

"No. It shouldn't." Alessio dropped both of his hands away from her and put space between them. "The kind of things I do...they could kill you. I can't risk that. I can't."

"Ultimately, isn't it my decision since it's my life?" Vasilisa folded her arms over her chest. "I don't want to leave you. Please don't make me."

"I'm not going to make you," Alessio said carefully. "But...please, I'm begging you."

Something in his face must've convinced her, for Vasilisa nodded and looked away from him. "I'll call Uncle Thaddeus."