The Target of His Heart (An Assassin's Creed Fanfic)

Ch. 18: Moonlit Kiss

Cynthia's POV

My lips pursed as I continued to stare up at the night sky, attempting to count the millions of stars that I could spot glittering the skies. I still sat in the same spot that I had been sitting in for who knows how long before Amal came up and spoke to me. She and Bernard had been gone for at least an hour or so, and I figured I should spend another hour or two before heading inside for bed, knowing it was way past the hour to be asleep. As much as I wanted to fall asleep, though, my mind would not allow me to do so. It wanted to stay awake, thinking about the words Amal had spoken to me. Whether you realize it or not, you are falling for him. Her words ran through my mind several times, yet I found it difficult to believe. I could not be in love with Altaïr, not when it was so short a time to actually fall for him. She must have wanted me to think that in order to look forward to something in the future. Unfortunately, as much as I wanted to deny the idea again, the thought would not come. I did not want to believe that I was, indeed, falling for him, but something seemed to prevent me. What it was I would not know for sure.

After staring up at the sky for another long moment, a sigh escaped my lips before I returned my gaze to the ground. When I thought about it for a long moment, it did not surprise me that Amal and Bernard would think that way. I remembered days when I found myself looking into his eyes for longer than I should have, yet he did not protest for even a moment. Besides, I still continued to worry about him throughout the week, even if it was not on a daily basis, but that did not mean I was falling for him. It only meant that I was worried about the man who helped me make it this far in my plan of escape. I at least wanted him to be there when I took my leave from this place I called home. That was all I wanted, that I was what I told myself. But was that really what I wanted? Was I really going to leave him behind and head for Spain, knowing that the person who was willing to help me was going to be here wondering if I was ever going to come back?

The thought made my heart sink.

Trying not to think of the coming future, I tried to think of something else. Unfortunately, my mind went back to wondering if he was alright again, which would have made me groan had it not be for the previous thoughts of whether or not I was in love with him. I knew he was strong and I knew he was going to be helped by his comrades, but the thoughts still plagued my mind. What if he was not as strong as I had made him out to be? Everyone had their breaking point, even powerful Assassins like Altaïr. Was Abel capable of reaching that point in a week's time? Was he able to break the Assassin into talking and speaking of my – our I should say - whereabouts? I shuddered at the thought, rubbing my arms a bit as if I had gone cold all of a sudden. No, I thought. Abel may have been manipulative, but he was not smart enough or strong enough to get what he wanted out of the Assassin. I knew Altaïr was much stronger than Abel, both physically and mentally. It would take that brute months, years even, to even crack the Assassin's mind a little bit. Despite that, Abel would be determined enough to try everything against him. He would not sleep until the Assassin spoke, knowing that he would not be able to fulfill his goal without me as his bride.

Forest green eyes lowered to the ground, staring at my boots, as small strands of light brown hair fell out of its hold. I guess that was what made me worry the most about Altaïr's safety; Abel's determination to break him.

"Altaïr." I muttered to myself, shutting my eyes in the process. "Please do not allow that bastard to break you, no matter how hard he tries."

"I did not nor would I ever allow him to do so."

My breath hitched as my eyes shot open once again. Slowly looking forward, I stared at the building across from me, realizing no one was in front of me. After a few seconds, I slowly got to my feet before turning my head in the direction of the familiar voice. Once I spotted the person who had spoken, my jaw almost dropped as my eyes widened even further. There, before my very eyes, was Altaïr, the man I had been worrying about for longer than I should have. My entire body felt like it froze like ice, unable to move, unable to comprehend anything at all as to what was going on. I noticed the barely noticeable smile on his face as he watched me, looked at me as if he had been wanting to see me as well, make sure that I was okay. Unconsciously, I felt tears began welling up in my eyes as I stared at him, my heart beating rapidly against my chest as if it was about to burst. My mind showed him – Altaïr – but was it real? Was he really standing there, looking at me, or was I hallucinating?