Sorry for the wait, not gonna lie I have no idea whatsoever where this story is going, I make it up as I go along. Let me know what you think! Feedback and criticism welcomed, as well as ideas as to where you think it should go next! Thanks for reading

2

The next week passed in a flurry of confused activity. As soon as the commander had learned of Valek's return his time had been consumed by an extreme amount of meetings and errands. The few times Yelena had seen him it had been for barely seconds; naturally, he had little time for her. Hd looked, if possible, even more tired and haggard than he had the night she found him on the battlements. Every time she thought back to that night her heart fluttered a little in her chest. A wave of nervous energy carried her through the days spent without Valek. She felt energised for the first time in six weeks, filled with a thrilling sense of vitality- she couldn't tell if it was caused by Valek's presence alone, or from the events later that night…

After that first week the hubbub had calmed a little, and Yelana took to returning each night to the battlements to watch the sunset. Now that Valek had returned she realised how truly stunning Ixia looked at dusk, as distracted as she'd been with anxiousness, she now regarded the town and stretches of open fields with a sense of fond appreciation. She often found her mind wandering aimlessly through relaxed and mundane thoughts, only occasionally lingering on Valek's business. He'd said he'd been in Sitia, in her homeland… Yelena hardly doubted it- his tanned, lean body stuck out like a sore thumb in a city full of fair, pale faces. She chose not to dwell on it, content for the time being.

But while her mind was rested, she was far from at peace.

"Duck, Yelena!" shouted Ari, as Janco's hand sliced through the air and thwacked into her side. She gasped and stepped back, stunned out of her thoughts by the fourth strike she'd let past her guard that morning. Janco laughed and punched the air as Ari rolled his eyes and stepped forwards to Yelena's side. "What's got into you today?" he asked, moving to check a bruise blossoming on her cheekbone from the previous afternoon. Yelena glared at him and brushed his hand away.

"Nothing" she muttered "Let's go again". She couldn't remember ever being this distracted, even throughout Valek's absence she had trained with a resigned ferocity, and she hadn't lost a spar with Janco for even longer. Janco's laugh slid away as he regarded Yelena's face, cocking his head to one side before exchanging a knowing glance with Ari. Yelena missed none of this. "What?" she snapped at her friends. Janco smirked and Ari grinned, shaking his head.

"Ever since Valek got back…" Janco teased,

"And don't try telling us your relationship is purely professional" Ari put on a high-pitched voice, mocking Yelena, who slapped his arm. "Ooh Valek, you have poisoned my heart! Let me taste your sweet antido-" Yelena blushed scarlet

"Shut UP!" she shouted. Ari and Janco collapsed into laughter and Yelena could have hit herself. For the love of fuck they were only teasing you. She sighed and allowed a broad smile onto her face; she was good at faking them by now. "Ok I think you two have had enough for one day", she said, changing the subject "if you're going to be so immature I'm going to have a bath". Yelena turned on her heel, laughing over her shoulder at her friends. She pushed open the heavy wooden door, Ari and Janco's chuckles following her as she stepped out into the corridor.

She walked straight into Valek.

His hand was raised, about to knock on the door Yelena had just pulled open, and she collided with him at full force. He looked down at her, surprised, with a very strange expression on his face. Yelena made eye contact, flushed again and stumbled back into the training room.

"Valek!" cried Ari, catching sight of him as he stepped in after Yelena

"Speak of the devil," laughed Janco. Yelena glared at him and he winked. Valek smiled wanly, nodding politely to Yelena, whose cheeks were still a little pink, before addressing the three of them.

"It's good to see you again" He began, cutting across Ari as he began to ask questions eagerly. "I'm sure you're desperate to know where I've been, but as you already know, Yelena" His piercing blue eyes met hers again. This time she didn't look away. "I am indisposed to share this information". Ari groaned and Janco rolled his eyes.

"Always the mysterious one, Valek" he sighed. Valek ignored him and continued, a slight smile playing about his usually solemn features.

"As I'm sure you're aware, the travelling carnivals will be in the area from tomorrow night." Yelena perked up at this point. The carnivals had always been a highlight of the season for her. For a few days now she had watched performers and artisans pitch their tents and light their fires within sight of the city walls. She thought excitedly of the revellers and fire eaters, and delicate tanned girls who walked on hot coals while gymnasts threw one another through the air or soared on trapezes. She hadn't been permitted to go to the winter festival, however the spring festival was truly a spectacle… She was snapped out of her daydream as Valek addressed her directly, "The Commander will be making an appearance at the carnival tomorrow evening, he of course will be accompanied by his guard and entourage, not that he needs it, but he has requested that I be there to keep an eye on matters just in case," His expression was unreadable "Yelena it would be an excellent opportunity for you to gain some invaluable experience in the field" her eyes narrowed as she considered his offer. There must be a catch, and sure enough "You will not be permitted leave to experience the festival except by this job, however once the commander has left you will not be required to return until the following morning". Valek allowed Yelena a rare smile, appropriate for this just as rare treat. Of course, she was still considered a threat and a murderer, but she wouldn't dare flee while Valek still held the antidote to Butterfly's dust… Yelena sighed and bowed her head slightly.

"Refusal isn't really an option, is it?" She said. Valek shook his head and turned to Ari and Janco.

"Keep an eye on her tomorrow night" He said monotonously. Ari nodded and Janco gave a mock salute.

"Don't worry Valek," Janco said, "We won't let our Yelena get too carried away" He smirked and winked at Yelena, who rolled her eyes.

"Good." Said Valek, turning and making to walk out of the door. At the last minute he turned "I believe you were just about to leave, Yelena?" he asked.

Yelena jumped and, glancing at Ari and Janco, who could barely hide their smirks, hurried to walk beside Valek.

As the door swung shut behind her, realisation suddenly struck her that tomorrow she would be spending an entire evening in Valek's company. She could feel the flush rising in her cheeks as she and Valek began to walk towards the west quarters, where both their apartments were situated. They walked several moments in silence. Both their feet made no sound on the flagstone floor, as practiced as each of them were in stealthy movement. They were rounding the corner onto the open corridor where Yelena's rooms were when Valek finally spoke.

"There's a cloak missing from my rooms," he said. Yelena's heart sank to her stomach. He knew. "I wonder, do you know what might have happened to it?" Yelena sighed, seeing no point in lying.

"I took it," she said, "The weather was turning, and I have few warm clothes of my own."

"I assume that's also the reason there was a fire already lit the in my rooms the night we returned?" Valek smirked and Yelena scowled at him. He could read her like a book. They reached the door to Yelena's and without saying a word she turned her back to Valek and began to unlock it. A moment later, she could feel a familiar breath on the back of her neck. She closed her eyes in exasperation.

"Valek, we shouldn…"

"Look at me when you speak to me, Yelena." His voice was silky smooth and sounded dangerous, was he threatening her? Yelena swallowed, suddenly anxious, and turned to find his face only inches from hers. Valek's hand was braced casually on the door beside her head. "You know I don't take kindly to trespassers" He murmured, warm breath tickling her ear. A shiver ran down her spine. She could feel herself melting, but desperately tried to hide it.

"And how do you suggest I redeem myself?" She spoke without thinking, but was pleased with the unwavering tone of her voice. Yelena crooked an eyebrow at Valek, who grinned

"Oh, I can think of plenty of ways…" In the time it took for Yelena to blink in surprise, he was on her. He crushed his lips to hers; Yelena froze for a second, utterly stunned, before submitting to the glorious feeling and fiercely kissing him back. Their tongues entwined and Yelena gasped into the kiss as Valek nipped at her lower lip. She pressed her body to his; every inch of space between them was an inch too much. There was no doubt about it, he was unquestionably turned on, perhaps more so than even Yelena. She could feel his manhood pressing into her and ground against it. He actually growled as his hands wandered to the small of her back, gripping her tightly against him and massaging her hips. Yelena snaked one arm up to caress the nape of his neck, and reached the other behind her, opening the door in one movement and pulling Valek into the room, never once breaking the kiss. Valek didn't hesitate to follow. He slammed the door shut with his entire body as he leant against it, gathering Yelena to him and scooping her up by her thighs, squeezing them in his experienced hands as he carried her to the table, sitting her on the edge and cupping her butt. Wave after wave of wanting charged through Yelena's body as Valek began trailing kisses across her jaw. He pecked at her earlobe and continued to her neck, sucking her and biting her wherever her could reach. Yelena wanted more. She spread her knees and wrapped her legs around her, crossing her ankles and pressing closer and closer. She knew Valek could tell she wanted it. They both wanted it. Yelena could hear both their hearts racing, ragged breathing as she felt Valek grin into her neck.

"The trouble you've caused me, Yelena…" He panted, "Don't think you don't deserve what you're getting" Yelena felt Valek's hand caress her knee momentarily, before trailing infuriatingly slowly up her thigh towards her cunt.

"For god's sake Valek" Yelena could have grabbed his hand to force him to move faster, patience certainly wasn't her strongest trait. Valek smirked again and cupped her crotch in his hand, massaging her none too gently, sending shockwaves of pleasure coursing through her body as he pinched her clit through her underwear, moving with progressively more enthusiasm. Yelena's breath caught in her throat and she let out an audible moan. She was so wet for him. She felt like she might explode, she wanted him inside her so bad.

Suddenly Valek halted his movements. Yelena almost choked, starting to demand why he had stopped, but a knock at the door stopped her at once. Valek slipped away from her and Yelena practically leapt off her perch on the table, exchanging a terrified glance with Valek, who was utterly composed. He nodded towards the door, an obvious invitation to see who was there. Yelena was anxious, yet furious at the interruption. She strode towards the door, straightening her clothes and running her fingers nervously through her hair. The stranger knocked again, harder this time

"Yelena?" it was Ari's voice. "Are you in there?" Yelena closed her eyes in frustration and pulled open the door.

"What is it?" she said, a little more harshly than she had intended. Ari looked down at her in surprise.

"You forgot your cloak" he said, holding it out to her. Yelena forced herself to smile. "…Is everything alright, Yelena?" he asked after a moment. Yelena took her cloak.

"Thanks, Ari" she said politely, "I'm just a little busy at the moment" Ari nodded, looking a little dejected.

"I guess I'll see you tomorrow then" he said, "don't let Valek work you too hard." Yelena smiled inwardly.

"Don't worry about me, I'll be just fine" she said, Ari waved a cheery farewell and Yelena shut the door, turning to a now empty room. She sighed as she contemplated the open window. Valek must have left open on his way out. Typical.

To Be Continued…