Breakfast was hurried which was a welcome pace because the tables started filling quickly as more people came down. We didn't speak just looking at each other as if trying to size each other up and trying to make sure we weren't missing something about the other.

Reaching for my hand to help me stand "are you ready to go? We need to get a move on if we are going to try an find the prince where ever he maybe." Letting him help me up I felt a surge of energy and power flow through me causing me to blush and drop my gaze unable to look him in the eyes.

Causing him to chuckle but still lead me out the door. Once outside the stable had in hand both horses from last night. "Are you riding with me again today or would you prefer your own horse my sun?" Laughing I let go of his arm and moved to get up on my own horse.

"Your riding by yourself today we have a lot of ground to cover. By the way when in the saints name did you pack the horses? I know I don't have anything but you do."

Getting on his own horse he looks at me smerking "I don't think I have as many things with me as you would believe but I had them brought down as we went to breakfast."

"Fair enough I don't know what you have brought with you but you did have a few things for me in the room. So you still must have brought in more stuff then you are trying to make it seem. You are always thinking of me and bringing me things I need or could ever want."

This makes him laugh putting up his hands up in surrender while still staying steady on his slowly lead us out of town back towards the spinning wheel. The pace out of town was slowed down by people checking out our black kefta's or people on their way to market.

Once outside the towns boundaries we kicked the horses into a fast gallop. Running away from the unsea towards the mountain of the Sikurzoi to the spinning wheel.

Neither of us spoke till we got to the Sokol River and had to slow the horses. I had a flash back of leaving everyone who had joined me and fought for me so I could be free of the man whom I was now traveling with. I wondered if Mal went back to the others or if he went off on his own. I hoped the others were safe but I had no intention of going back.

"There is a safe passage that will not take us anywhere near to many people. We attract to much attention with our kefta's as it is and we need to get there without getting stopped. After all we are in the middle of a war on opposite sides, we are supposed to be fighting."

Nodding "I agree, at this point people don't know we have called a truce. Aleksander did you sleep at all last night or did you stay up planning out our entire trip."

Looking away and straight ahead kicking his horse just slightly faster so I could not see his face. "I had to make sure all our plans were in order before I could sleep. Plus I watched you sleep just to make sure you were actually back safe with me. It helps me to watch so I know you can't run away again."

Sighing and kicking my horse to catch up I reached out to touch his arm finally getting him to look at me. "Aleksander I am back safe with you as you put it but you need your sleep. You can't watch me sleep forever and I have promised not to run again again. Unless you hurt me or do as we discussed before."

Putting his hand over mine laughing lightly. "I don't need as much sleep as you and until I get used to it I can to make sure this is real. I promise that I will keep my word as long as you keep yours. Before I go away with you I need to know ALL grisha will be safe." Laughing lightly as well "I am not going anywhere and I know you won't let anything happen to me. I know I am safe with you as all grisha will be safe as I promised."

Crossing the river was as easy as he said. Though neither of us spoke crossing it. Our trip has ended up taking us till night fall so we decide to camp where he has found us a safe spot. "We will camp here by the river, so the horses can drink and we can rest."

Jumping off his horse he quickly to help me down then lead his horse to drink. So I followed his lead and my horse fell in beside his. We tied our horses near the bank so they could drink throughout the night and removed the saddle bags to set up camp."

For someone who is supposed to be a general of the largest army he moved as tho he has set up a simple camp in the middle of nowhere all of the time. He seem both oddly out of place and perfectly in place at the same time in with the scene before me.

"Aleksander how can you can set up a camp in the middle of nowhere? I don't picture that of you because camp is always set up well before you get there." Sighing lightly "I have not always been a general Alina. At one point in my long life I have lived a life out a tents. The life on the run always moving from one place to another carrying all you own on your back or on the horse.

I will never return to that life unless it is the only way to keep you safe and then and only then shall I ever live like that. However I think the time to show you the house I built years ago for you is about on us. If all goes well with your prince and you can convince him of what we talk about I will take you there."

Jerking back in shock "Aleksander what do you mean you built me a house?" Causing him to laugh "I built this home years ago after Luda to help me grieve but have never lived there. At the time I didn't know it but yes I built it for you. Even some of the designs I do believe you will love."

Shaking off the shock I ran into his arms knocking him off balance causing us to land in a tangled mess while kissing his cheek. "Thank you Aleksander I can't believe it now we know where we are going to go and be safe." From the look on his face and his delayed reaction I couldn't have shocked him more.

Soon we untangled from each other him with a large smile me with a blush trying to hide my face. However he seems to have other plans cupping my chin to get me to look up at him. "Alina thank you for that I could have never asked for such a beautiful way to be told thank you. I know we still have a long way to go on our journey together and I hope we continue to grow closer."

Blushing a deeper shade of red "Aleksander I really didn't mean to knock you to the ground I am sorry. I was just really surprised by the fact that we have somewhere to go that will be safe because believe it or not I trust you not to hurt me."

Pulling me into his arms once again "Alina yes we have somewhere safe. My hope is that you will love this house that I have built I hope that you find a happy home there with me." Smiling kissing his cheek again "Aleksander only time will tell but we are on the right track to being able to make it into a happy home with each other."

"How do you know the house is in good condition if you built it years ago?" Smirking "I've had caretakers over the years but never have they lived there. The directions left were to make sure it stays in perfect conditions if any repairs were needed they send letters and I go and oversee it being fixed." "You have thought about this a lot."

Without another word I walked out of his arms leaving him with a smile to go finish setting up the camp. He let me finish putting everything into the tent and setting up our bedrolls while he set about making a fire.

Stepping out of the tent I was surprised to see not only had he started the fire but has found and started cooking a rabbit for our supper. "Where in the saints name did you find a rabbit?"

"It hopped its way towards me while I was getting the wood in order. So I used my cut to kill it so we would have a warm meal tonight because I will not let you go hungry my sun.

With me whether we are on the road or at the house I promise you that you will eat a warm meal each night and my protection from anything or anyone who would do you harm my sun."

Sighing and walking towards him but stopping just shy of him. "You are like a dark angel I still do not understand why you are doing all of this for me. Expecally since until these last few days we have been at war. You are letting me see a side of you that either no one see's or it is just an act. I am not sure what to believe any more Aleksander."

Putting his hand on my cheek "as I have said I have waited for you for more than a hundred years. It nearly killed me when I found out you ran from the little palace away from me. Baghra's hateful words got to you before even I could realize just how much you made me want to change. To change my ways too change all of my plans for you."

Gasping at his words putting my hand on his cheek letting him pull me in closer. There was no space between us anymore "Aleksander I don't know what to say. What do you mean you were wanting to change your plans for me?"

"I was ready to ask to help me to do what I had in mind together. Maybe you could have saved me from some of the things I would have done. Our world can not handle darkness without the light and you are that light. Just as our would can not handle too much light without darkness. We are each others balance, we are each others soulmates."

As he said I was his soulmate he leaned down stopping just shy of kissing me as if asking for permission I closed the distance. The kiss was short but full of love, lust, and of passion. Pulling away as I was not ready to give into these feeling just as he reached for me.

Seeming to understand I wasn't ready to get into anything at the moment he stepped back moving on and went back to cooking the rabbit. Ducking inside the tent I sat on the bedroll for a moment trying to gather my thoughts. Only getting interrupted once the rabbit was cooked.

Sitting around the fire neither of us said anything while we ate just exchanging glances. Once we finished our meals I retreated to bed still thinking about his words and our kiss. Sleep evaded me until Aleksander came into the tent and laid on his bedroll next to mine. Once I knew he was there the feeling of being safe engulfed me and pulled me under into a dreamless sleep.

The last thing I saw before sleep over took me was him wrapping our tent in shadows to protect us.