Well... Here I am. Long time no see guys...To be completely honest I have no excuse. Life, college, work, friends, events... Just Life in general I suppose. Also for some reason my muse for this story has just been... I don't even know. I think it crawled in a hole somewhere and died.
I swear I wrote this chapter over four times until I finally decided that this was good enough and even now I'm still a little iffy on it.

I just want to thank you all who have stayed dedicated to me and my story. All of you reviewers and followers, favoritors and a very very special thanks to ZealousPhoenix245.

Without that drawing, this chapter would not have been posted today. :) It was lovely, inspiring, beautiful and you gave me the push I needed to update. So I thank you a thousand times over!

I think you'll be happy to know that I plan on using it as this story's cover photo.

Anyways, here is the next chapter that you've all been craving. I'm sorry if it's not what you wanted or not as good. I apologize but I hope you like it.

Read, Review, Be Merry!

Chapter 33

Morning after

Light.

Wait... Light? Oh no... It can't be morning already...

I took a deep slow breath and sighed in content. What an amazing night. I couldn't believe it. This must have been what it felt like to be a teenager. Of course, my teenage years were spent in the company of a hidden blade and a sword... but still. I've never felt more alive. Last night... oh I will never forget it.

I willed my eyes open. I wished to look on him. The one that I'm... hopelessly and desperately in love with.

My vision was blurry at first... I blinked my eyes a couple of times and cleared them up. The first thing that I saw was a bare, tan chest. I watched it rise and fall. His breathing was even, slow, calm. I ran my eyes down his body. My arm was draped lazily over his stomach, my hand on his abs... Oh those muscles... they could make any woman drop to her knees.

I smiled.

I ran my eyes lower and saw the sheet draped over his waist. I blushed and bit my lip. Damn...

I ran my eyes back up and slowly angled my head upwards, so I could see his face. I looked at him. His eyes were closed, he looked so calm and... peaceful. Not at all like the bloodthirsty, cold hearted assassin I once knew. Arrogant? Yes. Just a little bit. But that was ok. I love him. It's the truth and I'm finally admitting it to myself.

I ran my fingers slowly over the abs they rested on. I lifted my hand up and placed it on his neck. I ran my fingers down his jaw line and felt him take a deep breath, then sigh. I smiled as I slowly ran my fingers down his chest and back down to his abs.

"I could grow accustomed to waking like this." he murmured. My smile widened. He was awake.

"So could I." I whispered. I saw a smile grow on his lips. He opened his eyes and looked at me.

"We could wake like this every morning." he said. He ran his hand through my hair and down my neck and shoulder. I smiled.

"If only." I whispered. He gave me a confused look and rolled over on his side to where he was facing me. He took my hand and held it close to him while stroking my cheek with his other hand.

"What do you mean?" he whispered.

"What if people start to get suspicious of us? We are already spending a lot of time with each other, what if someone catches us? And if the master found out... He would kill us." It was the truth. He would do something terrible and executing the both of us or one of us seemed... terrible. Altaïr smiled slightly.

"I don't think he would go so far as to kill us. It would be a waste and you know how he is about wasting our talents."

"Well, you have a point..." I agreed.

"As for everyone else... I could absolutely care less about what they say or think. And no one will catch us." he gave a smug grin. I scoffed.

"You sound so sure-"

"No one will catch us, Alera." he said more firm and serious. "I promise. The night will act as our cloak." he smiled at me and I smirked back.

"What if we get... caught up... during the day?" this comment made his smile widen. He leaned over and looked down into my eyes.

"We have the roof gardens and the hay on our side." I laughed and he leaned down and kissed me. It was a hot, passionate kiss. I find it amusing that he already knows how to set me off. He bit my bottom lip and I leaned up to deepen the kiss.

I put an arm around his neck and pulled on his hair. He let out a low growl. We pulled back to breathe for a second. He nipped at my bottom lip and I smiled. I leaned into him and licked his bottom lip. His hand snaked down the side of my breast and around my back. I slowly sat up and playfully pushed him off.

"We have to get up. I don't know the time but I know we have to get moving." I leaned over and stretched my arms, then I arched my back and stretched it. I closed my eyes and popped my back.

"We don't have to leave just yet." his breath tickled my neck.

Suddenly I was on my back and Altaïr was perched over me. I laughed as he lightly poked me in the sides. I caught his hands and laced ours together.

"Stop it." I growled at him. He leaned over me and smirked. That smirk was so devilishly handsome. It made my heart beat speed up. He kissed the center of my chest, then ran his tongue up and over my left breast.

I gasped and nearly squealed. It came out in more of a high pitched moan... Oh my god... He stopped and nipped at my collarbone, then pressed open mouthed kisses all the way up to my neck and at the sensitive spot under my ear.

"Make me, sweetheart." he whispered... Damn... Oh damn him and his voice...

"Mmm, Altaïr." I moaned.

Knock Knock "Alera!"

Altaïr and I jumped. We looked at each other, then looked at the door.

"Alera! Open up! It's me!"

"Shit. It's Kalin!" I said quietly.

"Damn it." growled Altaïr.

"This better be important!" I growled. Altaïr rolled off of me and we both jumped out of bed, but I had to pause as I felt a sharp pain go through my hips... I was actually.. sore. I groaned and rubbed at my hips. I ached between my legs. My whole lower body pretty much ached. Well damn this is just great.

Suddenly I felt hands on my shoulders.

"Alera are you alright?" came the smooth voice of Altaïr. I bit my lip and swallowed my discomfort, ignoring the pain like I had been taught to all my life.

"Yes I'm fine! Now get decent!" I grabbed my robe and wrapped it around my bare body. I ran to open the door but stopped. I turned around to see Altaïr putting his robe on too.

"You.. You need to hide!" I whispered to him.

"Alera?" came Kalin's voice. It was muffled on the other side of the door.

"Just a second Kalin!" I called to him. I ran over to Altaïr and started to push him towards the bathroom.

"What? Why do I need to hide? He knows about us!"

"I know he does but just in case he has someone else with him... ugh look just hide and if he's alone, I'll come get you." I shoved him into the bathroom. "Now hush!" I closed the door behind him and huffed, straightening myself out and wrapping my robe tighter around me. I took a deep breath and nodded, walking to the door and flinging it open.

"Good Morning!" Kalin said with a smile, his amber eyes shining.

"Are you alone?" I asked quickly. Kalin gave me a puzzled look and looked around him.

"Yes.. Why?" I nodded.

"Good." I grabbed him by the shirt and yanked him in, closing the door and locking it behind him.

"Alera what the hell? Is everything alright?" he asked with a rose eyebrow. I put my hand over his mouth.

"You must be quiet about this alright? This stays between the three of us only alright? I trust you Kalin. Please keep this between us three. I cannot stress that enough." I chewed on my lip, hoping he'd understand. His eyes narrowed in confusion... until they slowly widened in realization. I nodded and moved my hand from his mouth.

"Three? That means that-" suddenly I heard my bathroom door open. I snapped my head back, to see Altaïr stroll into the room. He gave Kalin a stern look.

"Please my friend...Keep this quiet." he asked, his green eyes intense. Kalin nodded.

"Of course I will. You have my word." I smiled and gave Kalin a kiss on the cheek.

"Thank you brother." I ran a hand through my hair, but suddenly felt arms wrap around my waist from behind. I couldn't help the smile that spread across my lips as I felt Altaïr pull me to him, pressing my back against his warm chest. Kalin smiled slightly at us.

"So last night..?" he smirked, crossing his arms and leaning against the table. I blushed and bit my lip, looking down at the floor. I felt Altaïr's chest vibrate against my back as he chuckled.

"Indeed, my friend." I felt him kiss the back of my head.

"Were you not afraid of being caught?" Kalin asked with a raised brow. Now that he'd mentioned it... It hadn't even crossed my mind. I shook my head.

"It didn't really cross my mind at that moment..." I said quietly. Kalin smirked and nodded.

"I see... And do you have some sort of plan?" he asked us. I paused and looked back at Altaïr. He looked right back at me, smiling slightly.

"Well... somewhat. We were planning on using the darkness as our cloak. If one of us wanted to stay in the other's room then we would spend the night with each other. The other would have to be up before dawn and creep back to their room." he said. I smiled.

"But it helps that our rooms are right next to each other." Kalin nodded slowly.

"That is true but... You both will have to be careful. If people start seeing you too close or..." he smirked. "too sweet on each other, rumors and whispers will start to form." I smirked slightly.

"So In other words you're saying we should keep up an appearance? I should still act like I hold disdain towards him." I rose a brow at Kalin. He nodded. I felt Altaïr's chest vibrate as he hummed in amusement.

"Well you know what they say... Sex fueled by hate is the best and the wildest."

What?!

"Altaïr!" I hissed at him. Why. Why must he always do this to me.

Goddamn him and his arrogance.

His arms tightened around me and I could practically feel the smirk on him. I shivered and bit my lip, shaking my head. Kalin laughed and shook his head.

"Just don't moan too loud." he laughed. My jaw dropped. Perfect. Just fucking perfect. Now my former guardian is edging this on.

"Don't worry... If she starts to moan too loud, I'll make her grip the sheets and bite down on the pillow." I felt him squeeze my hips and kiss my neck. I bit my lip to stifle the moan that wanted to escape. Instead it came out as more of a growl. I wiggled in his grasp.

"Oh will you two shut up. It's awkward enough that Kalin knows. Now you're both discussing my moans. Bastards." I rolled my eyes and finally broke free out of Altaïr's grasp. "If you'll excuse me, I need to put some real clothes on instead of just my robe." I grabbed my pants, shirt and other garb and headed towards the bathroom, but felt Altaïr grab my wrist. I looked back at him. His thumb ran over my Assassin symbol...just as he always did to me. I smiled.

"Alera." he said, a smile on his lips.

"What is it?" I asked. He just smiled.

"I love you.." He then slowly let my wrist slip from his hand. I glanced over at Kalin who had an approving smile on his lips. I then looked back at Altaïr.

"I love you too." I said with a smile as a familiar warmth spread through my chest. I then turned and walked into the bathroom and shut the door behind me.

*Altaïr watched after Alera. When the bathroom door closed he gave a content sigh and turned back around. He saw Kalin giving him a knowing smile.

"Love already?" he asked. Altaïr smiled slightly.

"I know it seems impossible but...Kalin I do. I love her." Altaïr ran a hand through his hair, staring at the bathroom door. "Last night was... I'll never forget it." he smiled and looked back at Kalin. Kalin approached him and put a hand on Altaïr's shoulder.

"I trust you my friend. So long as you don't break her heart, then you have nothing to worry about. I believe that you love her and the way she looks at you..." Kalin chuckled slightly. "To say she's crazy about you would be an understatement, brother." Altaïr smiled.

"I'm glad you trust me. Take relief in knowing that I'd never break her heart. I... need Alera. Just as much as she needs me. She's finally opened up to me because she trusts me too. The only real problem we have now is keeping this a secret. Al Mualim would have our heads..." he bit his lip. Kalin nodded.

"You have my word. This will stay between the three of us. I do not think the master would kill his two best assassin's, but there is no doubt the punishment would be great. We should all take caution." Kalin patted Altaïr's shoulder. "I'll take my leave. I'm sure you two have more missions to get to. Tell Alera that I love her." Kalin crossed his arm over his chest. "Safety and Peace, Brother." Altaïr nodded with a smile.

"To you as well."*