Chapter 20

We left the ceremony shortly thereafter. Ian and Stanton had clearly had enough interactions with moroi, and there were no complaints when we asked to be taken back to our hotel.

On our way out, we saw Sonya and congratulated her. I wished I could say more but I didn't want to risk sounding too friendly around Stanton and Ian. I wanted to tell her how beautiful she looked and that I was truly happy for her and Mikhail. Maybe I'd send her an email instead. It was yet another reminder that I never really felt comfortable around alchemists. I briefly wondered when I had started to feel that way.

Stanton, Ian and myself said quick, professional good-byes in the hotel lobby before we parted ways to go to our rooms. Tomorrow, we would all fly back to our respective homes. We were flying at different times, so I would likely not see either of them again for the remainder of this trip.

I walked into my room, locked the door and released a breath I wasn't even aware I had been holding. Tonight had felt so charged.

I took off my shoes and walked into the bathroom to free my hair from all the pins I had to use to keep it within my chosen hairstyle for the night.

I had just finished taking out the last pin from my hair when I heard a knock at my door.

I froze.

That has to be for the room next door. There's no reason anyone would-

*Knock, knock, knock*

Three soft knocks were unmistakable at my door.

I stepped out of the bathroom and looked at the door, confused. I stepped up to it and looked through the peephole, hoping I could see who was knocking at my door.

I gasped then quickly opened the door.

"What are you doing here! How did you even know where- Nevermind, come inside before someone sees you!" I pulled him into my room.

"Well, I made it in. This is already going better than expected," he said as he glanced around the room.

"Adrian, what are you doing here?"

He turned to face me, and it suddenly dawned on me that Adrian was here, in my hotel bedroom. With me. Alone.

We were standing facing each other in the small hallway that led into my bedroom. There was not much space between us, and it seemed to be growing smaller by the second.

"I'll admit that I'm here for selfish reasons but I just would not be able to live with myself if I never saw you again and we didn't have a proper goodbye."

"A proper goodbye? What do you mean by-"

I didn't get the chance to finish my question because Adrian quickly stepped towards me, grabbed my face and kissed me so deeply that it felt as if all the air left my lungs.

I reacted quickly and pulled him towards me. I was not going to lie to myself. Not tonight. Not right now. I gave into that kiss as if I was at the edge of a precipice with only him anchoring me to the ground.

The kiss was so passionate that I ended up pushed up against the wall with Adrian flush against me as he kissed me. I had never felt so alive.

I buried my hands into his hair, his hands exploring the sides of my body. When we came up for air, some instinct told me to lift my head so that I could give him access to my neck where he gladly trailed kisses that ranged between soft and so ardent that they left me feeling dizzy.

I grabbed his face and pulled it back to me so that we could continue kissing. He trailed his hands all the way down to my thighs and when he got there he grabbed them, pulled me up and wrapped my legs around him with a strength I was unaware he had.

He didn't break the kiss as he walked me towards the room and sat down on the small couch. I had never been draped over someone like this. This position gave him better access to my neck, and the passionate kisses there returned.

I wanted to return the favor, so I kissed him and then trailed smaller kisses all the way down to his neck. His gasps encouraged me the entire way.

He suddenly grabbed my face and pulled it to him. He gave me a slower kiss and then laid his forehead against mine.

We were both breathing heavily as he spoke. "That is the best thing that's ever happened to me." I smiled. "Sydney Sage, you're incredible. I wish…" He shook his head.

My smile faded.

"Me too." I whispered.

His eyes widened a bit, like he was surprised that I was admitting it out loud. To be fair, I was a bit surprised myself.

"In another life, we'd be really happy together." He said, followed by a quick kiss.

I took a deep breath and slowly moved from my position on top of him. I sat next to him and turned to face him.

"Would it be okay if I sent you something? I made you a painting, and I think you should have it." He asked gently. "It doesn't feel right in anyone else's possession."

I nodded. I should have said no, but I was not lying to myself tonight. I enjoyed the idea of being able to have a piece of him and was thrilled he had been thinking of me enough to paint for me.

Adrian reached over and lightly brushed some hair away from my face. I closed my eyes, enjoying the feel of his touch and the warmth of his skin on mine.

"I should get going." I opened my eyes. "Thanks for letting me give you a proper goodbye."

He started to stand up but I reached out and grabbed his hand. He looked down at our hands and then back at me.

"I'm not ready for goodbye yet."

He simply smiled in response before sitting back down next to me. I laid my head on his shoulder and we sat in the most comfortable silence for a long time, just enjoying being in each others' presence. He grabbed my hand and laced his fingers through mine.

Tomorrow. We'll worry about the rest of our lives tomorrow. For now, we will just enjoy the moment.