Alchemised

by SenLinYu

His forearms were around her head as though framing her, his fingers laced in her hair. When he started to move, he pressed his forehead against hers, their breath intermingling.

When he kissed her, it felt like the beginning of something that could be eternal.

“You get to have this. You’re allowed to feel good things. Don’t be alone. Have this with me.”

“I think I’ve nearly memorised you,” she said. “Especially your eyes. I think I learned to read them first.”

“I memorised yours, too,” he said after a moment,

“You’re mine,” he said against her lips,

His mouth was hot on her lips, his teeth nipping possessively along her jaw and her throat, over her shoulders. She tangled her fingers in his hair, arching into his touch. She tried not to cry from how desperately she wanted him, and how grateful she was that she didn’t have to ask. He pulled her closer, arms entwined around her as he aligned himself and sank into her with a sharp thrust, his breath burning along her neck.

“You’re mine. You swore yourself to me. Now and after the war. I’m going to take care of you. I’m not going to let anyone hurt you. You don’t have to be lonely. Because you’re mine.”

“Don’t worry. I’m always going to come back to you.”

Finally, she stopped. “What is it?” “Don’t go,” he said softly. “You know I have to.”

She pulled free. “Be careful, Kaine. Don’t die.”

She missed Kaine.

Whenever she thought of him, she felt as though a piece of her was missing.

Kaine had her in his arms and was kissing her as if starved.

Kaine took her hand. “You can run. Say the word, and I’ll get you out.”

“Would you go now, if you could?” His eyes seemed to ripple with heat. “With you, I would.”

“Wait. I have something for you, although I hope you won’t need them again.” Wrapped in oilcloth were her daggers.

“How’d you find them?” “I had spares made. It took long enough to find a metallurgist with a resonance for your alloy. I figured a few extra sets might be wise.”

“I hate your hair like that,” he said, startling her.

He looked unconvinced. “I want to see you more.”

“I thought you said if I ever burned you—”

He captured her hand and pulled her close. His other hand slid possessively up her throat, fingers tilting her head back, and he kissed her, long and deep, before he drew away to meet her eyes.

“Call me, and I wi...

“You’re mine. You’re mine.” He’d repeat the words over and over. “Say it. Say you’re mine.”

“I promise, Kaine. I’m always going to be yours.”

“You’re mine. I’ll always come for you.”

He always did.

“I’m going to take care of you. I swear, Helena, I’m always going to take care of you.”

don’t want you to kill people because of me.” He gave a barking laugh. “What exactly is it that you think I do with all my time? I kill people. I order other people to kill people. I train people to kill people. I sabotage and undermine people so that they will be killed, and I do it all because of you. Every word. Every life. Because of you.”

His shoulders slumped. “If you die, Helena, I’m done. I won’t continue this. I’m tired.”

“I mean it. I won’t kill them—but I will be done. You are my terms of service. The contract is void if you die.”

“You are,” she said desperately. “Just—just like I am. There’s more to both of us—it’s just waiting to get out. Someday, we’ll leave all this behind. Go far away, and you’ll see. The two of us—I think we could.”

“I think your scars are prettier than mine,” she finally said. “I have a better healer.”

I love you. It was right at the tip of her tongue, but she hesitated, biting the words back.

She kissed him instead. I love you. She told him in the way she held him close;

“Mine. You swore it. Your Resistance sold you to me. I’m not going anywhere without you. And if anyone touches you, immortal or not, I will kill them.”