I took a few deep breaths before I finally indulged him and closed my eyes. I felt him caressed my eyelids. It was a wonder how his hand that was still holding mine was warm while his other hand on my eyelids was cold. In fact, it was so cold that I feel like it was not his hand on my eyelids, but a block of ice. But the coldness was surprisingly tolerable.
“You can open your eyes now, love,” Alexandros said as he released me.
I opened my eyes and held my eyelids and was surprised to find out that they were really wet. “What did you do?”
“From now on, you will see me, Alison, each time that you want to,” he said instead and did not bother explaining.
“What are you saying? How could I do that?”
Alexandros just shrugged, but the mysterious glow in his eyes returned. “It’s up to you. That kind of magic is now within you.”
That took place more than a week ago. I haven’t seen Alexandros since that day because he said he had business meetings he needed to deal with. We would only communicate through phone calls and text messages. But he hadn’t answered any of my calls and texts for two days now and I’m beginning to worry because when I closed my eyes and thought of him last night, I saw him lying on his bed. He was pale and he was coughing up so much blood. That was the first time that I was able to use the spell he told me. I was not even sure how to use it until yesterday when I felt so desperate to see him.
I don’t know if Alexandros had forgotten about that spell. Since I could see him in my own way now, didn’t he think that I’d worry about him?
For the umpteenth time, I looked at my phone. There was still no message from Alexandros. It was eleven-thirty in the evening. I had given up reviewing some paper works because I could not get this uneasiness out of my chest. I got up on the bed and wore my robe over my negligee. I opened the glass door inside my room and went to the balcony to get some fresh air.
I wanted to visit Alexandros in his place to personally check on him but I didn’t want to invade his privacy. Maybe there was a reason why he was not telling me about his condition yet.
This was driving me nuts. At times like this, I could not help but wish that we have a normal relationship. But I fell in love with a supernatural being. What could I do?
I tried texting him again. “Why aren’t you answering my text messages? Just tell me you’re okay please.” When he did not reply, I sent another message. “Where are you right now?”
My heart raced when my phone vibrated. I was relieved when I finally saw his name on the screen. I eagerly read his text.
“I’m outside your gate.”
I gasped. It was a good thing that I could see the gate from the balcony. And he really was at the gate. My fingers were trembling as I typed my reply. “Wait for me. Don’t go anywhere. I’m coming down.” But before I could click the send button, I felt a cold wind near me.
“You don’t have to come down. I’m right here. Hello again, love.”
Before I knew it, my tears already began rolling down my cheeks. When I turned to Alexandros, his arms were already spread open. I closed the remaining distance between us and immediately embraced him as gently as I could while sobbing. I was afraid that I might end up hurting him more now that he seemed injured.
“Hush. I’m here now. I’m sorry I made you worry. I was just really busy.”
He was lying, I know it. But I let it slide. The entire time we were apart, I knew he was somewhere and in so much pain. “Are you not busy anymore?”
“Not anymore.”
“Are you okay?”
“Of course I am. Now that I’m in your arms like this again, I feel more than okay.”
“That’s good to know.” I snuffled as I stare at his face. He was not as pale as last night. I lovingly stroke his cheeks. “Thank you. Thank you for being safe. Thank you for being okay.”
He wiped my tears and planted a kiss on my forehead. “And thank you for worrying. Thank you for not asking anything, Ali. I will tell you all that you need to know when the right time comes.”
I nodded. “I’m trying to hold back. You know this isn’t me, right? You know how nosy I could get, right? I’m only stopping myself from bombarding you with questions. I will let you off the hook tonight because you look so tired.”
He smiled. “I know. Thank you for understanding, love. I miss you. I miss this embrace so much.”
I bit my lower lip to stop myself from crying again and just embraced him again. I buried my face on his chest. I know I have no right to complain. I’ve always known he was a magical being. Yet, I chose this. I chose to be in this relationship with him. And I’ve never been happier until he and I became together. But this growing agitation inside me was crumbling my confidence. It was shaking me.
“Please don’t make me worry like this again, Xandros.”
“I’m sorry.”
That was not the answer I wanted to hear.
“If you really love me like you said, then please don’t get hurt again.”
“I’m trying.”
That’s enough for me. At least for now.

(Alexandros)
“THANK YOU for hanging in there, Xandros.”
Out of all the uplifting words I’ve heard from Theron, those words were the most motivating. Knowing that there was someone who was thankful that I exist, someone who was glad I held on, was heartwarming. Those words strengthened my heart.