All his life he was a refugee until her; he was finally home.

She lived in a fortress with ramparts of ice shielding her vulnerability, her heart. He was the soldier of the burning star itself; his every inch blazing with fire, he hated her race, they were not meant to be for each other.

Time flew away, she couldn't discern that the ice was melting under his loving gaze; he didn't realize she relieved him of his heart burns.

It appeared dubious how things worked in this world. One moment, everything seemed to fall apart, another, there was no trace of the storm.

Fear: it was the air gasped by all but shuddered the ones who were vulnerable. It stemmed hatred, roots of distrust and cut off the new leaves of hope.

The fiendish grip of the past roused fear. At times it isolated them from the warmth of emotions, threw them into the fire of adherence. There were also moments when it forced them to doubt their own soul.

On the spur of the moment, serendipity knocked on their door. It wasn't love at first sight or a tale of forever; it was merely the start of something new and promising.

They both had their shares of agony and struggles, it was time for them to experience something different for a change, happiness for statures.

The deep rich exotic smell of mahogany wood pervaded through the high stone walls of the public library.

Ashley walked down the aisle searching for her favorite section, her footsteps echoed in the silent room. A small smile graced her features when she read the signboard: Romance.

She brushed her fingers along the rim of the books, the intoxicating smell exhilarated the avid reader inside her. She stopped in the middle and tried pulling a black book from the shelf but failed miserably.

There was someone else putting force on the other side. Instantly, she let go of the book, and from the tiny space in between the books, she saw him.

His footsteps were fast and forceful against the floorboard, matching the rhythm of her pulse.

As he took a few long strides and stood in front of her, she gasped.

He looked ravishing: He was wearing a white shirt, sleeves folded up to his elbows, matched with black slacks.

Her eyes darkened as her gaze darted to his chest; the fabric of his clothing didn't do justice to his physique. His biceps bulged underneath the tight material; the fine ridges of his well-defined chest, a see-through paradise.

His blond locks were shining against the bright morning light. His hazel eyes were greener today; twinkling at the corners, a pearly grin danced upon his full lips.

Today, she felt different. Heat rushed to her neck, flaming her cheeks. It was new for her, ergo exciting. It had been three weeks since the incident.

His roving gaze took her appearance in small sips as if tasting a glass of brandy. He moved closer till they were a hair's breadth apart. Their chest touched, their heartbeat was competing, and, in a flash, completing each other.

He snaked an arm around her waist, the warmth of her skin feeling like home against his rough skin.

Now, that he was home in her embrace, he let the feelings surface.

Yes, when he closed his eyes, the reminiscences of the past clutched his veins but when he opened them, he was safe, he was home, with her.

"Ready for our first date, KitKat?" He whispered into her ear, his breath tickling her skin, heightening her senses.

She nodded, incapable of forming coherent words.

He clutched the book tighter and they sat in one corner of the gigantic library. She promised to read out loud to him her favorite book.

He sat with his back against the bookshelf, her back pressed against his chest, body cradled in between his, and she opened the book.

As she read the words, he couldn't help but smell her hair, it smelt of strawberry, he marked. He ran his fingers through her hair, massaging her scalp as she read the book.

Her velvety voice filled the air, he turned to look at the window, the sun was still shy between the clouds, vermillion and scarlet enshrouding its presence; it was still too early for anyone to arrive.

He smiled as he looked down at her, her eyebrows furrowed, her expressions changing with the nature of scenes. Her long, thick eyelashes swiped against her bronze skin. She looked up and caught him staring at her.

His breath hitched, a slow smile spread across her face and he found himself leaning in.

His nose touched hers, their breathing shallow, hearts unsteady. The seam of his lips descended upon hers, she moaned at the instant contact. Their lips moved against each like the keys of a piano. His hand cradled her face, his thumb grazing her cheek. She felt herself losing in to him.

How ironic. It was her goal to betray him in exchange for her freedom. But, he kept challenging her instincts, she being herself, accepting them in a heartbeat. Meanwhile, it didn't dawn upon her when he slipped into the forbidden door of her heart.

She perceived that her freedom was not just about being free of the clutches of some organization; her freedom was about finding someone to trust.

After Austin's death, his organization was taken down. No evidence was found about who killed Austin; it was considered that one of his many rivals did. The board members couldn't give a verdict against Ashley and Nathaniel because Mikhail, one of the founding members of the White Treaty voted against it. Not only him but all other organizations all over the globe signed a petition against Austin and favored Nathaniel. As some punishment had to be given for his crime, Nathaniel was removed from his service. Ashley was left considering she was a victim in all this.

She still felt the guilt consuming her at night but he was there to make her get through the tough nights. She knew nothing would be ever alright but she knew there will be days ahead when the pain and guilt would subside.

Everything they once knew was gone; it was time for them to begin all over again.

They were not healed thoroughly; it was a step toward it, and they were willing to take it.

"What do you wanna do next?" He asked, pushing a wild strand of hair away from her face.

"Let's go for apartment hunting," she said.

"Isn't it too soon to move in together? It's our first date. Not that I'm complaining," he teased her.

"Guess, we are just unconventional lovers," she said, smirking.

"First time ever, I do agree with you," he said, kissing her lips once again.

Though it was the end of everything else, it hinted a new beginning.

The End.