✧ ♥ ✧

The next time Katya was called to the general's office, she felt the other Grisha's eyes on her and heard their whispers behind her back. Groaning inwardly, she realized this would happen every time Aleksander and she were together. Twice damned Apparat and his bloody notes!

When she entered the room, Aleksander immediately noticed something was wrong. "Anything happened?" He put down the paper he had been reading and came to join her.

She looked at her feet. How could she explain the rumors without exposing that the Apparat was behind them?

Aleksander gently turned her face up, making her meet his gaze. "Tell me," he insisted. Despite his soft tone, there was a stern firmness in his demeanor. He would not accept no for an answer, she knew that.

"The others have found out... About you and me, I mean," she finally admitted.

He shrugged. "I guess that was inevitable in the long run. So what? It's none of their business whom I see, or what I do with her."

Katya bit down a harsh reply. It was easy for him to say, who would never suffer nasty remarks behind his back; being called a gold digger and laughed at.

Her eyes suddenly burned with unshed tears, and she went over to the window, feigning a great interest in the view.

She heard him follow her, and felt his strong arms envelope her from behind. "Did someone hurt you over this? Tell me who they are, and I'll have them punished." He pressed his lips against her cheek.

Katya had a vision of Zoya being spanked by Aleksander in front of the other Grisha, and had to suppress a chuckle, but then she remembered the Squaller's words and her mirth was immediately extinguished. Don't think he won't get tired of you too.

Aleksander gave her cheek another peck. "Who was it?"

Instead of replying, she countered with a question: "What do you see in me?"

He twirled her around, locking his black eyes with hers. "Everything. You are young and beautiful, sassy, sexy... Insatiable in bed." He winked, giving her a cheeky grin.

Katya's heart sank. So he had picked her for her looks, just like Zoya had hinted. Young and beautiful. Neither of those would last forever, and then he'd get tired of her and find himself a new toy.

Aleksander seemed to realize that was not what she had wanted to hear, and his smile waned. "Your power. Your power attracts me," he said, sounding more serious than she had ever heard him. "I've never met a Grisha with your strength. You have no idea how hot you are when you summon. And when we summon together... Irresistible." His eyes gleamed. "I feel like someone who's addicted to a drug. I just want more."

"So I'm your drug?" Katya felt her lips quirk up slightly.

"Yes. You are my drug, Katya, and I can't get enough of you." He pulled her to him, kissing her almost aggressively. "Never doubt my feelings for you."

"Thank you." She wrapped her arms around him, burying her face in the nape of his neck. She shouldn't have let Zoya get under her skin with those snide words; now it felt obvious she was just jealous.

"Why did you call me here, anyway?" she asked, anxious to change topics before he asked about the source of the rumors.

"I've planned a journey to find the amplifier we read about. There are deep, uncharted forests near the village where my grandfather did his research back then, and if Laika still lives, she must be in there somewhere."

"You think the amplifying powers prolonged her life, just like yours?"

"Exactly."

"Can I come too?" Katya certainly did not want to remain here alone and without friends, having to listen to the horrible rumors without Aleksander's presence to comfort her.

"Of course. I'm finding Laika for you, after all." He smiled. "But I want the mission to be as secret as possible, so I'm not bringing anyone else. We'll leave in two weeks, and since the road may be dangerous, I need you to practice hard until then – and resume your summoning lessons with Baghra."

"Baghra? I'd much rather have lessons with you," she grumbled. The old woman was a bit frightening, and her damp rooms were horrible.

"I won't have time. I need this place to run smoothly while I'm gone, and there is much to prepare." He gave her a soft kiss on the lips. "There will be plenty of opportunities to summon together during the journey, I'm sure. And – other things." His eyes twinkled.

"That a promise?"

"Promise." He kissed her again, more earnestly now.

When Katya left Aleksander's office a while later, she felt a lot better about everything. Soon she would have an exciting adventure, all alone with him – and hopefully very far away from the gossiping Grisha. She could hardly wait.

A/N:

I look forward to writing some summoning-in-the-wild-just-the-two-of-them scenes. ;) Hope you look forward to reading them!

If you like the story, please don't forget to vote and comment. You're my inspiration to keep writing. ♡