He stays quiet for a while watching the waterfall light up with vivid colours. It is breathtaking. A pocket in the reality. I made that.
" You know," He wipes the palm of his hand on his knee. He is not wearing anything except for his boxers.
" It was unexpected. It would be a lie if I told you that I didn't know you had feelings for me. Because I knew. It was one of the reasons I wanted you to sign those papers," He sighs, " It would also be a lie if I'd told you that I didn't feel attracted to you. You are young and I'm....," He sighs, " Older than you, that's for certain," He clears his throat, and looks up at me.
" I'm a foundling. I was raised since my infancy by a man named Vladik. He ran a gang of thieves and beggars in Morston. I was put to work at a young age. I don't remember how old I was because I never really knew my age. Everyone kept guessing. And when Hector found me. He took care of everything. He gave me a name. A birth certificate. And a home with Enid. And thus Mason Kinnaird was born," I turn to hug him. I can't even imagine how his life must've been.
" Officially, I'm twenty-six of age. Unofficially, I have no idea. I hope you know, I never disrespect you by taking other women to bed after that night. I couldn't. I didn't want to. All I could think of was you. I still do. I replay in my mind all those nights we spent together, and I would do it all over again, Lily. I can't let go of you. I don't want to. I guess that makes me selfish too, " He gives me a slanted smile and presses his forehead onto mine.
" I would wait until the end of days, for a moment together. I don't care about what the world thinks Lily. I don't want you to get hurt. If all we have is now. I'll take it and it will be enough, " I wrap a hand around his neck, and press a kiss on his lips. His lips brush against mine, reverently.
" Hold on a little longer," He whispers against my lips, and I nod. He wraps his arms around me and I bury my face in the crook of my neck.
" I wanted you to know all of this before you can decide where we are heading, " He quietly says and kisses my temple. Clarity. He has given me clarity. And I'm grateful.
" Did you steal my things?" I know it's a pointless question, to which I already know the answer. He laughs and kisses my hair. He was a thief after all.
" Yes," The rumble in his chest is soothing.
" I thought it was you. But then again. I thought to myself the honourable esteemed Mason Kinnaird wouldn't stoop so low to steal my things. That would be juvenile," He laughs harder, and I lightly tap his chest.
" I don't play by the rules. I make the rules, " His amusement wanes, and I lift my head to look at him.
" If the rules are made by you, I don't want to play by them," He frowns at me and sighs.
" Then make your own rules," He charmingly smiles and kisses my forehead. Easier said, than done.
We fall silent for a moment, looking at each other. He swallows, and I know the look he is giving me. The ice-cold fire in his eyes is swallowing me whole and bathing me in sweltering heat.
" We should head back," I breathe because, I know if he is not going to pounce. I will. And it is the worst time to go at it.
He nods," We should head back," He breathes as he leans in and presses his lips on mine. Shifting to get closer, I lean on his leg, he swallows a grunt of pain and I reflexively pull away.
" Shit," He curses some more and I raise my hands in the air.
" I'm sorry. I didn't mean to," He candidly smiles, taking my hands in his, and kissing the back of them.
" You risk nothing. You gain nothing," He pulls me up to stand and he follows, struggling to keep the weight off his leg.
" We better find a way out of here," I clear my throat and he nods and points at the waterfall.
" On the side, there is a distortion in the water flow, "That's why he spent so much time looking at the damn thing. He was looking for a way out.
And he was right. Once we reached the waterfall, we had one last look at the place we were leaving behind and stepped through, into the same desolate room in Zareen Merrat.
Mason stumbled a step but caught himself on the table and hobbled to the bed.
It was a little past midnight, by the time I slid into bed next to him. In the middle of the bed between us sat the tray I'd made for him. After a healthy swig of bourbon, Mason began eating and I settled for watching him.
" I guess you can finally show me around," I say tentatively. He hums and grins.
" There isn't much to show, " He takes a bite of cheese, and chews, " Eric is nothing like his father. He doesn't like this side of the academy. Unfortunately, it comes with it, whether he likes it or not. When Peter ran the academy this place was buzzing with recruits and all kinds of gimmicks they made. Now, " Mason sighs, " It's home for the ghosts of the past and spiders," I scrunch up my nose and he laughs.
" Don't worry. Both are harmless," I poke him in the arm and he throws a grape at me.
" I on the other hand, not so much," It is my turn to laugh.
" You can barely stand," I scoff, " You're in no position to make such statements," I say in mirth.
" It seems that you need me to refresh your memory," My smile falls at the memory of us tangled between the sheets and the damage he can do to me.
" Facts Mr. Kinnaird. Not words. I don't believe it until I see it," I stifle a smirk and he tugs at the waistband of his boxers.
" Hop on. My leg may be injured but it works just fine. In fact better than fine. It is in excellent condition. Pristine, dare I say, " He laughs and I blanch.
" Oh. Cat got your tongue," He smirks and I clear my throat.
" Something like that," I mumble under my breath and he laughs again.
" Pervert," I mumble, and he laughs wholeheartedly.
" I am, but I am your pervert," He smirks at me and pops a grape in his mouth.
I settle watching him laugh for a while, to wipe all the ugly memories of the past. We still have much to discuss but we will get there, eventually. It's a start and it was more than I asked for.