Relief

She climbed to her feet and wrapped her hands around herself, shivering obstinately. She sized up the palace from her spot and she realized that it was the first time she was in this sort of situation. Does the palace even have doorbells? Usually they’d be expecting her arrival so they would be prepared to open the gates but-

“Katie? Katie!”

She felt a pair of strong, slender hands wrap around her from behind, Alexander’s nostalgic scent reminded her of the salty air in the island of Oreis. She smiled and placed her hand on his, surprised at how cold it was.

“Nice to see you too…?” she muttered. “What’s with this sudden gesture?”

Alexander released her and made her face him. He smiled the brightest smile she had ever seen and cupped her cheeks in his cold hands. He scanned every feature of her face as if he couldn’t believe it was her.

“Are you alright?” Katie asked, swatting his hands away. “You’re hurting my face.”

Alexander