Belong (GxG)

Chapter 19 A Question

*:･ﾟ✧*:･ ﾟ✧

Ally moved through the castle corridors with as much grace as she could manage, trying to look casual—as if she hadn't just spent the last hour plotting the most important moment of her life.

As if she hadn't just narrowly escaped detection by her deadly, possessive, all-knowing lover.

She could not afford to get caught now.

Not when she was so close.

Her heart hammered in her chest as she rounded a corner, approaching the grand staircase that led to the upper floors.

If she could just slip back into their bedroom unnoticed—

A shadow fell over her.

Ally froze.

And then—

"Alexandra."

Oh no.

That voice.

That rich, velvet-soft voice, curling around her name like a warning and a promise all at once.

Alcina.

Ally slowly turned her head, her pulse skittering wildly as her eyes met Alcina's golden gaze.

Her lover stood at the base of the grand staircase, poised like a queen surveying her kingdom, her tall frame draped in creamy white, her piercing eyes locked onto Ally with an unreadable expression.

There was no outright fury.

No accusations.

Just... stillness.

Stillness that Ally knew was dangerous.

She swallowed, trying to keep her expression neutral. "Alcina! My love!" she greeted, forcing a smile. "You're... here."

Alcina arched a single, elegant brow. "Indeed I am."

Silence.

Thick. Heavy.

Then—

"Where," Alcina said smoothly, "have you been?"

Ally's brain scrambled for an answer. "Oh! You know! Just... taking a walk!"

Alcina tilted her head. "A walk."

"Yes!" Ally nodded, way too fast. "Stretching my legs! Enjoying the fresh air!"

"Mmm." Alcina stepped closer, her towering presence utterly consuming the space between them. "How strange."

Ally swallowed. "Strange?"

"Yes," Alcina murmured, reaching out to brush a gloved finger along Ally's cheek. "Because I seem to recall asking you to stay in our chambers while I dealt with that insufferable man."

Ally's breath hitched. "Oh! Did you? I must have... forgotten!*"

Alcina's lips curled into a slow, knowing smirk. "Must you have?"

Ally panicked.

"But look!" she blurted, reaching up to cup Alcina's face in both hands, pressing a quick, adoring kiss to her lips. "I'm here now!"

Alcina hummed, her hands slipping around Ally's waist, holding her firm. "Mmm. Yes, you are."

Ally sighed, sinking against her, hoping—praying—that she could distract Alcina just long enough to avoid further questioning.

But then—

Alcina leaned in, her lips brushing against Ally's ear as she whispered, "Darling."

Ally shivered. "Y-yes?"