The walk had been long, but Nelina was glad to finally be back at the palace and to be getting out of her armor she was not used to being in it for this long. When passing through the common District the warm light coming off the windows of the Inns they passed called to her. She had fought off the temptation of asking Adar if they could sleep in one. However, she cared more about making it back to Ru’ark. She unbuckled and loosened the leather straps on the top and middle portions of her armor, and in doing so, Esau’s ear dropped to the floor. “Of course,” She rubbed her forehead while closing her eyes and sighing. Picking it up, she tossed it onto the edge of a small table in the corner near the changing panel. If the hour were not so late, Claire would be here to help her. Her stomach rumbled, in addition to everything else she had missed her evening meal with Ru’ark. Reaching down, she released the buckles going down her outer thighs and then wriggled out of the rest of her armor. When she heard the door open she didn’t bother to turn, only Ru’ark would be entering her chambers at such an hour. Since the day he had moved in his desk, he had spent each night with her. Her eyes hurt from her weariness, and her body ached between her morning’s training and the evening’s walk back with Adar. She slipped on her nightdress and was about to step out when she realized she had forgotten about her hair. Irritated, she unpinned her long braid and then undid it by using her fingers to comb through it until she was satisfied.
Ru’ark smiled as she stepped out. “Come Sweetling, your day has been long. When I heard that you had entered the Palace I had the Kitchen prepare something for you.” She smiled back and stepped closer to the table as he lifted the cover of the platter revealing fruits, vegetables, bread cheese and strips of cooked meat.
Nelina saw the meat and froze, she looked at Ru’ark with tears in her eyes, and she was no longer able to keep them at bay. She had made it this long and had not cried in front of Adar once, here though in front of Ru’ark, her tears spilled forth.
Ru’ark embraced her, letting her cry. “Whatever it is, I’ll fix it.” He was concerned, he had sensed nothing amiss when Adar was with her or when he returned.
She buried herself into him sobbing. “You can’t, the horse is dead, and it’s my fault.”
“The horse,” he was relieved it was not something far worse. “What happened?”
“They killed him, he was the one Elian let me use all time, and if I’d have not let that stupid man take him, it wouldn’t have happened.” She clung to Ru’ark hugging him.
“Elian had told me upon his return that you and Adar were going to visit this Apostate leader.” He held her tight. “You will not blame yourself for this, it’s not your fault, from everything I’ve heard the Apostates, they are lunatics.”
“But,” she pulled away to look him in the eyes.
“But nothing,” His intense blue eyes locked with hers. “I give you my word, if there’s something I think you should hold blame for, or feel bad about, I will make it clear.”
“Okay,” with a small laugh her tears ceased and she calmed down. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be, sit down and try to eat what you can.” He kissed her forehead.
She sat down in the chair, grabbing a piece of cheese. “This was very thoughtful of you to do for me, thank you.”
He sat down in the other chair. “It was the least I could do.”
“I don’t know how I’d be if I were to have eaten at Esau’s camp.” She bit off a piece of bread swallowing it down. “They really believe you’re their God, he gets up there prattling about it and his devoted flock doesn’t question it.”
Ru’ark took a sip of his spiced tea. “While I hold no faith in your God of All, I do find it interesting this group reveres me in that same way.”
Nelina, avoiding the meat, slipped another piece of cheese into her mouth. “The leader Esau is a madman, he chopped off a large portion of his ear for me to give you, and it’s on the table over by where I changed.”
“I have no interest it in it, one of the slaves can get rid of it in the morning.” Ru’ark picked his cup of tea. “How did the rest of it go?”
“Esau and his merry band of heretics will do everything you need, and they will do it with enthusiasm, Esau is desperate to gain your notice.” She drank a little of her wine. “He did try to touch my face and Adar stopped him. He thinks I’m a miracle and that you brought me back to life.” She set her down her cup concerned. “I have to know, was I dead, and was I in pain?”
His brows arched upward while looking at her. “Your soul never departed your body. But, you would have perished if my life essence had not sustained you.” He put his tea off to the side with a warm smile. “You felt no pain in the dream state you experienced.”
“Then I was in no pain, I remember that dream,” she took one last piece of bread. “That was incredible I’ve never had anything like that with anyone. My soul, and my entire being felt in unison with yours.” She shook her head. “I can’t explain it any better than that, I suppose.”
“For me, the bond we shared was beyond what I have shared with any other woman.” He smiled, “Tomorrow there will be no training.” His plans had changed since speaking with Aghadine and he needed to share them with her when she had a fresh mind.
“There won’t be?” She was surprised since she did not miss training often.
“On the morrow I have business to attend to in the morning. But, after the midday meal I would have you attend me in my private chambers since we have many things to discuss.” An almost wicked, but a sensual smile crossed his face. “Afterward, I plan on spending the rest of my time indulging in you.”
Her face flushed bright red thinking about him indulging in her as she had imagined in her own mind so often. “I will be ready.”
“Good, and if you’re finished, we should take our rest for the evening.” It was rare that he joined her at the same time to go to sleep. Usually, she was sound asleep when he took his rest.
“I’m through eating, sleep sounds exquisite.” She stood up from the table.
Ru’ark standing up with her, went over to the bed where he disrobed and then slipped into the bed.
Nelina climbed in with him, curling her backside against him and closed her eyes.
Ru’ark put his arms around her and held her close to him. She was not the only one looking forward to their time together tomorrow.