Completed A night to remember

[Nilofer Saladin]

Nilofer returned Grendel's smile, her heart rate finally returning to an easier pace. There was that moment of comfortable silence, and when Grendel finally did speak, she thought he was going to say something other than what he did.

"I don't," she replied truthfully. She supposed his claim for money was rather weak but she would not completely shoot it down as a possible motive. Perhaps it was because she could not think of any other reason why she had almost been taken for ransom.

"Do you?"

Grendel Strand

 

[Grendel Strand]

"No... there could be any number of reasons, but that's not important right now."
He did not really have much to speak on about it and he did not wish to dwell on the actions of criminals. Not when he was this tired and not when Nilofer had been so attentive to him.
"You've been through a lot tonight and must be tired, would you lay down a while?"
It was not a suggestion that Nilofer go and in any other scenario it might be scandalous, even for those engaged but the House was secure and his mother for all of her prim nobility was not ignorant of life's exceptional circumstances.

Nilofer Saladin

 

[Nilofer Saladin]

Coming from anyone else, Nilofer might have felt like they were taking advantage of her and she'd have said no, but it was Grendel. She knew exactly what he meant, and knew taking advantage of her was the furthest thing from his mind.

She didn't respond for only a moment before she nodded. She let go of his hand and stood, sitting down on the bed and then laying down beside him. He was taller than her by several inches, and her head came to rest by his shoulder.

She did not say anything, for fear of ruining the moment, but it did not keep her from thinking. She imagined the look on anyone's face (especially her mother's) if they had walked in at that moment to see Grendel and Nilofer laying side by side in his grand bed. She hoped no one opened the door, but she guessed even if Grendel's mother was the one to see them like this, she would do nothing about it.

Grendel Strand

 

[Grendel Strand]

Grendel could not confirm Nilofer's suspicions but he reasoned that the taboo nature of the gesture was not far from her mind. The strict nurture of the Kaliti did not leave someone quickly, nor was it easy for any to shed their past like a snake sheds its skin.
He had accepted the gesture for what it was and what he had begun to hope it could be.
A brief vision of things to come and a gentle acceptance of her desire to be both with him and stay in Vel Hetren.
Silently he looked at his wrapped hand and then turned his head to face her, still laying on his back and thought about saying something but came up short.
Nilofer's hair framed her face so well, even at rest she looked purposeful as if being there in that moment was exactly what she aught to be doing.
Of course this is not how or when they were supposed to share a bed but the thought of her seemingly effortless ability to look purposeful kept him in a slight grin. The pleased sort that threatened to become a smile at any moment and then the words came to him.
"Thank you, for looking after me."
Perhaps he should have taken her hand or put his arm around her but she evoked such stillness that he felt it better to not hope for too much. Not just yet.

Nilofer Saladin

 

[Nilofer Saladin]

Nilofer looked up at Grendel after laying beside him for a moment. There was something in his gaze on her that she had never seen in any one else's gaze when looking at her, and it both scared and excited her. Maybe their marriage wouldn't be so awful after all.

"Of course, I wouldn't do anything else," she replied softly with a sweet, genuine smile that was usually hidden behind a veil of complacency.

She adjusted her head once more so she was no longer craning her neck to look up at Grendel. Now that she was certain he was alright, and the Strand estate was quieting down around them, she finally realized just how tired she was. it was not long before she drifted off to sleep.

Grendel Strand

END THREAD