Chapter 40 (Tarak)

I continued to talk with my Nareh for a little while mostly about what she should expect for the rest of the journey. We wouldn’t be going straight to the palace which would have been a week's worth of travel. I wanted to assess the damage that the resistance had created, and wanted to make sure reconstruction of the different territories was going smoothly with the different stops we needed to make. I was also instrested in investagating the rumors of the nobles who were said to be backing the resistance.

It would take us a little over a month to get to the palace. I wanted to make sure Nareh was ok with this. If she had put up a fight about it I would send her to the palace without me, and I would meet her there when I could. She seemed to agree with me on the importance of making those stops and agreed to join me. She wanted to see the kingdom she was going to call home.

As we continued to talk we started to tell stories of our pasts to each other. She told me select stories of her childhood, ones I believed to be true, but a little altered. She told me of a time she and Tate had been caught by Maxi stealing cookies and wre scolded to the point Rupert had to intervene. I told her stories of the times I spent with my father as he taught me to wield a sword and how to fish. The time I spent with her seemed pleasant, and we fell into that peaceful harmony we had shared back at the river. I could see her eyes start to get heavy as she fought to stay awake. I was mid story when I looked over to see her sound asleep, her head resting on her hand as she snuggled further into the lounge chair.

Picking her up I crossed the small room, to the bed chamber. Laying her down I covered her with a blanket and gave her a quick kiss on the forehead. Visions of the kiss I shared with her at the altar played in my mind as I stood back up and went back to the lounge area to sleep there. I wasn’t sure how she would feel if I had let myself into our bed yet, and I wanted her to feel at ease there was plenty of time for that in the future. Though the thought of her sleeping a few feet away made it hard for me to fall asleep.

I awoke a few hours later, to a small hand shaking my shoulder. As I looked up I could see the soft glow of the sun rising over the horizon. My Nareh was shaking me, trying to wake me. When she could see I had opened my eyes she tugged at my hand, trying to get me up.

“Why didn’t you sleep in the bed, this thing can’t be comfortable for you. You don’t even fit on it, look at how much your legs stick out.” she nagged at me.

Chuckling as she put all her strength in trying to pull me so I would move, I couldn’t help realize how weak she actually was. Compared to someone like Helana who would have no problem picking me up and moving me, Nareh couldn't even move me an inch. Nareh huffed out her frustration as I finally moved, helping her to sit me up.

“I didn’t want you to awake, to find a man asleep next to you. You haven’t given me permission to sleep next to you.” I stared at her, wanting her to know I was very serious about doing nothing unless she said so.

“Well I am awake now, why don’t you sleep for a bit more?” she questioned.

“Mmm but tell me what will My Nareh do while I sleep the morning away?” I questioned back.

“I was going to have Helana, escort me down to the medical wing so I could check on the maids who escorted me here, and all of the injured soldiers.” her tone told me there was no room for debate, she had already made up her mind, that she was going to do this.

“Ok. I also have to check on those who were injured. Why don’t we eat a quick breakfast and get ready first. Then we will go together.” I offered, wanting to spend as much time with her as possible.

“That sounds lovely.” she countered, looking down at me, as she stood near the couch.

She called for the maid I had learned was named Lydy to help her get dressed. I excused myself to get ready myself to give her that privacy. Quickly getting changed in a separate chamber I wanted time to run down to the kitchen.

I made my way down to the head cook to make sure he had gotten the recipes and meal plans Roland had gone over with Maxi. Nareh was to skinny for my liking and I didn't want her to fall ill. I wanted to make sure she ate enough to keep up her strength and start to fill out a bit. Once I was satisfied that she eat what was to be served, I made my way to the dining room to wait for her to come down so we could eat together. One of the servants had placed a nice hot cup of coffee in front of me along with a small plate of fruit as I waited on My Nareh.

As she entered the dining room I couldn’t help but notice her attire for today was an odd choice for just going down to the medical wing, but I didn’t mind it. She caught sight of me ogling her, her hair was braided back into a simple braid with no embellishments, she had dressed in a satin tunic and trousers along with boots that were meant for horse riding rather than wearing all day.

“I asked Lydy to dress me like this, I want to get comfortable wearing these things from now on, since I will be riding a horse with you as we travel around Andal.” I almost spit my coffee out as she spoke.

“You want to ride? Are you sure you do not want to travel in a carriage?” I questioned, making sure I had heard her right.

“I am, it would take too many horses to pull a long haul carriage, when we could use the same amount to pull two different wagons worth of supplies. I will be fine riding. I actually think I prefer it.” she explained it once again using a tone that left no room for argument.