Fate Begins (缘起) **ON HOLD**

Chapter 14: Hide & Seek

~*~ Mo Yuan & Duan Liena ~*~

"Come.  Let me comb your hair for you," Liena insisted excitedly as she gestured him towards the chair she had placed in front of the bronze mirror in his study.

"No one has ever combed my hair before," Mo Yuan replied as he dragged his feet toward her.

"Well, from now on, I will take care of it for you.  Come.  Sit," she insisted.

Liena sat him down and began delicately and gently combing out sections of his dark and silky tresses.

"Yuan, do you think it would be more appropriate for me to sleep in my own quarters? I would prefer it."

"Are you afraid I might do something to you?"

"Yes," she whispered while blushing.

Mo Yuan stood and turned to look at her.

"You have nothing to fear. I would never hurt you. I only want you close to me," he replied as he leaned in and kissed her cheek before sitting back down with a smile on his face.

"That's not the point, Yuan. I don't wish to take over your space. Also, I don't believe it appropriate for an unwed man and woman to share the same sleeping chambers, let alone lay together in the same bed."

Mo Yuan stood again and turned to look at Liena.  He took a few short steps around his chair to come closer to her.

"Last night was the best sleep I have had in a long time. I rest better and more soundly with you next to me. I would never do anything to hurt you or make you feel uncomfortable. If you prefer your own sleeping chamber, I could arrange for it today," Mo Yuan assured her as he held her face in his hands.

There was a subtle hint of sadness in his ending words, and she could sense it. She smiled and nodded in agreement.

"I must admit, I was happy waking up in your arms this morning," she replied bashfully.

Mo Yuan smiled and pulled her into his arms. He held her head with one hand while his other hand held the small of her back.

"Then it's settled. I don't wish to be apart from you. Our bed chamber is my sanctuary, where I end each day and rest my head in your arms—my comfort and peace," Mo Yuan replied as he ran the back of his index finger across the bridge of her nose.

Liena crinkled her nose and smiled.

"It's settled then. I promise I will never sleep away from you."

"I love you," Mo Yuan whispered as he pressed his forehead into hers.

"I love you more," she replied as she rubbed her nose against his and giggled.

"Let me finish combing your hair.  Come sit down," she insisted.

Liena continued to comb out Mo Yuan's hair in sections before giving him a scalp massage which lulled him into a short snooze. She ran her delicate fingers through his scalp and hair, combing and styling it into a not-too-tight perfect bun. She gently pushed her Dragon and Phoenix hairpin into the bun and stood back to admire him.