Exquisite

I Do

~Neith~

I woke up to Damen's fingers tracing my cheekbone, warmth dancing across my chilly skin. While the sun hadn't risen I could see shades of purple streaking across the sky and I shivered, the blanket not enough to keep the chill away. 

"Hi," I mumbled, turning to curl into his chest in an attempt to get warm. "Why aren't you asleep? We still have -" I squinted at the clock, "- two hours before we have to get up." 

He shook his head before wrapping a muscled arm around my waist tightly, pulling me to him. "Shh, don't mind me. Go back to sleep, princess." I wanted to protest but he started combing through my hair gently, his fingers working my scalp in a way that I could feel my brain shutting down on its own. 

"Mm-kay." I sighed contently as my consciousness started slipping away. "If you ... say so." 

I heard his whisper just before dozing off, low and gentle. "I love you, Neith. I'll protect you, no matter what." 

My eyes fluttered open. 

Now that I was more alert I could feel his heartbeat thudding against his chest where I was pressed against him, the hint of darkness in his eyes and the lines of worry on his forehead. "Damen?" 

I was scared too, but I knew I had to be strong for him.  He had lost too much in life to do so again and ever since my accident, I had seen the fear reside permanently in his heart of losing me for good. 

I couldn't be scared now, not when Damen needed me. 

So I wouldn't. 

I sat up a little to lean over him, pressing my hand to his cheek. "Don't worry. Everything is going to be okay, I promise."

He leaned into my touch, his eyes shut. "You promise?"

I nodded, smiling as I snuggled into him. "I promise. We'll have a blast at the cruise and get to see Norway, like an actual couple on honeymoon. It'll be like a vacation, okay? I promise." 

He chuckled. "Yeah?" 

"Yes." I pulled the blanket over us, reveling in the warmth and the sheer comfort of that moment. "Now go to sleep. We have a long week ahead." He pressed a kiss to my forehead before settling into bed with me. 

"I love you, Little Red."

...

 ..."Damn, Hotstuff." Vivienne whistled as she pulled out a dress from my suitcase, taking in the plunging neckline and thigh-high slit. "Damen is going to get a stroke when he sees you in this."

I felt my cheeks turn warm as I snatched it from her, folding it neatly before replacing it. "It's a very fancy cruise, Viv. They have a very strict dress code. D and I can't exactly draw attention to ourselves, it's the opposite of what we're trying to do."

Vivienne raised an eyebrow before pointing to my stockings. "With all due respect Neith, I don't think anyone will pay attention to anything other than you when you wear all of these."

She snorted. "Damen is going to have  his work cut out for sure."

I rolled my eyes before zipping the bag shut. "Just take care of things around here, okay? Remember to take Cassien's lunch to his office or he'll forget to eat. Also, remember to tell Valdez to get -"

"Neith." Vivienne smiled, shaking her head. Her eyes were a little moist. "You're not our housekeeper. This isn't what will bother us."

She hugged me tightly and my lower lip quivered. "We'll miss you. And D. Take care of yourself and him for us, will you?"