Walked with you once upon a dream...

Pt. 40

Jacques had been asleep for the past two days. The medicine from the doctor combined with the healing from his body. He required it in a way. Carrouges's blade went deep. Theodora had been in too with some of her healing ointment's. She even lit a small lantern of insense. It had been awhile since you had seen or smelt the calming scents.

You sat by Jacques's bed EVERYDAY. Holding his hand and brushing your thumb over his knuckles. You watched his expression as he slept. He looked so peaceful even with his face marked with cuts and bruises. You also noted there was that one strand of hair that would always fall on his face. Suddenly, you felt his grip tighten a little and saw a yawn. He was waking up.

He opened his eye's and you were there to meet them. Instantly, you hugged him. ''I dreamt that we were back in your old room from the scent,'' he said quietly. It brought a smile to your face. You could never forget sharing a book and YOUR bed with him all those times. How far things have come. You had an idea. Your got up and walked to the self for a book. Before you walked back, he spoke again. ''I'll NEVER forget you walking away in that thin white night gown on our first meeting,'' Jacques said. It made you blush a little until you sat on the bed. ''But you were unconscious,'' you replied. ''Apparently, not for those few minutes,'' he replied. It didn't matter. You were GLAD he saw you.

All these actions and movements started making Jacques tired and sleepy again. The book you had chosen had some stories in it. You decided to read Jacques to sleep. Wouldn't be long, you would be reading your child to sleep as well. You opened the book and it was full of short stories. Not fairytales, just regular stories. Before you read, you had to re dress his wound and get some food inside him.You pulled the blankets back and SLOWLY took off the bandages, applied the ointment, then closed him up with fresh bandages. The let out a few grunts and hisses, but it had to be done. Next was the food. The servants brought in a bowl of chunky stew. You helped Jacques sit up and placed some extra pillows behind him. You then proceeded to feed him slowly.

The bowl was licked clean. The chunks AND broth were gone! All that was left was his cup of wine that he started to drink. ''Is that wise?'' you asked. Jacques stopped drinking. ''It dulls the senses and the pain,'' he said and went back to drinking. You couldn't argue with that reason. The pain would be TERRIBLE, but you also knew that Jacques liked to drink too.

''There isn't time to fret about this!'' you said to yourself internally. You knew it was the hormones. Over the past few months, they had overflown at times. Jacques had even caught you crying at times over nothing or the STRANGEST things. The crazy outbursts as well. Deep down, you felt bad putting him through these ''weird'' things but you knew that you couldn't help it.

He finished the wine and finally laid back down to get comfortable. You had brought him a new blanket. Since the last one was of fur, this one was made from velvet and was really soft. Jacques loved it and with the lavender scent cascading the room, his eyes were getting heavy. You had decided to read to him anyway. You cracked the book open and started to read. Within minutes, you heard little snores. You looked up and smiled at him, pulled the blanket up higher, and kept on reading. After you finished the story, you quietly got up and drew the curtains closed. Then stoked the fire a little. Before you left, you gave him a kiss on his slightly parted lips. Afterward, you left giving him some peace as he slept.

You left his room quietly to go to the kitchens to get some food and go to the library. It was only a matter of weeks before this baby was born. You were just glad Jacques got to Carrouges before he put an end to your child.

Eating your snack, you entered the library. Hopefully to find more to read to Jacques. You found a couple books in Latin and sat at a table with them. Theodora was in there as well and joined you. ''How is he?'' she asked. ''He's doing better, I left him sleeping,'' you said.

''Are you sure?'' Theodora asked looking above your head.

You turned around and you saw Jacques behind you in a black robe and wet hair. The servants must of helped him bathe. He looked very cute with his ear's sticking out. He had to grip the table to stand. You stood up and held his face with both of your hands. ''Are you alright?'' you asked. He closed his eye's and winced a little. You could tell he was not and wanted to take him back to the room.

Theodora decided to leave the library to give you two some privacy. As she did, you suddenly felt a stream of tears on your hand. He tried to hide it when he closed his eye's, but when he opened them, you saw two deep pools of tears. ''Are you alright?'' you asked gently. He remained quiet. Your thumb caressed his cheek. He closed his eye's against and then looked at you.

''What's wrong?'' you softly asked.

''I almost lost you.....both, because of MY weakness,'' he emotionally said.

''You're NOT weak!'' you said holding his face tighter.

''I am so,'' he said grabbing your wrist. ''I'm not worthy of having you or the child!'' he frustratingly added.

He tried to pull away, but you wouldn't let him and shushed him. You hugged him tight to you and rubbed his neck. ''NO ONE is MORE worthy,'' you said. You felt him calm down a little.

Jacques rose from your grasp. His eye's and  cheek's were soaked from tears. He was a mess. ''Why don't we get you back?'' you said. He sniffed before he spoke. ''I dont want to go back there, I WANT to stay here WITH you,'' Jacques said. His explanation was warming to you, but you didn't know how it could work with his state.

Suddenly, you saw the floor pillows by the fireplace and SLOWLY led him there. You sat down first, then he sat behind you. You heard him let out a few hisses, but then he got comfortable and placed his head on your shoulder.

He watched you open the book and start reading in Latin. ''You have become a better speaker,'' he said. ''Well, I had a wonderful teacher,'' you replied.

That made him smile and placed his mind at rest. He could also rest easy now that you didn't think of him in the ways he had feared.

After you started reading aloud again, he was asleep on your shoulder. You turned around and pulled him to your side so he would be more comfortable. You kept on reading to him as he slept, knowing that some form of comfort was seeping in.