The War God's Wife

Chapter 15: Comfort

I rapped my knuckles on the rough wood of the door with a plaque that read "7" on it.  There was no answer.  I knocked again, harder and faster.

"I'd like to be alone, please," said a muffled voice inside.

"Calli, it's me."  There was silence in response.  I knocked again.  "Calli?"

"Go away!"  she yelled.  I tried the knob.  It was locked.  I slid in the key and knocked again, now banging my fist on the door.

"Calli!"  I called back.  "Let me in!"

"No!"  I sighed.

"Please?"  I asked, with a hint of whining.  She hesitated.

"No!  You killed my friend!  I don't want to--!"  I twisted the key in the lock and shoved the door open.  Calli jumped, startled by the noise.  Her mouth made a cute, little "o" as she tried to process what just happened.  I didn't give her a chance.  By the time she began to speak again, I had already crossed the room and enfolded her in a hug.

"Let me--!"  she squeaked angrily, already trying to fight me.

"Calliena!"  I barked.  She froze.  I fixed her with an icy stare.  "You are mourning and exhausted.  I have already apologized for my actions, and, to be frank, it is not why I'm here.  I'm here because the woman I love is emotionally devastated right now and needs her lover to be there for her."  Her eyes softened, and fresh tears welled up.  I gently brushed them away while shushing her and pulling her back in to my arms.

"I can't believe he's gone," she sobbed.  My heart ached.  I pulled her close and laid us down on the bed.  I gave her small kisses in her hair and on her forehead, all while one hand held her and the other made small, random circles down her back.  For a long while, we lay there cuddled on the bed, me comforting, her crying.  After a few minutes, I nudged her.

"Have you eaten?"  I asked.  "Have you had anything to drink?"  She raised her head to think.  Hiccupping, she shook it.  I cast a look around and spotted a pitcher of water and some glasses.  I eased her off my shoulder, but she caught my hand before it could slip away.  Her eyes pleaded with me, and I gave her a reassuring smile as my heart broke once more.

"I'm only going to get you some food," I whispered.  "In the meantime, go to that pitcher and drink yourself a glass or two.  I promise I'll be right back."  She pouted but nodded, and I kissed her fingers before letting them slip away.

Now released, I went downstairs, where the wake was still going in full swing.  I caught one of the waiters by the arm, told him what I needed, and then sent him off.  I saw that Saul had rejoined his wife in greeting the well-wishers, and we exchanged nods of understanding when I caught his eye.  The waiter returned shortly with a platter loaded with sandwiches, cheese, a bowl of nuts, a steaming pot of soup, and slices of warm, toasted bread.  I thanked him with a few copper coins slipped into his palm as I took the tray from him and secreted away unnoticed.  Safely back upstairs, I knocked lightly on the door before opening it.  Calli held a mostly drunk glass of water in her hand as she stared blankly out the window.  Her corset lay on the bed, unlaced, and her dress hung loosely off her.  Without the support of the corset, though, it dipped low, fully showing her plump breasts now concealed only by her breast-band.  I swallowed hard as my blood drained from head to pool in my groin, leaving breathless and slightly dizzy.  I hurried to set the platter down, making plenty of noise as I did.  She started and turned slowly to me.  Now I could see even more of her breasts.  Oh, sweet rain.

"I have some food for you," I said quickly, averting my eyes to focus on setting out her options.  "There's sandwiches:  ham, turkey, cheese, if you'd like something simple.  Some soup if you think you need to go easy on your stomach, as well as--."  Her hands grabbed my shirt and yanked me up.  Surprised, I stumbled and almost fell into her kiss.  It was different, more desperate, more needy.