Paradox Interluder (Usurper #2)

18

Kaid half expected the Empress to be gone by morning. Yet, pressure and light weight on his chest proved otherwise, along with the warm and steady breath near the nape of his neck. How often the past two years he'd have to use pillows or various blankets to mimic a presence beside him, her presence specifically. He wouldn't have to do that much any longer or perhaps ever again.

"You're awake," she hummed, almost making Kaid flinch with fright at her being awake. Then again, it was always a rare occurrence Kaid would wake up before his beloved, given sleep never came easy to her.

"How could you tell?" Kaid asked out of curiosity, feeling her stir on top of his chest further closer, despite the gap already being minimal. She didn't answer right away, instead let her lips meet his in a gentle, good morning kiss. Her lips then peppered across his jaw and cheeks, wanting to kiss every inch of him.

"Your heartbeat accelerated," she replied, pulling back slightly to admire him, her fingers tracing the growing facial hair around his jaw. He was right, it was growing back fairly fast.

His fingers moved up and ran through her hair, tucking a strand behind her ear, "Did you sleep okay?"

"Wonderfully, thank you. I missed laying on this rather comfortable pillow," she smirked, her blue eyes staring lovingly into his brown ones.

Blue and brown eyes were just meant to be. Her blue eyes symbolized the ocean blue waves in all their treacherous glory. Their waves crashed against the earth, the brown sand or dirt. The ocean could not exist without the earth beneath it, and the earth would be a parched landscape without the moisture of life that was water.

Kaid's morning, hazy thoughts were interrupted with a playful, gentle slap of her hand across his cheek. He glanced up at her with confusion, still seeing that look of love in her eyes.

"Don't ever do what you just did last night again," she demanded, her voice soft and playful but she was making it clear she was also very serious about the matter.

"I'm sorry. I just thought I could help and-"

"You did. You did Kaid. Gods, you gave me something nobody else could even dare to try. But the last time you did something like that for me, it was almost at the cost of your life. You made me worried sick," Jessamine explained her worry, "promise me you won't do that again."

"I promise," he nodded. He understood her worry, the same worry his mother had possessed as well. There was a huge risk of unknown in bringing Jessamine there. He didn't know much about this void, and her arriving had brought some unwanted trouble. Trouble Jessamine didn't need to know about, yet.

He rose up slightly, excitement in his eyes, "So, what did you talk about?"

She couldn't help but smile at his enthusiasm, a burst of warmth hitting her heart. She truly felt she didn't deserve him.

"Just...the burdens of the past. Burdens that are no longer so heavy, thanks to you," Jessamine sighed, but didn't want to get caught up in that, "She mentioned speaking with you...that you even bowed to her."

"I did?!" Kaid looked distraught and embarrassed, "I mean, she was the Emperor's wife I suppose that still makes her royalty."

"And if you are to be my husband, will people bow to you?" Jessamine inquired, seeing his face blush a fury of red.

"I-I, no!" Kaid stammered, rather surprised at her words. Gods, only she could really twist his tongue, make him act like a real, righteous fool. But there was no shame in being her fool, in making her laugh, smile, and smirk.

Jessamine knew more than anyone else Kaid hated any sort of attention. Even when he was the special guest at her own birthday celebration, he had diverted most of the attention to her if he could. She didn't blame him. For a man who was so unseen for thirty years in Caladin, to be in the spotlight for an entire Empire was toiling. She'd relieve that burden whenever she could.