Side Stories for my books

Shall We Dance

This a short for Have a bit of hope, starring Caleb and Elena again. It is from Elena's POV.

         The cold draft coming in from the open window as well as the reoccurring nightmares that haunt me every time I close my eyes, keeps me awake. I just lie there starring at the ceiling from my  bed in the girls' room, I hear Caleb softly breathing, from where he is sleeping next to me.

         To anyone who didn't know us would say it is improper for a 23 year old man to sleep in the same bed as a 15 year old girl. And the fact that he is the only man allowed to sleep and live in the girls' wing of the castle. Caleb sworn his loyalty to me, so he refuses to not be by my side. So to do his job and protect me, father and mother also like the idea of having someone they trust in the girls wing, in case of an emergency. None of the residents of the girls' wing or others in the castle mind, besides the fact that my sisters' keep a close eye on him.

         I gently get out of bed, carefully so that I won't wake up Caleb or any of the others in the room. Quietly I sneak on to the roof/terrace and look out over the town. My night dress and pants wave as a breeze blows by. The streetlights glisten, and flicker down below. All in all, it's a beautiful night.

"It's not often, we all get to relax like this. Lord knows, the last time Caleb had a good night sleep, much less any of us."
    

         I state staring out into the night.

"Elena."

         I hear Caleb's voice, it sounds tired. Turning around to face him. He looks as tired as he sounds, his long red hair isn't in at ponytail and is sticking up in different places, his green eyes are underlined with bags. He has a light blanket wrapped around his shoulders. I turn back to looking out at the city.

"Why are you doing up?" He says as he wraps his arms (and the blanket) around me and rests his chin on top of my head.

"Nothing, couldn't sleep, so I came up here to take in the view."

"You could have woken me up, so I could keep you company." I cut him off but muttering 'you need the sleep, besides you looked really cute sleeping.'
We go quiet for a while, before he breaks the silence. He lets go of me and just stands there.

 "Forgive me when I say this but 'cut the crap' you and I both know you didn't come out here to enjoy the scenery. What's wrong?"

"Nightmares, every time I close my eyes. Over and over again."

         Tears well up and start to go down my cheeks. I turn and start to go back inside, but he grabs my shoulders and forces me to look at him.

"I'm so weak, I can't protect anyone. I so tired of people getting hurt and killed because of me. Every time I close my eyes I see you get hurt or killed, I see everyone I love die. All because of me."

          He gently wipes away some of my tears and rests his forehead against mine.

"I'm here, and I won't ever leave your side ever again."

          My teary eyes widen at those words.

"You told me that when I was having nightmares after we had been reunited. I love you, you don't need to worry about losing me. I will always be by your side now and forever."

          I bury my face in his chest and cry.  I felt myself being picked up.

"I remember when you were younger and had a nightmare. You would always run and climb in my bed, and wake me up. I would always hold you like  this and we would dance until you calmed down."

"I remember. Even as a child I was always drawn to you."

"Well, milady, Shall we dance?"