ORPHEUS

Chapter 20

The night had been uneventful after that. There had been a quiet and tense dinner, after which they had promptly settled into the bed, Katherine once again in one of Orpheus' shirts. Though the thought reddened her cheeks, she couldn't bear to sleep in one of her dresses. They had concluded to sleep on the ends of the large bed, hoping to keep some distance, for the sake of decency. But who were they trying to fool now, they had done more than what they was considered decent. And in her mind, Katherine knew she shouldn't let more happen, but it was hard to resist temptation. She thought about being bound to Orpheus, if they could even be bound in the first place. If he could take vows with her, for her. If he could marry her. But then the thought of her, the spawn of a demon, being married inside a chuch struck her, she visibly recoiled.

Her reaction did not go unnoticed by Orpheus.

"Kathy?" He sat up, with worry in his voice. "What is it? Are you alright?"

"I'm fine" she replied, clearing her throat. "Just fine."

His hand snaked up to hers and entwined their fingers. "Tell me."

"What am I, Orpheus?" She asked. "I know I'm the spawn of a demon and an elf so, what would I be called?"

Orpheus looked at her, his eyes boring into hers. "I don't know" he said, suddenly cracking a grin. "A delf? Or perhaps an elemen?"

Despite herself, Katherine felt laughter bubble up her throat. It wasn't the best of his jokes, she had to admit, but with all the stress, she found it somewhat funny. She was thankful for the small reprieve. She shot him a smile, looking at his beautiful golden orbs. God knows she would never completely get over his transformations. They left her breathless every time.
He stared at her with a gentle smile, eyes shining as he looked at her with tenderness, holding her hand in between both of his.
Oh God she thought, It would take no time at all to fall in love with this man.
She believe she was halfway through the fall and she only hoped he would be there with her at the bottom of the cliff.
She closed her eyes, with Orpheus as the only person occupying her mind, soul and heart.

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It was early morning when her eyes fluttered open, her ears were being tickled and it rather irritated her in her sleep. She moved her left hand to itch her irritating lobe. Or she at least tried to. After seconds of wrigling and budging, her hand didn't move, she made a sound of annoyance. Then she felt something tighten around her. Her eyebrows furrowed in frustration, belatedly she realised that it was an arm that surrounded her. Her eyes flashed open and widened. She looked to her left and found the source of her frustration. Orpheus was practically wound around her, and he showed no signs of letting her go. Her breath caught in her throat and her cheeks blazed at the act. Oh this was just so inappropriate!
His face was right there, about an inch away from her own, their noses were almost touching and she could feel his breath on her lips.
So that was what had been tickling her ear. His features features were relaxed, his lips parted, his silvery hair falling in every direction. She wanted to be angry at him for disturbing her sleep and being so indecent, but he probably hadn't meant it and he looked so peaceful in his sleep, she just couldn't bring herself to be upset at him, though she was usually very bad company in the mornings.
She released the breath she was holding and relaxed her tense body. She twisted in his arms so she facing him instead of lying on his back. She could see the window behind him, it seemed like early morning, like dawn had just arrived. She also noticed that she hadn't had a single nightmare. Mayhap she should have Orpheus wound around her evey night. She almost giggled at the thought, her lips spread in an cheek splitting smile. She snaked up her free hand around his muscled, lean torso, hugging him as he was her. She inched closer until her head wes resting near his chest and she snuggled into him. This is rather nice, She thought, as his woody scent and heat engulfed her. His arm tightened around her again and he released a sigh.
Maybe she should consider marriage, half demon or not. She would have to posses the courage to ask him. Soon.
Her eyes fluttered shut with the thought of Orpheus as her husband in mind.
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