Persephone

28. Part 2

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Sunlight streamed in through the wide windows, lighting the bedchamber, awaking the small form curled in the center of the bed. Although the light provided a small amount of heat, the girl felt inexplicably cold. Why was she so cold? All of her time spent here in the castle had been a decently pleasant temperature, what was the sudden dip?

Sitting up, she gazed around the large chamber, the spot beside her was empty but she didn't see Alastair anywhere in the room. He usually liked to keep an eye on her even as she slept.

A thought struck her: she missed him. Where was he? He almost never left her alone. A pit of longing grew in her chest. What was wrong with her? A few days ago he had tossed her in a dungeon and she missed him?! Persephone dropped her head into her hands, she had to be going crazy.

"What's wrong, my love?" A deep, strangely assuring voice inquired.

Glancing up, Persephone met Alastair's eyes and a jolt ran through her. Standing in the doorway of the bathroom, Alastair was clad in a well tailored three piece suit in his usual shade of night, a blood red button up could be seen beneath the weskit and black tie. His dark hair causally messy and still wet from his apparent bath. His eyes scanned her, feeling her distress, analyzing her for any harm that may have come to her while he was in the next room.

"I-uh" Persephone began, then, in an instant as she watched him lick his lips, she remembered the night before and turn a brilliant shade of scarlet, burying her head in her hands once again.

A slender finger hooked underneath her chin and drew her gaze upwards. Despite the coolness of his skin, Persephone felt a rush of warmth course through her when he touched her. When she met his eyes they soft, the gentlest she had seen them.

"There is no need to be embarrassed for enjoying yourself," he paused at the small sheepish smile that appeared on her lips, taken aback with how she did not tear away from his touch, with how she seemed almost comfortable with him-comforted by him, "Besides, there's a lot more of that in the future."

Alastair winked as she flushed a new tone of crimson at that thought. He brought his hand up to cup the side of her face, his thumb gently caressing her cheekbone, allowing himself to revel in her fragile form and the softness of her face. Drawing away, he waltzed over to the dressing table next to the armoire, he picked up a neat pile of clothes and brought them back to the bed, placing it next to her legs.

"It is time to dress, my little bird. Today is an important day, remember?" Alastair smiled as he watched Persephone's eyes light up in response. She scrambled out of bed, nearly falling as her foot got caught in the plush covers. Alastair's hand shot out, catching her elbow and steadying her. There was a pause as Persephone drew in a breath, visibly distracted by his touch. Alastair smirked, knowing that each time he gave her a bit of his blood, as he did when he drank from her, Persephone became more compliant towards him, "Careful now, I do want to return you to your mother in one piece."

Persephone ducked her head sheepishly as she turned towards the clothing on the bed. A look of surprise crossed her face as she noted that the clothing she was giving was not the odd 19th century style clothing she had worn in the past week but something she would have worn back at home.

"But why-"

"I do not want too many questions raised, even if you are just visiting for the day. As my wife, I will expect proper clothing for lady of your status, but I do understand that is not the style that is popular in your society. I presume you would be more comfortable in the type of clothing you wore at home?"

Persephone bit her lip, nodding as she examined the clothing before her. A pair of dark wash skinny jeans, a cream colored peasant top, and thick patterned belt that she would cinch around her waist. Just exactly the style she would have worn at home, if not in summer, which they were now nearing. Though she had only been with Alastair for maybe a week she felt as though time simply stopped when he was around.

Lifting the top she found a matching set of undergarments, in just her size. She blushed, he thought of everything.

"Thank you, Alastair," she said, not quite meeting his eyes.

He gently grasped her chin, drawing her gaze up to meet his, "You're welcome, my dear one. Now get dressed."

With that he kissed her forehead and strolled over to one of the plush armchairs in the center of the room, sitting with his back towards her, allowing some privacy.

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A/n: if anyone wants to know, I wrote this listening to the lord of the rings soundtrack