My Dark Knight

Chapter 37

"Hush now. No one can harm you here. Hush, love." Tristan soothed, his heart pounding deafeningly in his ears.

He closed his eyes in anguish as he continued to rock her trembling form back and forth, whispering sweet nothings. Praying with everything within that she'd would be alright.

Sapphire slowly became aware of someone calling her name. She recognized the voice, yet she couldn't place it. But even in her subconscious, the voice brought along with it a certain warmth. Next, she registered she was in someone's arms, held tightly against their chest as their hand ran along her spine, up and down. The gesture was calming, soothing. She became aware of the feather light kisses on her hair, the hard sinew of muscle pressed against her. Her breathing slowly began to return to normal, her trembling beginning to cease.
Sapphire lifted her head from against his chest to see Tristan's hauntingly beautiful features watching her, what she saw had the tears ruthlessly releasing their hold, as if a dam had been unleashed. Both from happiness and sorrow.
Never had she seen such emotion on her husbands face. His features were a mask of agony and torture, anguish. His pain filled eyes watched her with grief and relief.
His taunt jaw slowly relaxed as his thumbs wiped away her tears, his hands cupping her face, his lips giving her a chaste kiss, one full of love.

"Oh, Tristan.." Sapphire whispered as she threw her arms around his neck, hugging him close.

"I'm here, no one will harm you." He whispered, his words laced with sorrow. He would never leave her alone, especially at night.

"You ignorant buffoon! I was worried for you." Sapphire sniffed, still managing to call him names.

"I see you are feeling up to par." Tristan said dryly, trying to mask the unease he had felt, was still coursing through him. He held her tighter against him, not willing to let her go.

Tristan led Sapphire over to the bed, laying down and pulling her atop him so she was curled on him, her head on his chest. He ran his hand along her back, while one arm held her to him.

When her breathing had turned back to normal, her body less tense, Tristan quietly spoke.

"Would you like to talk about your nightmare?"

Sapphire shuddered, not wanting to recall the all to vivid dream.

"No."

"As you wish." Tristan whispered as he placed a tender kiss on her hair.

"When Asher was learning to reuse his leg, he would often fall. I found it quite entertaining, naturally, I would laugh. Quite often as well. One day Asher was annoyed and my laughter did not help, therefor he kicked me. I had a bloody bruised leg but I could not stop laughing. Asher honestly seemed as if he was sulking." Tristan said with a snicker, the memory pleasantly vivid in his mind.

"That was not very kind of you." Sapphire mumbled. She felt him shrug a broad shoulder.

"Perhaps, but it was verra amusing." Tristan smiled, his distraction working.

"Unkind." Sapphire whispered, fighting back a yawn.

"Amusing."

"Unkind." Sapphire mumbled, succumbing to sleep.

"Amusing."

Tristan smiled slightly as silence met him. His delectable wife was asleep. Their banter had her falling asleep quickly.