Evan was stunned. He certainly was not expecting this from Aeinshia.
Aeinshia didn't know how to do it, but she thought that was the best way to comfort him. Best way to tell him that he can be comfortable around her. She was there to share his pain and happiness, not to burden him with those very feelings.
She hugged him tight, very tight. So tight, that her head was almost buried into Evan's hair and Evan's was also getting lost in the raven locks of Aeinshia. Aeinshia had her hands wrapped around Evan's neck firmly and she drew in a deep, silent and long breath.
Strangely, Evan was like cinnamon. She could catch also catch a faint smell of vanilla. Now, this was a surprise for her. For someone so tough and closed up from everyone as Evan, his scent was total opposite of him. Sweet and intoxicating.
His musky perfume added to the mix was giving a smell, that Aeinshia never had experienced in her life. It was so intoxicating that it was making her a bit light headed. She didnt seem to remember, what Evan smelt like from the past.
There were never many intimate moments. Sure, they were close, but not more than words were exchanged between them. Aeinshia thought after their marriage, they would focus on that part of life, so she never made it more than touches. Even though, wanted more, he never bought it up. He wanted Aeinshia to be comfortable and ready for all of this.
And the situations went even more worse, after her return from the temple mountains, her respect was lost and they drifted off more. With Aeinshia being busy contacting the unknown help, who eventually betrayed her and plotting against Lily Carmondy, she never barely saw Evan.
Evan, by that time, was getting ready to be crowned as the next Emperor and he was constantly busy with empire works and meetings with the officials and neighboring kingdoms. He comforted her to best of his abilities, but he couldn't always be there with her.
This only added to their already worsened relationship and none made an effort to actually put effort to talk to each other about the situations around them. They chose to find the solution for their longing by distancing them from the people and situations that they thought were drifting them apart.
But, in reality, not their surroundings, but they were the very reason, for their damaged relationship and lack of trust. They never loved, not even thought of loving someone else in their lives. Life took a test of their love, which resulted in their utter failure and ultimately, loosing all the lives as well.
But, this time everything was different. Aeinshia wanted and aspired for this kind of life. Never ever she would have thought she would experience something as her past life.
But, even if your life is like you imagined, its not always colors and rainbows.
Reincarnated, shifted or rewinded, life is a life and it had its lessons to teach of its wanderer.
In the present, Evan was still in a state of shock. Of course, they hugged before, well, once and he initiated it. He certainly didnt expect Aeinshia to do something like this. He was not complaining, just stunned by sudden affection.
He slowly relaxed his body and gave into the warm embrace of her. He gently rested his hands on her waist. He didnt want Aeinshia to get any wrong idea about him. So, he was trying to be as gentle and soft as possible.
He deeply inhaled her scent, mostly the scent of her hair. Her hair was smelling like jasmines. Like the fresh jasmines that were surrounding the garden that they were seated.
Her raven long locks were silky and soft. He could feel them, as they were falling on her waist and some were caught in his hands. He softly carassed them and felt small tingles run in his hands.
When Evan's cold hands made contact with her waist and carassed the locks that were falling on her waist, contrasting to the warmth he was emitting, chills ran down Aeinshia's spine. She shivered a little with goosebumps now appearing on her skin.
Evan sensed her shiver and thought she was cold, so he just tightened his hold. After just basking in each other's embrace for the second time that day, Aeinshia decided it was time for her to speak.
She lifted her head a little, but then stopped. She then slowly averted her eyes to see her surroundings. They were calm and created a serene atmosphere around them. The cold of night was well complimented with the warmth of Evan's.
Then she realized, she should not distort this beautiful moment, if anything she only wanted to make it more beautiful.
She again relaxed her head onto his shoulder and prodded her nose lightly into his hair and took a deep inhale. Now, she could smell the wet earthy smell, mixed with Evan's musky cinnamon mixed vanilla scent. "This is heaven." she thought to herself.
"Evan..." she slowly started. Still latching in his arms, she didnt want to separate from him. And this would really help. He might understand the meaning of her words, without misunderstandings when she is close to him.
"If you are not comfortable sharing it, don't. I'm here. I'm not going anywhere. You can tell me whenever you feel comfortable with me." she slowly voiced out, in a soft tone. She didnt want to disturb their happy and comfortable bubble.
Evan couldn't reply anything. The only reaction came from him were the tears that scrafed down his eyes. Never in his life. has anyone talked to him this way. Made him feel so loved and cared. It felt very safe.
As crazy as it sounds or absurd to hear, he for the first time felt really loved and cared for. He felt safe with someone after his mother.
Whenever he was sad, his mother used to take him to her garden, surrounded by beautiful flowers and would hug him close to her chest. She would assure him, everything was not under his control and everything happened according to the plan of the universe. And we just need to trust ourselves and our loved ones.
That was the very reason, he bought out Aeinshia into the garden tonight. These gardens were a recreation of his mother's garden. He gifted Aeinshia this, because she also loved being in the Empress' gardens as much as him.
Now, looking at this, he can feel the comfort and love from both his mother and Aeinshia, whom he loved the most.
Aeinshia wasn't really expecting any answer from Evan, honestly. But, the response she got was really shocking. She could feel something wet on the fabric of dress over her shoulder. At that same time, Evan ducked his head into her shoulder and this could only mean one thing.
Evan was crying.
She wondered why was he being so vulnerable right now. But, she decided, it was only Evan, who could tell her what was he feeling. And right now, her only priority was to make in as comfortable as possible.
And the two lovers, who loved each other more than either could think of, sat under the pitch black sky, with bright moon showering its blessing, comforted either hearts.
One heart was being comforted from all the pain it was hiding and other heart was trying to feel the love and give the love, that it longed for.