After I picked her up and made sure she was secure, James came running from the place he was patiently waiting for our sparring to end.
"My Lord, do you want me to go get another stamina potion for her?"
I thought about it for a while.
"No, she is just sleeping after a long fulfilling day. The only thing you need to do is make sure there is a meal for us sent to our room, preferably some type of soup. I'll take the long way back to our room, so no rush."
"Ok, my Lord. I'll get on it."
James hurried off and I was left with Becca on my back. I could feel her warm breath on my neck and once in a while, she would mutter my name in her sleep.
I took a deep breath and started walking towards our room. We had been sparring for so long that it was already dark out. I stared up at the moon and suddenly I started to get emotional.
Something about the weight of the girl on my back. Something about the way her warm breath tickled my neck. It felt so real.
Ever since I came here, everything that has happened feels like a dream. I have way more power and responsibility than I should. I'm forced to act like I know what I'm doing. I'm just a 24 year old guy, who barely finished school a couple of years ago. I shouldn't be making decisions that will effect an entire Kingdom.
In this whirlwind of events I had to deal with so far, the only times that felt real were the moments I got to spend alone with Becca. Why? How could a simple moment with her like this, keep me grounded in this flurry of surreal events?
It's because she was genuine…
Because she wore her heart on her sleeve and was not afraid to speak her mind.
I shared my biggest secret with her and because she knew I trusted her, she also let her guard down around me. I was the first person willing to support her, so she let me in. She unabashedly showed me her true self.
She grounded me because we shared a genuine human connection…
Even back in my world, all my connections with my colleagues were shallow. I say that the reason for my shallow connections was because I was getting settled into the job. But if I really dig into the heart of the matter, the truth is I was actually badly hurt by my ex cheating.
I was scared to let anyone in for a long time because I couldn't shake the fear that they were keeping secrets from me. Once I was finally ready to move on after 2 and a half years, I was thrown into an unknown world with far more responsibility than I should have ever had.
I lightly squeezed on the thighs I held and started talking into the silent night.
"You may think that I am your savior, but it's really the other way around. Your presence means so much to me.
I really am a helpless romantic. Throughout our sparring, I kept thinking about how much fun I was having and how we were naturally a great team.
The more time we spend together, the stronger my feelings for you become. Thank you for giving me a chance to get close to you. I'll do my best so you don't regret it."
I continued walking in silence as I soaked in these happy feelings.
After a little while, I reached our room. I prepared Becca for bed and tucked her in.
I pulled up a chair and sat at the side of the bed. I held one of her hands and watched her sleep peacefully. I knew she would wake up soon enough because she would be hunger.
Just as I predicted, 15 minutes after tucking her in to bed, she suddenly opened her eyes.
She looked around confused, "where am I?"
I put a pillow behind her back and helped her sit up.
"You past out after we finished sparring, so I carried you here and got you ready for bed."
She started to pat herself and then screamed with her arms crossed.
"Did you change my clothes?!"
I chuckled, "no, I asked a maid to help you change and to wash your body the best they could without waking you."
Becca put her arms down and relaxed, "oh, ok. Thanks for being so considerate."
I reached out and squeezed her hand, "don't worry, the first time I see you naked, I want you to be wide awake."
Becca slapped the hand that was holding hers, "don't say stuff like that!"
I couldn't stop myself from laughing for a full minute. I finally stopped when I heard a grumble come from Becca's stomach.
"Hungry? I have your dinner here. It should still be warm."
I grabbed the bowl of soup I left for her on the nightstand. As I was trying to give her a spoonful, Becca asked, "where is your food?"
"I already ate while you were getting changed."
Becca pouted, "that's good, but you don't have to feed me."
"I know, but I want to. Can you fulfill my wish?"
"Fine…", she said and opened her mouth wide.
After I few bites, Becca spoke up again,
"Today was the most fun I have ever had…
thanks for listening to my selfishness and letting us continue even after we used up all the stamina potions."
"I am happy that you enjoyed it. There will be plenty more days like this for us in the future."
The corner of Becca's eyes were starting to water.
"I can't believe how much I learned in one day. We make such a good team. It's my first time experiencing the saying that two heads are better than one…I always had to train all alone."
I reached my hand out and wiped away the tear that was forming on Becca's eye.
"I'll be there for you from now on."
Becca grabbed the hand that was wiping her tears and rubbed her cheek on my palm.
"Thank you so much Nick. I am going to work hard, so we can officially be a team on the Royal mages."
I smiled at her, "I believe in you. It will be a lot of fun to fight the bad guys alongside you."
"I'm full now Nick, let's go to bed."
"Ok, we need to rest and recover."
I put down the leftover food and got into the other side of the bed. As I was getting settled in, Becca called to me,
"Hey Nick."
"Hmmm."
"Today, you can come over and cuddle with me…"
My eyes popped open, "you don't have to tell me twice."
I crawled over to Becca's side, my eagerness was making her embarrassed.
"Turn away from me."
Becca reluctantly listened to me, "ok."
Now that her back was turned to me, I moved in closer, so that her back was touching my chest and I ran my arm around her stomach and put my hand under her waist.
I put my face on her neck and took a deep sniff.
"You are so soft and smell so nice. I can't get enough."
Becca wiggled in my arms, "well, your arms make me feel so secure, like a warm blanket is wrapped around me."
"I'm glad to hear that, now let's rest. I'm exhausted."
"Alright, sweet dreams."
"I already feel like I'm in a dream."