Just sleep

The big black dog remained unmoving, with Emma half-leaning on, half-clinging to its large furry body, even in her sleep.

After a while Emma's breathing became slow and even, and she seemed to slump slightly as her arms and body started to relax. There seemed to a danger of her toppling over onto the hard floor.

However, the air surrounding the black dog suddenly started shimmering with a vivid green glow. Bands of light twisted around the dog, looking like just like the northern lights.

In the blink of an eye, the large furry beast transformed into a stunningly handsome, black-haired man. His features were extraordinarily handsome, with a long straight nose and square jaw, that gave him a decidedly masculine appearance. And yet his features had a delicate elegance about them, that lent him a mysterious air.

If Emma had been awake to see the man, she would have no problem with thinking he was another figment of her overactive imagination. The man had an otherworldly air about him, which didn't just stem from the fact that he had been a large black dog just a moment before.

His eyes were like glowing green orbs in the darkness. His long hair, which was just as jet black as the black dog's fur, was half tied up in a knot and the rest cascaded down over his shoulders. Even his clothes were unusual. He was clad in a simple long robe, tied at the waist with a sturdy leather belt. In short, he looked just like an immortal just descended from the Celestial Realm.

The man wrapped his arms protectively around Emma's small form as she slept peacefully in his embrace. He slowly bent his head to plant a soft kiss on Emma's forehead. He remained like that for a while, his eyes closed, breathing in her scent and listening to her slow steady breathing.

"Don't worry, my love," he whispered. "I'm here." His voice was soft and incredibly gentle. His face expressed mixed emotions. There was love, tenderness and adoration in his eyes as he gazed down onto the woman sleeping in his arms, but also a profound sadness and longing.

Lifting Emma as if she didn't weight a thing, he stood up, and gently cradled her in his arms. Careful not to jostle her, he carried her over to the bed, and lay her down with the utmost care. All the while his eyes were fixed on her sleeping face.

Despite his efforts not to rouse her, Emma grunted and moved around a bit. Her dainty hand closed around a fold of the man's forest green robe. His eyes wrinkled in amusement at her unconscious action.

"Can't bear to see me go?" he chuckled.

With a swift and graceful movement he slid into the bed next to her. Resting his back against the wall, he stretched his legs out on the bed. He watched as Emma snuggled up closer to him, resting her head on his thigh as she slept.

After a few moments, Emma started mumbling and muttering in her sleep. Her tone was confused and restless. The man immediately started stroking her hair in careful soothing motions. The strokes seemed to calm Emma down and she wrapped one arm around the man's thigh and hugged it closer to her, letting out a contented sigh. The man chuckled again.

"That's right, my love," he soothed. "Just sleep. I'll be here to watch over you. I promise you no bad dreams will plague you tonight."