Out there, beyond my door, there was a lot that needed to be done. But I wasn’t ready to leave them; not yet. If I had my way they’d never leave my sight again.
But in order to protect them, to keep them safe, I’ll have to leave them at some point soon; too soon. I looked down at her face and saw the tiredness there. I’d kept her up too long.
“You should get some rest love. You’ve had a long trying day.” I eased her down onto the pillow with my son still held in her arms. She was asleep within minutes.
I pulled the covers up over her and kissed her cheek. I must’ve sat there just staring at her for an hour, finally letting myself believe that she was here with me.
I left them long enough to go to the door to pass new orders. I knew Eunuch Van would carry them out without fail, and felt comfortable in going back to the bed to climb in beside them.