Chapter four
Sten awoke to an early dawn. The pink sky shone through the open window and it cast the shadows of the trees a cross the wall. He held the naked woman in his arms and he marvelled on her beauty. She slept soundly, and had her hand protectively on his bare chest. He looked up at the ceiling, deep in thought, when he heard small moans coming through the wall of the next room. The moans became small whimpers, which turned into a sob. He sat up a bit. "Mama!" Asala cried from the next room. Neria's eyes popped open and she sat bolt up. She let the light adjust to her eyes, before another, "Mama!" cry came through the wall. She stood up, stark naked, as if Sten weren't there and she briskly walked out of the room. Sten remained quiet, and looked at the ceiling.
"Mama," Asala sobbed. Neria opened the door with a sympathetic look and sat on the bed of hay with her daughter. She sobbed in Neria's arms and she stroked the little one's back. She whispered softly and told her it was going to be okay.
"Shhh, Asala. Paschera, my love," she whispered, kissing her daughters head. Mother and daughter held each other. Sten stood by the door, sheets tied across his lower half, listening. She used is language so fluently. "Another nightmare, sparrow?" she asked, quietly.
"Yes," Asala began to whimper. Sten poked his head in. He watched as mother held child and he marvelled on how natural they were. He stepped in the room and sat down on the bed beside Neria. He looked at the small one.
"Paschera, Imekari. Nightmares are nothing to weep about. Be glad it was just a dream," he grunted fondly, placing a hand on Neria. Neria looked up at him, eyes saddened.
"She dreams of magic and blood… sometimes her own death…" she said, barely in a whisper. Sten stopped to think of what she meant.
After Asala calmed down, Neria led her back into the bed and told her that she should sleep for a little while longer. She told Asala that 'she may NOT sleep with mommy,' and that was that.
Sten and Neria collapsed onto the hay mattress of Neria's 'room' and took deep breaths. The room was home to the smell of their sex and the light of morning. It was comforting as they lay in the heat of summer and listened to the forest awaken. Neria looked up at her Quinari warrior.
"Stay with me," she ordered. Sten looked down at her petite, naked body and around the homely little bedroom. He thought for a moment and nodded. She needed a man, if not for her, but for her daughter.
"As you wish, Kedan,"
A/N: Yes, it was a short chapter, but I posted chapter five quickly for ya'll J