Chapter Two

(A month and a half later)

As time passed it was surprisingly quiet at the palace. During the long days Aly simply checked over reports, organized royal security and began training new recruits. During the days she longed for the nights, to be with Nawat. At night she never wanted to sleep because she would wake up and it would be morning. She did her job during the days, but she lived for the nights.

Aly woke to find Nawat already up and dressing. Closing her eyes again, she rolled onto her side and curled up between the soft, warm sheets. She laid there for some time, just listening to the morning sounds Nawat made as he dressed and prepared for the day. She smiled as she heard his footsteps coming over to the edge of the bed. She felt the slight pressure he made as he sat down beside her. Her back to him, Nawat leaned over her to see her face and grinned. She was pretending to sleep. He leaned over her just he tiniest bit further and pressed his lips to the smooth, tender skin just behind her ear on her neck.

Aly gasped and rolled over in response, trapping herself, Nawat's arms on either side of her, since he was anticipating her move. She smiled up him. Aly wished she could stop time right then, just stay in that one moment with Nawat forever. She felt as if her heart was going to explode from all the happiness she was feeling just then. Nawat leaned down and kissed her as tenderly as possible. He pulled away and Aly was left breathless. It still amazed her how Nawat was so different from everything she had ever thought. He was so different it almost scared her. It terrified her that just one kiss, one touch, or even just one look from him, meant more to her than anything she had ever known or believed. But even so, as much as it scared her, she knew, now that she had felt this, she couldn't live without it. Without him, and his love.

---

Aly finished her last training report. She took one glance at her office and began to clean off all the reports littering the top of her desk. It seemed she could never keep anything clean for more than two seconds. She finished tidying up and stretched. As she yawned her stomach let out a long and low grumble. Now days it seemed that she was always hungry. She had lost count the number of times Nawat had run out to get her something from the kitchens in the middle of the night. And she was always craving different, odd, foods. Things she had never eaten before, her mouth watered for. She turned around and was reaching for her keys to lock up when the door to her office opened. Aly looked up to see Nawat leaning through the doorway, one hand on the door handle the other on the stone of the wall. She felt her lips automatically pull into a foolish grin. Nawat opened the door all the way, stood there, and waited for her.

Aly quickly blew out her lamp and grabbed the key ring. Nawat stepped out her way as she came out into the hall, pulled the door closed, quickly locked it, and turned to face him. Nawat seemed to be thinking the exact same thing as Aly at that moment, because before she was even half way turned around he had one arm her around the waist on the small of her back. His other hand was cradling her head, on the back of her neck. His lips were pressed firmly with hers. Aly melted into the kiss and let him, literally, pick her up. She put her arms around his neck as he began to carry her down the corridor to their rooms. Just as they reached the stairs, however, Aly's stomach let out another complaint for food. Nawat pulled his mouth from hers and laughed, his eyes wrinkling at the corners. Aly giggled along with him, her face buried in his shoulder trying to stifle the noise. Nawat put Aly down but kept a grip on her waist, as she kept one on his. Together they made their way to the kitchens, again.

---

Later that same night Aly awoke for some reason. She rolled over, to snuggle closer to Nawat, and automatically regretted moving. Her stomach seemed to have stayed behind her while she had moved. She was going to be sick. Aly threw aside the covers, stumbled out of bed, and dashed to the privy. She made it just in time. A few seconds later she felt a large warm hand on her back. She managed a quick glance up into Nawat's large, dark eyes filled with concern, before she was forced to look back down. It actually made things a little easier, just knowing he was right there. With his hand on her back gently moving up and down, it seemed comfort her more than anything else could.

When she was finished Nawat went and got her a glass of water. She wiped off her mouth and rinsed it out. They walked out of the privy together and Nawat sat down on the bed next to her. He leaned back against the headboard and gently pulled her back against him, wrapping his arms around her protectively.

"What is wrong Aly?" he asked, stroking her hair back from her face. "Why did you not tell me you were ill?" Aly breathed a small sigh hearing the worry in his voice.

"I didn't feel ill until just tonight," she answered him, closing her eyes and sinking back into him. "Although, I have been really hungry lately. Perhaps I ate something bad today."

"Well, perhaps you should go and see one of the healers tomorrow?" he suggested. "I know you hate to, but it would make me feel better. I hate when you are feeling bad reasons I cannot help." Aly smiled at his last remark. It was true. She did hate going to the healers, but then again she hated even more to worry Nawat.

"I'll go tomorrow right after breakfast," she said as he turned and nuzzled his neck. "Just to make sure it's nothing serious." Nawat kissed her cheek and they both snuggled back down under the covers.

"I love you Aly," Nuwat whispered into her ear, pulling her further against his chest.

"And I live for you," she replied, slowly letting go of reality. Aly didn't see the glisten of tears in Nuwat's eyes from her words, or feel him give her that extra little squeeze against him either.