Chapter 3

Judith did not know how long she was reading or what the time was. The last thing she remembered was reading something about a bonding stone and looking at one of the most beautiful jewels she had ever seen before she fell asleep.

Zamasu returned later that evening. His instruction had lasted longer than he had anticipated. He would never admit it to himself, but he was ever so slightly nervous of finding her in the library, fuming with range.

He slowly opened the door. He has not told Gowasu that he had locked her in, as he was sure his Master would have some ludicrous reason why Zamasu had to learn to trust these mortals. He walked into the library, his hands behind his back as usual, his face stoical.

He found Judith curled into a ball on one of the black wingback chairs, fast asleep. The book she was reading lay on the floor next to her. Zamasu bent to pick it up and read the title: 'Divine nomenclature, symbols and artifacts.' He was mildly impressed. He placed the book onto the table in front of her. It appeared she had done quite some reading, as there was stack of books in front of her, all concerning the history of the universe.

Zamasu looked down at her sleeping form. She seemed so peaceful. If he had not witnessed it with his own eye, he would not have believed she could be even more beautiful while sleeping. 'Probably because her mouth it shut.' He thought bitterly, before a sad smile played on his face.

"Judith." He said loudly, expecting her to wake up with a start, but much to his surprise, did nothing.

"Judith!" he said again, louder than before, but still she did not stir.

Unbeknownst to him, Judith was infamous for being a very deep sleeper, once she fell asleep, very few things could wake her up again. Whis and Vados had once joked that they would have to get some alarm bombs from Lord Beerus to get her to wake up.

Zamasu stared at her, unsure of what to do next. He considered leaving her there, she did seem moderately comfortable, but then he would never hear the end of it from Gowasu. He sneered at the thought of his Master reprimanding him.

'So, three options.' He thought. 'One, try to rouse her by physical means. Two, use telekinesis and transport her to her room or three, carry her there himself.' He was not sure why he even considered the third option, as if he would actually pick her up.

He hesitantly put his hand on one of her shoulders, realizing that this is the first time he had laid his hands on her. He could feel her Ki flow under his palm, and it sent a jolt of electricity through his body. He gently shook her… nothing. He sighed and shook ger again, more firmly… still nothing.

'For the love of-' he thought before taking her other shoulder and shaking her again fiercely this time loudly saying her name "Judith!"… She hung limp in his hands, still fast asleep.

'Well, I tried.' He dropped her back into the chair and headed for the door. Halfway there he turned and sighed with frustration, squeezing his eyes shut as he held the bridge of his nose between his thumb and index finger. His other hand was glowing with purple energy and made a 'come hither' gesture.

Judith floated of from the chair toward him. He turned and walked through the doors, waiting for Judith to float out behind him, before closing and locking the doors.

'What are you doing, you fool?!' his mind was screaming at him when he beckoned her body closer to him.

He wanted to touch her again and feel her Ki beneath his hands. She dropped from the air and he caught her in his arms, cradling her bridal style. She stirred slightly from the sensation of falling. Zamasu froze. Great, how was he going to explain this to her if she woke up now… but she did not.

Instead she nestled her head into the crook of his neck, while her hand, which was hanging limp at her side moved to his chest, lightly gripping the front of his uniform. He could feel her breath on his neck and her body moving slightly with every steady breath she took.

She infuriated him, annoyed him beyond comprehension, her mere existence was an insult, but at the same time he knew with unwavering certainty, that he wanted her to be his, in every sense of the word.

'You are a god. You have a higher purpose that must be fulfilled. This woman is merely a mortal and a distraction. Take care of her now!' his conscious was screaming at him, but he pushed it from his mind as he started down the hall toward her room.

Zamasu laid her down gently. He reached and removed a lock of her auburn hair that had fallen across her face, allowing his fingers the brush down her cheek and onto her lips. He started to bend toward her before stopping. His fingers lingered a while longer on her soft lips. He clenched his jaw and pulled away.

Judith would later remember the figure walking toward the door, pausing to look back at her, before leaving. If she did not know better, she would have said is was Zamasu.