I was a stranger. And an enemy at that.

When Theodora clenched her fists, I realised that she must have misinterpreted my reaction.

«Here in Ethiro, we use your grace for dukes and duchesses. It's a bit different from the rest of the continent, right?» Not that I cared about the title, I just didn't want her to call me like that.

However, I couldn't find a way to tell her that. She was still too scared. Her hair was braided, probably wet from the bath, and the fire hadn't been lit, so the room was quite chilly.

Thea used to complain a lot about the time she needed to dry her hair. But the warm breeze of Polis had always been of help.

«You shouldn't go to sleep with wet hair,» I said while undoing the braid. Indeed, the locks were still humid. «And it can't properly dry if you keep it tied.»

After all, there wasn't any wind in the Palace. And even if there was, it would be icy.

She wasn't trembling, but she must have been feeling cold.

I touched her hands, and they were as freezing as stones.

«I knew it,» I whispered and reached for her foot.

She winced, surprised that a stranger made such intimate contact. Yet, I couldn't let her continue freezing. Her health was more important.

«If I knew you would wait for me like this, I would have hurried up!»

I forced her to lie down and tucked the covers, hoping she would warm up soon. I had told her she didn't need to wait! Hadn't she heard?

«I didn't know what I was supposed to do,» she said.

I passed my fingers on her face, feeling her doubting stare. She's lost like a little animal running in the wild.

«Sleep. You were supposed to sleep.»

Our marriage was imposed; there was no way to consummate. I could wait and make her fall in love with me. Too bad that my words confused her even more.

«I'm not sure about the Empire's customs, but a husband and wife share the bed for the first night of their marriage,» she said.

I couldn't stop a smile on my lips, but I tried to keep my expression neutral.

My wife's brave words were more dangerous than she thought, but she was lucky that I had spent a whole life waiting for her. I knew how to control myself.

«It's the same here,» I confirmed before she had time to imagine who knows what weird customs.

«Then, how come I am supposed to sleep?»

Her eyes were focused on me, analysing. Her nose and chin were pointed towards me. Her hands were holding the end of the cover, just like a little girl waiting to hear a bedtime story.

I couldn't help but feel waves of warmth in my chest, as she didn't seem all that frightened. As she was looking at me, listening to me...

We were going to sleep in the same bed after so many years. We would have breakfast together in a few days, for she needed time to adapt to the place and, only after, to me. We could even walk together in the garden and talk, just like in Polis.

After my stare started to feel uncomfortable, I got up and walked to my side of the bed. I changed into nightclothes and prepared to lie down next to Thea. For the whole time, Thea's gaze was on me.

She stiffened her muscles. She was waiting for some kind of action. Maybe, for me to do something to her. To say something. Who knows?

I thought I had made it pretty clear that I wouldn't have requested anything from her. We have been married for a few hours only, and she hadn't accepted that yet.

There was a possibility that she would try to annul the marriage. I would have convinced her not to if that was her intention. Anyway, the Emperor wouldn't have listened to any reason coming from her.

He thought he did me a favour, so he would have kept his decision firm. And I was too cowardly to let my wife go just like that.

Now that she was by my side, I would have done anything to keep her close.

«I can light a fire if you're cold,» I proposed. I had learned how to during the war.

When I turned to her, I saw her sleeping face. Her eyes were closed, and a little frown adorned her expression.

She wasn't relaxed, dreaming happy dreams. Yet, I didn't know how to help her sleep better.

Only time could heal her soul.

«Never mind,» I muttered while lying down.

After thorough consideration, I moved towards her. She was sensitive to the cold, so I was going to warm her with my body. It was the most I could do, so I gladly turned towards her and prepared to sleep. I would have looked at her for some time without scaring her with my focus.

I would have hugged her, but I couldn't risk waking her up. It would have been hard to explain why I was clinging to my sleeping wife.

I just allowed myself to peck her temple. Her hair had the scent of the bath, and her skin was warm. My lips tingled after the contact, but I had to part from her.

There still was the risk of waking her up. Not to mention that it was not fair: I didn't have the right to kiss her, not while she was sleeping.

«Good night, Thea,» I said. It was the first time that I called her. Saying wife had been so calming, but her name was the most melodious sound of them all. I could repeat it infinite times without getting tired.

A tear appeared on the corner of her eye, and she sighed noisily. Maybe, she was having a nightmare.

«Hey, don't cry,» I whispered while wiping the lone tear away.

She clenched the sheets and turned her head, her breath nervous but still stable.

«It's all right, Thea. You're safe, now.»

Luckily, she seemed to have calmed down a bit. Her face muscles relaxed, and she sighed in peace.

After a minute more, I turned the lantern off and closed my eyes. I couldn't fall asleep for hours at my wife's side.

I was at peace, having her within reach. But I was also excited to confirm that she was indeed my Thea. All my dreams and memories weren't made up by my crazy brain.

She was real, so real that I could touch her.