Derik woke up in the middle of the night. He was normally a light sleeper due to his years on the road as a mercenary and caravan guard, but this time there was no creeping enemy or stalking animal. This time he was awoken by his own thoughts.
He looked down at the figure curled against him, sleeping peacefully, her hair completely wild and every which way across the pillow. Gods, he loved that so much. His finger traced Lannia's freckled shoulder before the hand moved to lightly stroke her hair. He would fight for this woman. If needed he would cut his way through an army to keep her safe. He would live and die for her. But the truth remained that after the last several months of trying, he had been unable to give her what they both wanted: A child.
His eyes closed as he remembered her plea after her return from her spirit walk in Ruathym, her begging him not to leave her because she hadn't conceived, pleading that he not cast her aside to look for another woman who could give him children. As if that thought had ever crossed his mind. She was his Strength of Purpose, his Gem, his Flame. He would never leave her side as long as she permitted him to be there. His concern was just the opposite, that she might have cast him aside to seek a mate that could continue her family's legacy. He wasn't even sure how to approach that subject.
And then there was Ronja, who had a child, who's joy regarding her pregnancy seemed to have drained from her eyes recently. She had been so thrilled, but then her relationship with her husband had fallen apart and Derik had watched his blade-sister's resolve and joy for her child slowly seem to crumble as she spoke of giving her child away to her grandparents on Toril for raising as some spoiled nobility. It tore both he and Lannia apart watching it unfold, unable to do anything but cry with her, really. They had discussed it at length between them, and Derik still wanted to discuss Ronja's plans with her. Maybe this trip about on the Relentless Storm would be the ideal time.
Derik opened his eyes again and kissed his wife's forehead, again stroking her hair, chest vibrating with a soft purr as he gazed at her adoringly.
"I'm so sorry, beloved. I'm so very sorry..."
Warrior In the Middle
