Hope smiles from the threshold of the year to come, whispering, 'It will be happier.'
Patience. The vulture which had served Nathaniel excellently for years, had been tested today. When Eva was finally, mercifully alone, Caltrops was rewarded.
Eva's well-adorned door slowly, but silently, swung open. The light which invaded the bed chambers was obscured by shadow and Nathaniel gracefully entered. He stood, surveyed the silence within her room, then glanced back toward the door. The barrier noiselessly shut and Nate continued toward his target.
He approached at the foot of the raised bed and upon sight of Eva's peacefully sleeping form, the wizard took a moment to appreciate his view. The electrokine rarely dozed for long while others stirred. His expression softened and his plan was altered. He actually hadn't expected her to be completely asleep.
Nate moved to the side of the bed she faced, the queen slightly curled on her side, and he sat - perched on the edge of the bed. His long fingers traced her hair and her ear, lovingly, and then his hand gently rubbed from her neck to the small of her back. His hands paid special attention there, the pressure point where Eva held most of her stress, physical and mental. His metaphoric scorpion's tail hit her soft spot and injected a numbing poison that hopefully lightened her load.
After several minutes, Nate's boldness increased. He returned to his feet, slipped off his outer most layer of robes and ditched his shoes at the end of the bed. The Hand of the Queen slipped beneath the covers and joined Eva in her bed - a placed he'd yet to be. Taking the position of big spoon, Nathaniel cuddled himself against her and bathed within her warmth. Contented, his fingers returned to the same spot on her back and hoped wherever her dreams had taken her, she could feel his presence and his love.