"In battle, your people's attacks tend to not be very straightforward. They are more twisted and calculated and against expectations."
"It's war. I don't think we would do well if we just charged at you and said 'Move.'"
"Most likely not."
She stretched her arms over her head and yawned. "Look, are we still safe? Can I sleep for a bit? Today has been quite a day."
He nodded. "Of course. I will stand post outside for you."
"As long as you get some rest too. You need your strength as well. I can be quite vexing, or so I've been told." She smiled at him. The fury in those blue eyes was gone. Instead, it was mirth.
"I am sure I can handle whatever you have," he said.
"I don't know. I drive my father crazy."
"I am sure you do not."
"I don't know," she said. "The last time I dealt with him, I ruined a treaty he was working on."
He raised his eyebrow.
She waved her hand. "He wanted me to marry the leader of the opposition to bind the two territories. I refused."
"Are you expected to marry for political gain?"
"My father thinks so. I am against it, myself."
"Is there anything you can do?" This intrigued him. Not in a positive way, though. More out of disgust that a leader would use their own child to solidify a deal in such a way.
"I have options. The most obvious is to marry someone of my own choosing before he can marry me off."
"Is that a practice of the Terran Empire? Marriage?"
"It is the Terran mating. Unlike what other humanoids do, it's not any kind of passionate, instant love, like so many humanoids seem to have. It's more planned out. You meet, date, get to know one another, and that friendship builds into, well, something stronger, and then it becomes love. And marriage usually comes after that."
"How long does that take?"
"It can take years."
He blinked. "Tedious."
She smiled again. "It can be." She twisted around on the bed and brought her legs up. "Really, though, Jedriek, I do need to sleep. I am so tired."
"I am sure you are. Get some rest, Princess Eleanor, and I will keep you safe."
She paused and stared at him for a moment.
She didn't say more, but she did look amused.
Or something.
8
Jedriek walked to the door, and he looked back one more time at Eleanor. His hair was not super dark but almost golden-colored, like the sand outside. She took in his form. Being very close to him, and with all they'd been through in the last few hours--had it only been that long--she had not really looked at him.
Granted, he was huge. She felt like he could carry her in one arm. He was so big and thick. His uniform was sculpted to him, like a second skin, and she might have thought it was his skin had she not seen him up close in his ship
And while he could physically dominate her, she didn't feel afraid that he would. He did not have that aura about him. She truly felt like she could trust him. A fascinating thought, since just a few days ago, she would have never expected she would have faith in one to keep her safe. A treaty, yes. Friendly? Sure. But trust with her life? No, that wasn't what she thought she'd be doing today.
