Comfort

Zia tossed and turned in her sleep. The nightmares came in one after the other. She dreamt of winged beasts, the dark stalkers and Damien's beast.

The last dream she had was of her running through the forest from the darkness.

She wore a white dress, and she was covered in blood. She woke up right before a stalker caught her.

Waking up in a cold sweat and breathing heavily, she sat up in Orion's bed as she pulled the blanket up to her neck.

Orion had set up the couch for himself so that she could be comfortable in his bed.

Zia felt guilty about taking his bed, but he assured her that he did not mind.

"Are you alright?" Orion asked in the darkness.

A single stream of moonlight peaked through his window over Zia's face, highlighting her white hair and beautiful features.

"I am sorry if I woke you, Orion. I just keep having these strange dreams."

"What do you dream about?" He said, as he stood up and walked over to the bed sitting next to her.

"Every dream is of darkness and all the things, I fear. I can't get the dreams to stop." She said with tears in her eyes.

"Is there anything I can do to help? Do you need something to drink?"

"That would be nice, thank you."

Orion stood up and walked over to the kitchen area. He lit a candle to cast just enough light in the room.

He turned on the stove and filled a kettle with water, returning it to the stove burner.

"This should help you. It is a mixture of Chamomile, lavender and Valerian root." He said as he poured the mixture in a teabag and placed it in a teacup.

"I often use it after Gemini finishes a performance. It is hard to watch him risk his life every show. It messes with my nerves. I want to take him out of here. He deserves better." He said bluntly.

"I agree. After meeting him, I feel he is simply just a big puppy with a big heart."

"He truly is." Orion said as he noticed that the tea kettle would begin to whistle. He pulled it off of the stove before it could make noise. The last thing he needed was a signal to the stalkers.

He poured the hot water in a small teacup, added honey to it and placed it on the table to put everything else away.

Zia noticed he never left a mess.

"Why are you so nice to me?" Zia asked.

"I have no reason not to be." Orion replied as he picked up the teacup and brought it for her.

Zia blew the steam and took a little sip of tea.

"Mmm, this is really good."

"I am glad you like it."

They sat in silence for a moment as Zia sipped on her tea and Orion watched her as the candlelight made her look angelic. He had to force himself to look away.

When Zia finished her tea, she handed it back to Orion. He stood up, threw out the teabag, washed the cup in the sink and returned to the bed.

"Do you feel better now?" He asked.

"Yes, I am feeling a little better." She replied.

"Is there anything else that you need?"

Zia was quiet for a moment as she looked at his eyes. His energy made her want to trust him. He was so calm.

"This might sound crazy, and I understand if you don't want to, but can you lay here with me, please?" Zia asked, barely above a whisper as she looked down at her hands and then into his eyes.

Orion looked at her nervously for a moment. Zia had never seen that expression on his face before.

"Uh, Sure I can. Let me get my blanket."

Orion stood up and grabbed his blanket and pillow off the couch. He situated himself on his bed with his back to the wall so he could see the entrance to the cabin. Zia moved closer to him, facing him as Orion tried to prevent his heart rate from increasing.

"Thank you for this. I have never had anyone care this much about me without wanting something from me, Orion. You truly are special, and I will forever be grateful to you for everything you have done for me."

Zia buried her face in Orion's shirt, breathing in his sandalwood and rose scent as he wrapped his strong arm around her.

Orion had such a calmness about him that she instantly felt at peace and was fast asleep in a matter of minutes.

Orion stayed awake, looking at Zia. Strands of her hair fell over her face beautifully. Orion removed a couple strands, combing them back in place. She was so perfect in every way.

He wondered what she was. What powers did she possess? Why did she have to have such a hard life? She was a goddess in his eyes.

There was something so innocent and pure about Zia. How could anyone want to harm her. He wondered.

He had to protect her. That had to be the reason he stayed at the circus so long and didn't simply kill Damien and leave. He would never let anything else happen to this woman again.

He listened to her breathing as it became deeper and steady. She was relaxed.

As he felt the steadiness of her breathing, he slowly drifted off to sleep.