His arm was wrapped around her, making her feel safer than she ever had in her life, despite the newness of lying next to someone fully unclothed. But her shyness in that was gone, as was her maidenhood. The gentle brush of his hand tucking away a piece of her hair had her lips tilting into in involuntary smile. Evander was right of course, she should sleep, but she was wide away, ever emotion of the day alive and tingling through her. Caroline opened her mouth as if to protest - likely it would only sound childish - but then looked at him. Perhaps it was he who was tired, who needed the sleep. How was a wife supposed to act in such moments? Caroline supposed she ought to let him sleep, but ... it had been their first time, they were man and wife, surely he ought to say something more than you should sleep. And so as coyly as she could with such childish words she admitted, "But I'm wide awake."

Really she should have just let him sleep and reveled in the feel of his arm about her, his chest beside her, and watching his face. She had never seen him sleep before, never seen peace fall over it. It was always so worried, so concerned for everything and everyone - and for herself. What would it be like when he relaxed and fell asleep? When those worries were miles away from his dreaming countance?