Free Divine Liaisons by Poppet Page A

full on the lips, “Goodnight princess.”
    Flipping the comforter over me, he tucks me in.
    “ Why do you call me princess?”
    It's a slur, but at least I got it out of my mouth, even if it makes me sound blind-drunk.
    “Your name means princess. Sarah means princess.”
    He sits down, bracing an arm next to my waist, staring down at me.
    “It suits you. You are a princess. More than you know.”
    “ Did you steal anything when you were alone in here?”
    He arcs his strong neck, chuckling a low rumble.
    Finally looking back at me, his expression is affectionate, “No. I don't need to.”
    He lifts my hand, pressing it against his chest, “You already live in here. In my veins. I gave half my soul to you. I know you better than you know yourself.”
    Cue X-Files theme tune. Or Twilight Zone. Someone jump out and tell me this is all a joke.
    “ I know what you're thinking. You think I'm obsessed with you. To a degree, you would be correct. But it's only because you've been missing a long time. When Ruth found you, I could finally breathe again.”
    “ You are so delusional, you terrify me.”
    “ Be that as it may, you must rest. You have a date at nine, and it's been a long day for you.”
    Leaning over me, tinkles and odd humming whispers around me, and he presses soft warm lips below my ear. “Sweet dreams, princess.”
    He stands, looming like a Metallica song, “I won't hurt you again. You have my word.”
    All he needs is a whip, leather pants, and glowing yellow eyes, and I'll know I've lost my mind, my head an asylum for all things dark and deranged.
    His smile becomes sad; twisting on a heel, he strides out of my room, his wide shoulders literally filling the doorway.
    And he's gone.
    I just manage to roll onto my side, shoving my head between the pillows, inhaling Dustin's comforting smell when I push my head onto his shirt.
    Exhausted, I let the numb take over.
     
     
    There's something seriously annoying about bright light when you're trying to sleep. It invades, pushes in, not caring that we like it dark when we're sleeping.
    Flexing my hand, I'm relieved it moves. Using it to shield my eyes, before squinting lids apart, I peek.
    It's still dark. The light is coming from directly in front of me. Carefully lowering my hand, there's a 'being' lounging against the doorframe, watching me. Like a human-looking lightning bug. All glowing, like lava, the color of citrine candlelight, warm, honeyed.
    He's tall and slender, without hair. His features are more an impression than actually 'there'.
    Tilting his head, he smiles, and it slants a bright beam of brilliant light through the room.
    I know in my head, I should be screaming, afraid, running. But he instills me with warmth and tranquility, I can feel it from here. He's completely benign.
    Walking in sloppy plods to me; if he could make sound, he'd be flatfooted, slapping feet on the tiles. He's fluid.
    Sitting next to my legs, he puts a hand on my arm, looking down at me with beams of happiness.
    Oddly, I find myself smiling back. The hand on my arm is warm, instant safe, instant home.
    Who are you?
    Before I can verbalize it, he answers, inside my head.
    Lucierne .
    Lucern? Like the grass?
    It's spelled differently. And the image pops into my head.
    “ Oh.”
    He smiles again, watching me with loving vibes. This time he kept his mouth closed. The hand on me trickles a glowing vibration through me, warming me on the inside. It's immediately tranquilizing and meditative.
    “Why are you here?”
    He points into my chest with a long slender finger, it sinks into me, straight to my heart. For you.
    For me? Why?
    Come here.
    The way he says it, it's the voice of a father wanting to comfort a child. It's fluffy and cozy, and huddle strength.
    He lies down next to me, wrapping me in his arms.
    It's unadulterated comfort. Balming aches, hurts, pain, fear, his touch melts them all away. I've never felt so safe and cosseted in my life.
    His body isn't hampered