Make Me Forget

The exhaustion from her anguish had been so deep that she hadn't felt him stir or wipe her eyes. Asla slept deeply with no dreams or thoughts. The sleep of the dead. And she needed it. For hours and hours  the girl slept. She didn't know how long. The only telltale sign was the shifting of the sun from dawn until midday.

When she finally did stir, he was there. His big body was still wrapped around her dainty frame. Had he been asleep all this time too or had he simply refused to move? Either way, he was there and she appreciated it. Again she placed a kiss on his cheek, this time in an attempt to wake him.

"Thank you,  Bas," she spoke softly. "You knew just what I needed." She wanted to reward him for this. But couldn't think of a good enough prize at the moment. What she could give him was information.  "You know,  my father started out as a slave. He worked hard serving his empress until he earned his freedom." Raising one paw,  she stroked his speckled cheek.