<span style="font-style: italic"> " 'Tis late, and you have a long day of travel ahead of you. Might I ask for your company this night? We shall be apart for days, a small time really, but I crave your presence all the more. So you may sleep by my side, and kiss me awake before you depart."</span>He smiled some and stood up wrapping his arms around her waist gently "If that is what my queen wants then that is what she shall receive..." he said softly before going to the door and locking it so no servants would walk in and start any rumors about her and then he moved toward her running his fingers along the back of her neck gently and belonging to pull on the satin ribbon that held together the back of her soft green bodice.  "Can I help you get ready for bed?" he asked softly.