[center] Clara had stayed in her [url=http://chatodining.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/big-black-crystal-chandelier-also-decorative-fireplace-mixed-with-romantic-cream-bedroom-interior-decor-on-laminate-floor.jpg] room[/url] and had slept much of the day away. She buried herself in her blankets, happy that when she'd awoken again – she wasn't assaulted with the brightness of day. Her attention had shifted to the fireplace across her bedroom, seeing that Christian must have lit a fire earlier in the evening. A quiet huff fell from her lips as she moved to pull a pillow closer to her, the pain in her shoulder and side slowly subsiding. Sleep certainly did help the process; however, it still was taking far too long for her liking. 

As she lie there,  her mind started to race once more – unwelcomed thoughts about the previous couple of days. She'd intervened twice on men who had wanted to kill Kieran – and had risked her own life just to keep him alive. The thought troubled her, knowing after all of these years of planning and obsessing over how she would bring her sire to an end – she was at his side fighting [i]for[/i] him. It would have been easier to just allow someone else to have done the job; that way she wouldn't have to worry any further. His new little replacement would feel the pain of abandonment just as she had, and that was satisfying enough for her. No need to kill that one – he just needed to know the suffering she'd endured while he lapped at the overflowing attention he received. 

A frown falling upon her lips, Clara had groaned as she shifted to lie on her back, glancing up at her ceiling for a long while. It was foolish of her to become involved in that fight – who knew if there were more of them, and who knew if she would become a new target. Clearly she was a new face – it was only a matter of time before others had put two and two together. 

A soft knock at her door had her wishing she'd still been asleep. Hell, even if she had been, she knew he still would have come in. 

"Clara?"  He was met only with a soft noise as she pulled the covers up around her to cover her face. "Darling – in here all day again? What happened last night?" 

"I don't want to talk about it." She murmured from under the covers, rolling on her side again. It had been a long while since she'd stayed out like that before – however, her previous escapades had been much more – relaxing. 

"Clara – "

"Christian, please. I'm alright. I'm here in one piece." She spoke, moving the covers away from her face to look up at him with that same frown. "What more do you want from me?" 

Christian sighed as he studied her for a moment longer. "I’m only checking on you Clara… You've been… distant ever since we came back here." He knew it was a mistake. 

"I'm only adjusting." She lied. "I did grow up here after all – it's hard not to think about it." Christian wasn't entirely satisfied with her answer, but he knew pushing her would only set her off, and he didn't need to deal with that at the moment. "Fine, Clara – If that's all it is –"

"That's all it is." She reassured him.  Christian sighed once more as he shifted to lie down next to him, pulling her close. She'd bit her lip to bit e back the pain as his hand came around her shoulder, only curling up a little tighter in response. She let her head rest on his chest, taking solace in the comfort that he offered. "I only worry about you, Clara. You make it very easy to worry…" 

"Well don't… I'm fine… You know that." 

It wasn't long before she drifted off once more. She was very far from just fine… [/center]
[@Arista]