Page 56 of Married to a Frozen Duke
"We're adults. We're exhausted. We're married. Yes, we can."
She climbed into the bed, staying firmly on one side. After a moment's hesitation, Alexander did the same, staying as close to his edge as possible.
They lay there in the dark, both rigid, both clearly awake.
"This is horrible," he said to the ceiling.
"Which part now?"
"All of it. But specifically this. We're lying here like corpses."
"What would you prefer?"
"I don't know. Something less... artificial."
"We could talk."
"About what?"
"I don't know. Normal things. What do you usually think about before sleep?"
"Estate management. Parliamentary bills. How to avoid social obligations."
"How thrilling."
"What do you think about?"
"Stories, usually. I make them up in my head."
"What kind of stories?"
"Adventures, mostly. People doing exciting things in faraway places. Pirates. Explorers. Lady knights saving kingdoms."
"Lady knights?"
"Why should men have all the fun?"
"Because men don't vomit on their enemies."
"That could be a useful battle tactic, actually."
Despite himself, he laughed. "You're absolutely insane."
"Probably. But I'm your insane wife now."
"Don't remind me."
They fell silent again, but it was less tense. The rain continued to pound on the roof, and somewhere below, someone was singing off-key.
"Alexander?"
"Yes?"
"Thank you for not leaving me at the altar."
"I couldn't. The contracts were already signed."
"Still. You could have made it much worse."
