Chapter Sixteen

Hey guys, just a reminder chapter fifteen is in the rudey bits, hope you enjoy! xxx

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“Are you looking forward to being back at Deva?” Blandus asked Esma as they stood watching the auxiliary soldiers run about the fortress.

Twelve weeks had passed and they were due back in Deva by the weeks end, the auxiliary were weary and ready for the comforts of settled life, eager to get back to their families. The outposts had arrived back late last night and were the last to sort themselves out; Esma was standing with Blandus by the south gate waiting for the centurions to finish barking their orders.

“Yes.” She shrugged after a few moments thought, enough for him to know she was lying.

“Liar.” He stated frowning, his arms folded across his chest and he kept his features schooled into a calm mask. “Tell me the truth.”

“Will we still be like this in Deva?” she asked and he shrugged. “I like this; I hated being your property.”

“You still are my property.” He reminded, a ghost of humour passing his eyes when he glanced down at her.

“You know what I mean; you actually recognise I’m a person now.”

“Opposed to a pot?” he asked and she pursed her lips in frustration.

“Maybe I am looking forwards to it, you’ll be busier therefore have less time to annoy me with your lack of humour.” She snapped making him laugh loudly.

“Ah, but you want babies, so you’ll be around me much more often.” He reminded and she blushed nodding, guilt riding through her veins. “She remembers!”

“Shut up.” I grunted as he slung an arm around my waist, pulling me against him.

I wasn’t disgusted; in fact it was almost nice, it was a comfortable embrace, friendly. I patted his chest and pulled away before I sneezed.

“Who am I riding with?” I asked, because recently I’d been going up before him on the rare occasion.

“Albus, I’m not having you sneeze all over me and anyway, I like my space.” He stated pushing my head playfully before walking off barking orders at the auxiliary who were practically falling over each other.

“Bróðorlufu.” Love. Albus whispered as she slipped to his side, her cheeks blushed red instantly, “Gemæcca” Wife.

“You should stop that.” She whispered and he shrugged, his eyes burning into hers, “Other people can speak it.”

“Ah, none in hearing distance.” He laughed throwing an arm over her shoulder as he did every day. “Looking forwards to riding with me again?”

Esma bit back a laugh as she nodded, “You’re a good conversationalist.”

“Blandus, you’re teaching her long words already.” He shouted out to Blandus who simply shrugged him off with a hand gesture.

Esma rolled her eyes and tore herself away from Albus towards his horse; she’d enjoyed the freedom of being at Hadrian’s more than she wanted to admit. With Blandus going between the mile castles on a regular basis she’d not had to sneak away to Albus, it had been a skip. Now they were heading back to Deva, where her room was against Blandus and Albus was in the barracks with the rest of the centurions.

“Don’t think too hard.” Albus whispered standing behind her to fasten the straps of the saddle. “I’ll find a way to keep you close.”

“I’ll miss this… Can we run away and start a new life together?” she asked and he chuckled despite himself.

“I thought you were growing to like your husband.”

“I like him sure, but Albus I need you like I need air.” His hand cupped her cheek affectionately as he fought the urge to take her right there.

“Little dramatic bróðorlufu, I wouldn’t have you any other way.”

“Shame, I prefer you clean.” She stated as Juan and Felix headed their way, “pop me up.”

“She’s getting lazy.” Felix stated with a grin as Juan smirked, “That or you’re getting stupid.”

“So what you gonna do when we’re back at Deva?” Juan asked kissing the horse’s nose. “You two cannot carry on sleeping together, that’s for sure.”

“What?” Albus growled as Esma blanched in her seat.

“We only know because we thought you’d like company one night and you already had it.” Felix shrugged, “Juan, stop kissing the horse it’s a male.”

“Idiot.” Esma hissed kicking Albus’ shoulder. “Would be your fault.”

“My fault?”

“Your friends.”

“I’m hurt.” Juan pouted up at Esma, “I thought I was your friend.”

“You three are impossible.” She stated shaking her head.

“So, what you going to do?” Felix asked, pulling it back to the point. “We want to help, it’s romantic.”

“Just what we can.” Albus shrugged, “Blandus doesn’t want her really; he won’t notice she’s gone during the days.”

“Romantic.” Felix teased rolling his eyes, “We can cover for you if we know when you’re disappearing, just remember that.”

“Thank you.” Esma grinned leaning down and wrapping her arms around the German’s shoulders.

“Anything for you little sister.” He winked before disappearing with Juan.

Albus smirked as he settled behind Esma, her body slotted perfectly against his own in the saddle. His mind ran wild to situations he’d previously thought of impossible, his hand slipped between her legs making her squeak indignantly at him.

“Sorry, that for later?” he murmured against her ear as she fought to restrain the blush. “I’m already scheming in that direction gemæcca.”

“I’m not your wife.” She sighed wishing it wasn’t true.

“You are my mate, my companion, my love; what part of that isn’t gemæcca?” he asked and she shook her head as her eyes danced with joy.