Chapter Seventeen.

Enjoy guys

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Albus woke before dawn, the light glow radiating around the tent indicated it was time to leave. It wouldn’t be good to be seen leaving Esma’s tent in the morning especially when they’d worked so hard to be as quiet as possible. He kissed the soft skin of her shoulder before slipping away from the peace of their bed and out towards the chaos of the world.

“Al, you can wake me up.” She stated as he shrugged on his tunic, “I don’t like waking up with you gone.”

“Gemæcca.” He laughed leaning over and kissing her lips slowly, thoroughly, before standing again. “See you in a few hours.”

“I love you.” She yawned pulling the skins over her shoulders.

“I love you too.” He smiled securing her tent and disappearing to find some cold water. Being so close to Esma was going to start to drive him crazy.

He almost wished Blandus had just looked at her and said Albus do your duty. He didn’t have to take her, but she’d gotten something over him to protect them, to make sure any children weren’t obviously not his. That thought alone made him want to return to Esma’s sheets, the want to have her heavy with his seed.

To be honest, he was slightly surprised she wasn’t already pregnant, he was almost always in her bed but she bled every month for the last six since he claimed her as his own. But in a way it was also a blessing, unsure if he could actually bear not having his children as his own; having them call Blandus their father instead.

In her tent Esma rested her hands on her stomach in an attempt to feel if there was anyone in there, a small perfectly formed miniature Albus. The woman of the village had explained to her about how children were made and what she could expect; none of them had said how long but she knew it was …lucky… that after a few months of constant attention from Albus that she was still without child.

Her heart jerked in her chest at the thought of carrying his child, it seemed just too perfect to occur.

With a few adjustments to her clothes Esma crawled away from the comfortable confines of the tent and out into the fresh air, eager to get on with the rest of the days tasks. Most of the camps occupants were up and about, Blandus most noticeably not his voice could be hear over everyone else’s.

“My favourite person.” Felix grinned, coming up behind her and throwing an arm around her shoulders, “How did you sleep?”

“Very well, you?”

“Excellent, apart from the rabbits which decided to surround my tent.” He grinned and Esma laughed out loud.

“How many did you catch?”

“Six.” He smirked, “They were banging the ground and skittering around my head, it’s a miracle Juan slept through it all.” Esma laughed shaking her head as he redirected her to his tent to show her, he’d set traps around the area of his head and indeed had caught six, all cleanly done as well; three alive in the traps. “I thought we could take some home to Deva with us, there seems to be a distinct lack around these parts.”

“They’re not native, that’s why.” She laughed poking his chest, “Some of you brought a few over but not a lot.”

“Must remember to bring more over next time.” He teased pretending to note it down. “So, breakfast?”

Esma rolled her eyes with a smile on her lips as she grabbed the one in his hands and turned to find some auxiliary soldier’s who’d be happy to make her a fire.

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“I’ve a surprise for you.” I whispered as I pulled Esma down from the horse at the end of the day, her eyes were already dropping eager for sleep. I smirked and pinched her chin, wishing I were at liberty to kiss her awake. “Esma, wake up.”

“Octavius, is she asleep already?” Blandus asked coming over and finding Esma almost leaning fully against me, he laughed as he came over. “I’ll take my wife; I need to talk to her anyway.”

Jealousy roared through my veins as he stooped down and lifted her small form easily into his arms, a few soldiers wolf whistled in jest as he passed them; carrying his wife to bed. I knew today had been too peaceful to continue that way; knew deep down that she would be taken from me before we spent a full day and night together.

“Come on swine.” Juan winked grabbing my shoulder and spinning me away from glaring daggers at Blandus’ back, “Centurion time.”

“No more lady time, let’s be men!” Felix laughed throwing his fists in the air, “Drink and sing songs till morning then sleep on the horses.”

“We’re going to Esma’s father’s village tomorrow.” I stated and they both turned to look at me frowning.

“Is that a good idea?” Felix asked, “You’re taking his daughter more regularly than her husband, won’t be kill you?”

“He doesn’t know that.” I snapped and Juan laughed.

“After watching the two of you for a few minutes, a girl’s father would know. If Esma was mine I’d have killed you long ago.”

“Over Blandus who hurts her?” I growled and both of them just stared at me.

“I wish things were different Al, I really do.” Juan stated putting his hands on my shoulders, “But Esma is not yours; you cannot protect her from everything.”

“You cannot risk your life to stop her tears.” Felix stated. “No matter how hard you try, we’ll pull you back.”

“That or Daisy will kill you.” Juan smirked, “Now there’s a woman I miss.”

“So tomorrow, will there be more of their ale?” Felix asked going with the change in conversation, “Last time it was perfect, just the right amount of honey.”