Rome: Marriage Pact

Chapter Twelve: March To Philippi

Two years have passed in the time it took to gather troops for the march towards Philippi. Octavius is now twenty-one, but still skinny and sickly looking. Even so, as I ride next to him by horse, he looks like a leader.
Most of Caesar's men had happily agreed to join Octavius' cause to fight. Many of them are as angry at Caesar's death as I am.

We set up camp close to Philippi, many of the soldiers deeming it safe before the big battle. Octavius paces in the large tent we share. In the two years we've been married, I've grown to know his mannerisms quite well. He tends to twitch as he paces, a sign he is nervous.
"Be calm, sweetling," I whisper, stopping his pacing as my arms wrap around his waist.

He sighs, leaning his head against my breastplate. "I know," he murmurs. "Worrying will get us nowhere."
"We'll win the battle," I state firmly. "Then we have the honeymoon here, eat delicious Greek food, and make love until the sun rises. How does that sound?"

Even in the torchlight, I can see his cheeks darken. "Sounds good," he admits. I grin and kiss him on the lips. He kisses back, more confident as he clings to me. His eyes are closed, his long eyelashes brushing against his skin, a feature of his I'm somewhat envious of. Octavius has always been such a pretty little person.

What he lacks in physical strength he makes up for with thrilling battle strategies and being a commander. He pulls away first, breathing quickly. "Do not die on me," he commands. I smile and kiss his cheek.
"I don't plan on it," I respond.
"I mean it," Octavius pleads, his hand gripping mine as he trembles.

"Be calm. We have another week's march until we reach their camps," I recall the battle plan we've been studying over and over late into the nights.
"And even then, I still worry," he sighs, sitting down in bed and wrapping himself in the furs. It has been known to get rather cold in Macedonia. The fact that it is October doesn't help either.

I shush Octavius' worries by holding him close and kissing his forehead. "Be calm," I repeat, going lower and leaving a trail of kisses down his neck. He shudders out a whine and I find myself grinning. He's always loved me doing this, since he is so afraid to have sex.

I sigh and pull away when we hear Agrippa and Maecenas walking in. "Would it kill either of you to knock?" I ask with a tight smile.
"Apologies, General Antony," Agrippa lowers his head. "We're here to give Gaius another letter from Atia."
"Fine," I wave them over, taking the rolled up scroll and handing it to Octavius.

"I'll leave you all a moment of privacy," I sigh, getting up and walking out of the tent to collect my thoughts.