Rome: Marriage Pact

Chapter Fifteen: Honeymoon

Antonius and I end up having our honeymoon in Athens, having arrived by horseback.
About a week has passed since the Battle of Philippi, with word getting back to us from Agrippa about a victory parade in Rome.

I end up writing to my mother and sister whenever I can, leaving out my foolish attack on Brutus so they will not worry. The villa Antony and I reside in somehow looks fancier than ours back in Rome.

We have a clear view of the mountains covered in snow, a pretty sight after so much bloodshed.
My side still occasionally aches, but my breathing isn't as raspy. It is still fairly cold in Macedonia, so I mainly wear a thick woolen toga most of the time.

I'm snapped out of my thoughts when Antony pecks my lips. I blink up at him, seeing him smiling while hovering over me. "What are you thinking about?" he muses, stroking my cheek as I lie in bed.
"Too many things, it's somewhat hard for me to relax," I admit, huffing out a sigh.

Antony laughs, a deep rumble in his chest that I've grown to love. "Just try to relax, my love," he whispers, laying next to me. "How are your ribs?"
"Getting better with each passing day," I answer, seeing him relax.
He smiles at my response, leaning up against the headboard of the bed and motioning me to come closer.

Heart pounding, I do so. Gently, he guides me to the point I'm practically laying on him, my ear against his chest. His heartbeat has always been strong and a sound of comfort. I close my eyes as his fingers toy with my curly hair, weaving between the curls.

"Just relax," he croons, "the battle is over now. You and I can be as affectionate to one another as we want."
"I know. I have been looking forward to this day since we married," I sigh, tilting my head up to look at him.
The faint sunlight reflects in his brown eyes, allowing me to see hints of red, like tiny embers.

Reminds me of Mars' red eyes, glowing like fire. The light must reflect in my eyes as well, since I hear Antony's breath catch in his throat. "What is it?" I ask. "I just keep forgetting how blue your eyes are in the light," he murmurs, arms around my lower back.

"I'm not hurting you, am I?" I question. He rolls his eyes. "My dove, you weigh as much as a mass of feathers. Your weight does not hurt me," he laughs. I reach up and touch his face, his mourning beard for Caesar having gotten longer during the two years.

His facial hair somewhat tickles my face whenever we kiss, but I find myself oddly enjoying the scratchy feeling. "I sometimes wish we could stay in Macedonia forever," he admits quietly, turning his head and kissing the palm of my hand.

"Just you and me, living out in a simple villa, maybe even starting a family." I blink in surprise at this, feeling my heart leap in my throat. "How would we do that? I cannot give birth," I nearly stammer.
He laughs, looking amused at my flusteredness.
"Nay, you could not bring a child into the world, but you could get a woman to do it for you. I could agree to adopt the child as my own, treat them as such," he shrugs, looking like he wants this fantasy to become reality.

"I'm just tired of war, Octavius," he sighs, looking a bit sad now. "Yes, I am a good fighter and general, but that is not all I live for. I want peace, to walk the streets of Rome without having to constantly look over my shoulder."
"It appears you and I can agree on that," I murmur, tilting my head up to have my lips meet his, wanting him to relax now.

I feel his arms hold me close, hearing him moan a little in his throat. Needing to breathe, I pull back, feeling a bit more confident at showing him affection.
"Thank you," he says, smiling, "I needed that."
I nod in response, wiping at my wet lips.
****
After dinner, I crawl into bed next to Antony, who is still awake. "Did you like the food?" he asks with a knowing smile. "I did. It was good. I've never had a gyro before, the flavors were delicious."
"I told you so," he grins. "We've spent a few days here, eaten food, now all we need to do is make love until the sun rises."

I smile at his words, suddenly feeling hot under the covers. "I wouldn't know what to do," I murmur, feeling my smile falter as doubt creeps back into my mind.
"I'll help you, you know that," he reminds me, kissing the back of my hand like he did so long ago.
"But I will not rush you. Whenever you feel ready, just tell me, all right?" he smiles with a raised eyebrow, radiating confidence.
"All right," I nod back, feeling a bit better.