The Hideous Secret

Kicks

Allahie smiled at her sleeping mate. His chin was resting on her shoulder and his body was between her legs. She was still reading a book and he was out for good. Her free hand was resting on his stomach.

He mumbled something in his sleep and buried his face further in her neck. His hand came over hers and he rubbed his stomach. Allahie rolled her eyes and kissed his nose, to which he sneered slightly at but did not awake.

Hawlor was yet again napping in the sunlight, that was coming through the cracks in the war tent. Lousen had been here five days ago and since then Aleksandar had only left the tent three times--to give orders, direct his Jarls, see through training, and check on Analexa. Today would be his fourth time leaving as he needed to inspect the artillery section of the war camp, and then possibly head to see how Kennith was doing.

Allahie frowned as she studied his stomach. For the amount of food he was consuming it sure wasn't affecting him. He had no weight gains, other than his stomach. She studied his rippling chest, arms, and legs--he merely looked like he had to much beer or at to big of a dinner.

Without warning his breath hitched and he shifted. Her mate was still for a few moments before his golden eyes blinked open and focused on her.

She kissed him lightly on the lips, "Afternoon, Alek."

He just continued to search her face. A moment later he huffed and lifted his head off her shoulder to gaze at his stomach. "Alllllaaahiie?"

"Yeah?"

"Somethings wrong."

She tensed, "What?"

"What is that? What's hitting me?" Upon his question she shifted her hand to the middle of his stomach. She waited a few seconds before she finally picked up on the slight twitching and tapping.

"That would be one of our children kicking, Alek," She choked and a big grin appeared on her face.

His face did not share the same joy, "I don't like it. It feels weird, and I can't sleep like that."

Allahie rolled her eyes and smiled at him, "You are going to have to get used to it..." she died off when whichever one--probably their boy--stopped kicking.

Alek studied his stomach with a concerned look, "What's wrong?"

"He's very little Alek, he's probably tired. Give him time he will do it again." Her mate clenched his jaw, and his whole stomach moved as one shifted.

"Fucking hell," Alek spit, "Don't do that!" He clutched his stomach and gasped, "Hell child you hurt! Stop that!"

"Honey," Allahie laughed, "Yelling at the baby isn't going to solve that." She slid her hands under his and used her magic to carefully shift the baby back so it wasn't in such an awkward position. She felt pity moving the baby--for her mate. His stomach seemed so small and the babies too big, they had to be pushing against something awkward constantly. There really wasn't any extra room--even if they were laying neatly.

"I hope your stomach starts to stretch soon and with it the problem will go away."

Alek just sighed, "I don't want my stomach to grow much more, Allahie. I'm already losing agility."

Allahie rolled her eyes again and kissed his cheek, "Don't be ashamed, your belly is simply the cutest." She knotted her fingers through his, and rested her cheek against his. "Just try to get some rest, I'll be here."

Aleksandar closed his eyes again. He remained still and his breathed slowed and deepened.

"Dammit," he growled blinking his eyes open, "Rathgar."

Sure enough, the king waltzed in high and mighty. "Alek, oh I could kiss you!"

Her mate shoved himself to his feet. He was shirtless, and he crossed his arms. "Rathgar, please."

"What's the matter?" the king growled studying her mate's stomach. The swell, when he was standing, was much more noticeable.

Allahie bared her teeth, "He's tired, leave him be." She slammed her hands over her mouth. He was the king, and she had just mouthed off, all because her pregnant mate was tired.

Rathgar snorted, "Watch your tongue. Alek put a shirt on that hides your gut well. We have work to do. Get some tailored armor, I want you safe. Allahie you join him I want you there to meet this red-eyed bitch." The king clapped his hands and then walked out, "You have an hour, and freshen up, you two stink."

Alek rolled his eyes as Allahie got to her feet. She hugged Alek tightly, and kissed his neck. His returning gesture was biting her ear and then her neck. She laughed at him, "I suppose we have time for a quick bath." His responding action was sweeping her off her feat.