The Rose and The Roman

Chapter Eight

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The fire crackled before the roman centurions, the days were long and hard and this reprieve in travel, training and fighting was more than welcome, Albus had his eyes closed enjoying the heat of the fire and the comfort of her soft body beside his. Esma had fallen asleep against his shoulder an hour ago and no one could bring themselves to wake her up, not even Blandus.

 “How long till morning?” Felix asked as he brushed his long blonde beard with his fingers. “How long do we get to sleep?”

“Not as long as Esma.” Juan stated as she twitched in her sleep. “But at least five hours if we go now.”

“I’ll see you in the morning then.” Felix stated standing up and cracking his back.

“Same.” Juan stated as the other centurions followed, including Blandus.

“Put her to bed Albus, make sure she doesn’t try to run away.” He stated harshly as he walked towards his tent, “I’ll need her tomorrow.”

Albus slipped his arms around the soft, warm body beside him and stood, lifting her easily in his arms. She smelt like the herbs she’d been working with earlier and the fresh air which surrounded them.

“What time is it?” Esma asked waking up as he lay her down on the small pallet in the corner of her tent. “Doesn’t he want me?”

“No, he’s too tired.” Albus stated frowning, hating that this was her life.

“Good.” She smiled sitting up and watching him as he pulled out the skins ready for her to use against the cold night air. “Who else is awake?”

“They’ve literally just gone bed too, why?” His heart slammed against his ribs, she wouldn’t be suggesting anything like that, surely.

“Can you stay with me?” she whispered, wringing her hands in her lap. “I’ve never been alone like this; I mean I’ve always had my brothers or other people in the same place.”

“I’ll stay.” He smiled causing Esma’s heart to beat three times as fast, “Blandus said make sure you don’t run away anyway.”

Her heart dropped to her stomach as she nodded and began to pull her hair free of its confines. Of course Albus wouldn’t do anything dishonourable, he’s a good man and she’d just gone and acted like some sort of wild hussy.

“Move over then.” His deep voice laughed as he stood arms akimbo looking down at her.

Esma’s mouth dropped open as she realised he’d removed all his armour and was standing there in just his tunic. She’d not misread the situation. Quickly she scooted across the thin pallet, allowing his room to lie beside her. She’d never slept with a man before, well really brothers hardly count especially when you were six.

“I doubt you’ll need the skins.” Albus stated as she tried to wrap the skins around her shoulders, “I’ll heat you up, use it as pillow or extra padding.”

Esma nodded, her head feeling as if it was floating through the stars as she did as he suggested. Seconds later her back was pressed against his chest, one of his arms beneath her head and the other around her waist.

“No I doubt I will.” She muttered more to herself than anything else, the deep vibrations behind told her he’d heard and agreed. “Have you got enough room?”

She didn’t receive a reply, instead the arm around her waist tightened and a soft snore radiated around her ears. Well if you can’t beat them.

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Albus woke as the sun started to rise and the first signs of day began to break around the legion. Horses were whinnying, birds were singing and men’s snores were quieting as they began to rouse from their sleep.

The woman in his arms was a goddess sent straight from the heavens. Her red hair was splayed across his arms, wafting a deliciously innocent scent over his senses, silently seducing him. He’d considered stripping completely naked when she’d asked him to sleep alongside her, but she was still as innocent as a maid.

He watched enraptured as she turned around, emitting a soft sound as she snuggled against his chest.

Instantly he hardened.

He pressed his lips against her forehead and slowly removed himself from her warmth and into the cool morning air and heading straight for his horse, distraction. That’s what he needed to stop himself from going back inside.

Esma knew the exact moment Albus left her, but the spell of sleep was far too heavy for her to complain or make a show of waking up herself. Instead she let herself drift into thought; she’d woken up in the middle of the night and found herself curled against his chest as he held her there tightly.

Their bodies had betrayed themselves in sleep. They’d reached out and clung to one another despite the warmth of the air and the heat of their bodies.

She’d pressed a kiss to his chest during that moment in the night; he’d made a sound that had enriched her. Nothing could be as perfect as the sound that came from him as her lips touched his skin. She could have sworn he’d said her name.

“Esma, it’s time to wake up if you want breakfast.” The same deep voice purred from near her feet, she opened her eyes and looked up at him and the breath left her lungs in an instant.

There was no severity in his eyes; there was no restraint in his manner. He was relaxed and it was because it was she he was talking too, without the prying eyes of the rest of the world.

“I’ll be out in a minute; I might have to have you rearrange my brooches.” She smiled up at him relishing in the smile he bestowed her.

Maybe this marriage was a good thing after all, she wouldn’t have Albus otherwise.