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Chapter 4/?
Beyond Hurt
a/n: Y'all rock SO much for reviewing! Seeeee how much it motivates me to update? ;)
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Silence had befallen the two men. The threat of pursuit had been dismissed by hours without sight of the Seal People, and lethargy had set in to take its place. Their horses were walking a slow pace, and the constant whisper of the tall grass rustling in the harsh valley wind was the only sound meeting their ears.
High in the sky, the sun bore down on them, making their eyelids heavy with fatigue. It seemed that whatever had pained Marcus so horribly earlier had lessened… or at least… his groans and winces had lessened.
"We are a short while from the village, Marcus," Esca announced suddenly, leaning slightly to look at him.
Marcus winced again suddenly, as if startled, and glanced down at his middle.
Esca's brows knitted together. "The pains have returned?"
Marcus was silent, merely slowing his horse until it was a length or so behind Esca's.
"You wish to stop?" the Britain called out to him in confusion. "We could take a rest or-"
"I am fine," Marcus muttered quietly, "Just keep walking."
Esca stopped his horse suddenly, yanking on the reigns. "Marcus, I cannot read your mind and I grow tiresome of trying."
Marcus rolled his eyes. "If I told you, you would think it ridiculous." He did not slow his horse, letting his own mare pass Esca's in the road. Esca leaned his head back, biting back an exasperated groan, and stared at the sky in frustration.
And then he was stuck, riding behind the moody Roman who refused to explain his strange actions.
"I will not laugh at you if you tell me, Marcus, you know that," he called out. Marcus ignored him. "MARCUS," he yelled.
Marcus winced again, stiffening slightly, before he whipped his head around. "Stop your yelling Esca, it is not as though I am leagues away."
At this, Esca nearly laughed. "Stop my yelling? We are treading in a space as far and open as a sea of absolutely nothing and you tell me to stop my yelling?" He had to admit that at this point, he had merely grown annoyed and was indeed seeking to annoy Marcus as well. "WHAT IF I WISH TO YELL!"
"FUCK, Esca," Marcus hissed through clenched teeth. "It is your BRAT of a child. It moves when you talk. And you startle it when you yell. My ribs are bruising black and purple from falling in the chief's tent, and your wretched offspring kicks them with its feet."
Esca was stunned. He had never encountered a pregnant…person before, and certainly had never heard one speak so frankly about the unborn.
"What?" Esca asked quietly, half unnerved and half intrigued. And an impossible third half… what was this feeling in his chest - pride? Three halves of confused at Marcus's exclamation. "You mean to tell me that it can hear me?"
Marcus looked away with hard eyes, refusing to answer. "I do not wish to speak of this parasite, I only wish that you lower your voice until I procure some grape seed and eucalyptus oil for my bruises."
Esca nodded, reigning his horse over until he was riding within arm's length.
His pregnant lover didn't notice until Esca had reached out with his hand, meaning to feel Marcus's stomach.
Marcus nearly sprained Esca's wrist twisting it away from him. "I will break it, next time, Esca, and I would not test my nerve."
Esca was silent until the reached the town, riding obediently far from Marcus for the sake of his ribs and his own wrist. But he was smiling.
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What's this? Are Esca's feelings changing toward the baby? And what's going to happen at the town?
This was just a little chapter, I know. But the last one was rather long. And I'm sure the next one will be as well.
AW&HL
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