Waking the next morning was a less than pleasant experience for both Roshani and I, the former groaning as the latter sat on the animal rug.
"I've said it before but I'll say it again. I'm never drinking again." I muttered as I rubbed between my eyes and still lying on his side Roshani coughed. Finally sitting he placed a hand over his eyes and I gave him a weak grin when he leant against my shoulder, yawning a little.
"I agree, Valery. Never again." Roshani agreed, leaning in to kiss me until I saw a faint green tingle on his cheeks. Making an odd coughing noise he hurriedly clamped his hand over his mouth before he stumbled to his feet racing towards the entrance to the hut as I stared at him.
I managed to push myself up still a little unsteady on my own two feet before I staggered after him though by the time I stepped outside into the fresh air I could hear someone puking. While it did nothing to help my own queasy stomach I still approached the bushes a few feet away not too surprised to find Roshani wiping his mouth with one hand, the other gripping the nearest tree.
"Feeling better?" I asked as I gently rubbed his back and he turned his head slightly giving me a tiny nod. "It makes you feel better after throwing up. Not sure why really." I agreed and he coughed, placing a hand across his stomach.
"Yes but it hurts afterwards." Roshani complained and I nodded, gently taking the hand pressed against his stomach.
"Come on. Let's get some water for you." I suggested and he started to follow me only to freeze when my eyes widened. "Oh no." I groaned feeling my stomach turn and with a quick dash into the bushes I continued what Roshani had started.
We both eventually wandered towards the stream that flowed into the village, sitting beside it before we dipped our hands into the water. The first few sips cleared the bitter taste from our mouths before we started to drink the water making us feel a little better. After last night I was feeling pretty out of it and Roshani decided that getting a few hours rest would be the best idea.
"We should go back to the hut. I can barely walk." Roshani told me and I gave him a weak grin, taking his outstretched hand before we slowly made our way back to my hut. Now our hut since we were now a married couple and even feeling very under the weather that made me smile as he walked me back. I barely made it to the rug before I had to lie on the fur and Roshani smiled at me, lying beside me. Drapping an arm over my stomach he nuzzled my neck and I sighed, feeling him press a light kiss to my neck before we both fell asleep.
Many hours later I woke with a clearer head and I sighed, turning my head enough to find that Roshani was still sleeping beside me. Gently removing the hand he had drapped over my stomach I watched as his chest rose and fell not even reacting when I leant in, brushing a kiss against his forehead. "I'll be right back." I whispered and he sighed, curling into himself as I climbed to my feet. I wasn't gone long only pausing in the hut to grab two bowls before I left as quietly as I could returning with two bowls now piled with cooked meat.
As I stepped into the hut I found Roshani awake, sitting and as he stretched I grinned at him. Seeing him turn his head as I approached he gave me a sleepy grin raising an eyebrow once he saw the bowls. "I was getting pretty hungry and I thought you might be too." I suggested but he frowned at the bowl I handed him, looking a little uneasy until I sighed. "You'll feel better if you eat something."
"I trust you but...I am not sure it is wise." Roshani pointed out, setting the bowl beside him in time to hear a growl and he blinked cheeks reddening as I giggled at him.
"You are hungry. Go on, it won't kill you to take a tiny bite." I teased and he snorted at me, picking up the bowl as I took a bite of my own meat. Chewing on the smallest piece he finished it straight away and I grinned as he started to dig in. "Told you." I giggled as I watched him eat for a few moments before I returned to my own meal.
"Much better." I sighed now lying on the animal rug and Roshani nodded, taking my bowl from me before he set both on the floor of our hut.
"You were right. I do not feel sick anymore." Roshani agreed as he moved to the rug and I gave him a smile when he lay beside me, entwining his fingers through mine. "How do you feel?" He asked after a pause and I just shrugged.
"Pretty good. Not hungry or queasy." I replied and he raised an eyebrow at me until I grinned. "I mean I'm not feeling sick either. Eating and drinking helped." I added and he lifted his head slightly.
"You are sure you do not feel sick at all?" Roshani asked and I blinked at him, lifting my head when he pushed himself up.
"Why would I? It's a little hangover but I feel much better now." I responded as I pushed myself up, not letting go of his hand as he raised an eyebrow at me. "Something on your mind, Roshani?"
"Not really, Valery." Roshani answered and I snorted as I raised my eyebrow until he gave me a tiny smile. "I was thinking that..." He trailed off with a one-armed shrug.
"What is it? You know you can tell me anything." I pesisted and he chuckled softly, wrapping his free arm around my waist. "Roshani, why do you keep staring at me like that?"
He didn't answer and I opened my mouth, a little annoyed that he was avoiding my questioning until I noticed that his eyes had wandered to my stomach. While I was staring at him Roshani moved closer, his fingers moving from my hand and I jerked when he placed an open palm across my stomach.
"Now what are you doing? I might have put on a little weight since I arrived here but I have been eating meat only." I protested and he just gave me a grin. "Okay now you're weirding me out."
"I am sorry but when you were sick this morning I thought you were..." Roshani began though before he could finish I coughed, my cheeks burning and I quickly shook my head. "Valery, did I say something to upset you?" He asked once he saw that my shoulders were quivering.
"It's...it's fine. I just need some air." I muttered, climbing to my feet and as I hurried towards the entrance to our hut Roshani followed. Suddenly concerned my husband followed as I lifted up the tent flap, moving into the sunlight with him at my heels. I finally stopped walking when I felt a hand grasping my shoulder and my head turned enough to see Roshani standing inches from me, his eyes widening slightly once he saw my eyes welling.
"Valery, why are you crying?" Roshani whispered, reaching up to gently wipe my eyes and I sniffed. "I did not mean to upset you but I am not sure what I have done."
"It's not something that you did, Roshani. I thought I could hide it but when I saw how worried you looked when I was sick and your focus on my stomach...I just got upset." I explained and he tilted his head at me. "Roshani, you probably wouldn't have chosen me as your wife if you knew."
"Valery, I love you and no one else. Why would I choose another?" Roshani asked and I sighed, nodding towards the nearby trees. Taking him by the hand I led Roshani to a grove of trees just past his hut and as he followed me Roshani couldn't help being a little worried.
It wasn't until I sat and he copied me that Roshani noticed I was still wiping my eyes and he blinked at me, reaching across to take my hand in his. Feeling him giving my hand a light squeeze I gave him a weak smile in return, taking a deep breath before I blurted out: "I can't have children. I didn't want you to know."
Roshani didn't answer his eyes on me the entire time I sat there and when I finally sniffed, tears leaking from my eyes to spill down my cheeks he reached out. Taking my other hand in his he gave them both another gentle squeeze.
"Valery, you should have told me. I love you and even if we cannot have children we have each other." Roshani assured me and I'll admit that I burst into sobs, not even noticing him looking scared before he quickly pulled me into his lap. Burying my head in his shirt I sobbed, one arm drapped around his back and Roshani soon started to gently rub my back.
"It will be okay, Valery. I will not leave you." Roshani whispered and I sniffled, raising my head in time to catch a sad smile of his own. Sniffling I hide my face again and he sighs, rubbing circles along my back and after a few more seconds he starts to quietly hum, the effect oddly calming.
It wasn't until Roshani couldn't hear me sniffing that he stopped humming and I lifted my head my eyes wet from crying. "Do you feel better?" He asked and I nodded, wiping my eyes with the back of my hand.
"A little I guess." I muttered and he nodded, hugging me against his chest. "Thank you for understanding." I added and he gave the top of my head a light kiss.
"You are welcome but why did you not tell me sooner?" Roshani asked and I chewed my lip thinking until he nodded. "You were afraid that I would reject you?"
"Not in those exact words but...yeah." I answered and he gave me a smile, running his fingers through my hair. "Guess it was a bit silly for me to worry."
"It is alright to be scared but I promised to stay with you and I will not break that promise." Roshani whispered and I lifted my head, giving the former commander a kiss that left his cheeks red. "I am very glad I promised that." He admitted before he cupped my chin, kissing back just as hard.