Chapter 3: Reminders of the Past
The summer sun was finally setting once the family made it back home. The house was quiet, their babies fast asleep after a long day. Xena wasted no time stripping out of her clothes as she made her way toward their bed, letting the soft fabric fall to the floor. She sank onto the bed with a satisfied sigh, stretching out and feeling the cool sheets against her skin.
A quiet laugh escaped her lips as she thought about their so-called "peaceful getaway." Borias had intended to give her a break from the chaos of their daily lives, but things hadn't exactly gone according to plan. And Poma. If that woman had dared to touch Borias again, she would cut out her throat.
She was still lost in her thoughts when she heard the front door close. Moments later, Borias entered the room. His eyes met hers briefly, and he could tell by the look on her face that she was still stewing over the day's events. He said nothing, knowing better than to push her when she was in this mood.
Wordlessly, he began to undress, shedding his clothes until he was naked too. The glow of the fading sunlight through the window cast soft shadows across his muscular frame. He crossed the room and climbed into bed.
The moment he was beside her, her scent filled his senses. She smelled like wildflowers and something uniquely her—her natural body scent that he adored above all else. It drove him wild, always had. Without a word, he leaned in, his lips finding her neck.
He kissed her softly at first, letting his mouth linger on her skin. He dived into her neck again, licking a slow, teasing path along her neck. Xena let out a soft moan, her body instinctively tilting toward him as his mouth worked its magic. He moved lower, trailing kisses along her collarbone, his hands sliding up her sides as he held her close.
"You smell incredible," he murmured against her skin, his voice low and full of heat. Xena's lips curved into a faint smile. She wasn't ready to let him off the hook just yet. Borias noticed her silence, and he knew exactly what she was doing. He decided he would have to earn his forgiveness the only way he knew how.
He shifted, rolling Xena onto her back as his lips captured hers in a deep kiss. His hands moved over her body with purpose, his touch steady and sure. Xena's fingers gripped his shoulders as her breath quickened.
He kissed down her body, pausing briefly at her breasts to draw a soft moan from her before positioning himself between her legs. When he entered her, it was slow and heated.
"Let me make it up to you," he murmured into her ear, his voice thick with desire.
Xena's only response was a soft gasp as she wrapped her legs around him, pulling him closer. Borias picked up the pace, his hands gripping her hips as he drove them both higher. Xena's moans filled the air, her body trembling beneath him as she reached her peak, his name spilling from her lips.
Moments later, Borias followed, his release leaving him breathless. He collapsed beside her, pulling her into his arms as their breathing slowed. Once they finished making love, Borias stretched and leaned over to kiss Xena's shoulder.
"I'm going to check the perimeter again before we settle in for the night," he told her with a serious tone. Ever since Satrina's betrayal and disappearance, they hadn't fully trusted their surroundings...
Flashback: Xena and Borias sat on the floor of their tent, the dim firelight casting shadows on the canvas walls. Their tent was in the middle of nowhere, not easily found. Solan crawled around, babbling to himself as he explored, his small hands grabbing at everything within reach. Borias glanced at Xena and noticed her rubbing her back with a tense expression on her face.
"Xena, what's wrong?" She huffed, not meeting his eyes.
"Come rub my back, will ya?" Borias got up and moved behind her. She dropped her head forward, letting him work his hands across her lower back.
"Are you hurting?"
"I've been hurting most of the day."
Borias placed his hands gently on her lower back, massaging her with care. Xena let out soft uncomfortable moans. She wasn't finding relief, and the sound of her discomfort was making Borias uneasy.
"Xena," he asked after a moment, "do you think the baby could be coming early?"
Xena didn't answer. Borias kept rubbing her, hoping that his touches were helping her in some way. After a while, her hand slammed into the dirt beside her.
"What is taking Satrina so long to get back with those herbs?"
"She's been gone far too long," Borias agreed. "Maybe she had to visit another market for them." Xena groaned again, the discomfort clear on her face. She pulled one of his hands away and leaned back slightly.
"I'm going to take a nap," she said quietly.
Borias helped her lie down, making sure she was comfortable before pulling a blanket over her. As he watched her close her eyes, he made up his mind—if she was still in pain when she woke up, he'd take her to the nearest village to find a healer.
Satrina had taken a detour from the market. She was done pretending to care about Xena's new life. Ever since Xena had given birth to Solan, Satrina had been waiting for her to reclaim her former glory, to lead her army into battle once more. She wanted to stay with Xena so she could learn strategy for her own army one day. But no, Xena had gotten pregnant again. Satrina's patience had run out.
She walked into Dagnine's camp, the guards letting her pass without question. When she entered his tent, Dagnine looked up in surprise.
"Satrina," he said, setting down a cup. "What brings you here?"
"Borias and Xena," she said simply. "I know where they are." Dagnine's eyes lit up, a wicked grin spreading across his face. He hated Borias with a passion. Satrina leaned in, her tone low but urgent.
"They're planning to attack your camp tomorrow night with their new army. They've spent the past year building their forces, and they're ready to take you down." She pulled out a map and circled a spot.
"This is where their tent is. If you want to stop them, you need to strike tonight, before they come for you." Dagnine narrowed his eyes at her, suspicion flashing across his face.
"And why should I believe you?" Satrina gave a cunning smile.
"Because we got along well enough when you were under Xena. I'd hate to see you crushed under her boot now." Dagnine laughed, shaking his head.
"Let them try," he said. His confidence was clear, but Satrina could see the wheels turning in his mind. She nodded and stood.
"Good luck," she said as she left his tent. Her plan was set in motion. Now, she needed to hurry to the market, grab the herbs, and return to Xena before anyone grew suspicious of her absence.
Satrina stepped into the tent, her face calm, but her eyes darted toward Xena. Borias wasted no time, grabbing her by the neck. His grip was strong, his voice low and menacing.
"Where have you been?" Satrina raised the pouch of herbs.
"I had to visit another village," she gasped. "They didn't have what you needed at the usually market." Borias narrowed his eyes, then released her. He snatched the pouch and immediately set about brewing the tea. Satrina rubbed her neck, glancing towards Xena, who was still asleep on the bedroll. Her brows creased in confusion.
"Borias, what's going on?" He didn't look up. He pointed at Xena and shook his head.
"She's been in pain most of the day. I just found out."
"What!?" Satrina exclaimed. That was the last thing she wanted. Xena had to be ready to fight when Dagnine's army arrived, which wouldn't be much longer now. Her plan was unfolding right before her eyes. Trying to keep her composure, Satrina picked up Solan and played with him, though her thoughts raced wildly.
A few hours later, Xena rolled over, groaning. Borias rushed to her side, gripping her hand.
"You're still hurting?" Xena nodded, sweat beading on her forehead. Borias' clenched his jaw.
"Is it worse?"
Xena's pained eyes told him all he needed to know. Without waiting for a response, he stood and sheathed his sword in front of him. It would take a few hours to get to the nearest village and in the middle of the night, he had to protect his family.
"We're going to the village now. They've got a healer."
As they stepped out of the tent, they were met with the sound of hooves and the glint of steel. A circle of men surrounded them, and at the front sat Dagnine, his grin smug and his sword resting lazily on his saddle.
"Borias, Borias, Borias," Dagnine called out, his voice full of mockery. "It's been too long. Ready to die?" Borias growled, drawing his sword.
"You've got it backwards." Dagnine laughed, raising a hand.
"Men, attack!" Satrina rushed to Xena's side, thrusting her sword into her hands.
"You'll need this." Xena barely nodded, her grip firm despite the pain radiating through her body. Borias stood at her back, sword raised.
"Stay close."
The first wave came fast. Borias swung with precision, cutting down the first man to charge him. Xena blocked an attack, her movements less fluid than usual but no less deadly. She gritted her teeth through another contraction, her legs almost buckling, but she stayed upright.
A man lunged at Borias, his blade cutting Borias' arm. He hissed in pain but didn't fall, quickly running his attacker through with a sharp thrust.
"I'm fine," he called out as Xena glanced back at him.
Xena slashed at another man, her breathing heavy. Another contraction tore through her, and she bent over slightly, lowering her sword. One of Dagnine's men seized the opportunity, kicking her hard in the chest. She collapsed to her knees with a scream, clutching her abdomen.
"Xena!" Borias turned, his fury boiling over. He drove his sword into the man who'd hurt her, his roar echoing through the trees. Xena panted.
"Borias... Solan..." From the corner of his eye, Borias saw Satrina mounting a horse, Solan in her arms.
"Satrina!" he shouted, but she was already galloping into the night. His grip tightened on his sword. He wanted to chase her, but the fight wasn't over.
"Xena, we have to move!" Borias helped her to her feet as more of Dagnine's men closed in.
"We'll get Solan back." Borias fought them an opening. When the men blocking them fell, he grabbed Xena's hand, and they ran into the dark forest.
The dense trees provided cover, but Xena's strength was fading fast. They stopped behind a large tree as she doubled over, another contraction hitting hard. She groaned softly and leaned against the tree, her body swaying slightly as she rocked through the pain. Her head rested against the bark while her hand clutched her belly, trying to steady her breathing. Borias knelt behind her, his hand gently rubbing her back.
"Xena, keep it down," he whispered. He glanced around, his ears straining for any sound of Dagnine's men. When she moaned again, Borias quickly covered her mouth with his hand.
"Shh," he whispered close to her ear. "Breathe through it." He quickly scanned the area again and turned his attention back to her.
"When the pain eases, we need to move. We're almost there."
Xena nodded weakly, biting her lip to keep from crying out. Her eyes squeezed shut as she leaned more heavily against the tree, rocking herself through the worst of it. He rubbed her back trying to help her through it. After a moment, the contraction eased, and she gave him a small nod to signal she was ready. Borias helped her stand, holding her hand firmly within his. They pressed on through the woods, taking time to cover their tracks.
Suddenly, Xena stumbled, dropping to one knee. "I can't," she panted. "I can't go any farther." Borias knelt in front of her, his hand on her cheek.
"The cave is about a mile away. Can you walk slowly there?" Xena shook her head, tears of frustration in her eyes. Without hesitation, Borias scooped her into his arms.
"Then I'll carry you."
He walked through the dark, Xena's head resting against his shoulder, her breaths coming in uneven gasps. Behind them, the forest was silent except for the distant calls of their pursuers, but Borias pushed on. They would make it.
They had to.
Once they finally made it into the cave, Borias carried Xena inside, leaving the overgrown branches and trees intact at the opening. He sat Xena down on the ground, against the side of the wall, and grabbed some branches to start a fire.
"Borias, it's coming!" Xena called out, her voice strained as she gripped the ground beneath her.
"I'm coming, Xena," he said nervously, fumbling with the branches. He had to get the fire going. The cave was far too cold already, and with their baby coming, they needed warmth. They had no blankets, nothing but the clothes on their backs. And it was so dark, he could barely see Xena clearly enough to know what was happening.
Once the fire finally caught and began to glow, he knelt in front of Xena, taking her hand in his. She clung to him, her breaths ragged.
"Borias, I've got to push," she said, her voice shaking with both pain and urgency. He nodded, though his hands trembled. He held one of her hands tightly with his and pushed back her dress with the other, his eyes searching for any sign of what to do next. He wasn't even sure what he was looking for—he wasn't a midwife. It was still too early for the baby to come, and his mind raced back to Solan. And Satrina! Anger flared inside him, but Xena's cry snapped him back.
"Ugh, Borias!" she screamed, her body writhing as she bore down again. Borias looked between her legs and saw something bulging. He prayed it was the baby.
"Keep pushing, Xena. It's coming."
He took off his shirt, ready to catch their child. Xena gritted her teeth and screamed again as she pushed with everything she had. A few agonizing moments later, Borias caught their baby in his arms.
Tiny and fragile, the baby wasn't crying. Xena's wide eyes filled with fear as Borias carefully handed the baby to her. The tiny, motionless form rested in her hands, far too still, far too quiet. The firelight flickered weakly, casting long shadows across their faces as panic settled in.
"She's not breathing," Xena choked out, her voice already breaking. She rubbed the baby's chest with trembling fingers, her touch gentle at first but growing more desperate with every second of silence.
"Come on, little one. Breathe for us. Please."
Borias knelt beside her, his hands hovering, unsure whether to help or stay out of the way. His mind raced. Was he supposed to blow air into the baby's lungs? Pat her back? He cursed under his breath. He was a fighter, not a healer, and he felt utterly helpless.
"Xena, let me—" His voice cracked with emotion as he placed his hands over hers.
Xena didn't answer, her focus solely on their child. She rubbed harder, her fingers pressing firmly against the baby's tiny chest.
"Breathe!" she begged, her voice breaking entirely now. Tears rolled freely down her face, and she wasn't sure if they were from pain, exhaustion, or sheer terror. Maybe all three.
Borias leaned forward, gently pinching the baby's nose and breathing softly into her mouth. He repeated the motion, his heart pounding in his chest as he glanced back at Xena.
"Come on, baby girl. Come on."
"Don't you dare leave us," Xena whispered hoarsely, her hands trembling as she rubbed the baby's chest again.
"Don't you dare!" Her voice rose, cracking with raw emotion. Time seemed to drag endlessly.
Borias felt his control slipping. His mind raced through every failure he'd faced in his life, but none felt as crushing as the thought of losing this tiny life. His hands shook as he leaned back in, blowing another careful breath into the baby's lungs.
"Please," he whispered through gritted teeth. "Fight. You're strong. You're ours. Fight!" Xena's sobs grew louder as she pressed her forehead against the baby's fragile chest.
"Come on," she murmured, her voice almost unrecognizable. "Come on, please..." She rubbed harder, ignoring the ache in her hands and the strain in her arms.
Then it happened. A tiny, jerking movement beneath her fingers. A shallow gasp. The baby's chest rose weakly, then fell again before another breath followed. Suddenly, a loud, piercing cry filled the cave, breaking the oppressive silence.
Xena let out a sob of pure relief, clutching the baby to her chest. Borias exhaled sharply, his whole body trembling as he leaned against Xena. He moved closer, his hand brushing Xena's shoulder as he pressed his forehead against hers.
"You did it. We did it." His voice was thick with emotion, and his lips trembled as he spoke.
"We have a little girl." He slowly kissed her on the lips, and she kissed him back.
Xena tucked the baby inside her dress, letting her own body warmth surround the tiny child. Though the baby was fragile and small, Xena could already feel the strength in her cries. She leaned her head back against the wall, her chest heaving as she caught her breath.
"She's going to be a fighter," she said softly, her voice full of both exhaustion and pride.
"Just like her mother," he whispered.
Quietly, Borias stepped out to check the perimeter. Xena drifted to sleep, her mind surrendering to the darkness. At first, her dreams were quiet—familiar images of her children's laughter, the warmth of Borias' touch. But soon, the warmth faded. The light dimmed. A cold wind swept through the dreamscape, and Xena found herself standing alone in an open field, the ground dry and cracked beneath her feet.
In the distance, a figure appeared, walking toward her with purpose. Xena's heart skipped as she recognized her—Alti. The shamaness' piercing eyes locked onto hers, her cunning grin unmistakable.
"Xena," Alti greeted, her voice carrying power. "It's been far too long." Xena relaxed slightly, her lips twitching into a faint smile.
"Alti." Alti stepped closer, her gaze sweeping over Xena.
"You look... different. Softer." Xena folded her arms across her chest.
"Don't let the looks fool you." Alti tilted her head, her grin widening.
"Have you let Borias drag you into his little dream of simplicity?" She gestured around her, and the world shimmered. Images began to form—Xena sitting by a fire, cradling her baby, while Borias tended to chores nearby. The vision lingered for a moment before fading.
"It doesn't suit you, Xena. You're not meant to fade into the background, raising children and following Borias' lead. You're meant for more. You know that."
Xena didn't reply immediately, her eyes narrowing as Alti waved her hand again. This time, the vision changed to Xena on top of abattlefield, her sword raised high. Armies knelt before her, their banners lowered in surrender. The sound of victory filled the air, a roar of fear and awe from her enemies.
"This," Alti continued, her voice growing stronger, "is who you are. The conqueror. The warrior. The one who commands armies and brings nations to their knees. Don't you remember the rush of power? The thrill of battle?"
Xena's heart pounded as she watched herself in the vision. Her grip tightened around an invisible sword as the memory of that power surged through her veins.
"I remember," she admitted quietly. Alti stepped closer.
"You were born for this, Xena. Not for small lives, not for quiet days. For greatness. For fear. And you're not finished yet."
"And how do you know that?" Xena asked. Alti reached out, brushing her fingers along Xena's arm.
"Because I've seen it. I've seen the path ahead of you. It leads to the Ixion Stone." Her eyes gleamed as she spoke. "With it, you'll become unstoppable. The power of an army in your hands, the force to destroy or create. You'll rise again, Xena, and the world will remember your name."
Xena stared at the vision Alti conjured—a glowing stone, pulsating with energy. She felt its pull, its promise of unlimited strength. Her breathing quickened as she imagined holding it, the power coursing through her fingers.
"You're trying to tempt me," Xena said, though her voice lacked conviction. Alti laughed lightly.
"I don't need to tempt you, Xena. The fire is already there, burning inside you. I'm just reminding you of who you are. Borias wants to tame you, to turn you into someone you're not. But you can't deny your true self. You're the Destroyer of Nations."
"You can have it all again, Xena," Alti whispered, her voice close. "Power, fear, control. You only need to take the first step. Find the Ixion Stone. Claim what's yours." The images faded, and Xena found herself alone with Alti once more. The shamaness smiled darkly.
"Think about it. You don't have to choose weakness. The world is waiting for you to return." Xena opened her mouth to respond, but the ground beneath her shifted, the dream dissolving into darkness.
Xena woke up with a start, her chest heaving. The fire in their home had burned low, its glow faint against the walls. She pressed a hand to her heart, the echoes of Alti's voice still ringing in her ears. Her mind raced with thoughts of the Ixion Stone, of the power she had once wielded and could wield again. She glanced toward the door, where Borias had yet to return, and clenched her fists. The temptation was undeniable. The question now was, would she give in?
Borias crouched near the edge of the clearing, his sharp eyes scanning the forest floor. The faint glow of the moonlight revealed a set of footprints in the dirt. They were small, too small to belong to a soldier or mercenary. His brows creased, and he followed the tracks silently, his instincts on high alert.
The trail led deeper into the woods, winding through thick underbrush. As he approached a clearing, he spotted a figure moving ahead of him. The person was light on their feet but not skilled enough to cover their trail. Borias crept closer, his movements precise and silent. In one swift motion, he lunged, covering the figure's mouth with his hand and pulling them to the ground.
"Got you," he whispered harshly. The figure flailed briefly before freezing. When Borias turned them over and got a proper look, he frowned.
"Tara? What are you doing here?" Tara grinned up at him, clearly unfazed.
"I couldn't stay there, not another day. I followed your tracks back here. I think I did well if you ask me." Her voice held pride as if sneaking through the woods was an accomplishment. Borias shook his head, muttering under his breath as he hauled her to her feet by the arm.
"No one asked you. Come on." He tugged her firmly toward the house. "You can stay tonight, but I'm taking you back home in the morning." Tara sighed dramatically, her head drooping.
"Fine," she mumbled, though her tone was far from remorseful.
As Borias approached the house, Xena stirred in bed. She pulled the covers higher, hearing his low voice and the unmistakable sound of someone else's steps. Her eyes narrowed in irritation. Who in Tartarus is he talking to?
When the door opened, she sat up slightly, her brow arching as Borias entered, guiding Tara into the room. Tara flashed a wide grin and immediately flopped onto the bed beside Xena.
"Did you miss me?" Tara asked far too loudly, her voice breaking the quiet of the night. Xena glared, her hand flying to cover Tara's mouth.
"Keep your voice down," she hissed. "Our babies are sleeping in the next room." Tara nodded goofily, her grin never fading, and then laid out comfortably on the bed. Borias walked to her, tapping her on the shoulder.
"That's my spot," he said flatly.
"Oh!" Tara jumped up, looking sheepish. She glanced around the room, clearly unsure of where to go. Borias climbed into the bed next to Xena, his arm sliding possessively around her waist. His hand slid down her side, grazing the curve of her hip before traveling along her thigh. His touch was slow, sending a ripple of anticipation through her. As his fingers moved higher, they brushed against her inner thigh, where he felt the unmistakable wetness already spreading.
The heat and slickness beneath his fingers ignited something primal within him. A jolt of desire shot through his body, tightening his chest and making his arousal throb against the confines of his pants. He leaned closer, growling, his breath warm against her neck as he let his fingers explore her more deeply.
Xena gasped sharply at the first contact, her body instinctively arching toward his hand. The sound escaped her lips before she could stop it, and the sensation only heightened her need. Her breath quickened as her wetness seemed to increase, coating his fingers and smearing onto her thighs.
Borias' arousal was unmistakable now, pressing hard against her leg through the fabric of his pants. She could feel the heat of him, the urgency in his movements as his fingers moved with growing need. He tilted his head to kiss her shoulder, his lips lingering against her skin as she let out a soft, shuddering breath.
Before Borias could act on his growing desire, a loud clearing of a throat shattered the moment. Tara stood a few feet away, arms crossed with an exaggerated smirk across her face. She cocked her head, clearly amused at what she'd just interrupted.
"Sooo, where do I sleep?" Her hands rested on her hips as she looked between them expectantly, as if she hadn't just ruined an intimate moment. Borias sighed, resting his head against Xena's shoulder. He wasn't about to suggest their children's room without Xena's approval. He glanced at her, letting her decide.
"You can sleep with our kids tonight," Xena said in a calm voice. "Borias will show you where." Borias nodded but didn't immediately move.
"Yeah, I'll show you in a moment. Just go through those curtains," he said, waving her off casually. He couldn't stand just yet, not until his arousal settled. Tara shot them both a look but shrugged.
"Fine. Goodnight." She disappeared through the curtain into the children's room. As soon as she was gone, Xena snickered, leaning in to kiss Borias deeply.
"Hurry back," she whispered. Borias groaned low in his throat, his hand tightening on her thigh.
"Hmm, sounds like you're falling in love with me," he murmured with a smirk before reluctantly pulling away to tend to Tara. Xena scoffed and arched an eyebrow at him.
Borias pushed the covers off and got out of bed, stretching slightly before glancing toward the room where their children were sleeping. He quietly stepped through the doorway, finding Tara sitting cross-legged on the floor, arranging her blankets into a pallet. She looked up at him with a sheepish smile as he approached.
"You good?" he asked, crouching down beside her. Tara nodded, fluffing her pillow.
"Yeah, I'll be fine. This is... cozy," she said, gesturing at the spot with a shrug, clearly trying to make the best of it. Borias laughed softly, keeping his voice low so as not to disturb the sleeping children.
"Hang on," he said, standing up. He went to the corner where they stored extra bedding and pulled out another blanket and a small, folded pillow.
"This'll make it better," he added, handing them to her.
Tara accepted the items gratefully, spreading the additional blanket over her pallet and placing the pillow at the head.
"Thanks," she said with a smile, then watched as Borias poured her a small cup of water and set it by her spot.
"You'll probably hear Bellexa wake at some point tonight," he told her as he crouched again, adjusting the edge of the blanket on her pallet.
"She's still tiny and doesn't sleep through yet. I'll take care of her, so you don't have to worry about that." Tara glanced toward the other side of the room, where Solan and Bellexa were sleeping peacefully. Her expression softened, her eyes widening slightly in awe.
"They're so small," she whispered, crawling a little closer to where the children slept. She reached out cautiously, her fingertip brushing lightly against Solan's cheek as he let out a tiny sigh in his sleep. A faint smile touched her lips.
"They're beautiful, Borias. Both of them." Borias nodded, as he smiled proudly.
"They are thanks to their mother," he said softly. He stood and watched Tara as she returned to her pallet. Once she was settled, she glanced back at him.
"You know," she said, her voice low, "that Poma woman... she said something earlier. About you and Xena not being married." Borias' face hardened slightly, but he said nothing, waiting for her to continue. Tara hesitated for a moment before speaking again.
"I mean, I don't know much about it, but... she sounded like she was trying to make Xena feel bad about it. Like it mattered." Borias let out a soft sigh, rubbing the back of his neck.
"Xena would never marry me—or anyone. She's... she's just not into that. But I love her as if she was my wife. And I think, in her own way, she loves me back." Tara studied him for a moment.
"Well, for what it's worth, I can tell you really love her. Anyone with eyes can see it." Borias' lips pulled into a faint smile.
"I do," he said simply. "And that's enough." Satisfied with his answer, Tara pulled the blanket up to her shoulders and yawned.
"Goodnight, Borias," she said softly.
"Goodnight, Tara," he replied, heading back towards the bedroom. As he walked, he couldn't help but glance at his sleeping children once more, his heart swelling at the sight of them so peaceful and safe.