Romulus wrapped his arms around her, tucking the covers up over her but leaving her arms free. He moved his weight, so she wouldn't feel trapped by his bulk being on top of the blanket, and nuzzled her nose just slightly when she scooted in.
How did he feel?
Exhausted, mentally and physically. Burnt over most of his body. Headache from previous injury acting up after being out all day. Pent up, with a beautiful woman in his arms that he was not going to screw. Worried about her safety, anxious about his father, ainticipating more pain, guilty over the awful day…
"I'll be alright."
Elitia gave him a small, sad smile. She knew otherwise. She knew he wasn't. She reached both hands up and started to massage his temples gently. She didn't want to cause anymore pain to him. She knew he hurt and there wasn't much more to do about the pain. She could fetch him a tonic but she wasn't sure he would take it.
"Sleep, darling. You'll feel better in the morning." She brushed her lips over his cheek and finally his lips.
Romulus closed his eyes and made a deep rumbling sound when she starting massaging his head. The light pressure eased the headache, and he found himself falling asleep very quickly. He leaned into her kiss on his cheek, and only halfway responded when she kissed his lips.
Lear walked in about then, and Romulus was out by the time the Lieutenant sat on his own cot. He didn't glance over, just crawled under his covers and curled up.
Elitia smiled softly as he fell asleep against her. She knew she wouldn't last much longer but she wanted to spend her last few moments away admiring him.
Keeping her forehead to his, her eyes began to close. She heard Lear come but said nothing. He didn't greet her and neither would she. They were all tired. They had been through enough. Let them have this silence ti help them sleep. Her breathing evened out and she soon fell asleep as well.
Romulus was 25. His father was asking why the people thought he'd burned down Calegon. "I don't have time to put down an uprising caused by your stupidity!" A knife slid into his ribs, and he flinched.
Romulus was 23. His father was asking why Romulus was standing in his way, guarding women and children. "The only way to put down this rebellion is to teach them a lesson!" A spear pole smashed across his left eye, and he flinched.
Romulus was 21. His father was asking why a maiden had turned up claiming the child was his. "With a Venian!? You want to end our line?!?" The Oliphanut whip cracked across his legs, his back, his chest, and he flinched.
Romulus was 19. His father was asking why he'd appointed young, Venian nobility. "You're trying to make a statement, and I won't have it!" An armored boot thudded into his ribs, and he flinched.
Romulus was 17. His father was asking why he'd brought Lear back to the palace. "You can't just keep bringing back whores and prostitutes!" A firebrand sizzled on the skin on his stomach, and he flinched.
Romulus was 15. His father was asking why his reputation was so awful. "You're a Vespasian, and heir to the throne, stop visiting brothels and bars!" A baton crunched across his hands, and he flinched.
Romulus was 13. His father was asking why Romulus was upset he'd claimed a throne by slaughter. "If you're going to be such a woman, maybe I ought to make you one!" A blade sliced across his groin, and he flinched.
Romulus was awake. It was still dark in the tent, but the sun was just beginning to come up. He was breathing hard, but the sight of Elitia in his arms helped him calm down.
He was safe. She was soft. And his father wasn't asking questions.
Yet.
Elitia lay quiet in his arm, in deep sleep. She slept well for the first time since being there. She suffered no nightmares, no terror. Something about being surrounded by Romulus had helped calm her body and mind.
She didn't wake until the sun was peaking through the tent and waking her up. She made a soft rumbling noise, not quite ready to get up. She buried her head in the chest in front of her. She didn't want to wake up just yet. She was warm and comfortable and safe.
A few murmured obscenities left her lips. Something about cursing at the sun for rising so early, as if it didn't rise at the same time everyday.
Romulus chuckled, his morning voice making the sound ultra-low. His chest vibrated with the deep rumble.
"Swearing first thing, huh? Venomous indeed."
He smiled as she buried herself in his chest, and he wrapped his arms a little tighter around her.
Lear was up and getting the camp ready to set out, so they didn't have much time, but… he'd take what he could get. Nothing ventured, nothing gained…
"Sleep ok, Princess?"
Elitia nestled into him, happy she wasn't being forced to get up just yet. "I'm not a princess," she grumbled.
And she wasn't. Not anymore. She hadn't been one for much longer than she was one. And if anyone knew where her beginnings were, well, the last thing she would be called was princess.
She slowly lifted her head as she bags to wake up more. She stated up at the man who's arms she laid in. "How did you sleep, darling? How do your wounds feel? You'll need to reapply your salve soon. The more you take care of these burns the faster they would heal." She suddenly wished she was a healer and could take these wounds away. But her magic would only create more burns on him.
(I'm on break rn but when I go back to work I won't really be on at all for like five hours.)
(totally fine, as you can see XD do well! :) )
She was grumbling, which wasn't anger, so Romulus smiled at her.
"You are to me."
He nuzzled her forehead as she sat up a little. "Slept ok. And I'll be alright. Just gotta give them time. How did you sleep?"
Elitia didn't press the matter, though she didn't see it that way. She was no princess nor did she have any desire to be one.
"Better than I have in awhile. I think sleeping beside someone helps." Sleeping with him helped. She kept that to herself. There was only so much she was willing ti reveal.
Romulus nodded. "Agreed." Usually, he slept well. Last night had been bad, but… well. Today was going to be interesting.
Lear came back in just then. "You're awake, good. Camp is ready to head out, just about. Most of the men are at least able to ride, though not well. A few will have to go in the wagon. There won't be room for everyone back there." He glanced at Elia.
Romulus caught the glance. "She can ride with me, Ruir won't mind."
Lear nodded. "I was kinda hoping you'd say that. Should make things easier." He ran the calculations in his head. "Those riding will be back at the palace in about 8 hours. The wagon might need to stop overnight, particularly carrying wounded."
Romulus nodded. "You and I need to get back today, as soon as we can." He looked down at Elitia. "I guess that's you too, if you're coming with me."
Elitia sat up in thr crowded cot. She looked to Lear, acknowledging him and listening to him. She kept quiet through the conversation though blushed at the suggestion for her to ride with the prince. She had seen and been naked around hundreds of men. She has had sex and done numerous sexual activities. And yet the thought of her riding with Romulus is what makes her blush. What was becoming of her?
She looked uo at Romulus and nodded her head. "I'll ride with you if that's something you're okay with."
She wanted to be with him when they got to palace. She wanted to try to protect him and be there for him. And she wanted to be there for the aftermath of his father to comfort and heal him. She wouldn't let him go through this alone.
The Prince smiled to himself, curled around her there in the cot. They'd slept in the same bed twice now, been naked together, she'd bathed him and tended his wounds a couple times, and riding together was what made her blush?
"I'd like that." he said gently.
"Lear?" Someone called from outside. He stepped out, and Romulus rolled off the cot to his feet. "Well. I guess we need to get going. I've got my armor to clean up and put on, and you've likely gotta figure out if you've got clean clothes, and we should definitely eat before we get in the saddle.-"
Lear stepped back in, holding clothes. "Lily and Calvin saw how bad things were last night, and did their best to wash your clothing from a couple days previous. They were afraid to give it to you because they thought you might be mad they'd gone into your tent, so… here." He set the clothing on his cot. "I'll be ready when you are." with a nod at the Prince, Lear headed back out.
Romulus nodded. "Well. That's nice of them, sweet kids. Solves one problem." He touched her arm. "I kinda need that shift back…"
Elitia smiled at him again. It pleased her that she pleased him. She watched as he got up and was only distracted by Lear reentering the tent and handing them their washed clothes. She would have to thank the two later for doing that. It hadn't bothered her that they entered her tent. She was used to no privacy and she had nothing of value that she wanted to keep hidden. She had nothing of value at all.
A sly smirk lifted at her lips.
Oh, he needs his shift back. Well, I'll give it to him.
She slowly pulled it up her body, keeping direct eye contact the entire time. She wore nothing under the shift. She exposed her bare thighs first, then her hips, her stomach, her breasts, and finally over her head. She handed him his shift back, keeping that eye contact. Then she stood and brushed her shoulder past him as she made to grab her clothes.
….Oh.
Well. What a way to wake up.
He held her eye contact, and only gave her the full once-over when she went to grab her clothes.
"…. Guess I really gotta thank Lily and Calvin, now." he said softly, his voice still deep from sleep. He pulled the shift over his head, still looking at her, before tearing his eyes away and stepping around the cot to grab his chain mail. He pulled the pants on, thinking they'd be easier than getting into the lower part of his armor. He glanced up at her a couple times as she dressed, unable to help himself.
Elitia knew he was watching her. She wanted him to watch. She didn't know if they would have any time to be together like this. She was going to savor every second of it.
So, she took her time getting dressed, arching her back a little more than necessary, showing off her breasts and behind. She was thankful the kids had decided to wash her trousers and blouse. It would be easier to ride Ruir in trousers than in a dress. The leather fabric hugged her legs and bottom. The blouse was white and puffy. She looked good.
She turned to face him. "What time are we leaving?"
Romulus was working on taking the cot apart, but was looking over his shoulder at her finishing up. "As soon as we can. Get your stuff packed up, I'll get mine, and we can get going." He mentally added food to the list. "Say… 20 minutes?"
Elitia nodded. She walked over to him and placed a hand on his back. "Alright. I'll see you in twenty. Where do you want to meet up?"
She wished he would let her apply the salve before he had gotten dressed bit she doubted he would take everything off to let her. She would make sure she applied some more on him before they got to the palace.
He jerked his head in the direction of the north edge of camp. "You'll see Ruir, you can't miss him."
Romulus kept packing, tearing down the tent and his stuff quickly. He and Lear managed to get all their stuff in packs, which they could carry on them usually. Today, he'd leave the tent and cot with the wagon. It could be slung underneath and carried that way, since he wouldn't need it anytime soon.
He'd be stuck at the palace for a while, and he knew it. The fact that he was enjoying his last few hours of freedom for a while popped into his head at some point, and he paused.
He got going again, however, when the feeling of wanting this over as soon as possible overrode the feeling of being caged.
20 minutes later, he and Lear were at the north edge of camp, Ruir was saddled and the packs strapped in place. Romulus's armor was a mess, so he'd opted not to wear it. Lear had protested, but Romulus was in pain, so he didn't argue too hard.
Elia packed her things rather quickly. Her books had still been packed away in the wagon so she didn't have to worry about that. She slung her pack over her shoulder and headed over to Ruir. She was early, so she settling for petting the Wulf while she waited. She had less things that prince to pack so it had taken her no time at all.
She frowned when Romulus approached with no armor on at all but she didn't raise concern. It would make it easier to apply slave to his body later than trying to take off all of his armor and then put it all back on. She looked between the two, noting the energy. She hated they had to go back to the palace as well. She hated that she was useless. There was nothing she could do to prevent this.
She made to take a step towards Romulus but decided otherwise. They did have company and perhaps it wasn't the best time. She wasn't sure they would really get a moment in private again.
Lear's horse, Tabor, was a fiery creature from the southwest deserts of Lothlan in Harad. He stood shorter than Ruir by a couple of feet, but made up for the lack of size in his attitude.
That all paled in comparison to the fact that his mane was literally flame, and his hooves flashed small sparks every step. They weren't called fiery for nothing.
In any case, he was champing at the bit to get going, and Lear looked to Romulus only a moment, before spurring the energetic animal into the woods towards the main road.
Romulus turned to her, and held out his arms. "We'd better get going." He intended to lift her into the saddle again, then leap up behind her. Ruir stood still, slightly crouched so it'd be a shorter mount.
Elia stepped into his arms. But instead of letting him lift her right away, she pulled him down by his cheeks and kissed him. Lear was gone, giving them one last moment of privacy. She wanted to take advantage of it while she could. She wasn't sure they would get a moment like this again.
She stood on her tip toes to reach him, and then, she was still shorter than him. She wrapped her arms around his neck as she deepened the kiss. She wanted to enjoy this for as long as she could.
Several things went through the Prince's head just then. He kissed her back, wrapping his arms around her waist. The thoughts in his head didn't match, though, and when he finally pulled away, there were tears in his eyes.
He didn't say anything, just lifted her then, up into the saddle. A second later, he was sitting behind her, pressed up against her back, arms wrapped around her.
"Thank you, Elitia."
And they were off.
Elitia settled into the saddle. She was careful to put a little distance between them due to his burns. She just touched his thighs with her own. She wanted to ask if he was alright, to understand why his eyes were watering. She didn't want to risk embarrassing him or making him talk about something he didn't want to, so she kept quiet.
She only murmured a quiet, "I'll do whatever you need, darling."
She held on to his arms as Ruir started after Lear. Her thumb caressed his skin. She wanted to convey her thoughts with these simple touches.
Ruir took off at a blistering pace, and soon caught the horse. They settled into an easy rhythm, where one would lead, then the other. Lear and Romulus had worked this out years ago. It kept fresh eyes on the road, gave a chance for a rest on who had to set pace, and kept them from being super predictable.
Romulus had noted that Elitia left him space, and had gently pulled her back up against him. It hurt, but at the moment, he was craving the contact.
They rode mostly in silence. Romulus was getting into a habit of leaning his head down and resting his lips on Elitia's shoulder whenever Lear was leading. It allowed him to think, and again, he was craving the closeness, the gentleness.
Lear noticed that, and was equal parts happy and sad about it.
Happy that Romulus had someone to be gentle with him. Sad, because he only craved it like that when he was super anxious.
Elitia leaned back against his chest but was careful not to put too much pressure against him. She didn't want to add to his hurt. She hoped he would get checked by a proper doctor back at the palace. They might be able to help more or offer things the speed along the recovery.
She smiled as he rested his head on her shoulder and she leaned her head against his. Again, she was careful about how much weight she put on him. She didn't want him trying to support her weight along with everything else he was going through.
"Are you alright, darling?"
"Nervous." He mumbled, his lips on her shoulder making it easy to tell what he said despite his low volume.
He was worried that he was going to get hurt. He was worried he wouldn't be able to do the things he needed to.
But he was also worried about her.
Taking her into the palace was increasingly feeling like a bad idea, now that he knew for sure what he knew. But doing things differently than he'd done with other people would actually arouse more suspicion, so it might be their best option.
Elitia pursed her lips. She wasn't sure how to help. She wanted to make things better for him. She wanted things to be better. He didn't deserve this treatment. "What can I do to help?"
She tilted her head to try and look at the man hiding in her neck. He couldn't hide forever but she knew that wasn't something he needed her to tell him. She had no doubt he would ooze confidence when they returned to the palace but she worried. She was worried he would turn into a different person there. It would be understandable with a father like his but he shouldn't have to change himself because of that man.
