Chapter 41: Ache
I find Ben waiting by the carriage at the base of the hill. True to form, he stands silently, his presence as solid and stoic as ever. I tap him on the shoulder, catching his attention.
"Hey buddy, make sure to check on him periodically, okay? And keep an eye on Mona too," I instruct. He responds with a grunt, which, in Ben’s language, means an affirmative.
With that settled, I climb into the carriage and spot Roman, already seated inside. As I enter, he wrinkles his nose. "You reek of pheromones—definitely not the usual kind. These are distinctly... the sex ones."
"Well, that’s the price of being a newlywed," I say, closing my eyes and bracing myself for the long ride ahead. The exhaustion of the journey already feels palpable.
*
Later, as the horses drink from a nearby stream, I engage in a sparring session with Roman. At first, my moves are a bit off; it takes me a few moments to find my rhythm. But soon enough, my battlefield instincts kick in, and I’m back to my usual self.
I shed my sweat-soaked shirt and wipe myself down. Roman gives me a smirk. "Your husband is quite the artist. He’s left his mark all over your back."
I can’t help but chuckle, recalling the sharp sting of his fingernails digging into my skin during our passionate moments. "You should see his body," I mention casually.
Roman’s eyes widen. "Was that a joke? You just made a joke?!"
"Actually, it’s a fact," I reply, a touch of longing in my voice as I think about my green-eyed beauty.
The distance between us and my beloved feels almost unbearable, and I miss Noelle’s presence more than I can express.
*