by Nina Monroe
“If the North was not about to be truly embroiled in a war, the truth is that any child could be heir, but now, now you need a boy more than ever. Gregory told me about what Duke said before he was killed, about Junior Johansson. I haven’t spoken to the man in nearly nineteen years but he ran his mouth as soon as he saw me,” Isabelle began to braid Tamzin’s hair before she pulled the strands out.
“Junior didn’t rape me. I killed him before he could, like I would any man. Duke is trying to hurt Will,” Tamzin said as she took a deep breath. “I just want to go home. I want to go home and have my baby and I don’t want Will to ever go back to the battlefield.”
“And I’m sure Will says the same thing about you,” Isabelle said as she splayed her hair across her shoulders. “Women may not fight on the battlefield, but we fight our own battles. You may not believe it, but how you stood up for those people out there, you’ve earned more loyalty than Gregory himself.”
“I ran away. I was a coward…”
“No, you risked your life and walked miles in the cold and while heavy with child. I am sorry that Thurston Territory is no more, but you are still very much a Princess and those people will follow you. Will is their protector and you are their mother. Right now, you need to be strong for them and strong for Will. Never doubt that women are meant to endure what men cannot, which is so much,” Isabelle gave her a sad smile. “I brought you a fresh dress. I had no idea you were with child, but I think it will fit,” Isabelle said as she pulled away.
Tamzin turned to see the dark and sleeveless dress on Will’s bed. Isabelle picked up the dress and handed it to Tamzin.
“Do you need my help?” Isabelle asked as she helped Tamzin stand from the chair.
“I’m fine,” Tamzin gave her a slight smile. “Could you send Will in when he’s done.” Tamzin strained over the final word as she pulled at the tie of her robe. Isabelle nodded before she left the hut. Tamzin exhaled as she pulled open her robe and dropped it to the floor. She took a hold of her dress and stepped into it slowly as she brought the fabric up over her body. The fabric was light, very much a dress made for Southern weather, and Tamzin felt the tightness over her belly.
“Tamzin?” She heard Will’s voice outside the hut and then the sound of the leather straps hitting together. With her bodice adjusted, Tamzin turned around to see Will, King Gregory, Queen Isabelle, and Garrett had come into the hut.
“Thurston Territory is gone, but that’s irrelevant now,” Gregory spoke first as he stepped forward towards Will’s maps. “As long as the Thurston people have an heir, we will be able to find a home. Will, you will gather your best men to escort Tamzin to Roth Territory…”
“You know where she should be going,” Isabelle interrupted as she joined Gregory in front of the map. Tamzin watched as Isabelle lazily traced an area much further south than her father’s territory, more on route to Johansson Territory. “They say that they are neutral and refused to join the other Southern territories, but I know they will take them.”
“Isabelle, I have always appreciated your close bond with Will, but when Nicola died, we cut off all contact. They have never seen Will for one moment of his life,” Gregory said as he took the candle on the desk and brought it closer to the map. “I’m not sure they know Nicola and I have a son.”
“Whom are you talking about?” Will questioned, his voice coarser than usual. Tamzin watched him from her position; his skin was unusually pale, an almost grey color, and his eyes were sullen. She longed to reach out to him, to comfort him, but Gregory continued to speak.
“Your grandfather, your mother’s father. He lives deep in the South, behind walls that others say are impregnable. It is logical to send you two there, but I haven’t spoken to him since the day I married your mother,” Gregory said with a frown. “Because you were born and are healthy, our agreement is still honored. If they were to be invaded, I would send troops. Your grandfather’s territory doesn’t have many soldiers as it’s very difficult to attack…”
“My father keeps to himself. They make their money of use of ports, but it isn’t the most populated southern territory,” Isabelle interjected as she looked back down at the map. “Will, you should travel to Roth Territory and gather supplies, along with asking Turner to send men to help rebuild Thurston Territory.”
“Where are you taking the people?” Tamzin asked as she crossed her arms over her chest as she felt the sudden chill in the air from the gusting winds outside.
“They are coming with me,” Isabelle smiled. “The Thurston people will be well taken care of as Gregory rebuilds.”
Tamzin tuned them out as they continued to make plans; their words were dulled out by the activity in her belly. The babe was kicking and moving more than usual, which made Tamzin place her hand softly over her bump. Without thought, she tapped her fingers in a pattern and her baby followed suit. The babe was the only thing in the world that put a genuine smile on Tamzin’s face after everything had happened, with Will being a close second.
She felt a weight shift on the bed and Tamzin looked to see Will sit next to her; he still wore his armor. When Tamzin looked up, she saw that everyone had left the room.
“I will help you pack. We’re going to your father,” Will said as he took her hand and laced their fingers together. “My home is gone. My people have been slaughtered.”
“I’m so sorry, Will,” Tamzin felt the familiar ache in her chest and the tense feeling in her throat as the tears began to flood her eyes. “I should have done something different or, I don’t know. I wish I could have done something to help.”
“You’re alive and our child is alive; you did everything right,” Will responded solemnly as he clenched their joined hands. “I will make this right. I will kill all of them.” He turned his head to look at her, his eyes shined so brightly. “Don’t look at me like that.”
“Like what?” Tamzin asked as she watched him untangle their hands as he wiped her cheek with his thumb.
“Like you can see right through me. You make me feel like an unarmed man when you look at me like that,” Will smiled genuinely before he leaned in and kissed her. “It should make me feel nervous or frightened, to be seen so clearly, but not with you. I feel safe with you.”
“Shouldn’t I be saying something like that?” Tamzin laughed as their shoulders touched and Will’s hand dropped from her face to her belly.
“After everything that has happened, my trust in just about everyone has been shaken. But not with you... I can tell you anything. I can tell you anything and I know it will be safe,” Will said as he leaned closer to her. “You’re everything to me, my love. You and this baby. Gods, I can’t wait for this little boy to come out.”
“Speak for yourself,” Tamzin grumbled with a small giggle. “My entire life depends on this child.” She continued to run her hands over her bump. “What is it today? Boy or girl?”
“Still a boy, but you must promise to give me a girl as well. You’re quite large, so maybe you will give me a boy and a girl this time?” Will laughed as he watched Tamzin’s narrowed eyes.
“The second you can carry babies and they can come from between your legs, you are more than welcome to have twins,” Tamzin said as she touched his wild curls. “I want a little boy with your beautiful eyes and curly hair.”
“There is nothing beautiful about me,” Will said as he pressed his lips to her pulse point. As he tugged on the bodice of her dress, Tamzin felt him swell as he was pressed against her thigh. “But you’re beautiful, inside and out. I am the luckiest man in any realm or territory.”
Tamzin felt him slide her bodice down and take her heavy breast in his calloused hand. A cry escaped her mouth as he tweaked her nipple between his thumb and forefinger. Will pressed hot kisses against her face and neck as he continued to pull the dress down to her belly.
“Lean back,” Will whispered as he softly pressed his hand against her shoulder as she gently laid back into the bed. Still in his armor,
Tamzin watched as Will stood and unlaced his breeches. It was slightly uncomfortable to lie on her back with her big belly, but Tamzin felt the familiar warmth between her thighs as she watched Will tug his manhood out of his breeches. He was hard and long as Tamzin felt herself spread her legs open and the coolness of the air when he pushed the fabric of the dress up to her hips. “Do you want this? Is this alright?” Will asked
“Yes, please,” Tamzin breathed as he dropped to his knees and slid himself inside of her. “Oh, God.”
“You’re so wet,” Will grunted as he began to pump his hips as he slid in and out of her. “You’re so hot. It’s been too long,” Will groaned as he gripped her hips for leverage. Tamzin watched him as she wrapped her legs around his waist as Will began to thrust faster. His hand wandered over to her and began to lightly touch her. Tamzin felt a chill go up her spine as she felt her groin become hot and all she could hear was her own breath and the sounds of flesh slapping flesh. “Faster.”
Will obliged as he gripped her hip tighter and began to thrust furiously. Tamzin moaned as she continued to feel the familiar buildup in her stomach. She had become so much more sensitive and soon, Tamzin felt herself clenching around Will. A few more pumps and Will came inside of her, one hand resting on her hip and the other on her belly.
With her eyes closed, Tamzin felt his tender hand brush her sweaty hair away from her face. Will pulled himself out of her and laced up his breeches before he pulled down her dress. Slowly and cumbersomely, Tamzin rolled to her side with a smile on her face.
“Remind me to have my way with you every night,” Will laughed as he adjusted his breeches again as he watched Tamzin rub her belly. “Was that all right? Did it hurt?”
“It felt so good,” Tamzin said as she took a deep breath. “But unlike you, I am not energized by sex.”
“Then please sleep, my sweet.” Will kissed her cheek as her eyes slid shut. The last thing Tamzin remembered was the warmth of the furs and Will’s lips on the crown of her hair.
It would be a long journey, but they would take it together. As long as Tamzin stood by Will, he felt like he could do anything. As Tamzin fell back asleep, Will returned outside to where his men were and his bloodied sword that rested on the ground. Tonight, they would begin their journey to Roth Territory and after this day, every Johansson that came across their path would die.
As Will picked up his sword, he swore that there would be blood.
To Be Continued…