In This Life And The Next
Chapter Twenty

“They will have to kill us first.” Caspian swore.

No one disagreed with his sentiment.

Alec studied the map. His hands were laid flat against the table and he still only had his trousers on. His feet were bare. Tessa touched the collar of Aurora’s shirt and she pulled it off, let it fall to the ground with a sickening plop. Tessa kept her eyes on Victor’s boots as Aurora changed.

“Alec.” Hazel murmured and put a hand on his shoulder. He put a hand over hers but did not look up. Laura had a bundle of clothes in her hands but she did not try to approach him.

“I need to send you away.” Alec said finally.

Hazel closed her eyes but not before Aurora read the hurt on her face.

“I’m sorry-”

“You aren’t stupid, Haz, do not pick up the habit now.” Alec said. “I am going to send you away so that those men cannot touch you. Or mother. Or Jessica.” Tessa was lacing up the front of Aurora’s shirt when Alec met her eyes. “Or Aurora.”

“Where?” Victor asked. “Our allies, the neighboring kingdoms, are four days hard ride from here. The closest one, anyway.”

“And there is no way that they are that far away.” Liam added.

Alec’s eyes looked over the map. “They come from the north. Who are we friendly with to the south?”

Aurora looked to Laura and opened her mouth but she shook her head, once. Aurora said nothing and looked away.

“The old Goddard hold.” Liam said and tapped his finger to it. They all turned when soldiers began to line the hall. Guards. “They’ll go to George’s place. It’s fortified.”

“Two days ride. And there is no caretaker there. God knows what kind of shape it’s in.” Caspian added.

“We are not looking for comfort.” Laura stated. “A hiding place. Shelter. The rest we can bear.”

“Victor, See that the men are ready to ride.” Alec murmured. He dismissed the rest of the men, ordered the women and children off to prepare for the journey and when the royal family was alone once more, Alec closed the door, barred it and gathered everyone in the corner.

“One of my soldiers-” Alec began softly. “Someone had to have let them in. Had to have access to the water that put Victor and Sam out.”

“We are not going to George’s.” Laura whispered.

“I have a holding in the south. A man by the name of Luke has been keeping it for me.” Aurora said.

“Is he to be trusted?” Alec asked.

“As far as I know.” Laura assured. “But I thought the same of our men.”

Alec pressed his lips together and nodded. “The men will be ready by mid-day.” He said. The sun had not risen yet. “Liam and Caspian will ride with me, each with a division of men. I will take Victor as my lieutenant.”

“Not Ben?” Hazel asked.

“He will go with you.” Alec said.

“I will take Sam.” Caspian spoke.

“Ash.” Liam added.

“Ben, Bobby, Marc and Earl will accompany you south.” Alec murmured and nodded. He straightened up and finally reached for the shirt in his mother’s hands. He pulled it on and then pulled his mother into an embrace.

“Were it not you, I would be worried.” Laura whispered, her voice filled with tears.

“I could say the same for you.” Alec replied and kissed the top of her head. “Go get ready.” He whispered and looked around the table. “Nothing more than what you need.”

Everyone scattered and Alec and Aurora made their way to their rooms. They dressed and cleaned in relative silence. Alec handed Aurora a leather bag and Aurora began to pack away a few essentials. Once done, she turned to face Alec, who was putting on his riding wear.

Aurora stepped closed and began to lace closed his shirt, working the laces through the holes, pulling everything tight, as comfortable as she could get it. She dropped the lighter shirt that showed him General around his shoulders. She wore only her leather brigandine that covered her chest and torso and was lined with thin metal plates. Not suited for combat, but would offer some protection should they be ambushed on the ride. Aurora opened the cabinet where Alec’s combat crown sat, a simple gold circlet. It was not nearly as ornate as his ceremonial crown. She placed it on Alec’s head and finally met his eyes.

“Should I tell you you look handsome?” Aurora teased gently. “Or do you know?”

“Should I tell you how much I love you?” Alec asked. “Or do you know?”

Aurora raised her fingers to Alec’s eyebrow, his cheek. “I know.” She murmured.

“Tell me.” Alec whispered. There was fear in his eyes.

“You were written in the stars for me, Alexander Valour.” Aurora murmured and pressed her lips to Alec’s. “There is none other in this world save you for me. I have your name and your touch etched into my soul and I wear it proudly. I am for you, in this life and a hundred others. I will wait for you, love none other, hold none other, so long as I breathe.”

There was a soft knock at the door and Alec called to them. Victor stuck his head in. “The family is ready, sir.”

Alec nodded and Victor closed the door. Aurora picked up her bag, slid her extra blades in her boots, checked the holsters on her arm.

“You wear those well.” Alec remarked.

Aurora smiled at him. “I have something to tell you. I was going to say it during breakfast but circumstances change.”

Alec stopped what he was doing to look at Aurora, brow raised.

“I am with child.” Aurora breathed, looking anywhere but at the prince.

Alec’s mouth opened then closed before a smile broke across his face. “Really?” He beamed.

Aurora nodded. “Yes, I’ve noticed changes. I didn’t want to burden you with news, especially with what is happening.”

Alec crossed the room to where Aurora stood, holding her bag and took it from her hand. “I understand, but this just gives me even more reason to fight, to come back to you.” He dropped it on the floor and pressed Aurora to the wall behind her and Aurora felt the warmth seep into her.

Aurora pulled at the lacing of Alec’s trousers, her impatience only matched by Alec’s. Alec stepped away and lifted Aurora’s skirt up and pulled Aurora’s leg around his hip. His fingers found Aurora’s entrance and though they hurried, he was still gentle.

“I am ready.” Aurora murmured.

Alec pulled away and looked at her. It was less preparation than what they usually had.

“I need to feel you.” Aurora insisted. She pushed back against the wall, wrapped her other leg around Alec’s waist, and pulled him close. Alec grasped his cock in his hand and lined up against Aurora’s entrance. He tried for slow, but Aurora was impatient, let herself fall against Alec. Her hot, wet hole wrapped around Alec and for a second, Alec wondered if he would faint from it. Then Aurora moved, ground herself against Alec, until she found that spot inside of herself and groaned against Alec’s mouth.

It brought Alec back to where he was and he used his hands on Aurora’s ass to hold her still as he rubbed that spot over and over with the tip of cock.

“None for me than you.” Aurora swore.

Alec began fucking her with hard, long strokes. He kissed her like he meant to devour Aurora, so that should anything happen to Aurora on the battlefield, she would not forget ths.

Aurora tightened her legs around Alec, relished in the sound of the skin on skin that filled the room. She memorized the moans that fell from Alec’s lips and brushed her fingers across his shoulders, his face.

“Fuck me.” Aurora begged and Alec pushed into her as though he owned Aurora, were his home, his very soul. Aurora reached for every inch of Alec’s cock in her, claimed it as her own, pushed down, unable to get enough.

It was a rough, punishing pace and they were both sweating but neither stopped to slow. They dragged each other to the edge and fell over together, gasping and saying the other’s name.

They stayed like that until Alec slipped from her and Aurora wanted to weep at the loss.