The Centurion's Woman

Chapter 19

CW - NSFW at the end of the chapter.

IXILLIUS WATCHED HIS wife closely as the day progressed, but carefully so she didn't notice. Her strange bout of sickness last night worried him, especially since she wouldn't say today what she'd felt and just repeated that she was well whenever he asked. She'd also taken to wearing the collar again this morning, offering no explanation why.

        A messenger party arrived as the camp was being set and the man delivering the message was shocked into stuttering when Alex remained present for their conversation. Ixillius chuckled at the messenger's complete astonishment when Quintus arrived and, finding his First File engaged in other business, spoke his evening report to Alex and asked if she had, or was aware of, any further orders. Ixillius dismissed his wife and the messenger with the same command once Alex had relayed the report that Quintus had left with her after dismissing the Optio herself.

        When he saw Verus at the Training Ground, Ixillius sent Brasus to watch Alex under the pretense of evaluating the civilians. Brasus reported quietly at the end of the night that there was no difference in Alex from any days before, she took no new injuries, and the three remaining civilians – all women – were advancing into being capable fighters. Brasus had also finished settling the details of his son's marriage while he was in that part of the camp, which ended the night well.

        Ixillius pulled Alex close when they finally lay down to sleep, and he felt her smile against his arm. She'd had no sudden sickness tonight during sex, and nothing during the day on the march. His small knot of worry finally started to release and he bent his head to kiss at her shoulder and neck. She laughed quietly, chiding him for teasing her so soon after sex, her tone encouraging, so he teased her for real and was rewarded with the lovely things her mouth could do until his dick hardened up so he could sex her again.

                                                                ***

        Alex chuckled as workers in the nearest field to the road called to workers further away, all of them stopping to stare as she walked past. She was certain they'd never seen a collared woman in armor. Whispering started as soon as the workers' gazes fell on Mikey, locked in conversation with Verus because he wanted her speaking clearly when they arrived in Verona, sitting in the cart pulled by Max with the mare just in front of him. Verus also ordered that Mikey dress according to the status he'd bestowed on her, which meant she hadn't been allowed to return the gold trinkets she'd borrowed from him, and since yesterday he'd demanded that she wear each piece.

        Mikey paused in her conversation at another distant cry. Alex avoided looking up when Mikayla turned her sharp glare down to bore into the side her friend's head. Sound carried well in the crisp air, and while Alex was aware of why screams were happening this close to Verona, Mikey didn't know yet. Alex didn't want to tell her because she figured Mikayla would react badly to crucifixions being an accepted, legally sentenced punishment. Mostly Alex was hoping that Verus would explain the details during their constant conversation, but that hope was dashed when he looked down at Alex as well. His expression was a lot more amused, though.

        During the midday meal, they'd passed a road marker that made Ixillius grin and a few of the men behind them cheer. Alex learned later, listening to Mikey and Verus, the marker read a distance proving they would be camped outside Verona a few hours before the evening meal tomorrow. Alex ignored another scream... they'd probably start marching past those who'd been crucified later today. Ixillius stared down at her in combination with Mikayla and Verus this time. Alex sighed.

        "We're getting close to Verona," she stated in Russian, "and criminals are being crucified beside the road to the city."

        Mikey paled a shade and snapped back to looking forward. Verus frowned at the short statement causing her sudden reaction; he'd grown up in this era, so wouldn't understand even if he knew what had been said. Alex didn't bother to translate for anyone. After the next scream, Mikey looked at her lap for a moment and then stoically continued her conversation with Verus.