Chapter 48

The afternoon sun had just begun to set, lighting up the evening sky in an array of purple, blue and orange light. Seraphina tightened the blanket around Leonardo as a cool breeze drifted through the garden.

His head turned to root against her breast, Seraphina chuckled as she unlaced her dress.

“Does he ever stop feeding?” Ethena gasped.

“No,” Achilles answered, “He’s been like this for the last week, constantly attached to Seraphina’s breast.”

“Feeling jealous brother?” Aurelia teased him.

Achilles face reddened, “No! It’s just… I need love too.”

Seraphina rolled her eyes at him, “You’re going to have to get used to sharing my attention, it’s only going to get worse when the twins finally arrive.”

As if summoned by her words, the twins began to kick and elbow Seraphina, her belly rippled with their movements as they pushed against her.

“Why can’t we just get a wet nurse?”

“We’ve spoke about this Achilles, I’m not going to trust a stranger with my children.”

Ethena tutted, “Achilles, you should know better than to suggest such a thing. We are at a time when we don’t know who we can and cannot trust, Seraphina is right. The safety and wellbeing of the babies is imperative.”

Ethena’s words sat heavy in the air. Achilles had always been one to only recognise his own wants and needs, she had seen him begin to grow and change when he found Seraphina though, fatherhood seemed to have him reverting back to his old ways.

As the last rays of the sun settled, Seraphina’s head titled back letting the fading warmth cascade over her face. She never expected to love and care for Leonardo as strongly as she did, he may not be of her blood but, he was her son.

Knowing her twins would be with her within the next fortnight made her heart swell to near impossible size. With so much love in her life, she felt totally disassociated to the person she was when she was under the De Vandor’s house. She barely even thought of her past now, it was as though it didn’t belong to her anymore.

“Have you had word from Lady Briseis yet?” Ethena titled her head as she watched Leonardo suckle away.

Achilles shook his head, “We sent word to her a few days ago and her father wrote back to say that he nor Lady Briseis will recognise Leo as the blood of the house De-Buccleuch.”

Ethena’s eyes teared up. It didn’t make sense as to why they would just reject their own blood. He was a baby, an innocent baby. Yes, the circumstances surrounding his conception would be looked down upon by some but, the Empire had become very progressive in recent years. It wasn’t as uncommon for women to have children out of wedlock anymore.

As Leonardo finished his feed, Ethena held her arms out to receive him.

“Mother, it’s my turn! You held him last,” Aurelia protested.

Ethena glared at her daughter, “You are currently living here, you can see him whenever you want.”

Seraphina giggled at their bickering.

“Actually, I am going to put him to bed now, it is getting a little late.”

The women pouted as they stood and came to nuzzle and stroke the sleeping baby in her arms.

“I can’t believe there is going to be 3 of them soon enough.” Leonardo had gripped Aurelia’s finger in his sleep and was refusing to let go.

Once she had successfully pried Aurelia’s finger from Leonardo’s grasp, Seraphina ascended the stairs leading to her room.

As she crossed the room to the adjoining nursery, flashes of colour began to dance across her vision.

Seraphina shook her head as if to chase the images away.

Once her vision returned to normal, she settled Leonardo into to crib and placed a delicate kiss of his forehead. His head turned from side to side before he finally settled back into his slumber.

Seraphina watched him intently, studying every little feature. Savouring the way his eyelids fluttered and how his lips pursed when he stretched out.

The thought of his own mother rejecting him broke Seraphina’s heart. She made a silent vow that her children would always have her unconditional love and no matter what, she would always fight for them.

Achilles entered the nursery and wrapped his arms around Seraphina’s swollen belly, he nuzzled her neck as she stood over the crib stroking Leonardo’s hair.

“Can I have a moment alone with my sweet flower?” Achilles addressed Leonardo.

Seraphina giggled as she rolled her head to the side, offering more of her neck to Achilles.

“I’ll take your silence as a yes,” He leant forward to nuzzle Leonardo’s cheek before lifting Seraphina into a bridal carry.

He carried her through to their room and gently placed her onto the bed before retreating to the bathroom.

With a bottle of oil in his hands, he returned to the room and took a seat at the foot of the bed.

He pushed the skirt of Seraphina’s dress up to reveal her swollen feet and ankles. It was a blessing that Seraphina hadn’t grown accustomed to wearing shoes as none would surely fit her anymore due to the swelling.

Achilles rubbed the oil between his hands to warm before placing firm hands on Seraphina’s foot and gently massaging the balls of her feet.

A moan escaped Seraphina’s parted lips.

Achilles worked his hands higher and higher up her leg, kneading away at her tender skin. As his hands reached her thigh, Seraphina’s breathing increased as his massage turned to soft strokes and his lips followed the path his fingers traced.

Seraphina’s hips bucked as his fingers grazed the entrance to her dripping flower.

Achilles placed open mouth kisses along the tops of her thighs, gently nipping the skin as he went.

Seraphina’s pants turned to moans as she raised her hips to try and meet his mouth.

Achilles retreated back to the foot of the bed and proceeded to massage her other leg.

Groans escaped Seraphina as every touch set her nerves alight.

“Please,” she whispered through parted lips, “Please Achilles, I need you.”

Achilles ignored her and continued his slow movements up her legs.

Seraphina’s thighs were slick with her juices by the time Achilles reached there. She writhed in the bed and tugged on the sheets, begging for him to touch her where she needed it most.

Achilles dropped his head and flicked his tongue over her already flushed skin.

Muffled cries sounded through the room as Seraphina parted her legs, offering herself to him.

There was no sweeter sound than Seraphina’s cries of pleasure.

Achilles nibbled her thighs before sinking his teeth in, he took a small drink of her. Not enough to satiate his need for her but, enough for her to feel the ecstasy of his bite.

Seraphina cried out as Achilles claimed her flower with his mouth. His tongue darted out and began tracing swirling patterns on her swollen bud. Her hips lifted to meet his mouth, urging him to come in.

Achilles trailed his hand down Seraphina’s legs and placed a finger at her weeping entrance, a moan escaped his own lips as he pushed a finger into her tight, wet, flower.

Her hips rocked against his hand and mouth, urging him to increase his pace. Slipping in another finger, a shiver passed over Seraphina as he applied just the right amount of pressure to her sweet spot.

Her walls began to tighten around his fingers and her bud throbbed against the onslaught of his tongue. An earth-shattering cry echoed through the room as he sucked her bud into his mouth.

Seraphina’s body shook as her orgasm tore through her, her whole body tingled with pleasure.

Her cries soon turned to gentle whimpers as Achilles withdrew his fingers and lapped up her juices.

Seraphina’s eyes fluttered as sleep beckoned her.

“Let me get you into the bath before you sleep my love.”

She looked up at him through foggy eyes and nodded as much needed sleep claimed her.