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It was untrue to state that Persephone hated the sea.
As an Athenian, born, bred and ruled... Persephone had always loved the water. Her lands and kingdom were reliant on the ocean spray and the depths below for the majority of their trade, income, exports and food supply. Whilst Athenia held the largest areas of land and could also support themselves on wheat, barley, corn and the woodland yields of oak and elm, the waters of the Aegean were the true benefit of the Athenian kingdom. They were the reason they held such a powerful naval force, they were the reason they were defensible and internationally successful in trade and commerce.
They were also beautiful.
Whilst Persephone had rarely had time to herself in the last few years as she took on more and more of her father's responsibilities, the few moments of solace and solitude she had managed to carve out in her schedule had often been to stand upon the balcony of her rooms and simply watch the constant motion and movement of the sea beyond the capital's walls. It had offered her a feeling of strength, of consistency... It had marvelled her as her eyes had narrowed, attempting to capture the exact colour of the tides. Even during the day, when you could simply label the thing as 'blue', there were shades of midnight, of navy, of brightest royal, of aquamarine and jade... Yet when you slipped your hand beneath the surface and attempted to pick up a palmful of Poseidon's realm, the liquid was clear... Magic in and of itself.
For all this and more, Persephone loved the ocean. It was home, it was security, it was power.
What she did not like, however, as it so sadly turned out... was to sail upon it.
Whilst Persephone had never left the Athenian shoreline before and her voyage to Taengea had been her very first step onto a ship abroad, the would-be Queen had been heartbroken to discover that the rocking motion of the waters beneath - so pretty to the eye of one standing on solid ground - turned her stomach rotten.
Too filled with grief over the loss of her sister and father to eat, and too shamed to allow anyone witness to her illness, Persephone had thrown up only a few times on the journey from her home to that of Iason's. She had kept her weakness hidden and her moments of utter lack of dignity to their minimal; easy enough to eject over the side of the ship when the guards were at their least and her privacy assured.
This time, on the voyage from what had become her home in Taengea and towards what used to be her haven in Athenia, Persephone was healthier. She was eating again. And the seas were just rough enough to make her illness too difficult to restrain in moments of seclusion. Instead, she was forced to resort to rushing to the back of the ship and leaning as far as she could over its bow, her morning repast of fruit and goat's milk, leaving her for Poseidon's domain.
Bending at her middle as low as she could in order to hide her face and hope that the long sweeps of her black hair would create curtains around the disgrace she felt burning in her cheeks, Persephone attempted to secretly wipe at her mouth before she risked righting herself. Her hair blew in the breeze and she was careful to keep it away from her face as she remained bent double, trying to recreate a look of princessly decorum, before she could allow herself to come upright once more...
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It was untrue to state that Persephone hated the sea.
As an Athenian, born, bred and ruled... Persephone had always loved the water. Her lands and kingdom were reliant on the ocean spray and the depths below for the majority of their trade, income, exports and food supply. Whilst Athenia held the largest areas of land and could also support themselves on wheat, barley, corn and the woodland yields of oak and elm, the waters of the Aegean were the true benefit of the Athenian kingdom. They were the reason they held such a powerful naval force, they were the reason they were defensible and internationally successful in trade and commerce.
They were also beautiful.
Whilst Persephone had rarely had time to herself in the last few years as she took on more and more of her father's responsibilities, the few moments of solace and solitude she had managed to carve out in her schedule had often been to stand upon the balcony of her rooms and simply watch the constant motion and movement of the sea beyond the capital's walls. It had offered her a feeling of strength, of consistency... It had marvelled her as her eyes had narrowed, attempting to capture the exact colour of the tides. Even during the day, when you could simply label the thing as 'blue', there were shades of midnight, of navy, of brightest royal, of aquamarine and jade... Yet when you slipped your hand beneath the surface and attempted to pick up a palmful of Poseidon's realm, the liquid was clear... Magic in and of itself.
For all this and more, Persephone loved the ocean. It was home, it was security, it was power.
What she did not like, however, as it so sadly turned out... was to sail upon it.
Whilst Persephone had never left the Athenian shoreline before and her voyage to Taengea had been her very first step onto a ship abroad, the would-be Queen had been heartbroken to discover that the rocking motion of the waters beneath - so pretty to the eye of one standing on solid ground - turned her stomach rotten.
Too filled with grief over the loss of her sister and father to eat, and too shamed to allow anyone witness to her illness, Persephone had thrown up only a few times on the journey from her home to that of Iason's. She had kept her weakness hidden and her moments of utter lack of dignity to their minimal; easy enough to eject over the side of the ship when the guards were at their least and her privacy assured.
This time, on the voyage from what had become her home in Taengea and towards what used to be her haven in Athenia, Persephone was healthier. She was eating again. And the seas were just rough enough to make her illness too difficult to restrain in moments of seclusion. Instead, she was forced to resort to rushing to the back of the ship and leaning as far as she could over its bow, her morning repast of fruit and goat's milk, leaving her for Poseidon's domain.
Bending at her middle as low as she could in order to hide her face and hope that the long sweeps of her black hair would create curtains around the disgrace she felt burning in her cheeks, Persephone attempted to secretly wipe at her mouth before she risked righting herself. Her hair blew in the breeze and she was careful to keep it away from her face as she remained bent double, trying to recreate a look of princessly decorum, before she could allow herself to come upright once more...
It was untrue to state that Persephone hated the sea.
As an Athenian, born, bred and ruled... Persephone had always loved the water. Her lands and kingdom were reliant on the ocean spray and the depths below for the majority of their trade, income, exports and food supply. Whilst Athenia held the largest areas of land and could also support themselves on wheat, barley, corn and the woodland yields of oak and elm, the waters of the Aegean were the true benefit of the Athenian kingdom. They were the reason they held such a powerful naval force, they were the reason they were defensible and internationally successful in trade and commerce.
They were also beautiful.
Whilst Persephone had rarely had time to herself in the last few years as she took on more and more of her father's responsibilities, the few moments of solace and solitude she had managed to carve out in her schedule had often been to stand upon the balcony of her rooms and simply watch the constant motion and movement of the sea beyond the capital's walls. It had offered her a feeling of strength, of consistency... It had marvelled her as her eyes had narrowed, attempting to capture the exact colour of the tides. Even during the day, when you could simply label the thing as 'blue', there were shades of midnight, of navy, of brightest royal, of aquamarine and jade... Yet when you slipped your hand beneath the surface and attempted to pick up a palmful of Poseidon's realm, the liquid was clear... Magic in and of itself.
For all this and more, Persephone loved the ocean. It was home, it was security, it was power.
What she did not like, however, as it so sadly turned out... was to sail upon it.
Whilst Persephone had never left the Athenian shoreline before and her voyage to Taengea had been her very first step onto a ship abroad, the would-be Queen had been heartbroken to discover that the rocking motion of the waters beneath - so pretty to the eye of one standing on solid ground - turned her stomach rotten.
Too filled with grief over the loss of her sister and father to eat, and too shamed to allow anyone witness to her illness, Persephone had thrown up only a few times on the journey from her home to that of Iason's. She had kept her weakness hidden and her moments of utter lack of dignity to their minimal; easy enough to eject over the side of the ship when the guards were at their least and her privacy assured.
This time, on the voyage from what had become her home in Taengea and towards what used to be her haven in Athenia, Persephone was healthier. She was eating again. And the seas were just rough enough to make her illness too difficult to restrain in moments of seclusion. Instead, she was forced to resort to rushing to the back of the ship and leaning as far as she could over its bow, her morning repast of fruit and goat's milk, leaving her for Poseidon's domain.
Bending at her middle as low as she could in order to hide her face and hope that the long sweeps of her black hair would create curtains around the disgrace she felt burning in her cheeks, Persephone attempted to secretly wipe at her mouth before she risked righting herself. Her hair blew in the breeze and she was careful to keep it away from her face as she remained bent double, trying to recreate a look of princessly decorum, before she could allow herself to come upright once more...
Iason had been at the helm of the ship beside the captain, leaving Persephone to her breakfast as he watched the sea before them and the sailors working around the deck. Demetrius and Olena had taken to somehow sleeping on deck instead of the cabin provided below, an odd choice but one he was not willing to pry into. He knew now that the two had been slaves, taken at a young age from their home village, and it was good to see them reunited though he did not know the rest of their tale.
His attention wavered from what was before them and his conversation with the captain ended abruptly when he caught sight of Persephone's movement. He had always been fairly good on the water given it was one of the only ways to travel around Taengea, and even on this journey he found he was still blessedly not ill. Excusing himself from his post, he followed her path around until he came across her emptying her stomach over the rear of the boat. A wave of concern propelled him forward and his hands reached over to pull her dark hair back and away from the mess.
"Breathe."
The word was murmured under his breath as he wrapped her hair into a knot in his hands, his other hand landing on her back and making soothing circles against it. He'd seen her get ill before, but never before like this, and part of him wondered if it was only the sea. Ever since their shared first time, they had not been far from one another's beds, and as he was entirely unaware how pregnancy symptoms tended to behave other than their manifestations, he had to wonder. If it became known that Persephone was with child the first thing he would do would order the boat to turn about. He could find a way to save Emilia and bring her home alone, but he would never risk his future wife and child in such a manner. It already went against every instinct he had to allow Persephone to return to the land where they had last been fugitives. Attempted murder victims.
"I believe we have some ginger below, would that help?"
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Iason had been at the helm of the ship beside the captain, leaving Persephone to her breakfast as he watched the sea before them and the sailors working around the deck. Demetrius and Olena had taken to somehow sleeping on deck instead of the cabin provided below, an odd choice but one he was not willing to pry into. He knew now that the two had been slaves, taken at a young age from their home village, and it was good to see them reunited though he did not know the rest of their tale.
His attention wavered from what was before them and his conversation with the captain ended abruptly when he caught sight of Persephone's movement. He had always been fairly good on the water given it was one of the only ways to travel around Taengea, and even on this journey he found he was still blessedly not ill. Excusing himself from his post, he followed her path around until he came across her emptying her stomach over the rear of the boat. A wave of concern propelled him forward and his hands reached over to pull her dark hair back and away from the mess.
"Breathe."
The word was murmured under his breath as he wrapped her hair into a knot in his hands, his other hand landing on her back and making soothing circles against it. He'd seen her get ill before, but never before like this, and part of him wondered if it was only the sea. Ever since their shared first time, they had not been far from one another's beds, and as he was entirely unaware how pregnancy symptoms tended to behave other than their manifestations, he had to wonder. If it became known that Persephone was with child the first thing he would do would order the boat to turn about. He could find a way to save Emilia and bring her home alone, but he would never risk his future wife and child in such a manner. It already went against every instinct he had to allow Persephone to return to the land where they had last been fugitives. Attempted murder victims.
"I believe we have some ginger below, would that help?"
Iason had been at the helm of the ship beside the captain, leaving Persephone to her breakfast as he watched the sea before them and the sailors working around the deck. Demetrius and Olena had taken to somehow sleeping on deck instead of the cabin provided below, an odd choice but one he was not willing to pry into. He knew now that the two had been slaves, taken at a young age from their home village, and it was good to see them reunited though he did not know the rest of their tale.
His attention wavered from what was before them and his conversation with the captain ended abruptly when he caught sight of Persephone's movement. He had always been fairly good on the water given it was one of the only ways to travel around Taengea, and even on this journey he found he was still blessedly not ill. Excusing himself from his post, he followed her path around until he came across her emptying her stomach over the rear of the boat. A wave of concern propelled him forward and his hands reached over to pull her dark hair back and away from the mess.
"Breathe."
The word was murmured under his breath as he wrapped her hair into a knot in his hands, his other hand landing on her back and making soothing circles against it. He'd seen her get ill before, but never before like this, and part of him wondered if it was only the sea. Ever since their shared first time, they had not been far from one another's beds, and as he was entirely unaware how pregnancy symptoms tended to behave other than their manifestations, he had to wonder. If it became known that Persephone was with child the first thing he would do would order the boat to turn about. He could find a way to save Emilia and bring her home alone, but he would never risk his future wife and child in such a manner. It already went against every instinct he had to allow Persephone to return to the land where they had last been fugitives. Attempted murder victims.
"I believe we have some ginger below, would that help?"
Persephone wasn't particularly surprised when, in her moment of illness and embarrassment, a hand so familiar to her found its way to weaving soothing circles upon her back. She didn't need to turn around to know that the touch belonged to Iason. Whether they had slept together or not, she would have still known the width of his hand and the way his fingers felt against her skin, separated by silken chiton or not. From devastating rescues, to moments of pleasurable intimacy, Iason and she had become used to each other enough that the touch of one was so easily recognisable by the other.
That, and it seemed to be of purest fact now that, whenever she was in need of anything, Iason miraculously appeared to step into the breach.
No longer in a position, nor desire, to bat away his help as she might have done when they had first known one another, Persephone easily permitted his navigating of her hair so that she would not risk its midnight tresses in her sickness and did nothing to shrug away the soft and tender touch upon her back.
Ensuring that she was as clean as she could be, before she pulled herself upright, the back of her shoulder coming to rest upon his chest, Persephone smiled a little, her chest jolting with a soft laugh of self-deprecation, when he suggested ginger.
"Not unless there's some spare dignity down there to be retrieved with it." She commented, with a tone of jest. Whilst she still held and never pretended not to, the cultural expectations of her upbringing, she was at least now able to feel secure enough in Iason's affection for her to not let each moment of vulnerability scare her into thinking her unworthy of the man. There was a certain sense of laughing her herself and her ways, woven within her words. She swallowed lightly and took a calming breath. Her next words held the lilt of a smile to them.
"I'm perfectly fine, Iason. It is no more than I had expected..."
Persephone was unaware of any possible confusion in her words. For, unknowing as she was of pregnancy, in this case, Iason was more informed than she was... Not to mention the fact that she was experienced in how her own stomach decided to rebel whenever she took to the deck of a ship, sailing upon the sea.
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Persephone wasn't particularly surprised when, in her moment of illness and embarrassment, a hand so familiar to her found its way to weaving soothing circles upon her back. She didn't need to turn around to know that the touch belonged to Iason. Whether they had slept together or not, she would have still known the width of his hand and the way his fingers felt against her skin, separated by silken chiton or not. From devastating rescues, to moments of pleasurable intimacy, Iason and she had become used to each other enough that the touch of one was so easily recognisable by the other.
That, and it seemed to be of purest fact now that, whenever she was in need of anything, Iason miraculously appeared to step into the breach.
No longer in a position, nor desire, to bat away his help as she might have done when they had first known one another, Persephone easily permitted his navigating of her hair so that she would not risk its midnight tresses in her sickness and did nothing to shrug away the soft and tender touch upon her back.
Ensuring that she was as clean as she could be, before she pulled herself upright, the back of her shoulder coming to rest upon his chest, Persephone smiled a little, her chest jolting with a soft laugh of self-deprecation, when he suggested ginger.
"Not unless there's some spare dignity down there to be retrieved with it." She commented, with a tone of jest. Whilst she still held and never pretended not to, the cultural expectations of her upbringing, she was at least now able to feel secure enough in Iason's affection for her to not let each moment of vulnerability scare her into thinking her unworthy of the man. There was a certain sense of laughing her herself and her ways, woven within her words. She swallowed lightly and took a calming breath. Her next words held the lilt of a smile to them.
"I'm perfectly fine, Iason. It is no more than I had expected..."
Persephone was unaware of any possible confusion in her words. For, unknowing as she was of pregnancy, in this case, Iason was more informed than she was... Not to mention the fact that she was experienced in how her own stomach decided to rebel whenever she took to the deck of a ship, sailing upon the sea.
Persephone wasn't particularly surprised when, in her moment of illness and embarrassment, a hand so familiar to her found its way to weaving soothing circles upon her back. She didn't need to turn around to know that the touch belonged to Iason. Whether they had slept together or not, she would have still known the width of his hand and the way his fingers felt against her skin, separated by silken chiton or not. From devastating rescues, to moments of pleasurable intimacy, Iason and she had become used to each other enough that the touch of one was so easily recognisable by the other.
That, and it seemed to be of purest fact now that, whenever she was in need of anything, Iason miraculously appeared to step into the breach.
No longer in a position, nor desire, to bat away his help as she might have done when they had first known one another, Persephone easily permitted his navigating of her hair so that she would not risk its midnight tresses in her sickness and did nothing to shrug away the soft and tender touch upon her back.
Ensuring that she was as clean as she could be, before she pulled herself upright, the back of her shoulder coming to rest upon his chest, Persephone smiled a little, her chest jolting with a soft laugh of self-deprecation, when he suggested ginger.
"Not unless there's some spare dignity down there to be retrieved with it." She commented, with a tone of jest. Whilst she still held and never pretended not to, the cultural expectations of her upbringing, she was at least now able to feel secure enough in Iason's affection for her to not let each moment of vulnerability scare her into thinking her unworthy of the man. There was a certain sense of laughing her herself and her ways, woven within her words. She swallowed lightly and took a calming breath. Her next words held the lilt of a smile to them.
"I'm perfectly fine, Iason. It is no more than I had expected..."
Persephone was unaware of any possible confusion in her words. For, unknowing as she was of pregnancy, in this case, Iason was more informed than she was... Not to mention the fact that she was experienced in how her own stomach decided to rebel whenever she took to the deck of a ship, sailing upon the sea.
Wrapping his arms around her as she leaned her shoulders back against him, he tried to keep himself as steady as possible, allowing his knees to bend and lower half move with the rocking of the ship in order to keep the rest steady. His hands subconsciously folded over her stomach, still firm and slim as she had always been since he'd known her, but there was nine months still to go if she was with child so that was only to be expected. Perhaps they would not be able to confirm anything while they were in Athenia, but the longer he held her the more he hoped that they would soon have happy news to share.
"I think we might be able to find some spare dignity somewhere, your majesty."
His voice in her ear was warm and full of jest, teasing her in a way that would have been entirely out of the question the last time they were on a boat together. He found it was now far more pleasant to travel with her, being able to hold her close and be intimately familiar with her. They'd only had sex that one time, but they continued to share a bed and he already felt it would be difficult to sleep without being able to hold on to her as he drifted off. There was something about being certain of a partner, that they would always be there in future, that made his rest even more soothing.
"Do we need to seek out a midwife when we land?"
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Wrapping his arms around her as she leaned her shoulders back against him, he tried to keep himself as steady as possible, allowing his knees to bend and lower half move with the rocking of the ship in order to keep the rest steady. His hands subconsciously folded over her stomach, still firm and slim as she had always been since he'd known her, but there was nine months still to go if she was with child so that was only to be expected. Perhaps they would not be able to confirm anything while they were in Athenia, but the longer he held her the more he hoped that they would soon have happy news to share.
"I think we might be able to find some spare dignity somewhere, your majesty."
His voice in her ear was warm and full of jest, teasing her in a way that would have been entirely out of the question the last time they were on a boat together. He found it was now far more pleasant to travel with her, being able to hold her close and be intimately familiar with her. They'd only had sex that one time, but they continued to share a bed and he already felt it would be difficult to sleep without being able to hold on to her as he drifted off. There was something about being certain of a partner, that they would always be there in future, that made his rest even more soothing.
"Do we need to seek out a midwife when we land?"
Wrapping his arms around her as she leaned her shoulders back against him, he tried to keep himself as steady as possible, allowing his knees to bend and lower half move with the rocking of the ship in order to keep the rest steady. His hands subconsciously folded over her stomach, still firm and slim as she had always been since he'd known her, but there was nine months still to go if she was with child so that was only to be expected. Perhaps they would not be able to confirm anything while they were in Athenia, but the longer he held her the more he hoped that they would soon have happy news to share.
"I think we might be able to find some spare dignity somewhere, your majesty."
His voice in her ear was warm and full of jest, teasing her in a way that would have been entirely out of the question the last time they were on a boat together. He found it was now far more pleasant to travel with her, being able to hold her close and be intimately familiar with her. They'd only had sex that one time, but they continued to share a bed and he already felt it would be difficult to sleep without being able to hold on to her as he drifted off. There was something about being certain of a partner, that they would always be there in future, that made his rest even more soothing.
"Do we need to seek out a midwife when we land?"
Leaning into his support, Persephone found herself experiencing a new feeling in her mind and heart at his proximity. One of trust and dependency.
In her world, until now, Persephone had been required to be that of the support to others. She had taken on the duties that her father was too ill or heartbroken to see to. She had raised her sister after the loss of their mother. She had supported the Court, the Senate, she had taken on the mantel of protector of her people, acted as baroness and leader to Arcana and even seen herself - a little - as a source of support to the Iason she had met by not known months ago. For he had come to her for a marital arrangement that would aid his family as much as it would her own. Always, she was the one to be reliable. The one to be depended upon. She was the one to support others and help them wherever she could.
Now...
Now she stood with her back upon Iason's found, in complete trust that he would support her, not only from the rolling waves of the sea below, but on a mental and emotional level. A level that included how she was unable to stay in Taengea whilst she knew her sister to be alive and needing her in Athenia. He supported her in that. And he would not be going anywhere. Of that, Persephone was gradually becoming more and more certain.
And thus... a feeling of support and dependency was forming. One that she had shrugged away and refused to allow for so long with others who offered friendship, romance or mentorship. Aimias was perhaps the only person she had ever truly relied upon. And even then, she only did so in specific fields of knowledge and answers. The feeling she held for Iason was more encompassing than that. More universal. More a statement of fact in her life now.
When he joked that there might be some dignity to be found for her Persephone laughed a little. So soft was the mirth that it made no noise in her mouth but it juddered her chest in a way that she would be able to feel through his arms and how he held her. She closed her eyes in a moment of comfort and security that they could both laugh in this manner without her feeling too ashamed at her body's weakness against the ravages of the sea.
The moment was broken, however, when Iason voiced his next words, ensuring that her eyes flew open and her breath paused in her chest. Her mind turned confused as she pushed up from his chest with her shoulders and turned in his arms, so that she might look at him.
"What?" She asked, genuinely confused as to why his mind had gone to the need for a-
It was then that Persephone recalled one of her old nursemaids becoming very ill when she had been due to birth a child. She did not remember how far into her pregnancy she had been or whether the illness was actually to do with the child she carried or something else entirely, but the memory surfaced in the presence of Iason's question. Was illness during pregnancy a common element perhaps? Persephone wondered... which would then lead to Iason's assumption that because she was being sick over the-
Persephone's head turned to look at the edge of the ship where she had been forced to part ways with her morning repast and then swung back to Iason, her hair casting over her face between them and flying out to her side.
"No!" She confirmed, in a voice that was not detesting of the idea but also clearly urgent and fearful that he might have the wrong idea. A hand of hers reached up to rest upon Iason's cheek. "No, no. I..." Persephone shook her head and smiled a little, trying to shake away her hair from her features. "It is embarrassing to say as the monarch of a sea-faring nation but I discovered when we left Athenia that my body does not appreciate Poseidon's rolling tides." Persephone wrinkled her nose at herself. "I like to look at the waters but apparently not sail upon them."
She tilted her head towards the man she had promised to marry, a soft smile breaking beyond her lips, as if to counter her momentary fear of raising his hopes of an advent in the future. "You thought I was with child?" She asked, unsure whether it was something that he would have wanted from her at this point in time... Their lives were not exactly about to become soothing or easy, and a child would only make such a way of living all the harder...
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Leaning into his support, Persephone found herself experiencing a new feeling in her mind and heart at his proximity. One of trust and dependency.
In her world, until now, Persephone had been required to be that of the support to others. She had taken on the duties that her father was too ill or heartbroken to see to. She had raised her sister after the loss of their mother. She had supported the Court, the Senate, she had taken on the mantel of protector of her people, acted as baroness and leader to Arcana and even seen herself - a little - as a source of support to the Iason she had met by not known months ago. For he had come to her for a marital arrangement that would aid his family as much as it would her own. Always, she was the one to be reliable. The one to be depended upon. She was the one to support others and help them wherever she could.
Now...
Now she stood with her back upon Iason's found, in complete trust that he would support her, not only from the rolling waves of the sea below, but on a mental and emotional level. A level that included how she was unable to stay in Taengea whilst she knew her sister to be alive and needing her in Athenia. He supported her in that. And he would not be going anywhere. Of that, Persephone was gradually becoming more and more certain.
And thus... a feeling of support and dependency was forming. One that she had shrugged away and refused to allow for so long with others who offered friendship, romance or mentorship. Aimias was perhaps the only person she had ever truly relied upon. And even then, she only did so in specific fields of knowledge and answers. The feeling she held for Iason was more encompassing than that. More universal. More a statement of fact in her life now.
When he joked that there might be some dignity to be found for her Persephone laughed a little. So soft was the mirth that it made no noise in her mouth but it juddered her chest in a way that she would be able to feel through his arms and how he held her. She closed her eyes in a moment of comfort and security that they could both laugh in this manner without her feeling too ashamed at her body's weakness against the ravages of the sea.
The moment was broken, however, when Iason voiced his next words, ensuring that her eyes flew open and her breath paused in her chest. Her mind turned confused as she pushed up from his chest with her shoulders and turned in his arms, so that she might look at him.
"What?" She asked, genuinely confused as to why his mind had gone to the need for a-
It was then that Persephone recalled one of her old nursemaids becoming very ill when she had been due to birth a child. She did not remember how far into her pregnancy she had been or whether the illness was actually to do with the child she carried or something else entirely, but the memory surfaced in the presence of Iason's question. Was illness during pregnancy a common element perhaps? Persephone wondered... which would then lead to Iason's assumption that because she was being sick over the-
Persephone's head turned to look at the edge of the ship where she had been forced to part ways with her morning repast and then swung back to Iason, her hair casting over her face between them and flying out to her side.
"No!" She confirmed, in a voice that was not detesting of the idea but also clearly urgent and fearful that he might have the wrong idea. A hand of hers reached up to rest upon Iason's cheek. "No, no. I..." Persephone shook her head and smiled a little, trying to shake away her hair from her features. "It is embarrassing to say as the monarch of a sea-faring nation but I discovered when we left Athenia that my body does not appreciate Poseidon's rolling tides." Persephone wrinkled her nose at herself. "I like to look at the waters but apparently not sail upon them."
She tilted her head towards the man she had promised to marry, a soft smile breaking beyond her lips, as if to counter her momentary fear of raising his hopes of an advent in the future. "You thought I was with child?" She asked, unsure whether it was something that he would have wanted from her at this point in time... Their lives were not exactly about to become soothing or easy, and a child would only make such a way of living all the harder...
Leaning into his support, Persephone found herself experiencing a new feeling in her mind and heart at his proximity. One of trust and dependency.
In her world, until now, Persephone had been required to be that of the support to others. She had taken on the duties that her father was too ill or heartbroken to see to. She had raised her sister after the loss of their mother. She had supported the Court, the Senate, she had taken on the mantel of protector of her people, acted as baroness and leader to Arcana and even seen herself - a little - as a source of support to the Iason she had met by not known months ago. For he had come to her for a marital arrangement that would aid his family as much as it would her own. Always, she was the one to be reliable. The one to be depended upon. She was the one to support others and help them wherever she could.
Now...
Now she stood with her back upon Iason's found, in complete trust that he would support her, not only from the rolling waves of the sea below, but on a mental and emotional level. A level that included how she was unable to stay in Taengea whilst she knew her sister to be alive and needing her in Athenia. He supported her in that. And he would not be going anywhere. Of that, Persephone was gradually becoming more and more certain.
And thus... a feeling of support and dependency was forming. One that she had shrugged away and refused to allow for so long with others who offered friendship, romance or mentorship. Aimias was perhaps the only person she had ever truly relied upon. And even then, she only did so in specific fields of knowledge and answers. The feeling she held for Iason was more encompassing than that. More universal. More a statement of fact in her life now.
When he joked that there might be some dignity to be found for her Persephone laughed a little. So soft was the mirth that it made no noise in her mouth but it juddered her chest in a way that she would be able to feel through his arms and how he held her. She closed her eyes in a moment of comfort and security that they could both laugh in this manner without her feeling too ashamed at her body's weakness against the ravages of the sea.
The moment was broken, however, when Iason voiced his next words, ensuring that her eyes flew open and her breath paused in her chest. Her mind turned confused as she pushed up from his chest with her shoulders and turned in his arms, so that she might look at him.
"What?" She asked, genuinely confused as to why his mind had gone to the need for a-
It was then that Persephone recalled one of her old nursemaids becoming very ill when she had been due to birth a child. She did not remember how far into her pregnancy she had been or whether the illness was actually to do with the child she carried or something else entirely, but the memory surfaced in the presence of Iason's question. Was illness during pregnancy a common element perhaps? Persephone wondered... which would then lead to Iason's assumption that because she was being sick over the-
Persephone's head turned to look at the edge of the ship where she had been forced to part ways with her morning repast and then swung back to Iason, her hair casting over her face between them and flying out to her side.
"No!" She confirmed, in a voice that was not detesting of the idea but also clearly urgent and fearful that he might have the wrong idea. A hand of hers reached up to rest upon Iason's cheek. "No, no. I..." Persephone shook her head and smiled a little, trying to shake away her hair from her features. "It is embarrassing to say as the monarch of a sea-faring nation but I discovered when we left Athenia that my body does not appreciate Poseidon's rolling tides." Persephone wrinkled her nose at herself. "I like to look at the waters but apparently not sail upon them."
She tilted her head towards the man she had promised to marry, a soft smile breaking beyond her lips, as if to counter her momentary fear of raising his hopes of an advent in the future. "You thought I was with child?" She asked, unsure whether it was something that he would have wanted from her at this point in time... Their lives were not exactly about to become soothing or easy, and a child would only make such a way of living all the harder...
Her laughter at his lame attempt at a joke warmed him and he smiled into her hair, breathing in the scent that was unmistakably her. Persephone hadn’t always made him feel like this. In the beginning he’d assumed that they would be cordial, perhaps eventually friendly, working for the betterment of the kingdom and the honor of their families. The eventual flight from the palace had thrown them into turmoil and anger which turned to passion and faded into something else. This new sort of bond between them that had been building from the ashes of what they’d fled from was entirely unexpected.
Iason had all but forgotten his question when she spun around and looked up at him. His smile faded at her look of confusion and though he kept hold of her he was no longer quite as confident as he had been. Her outburst was a surprise, and there was a fear that she disliked the idea of having a child with him. Insecurities ran through his mind for a moment until she began to explain, and though there was still an uncertainty present, he had the grace to look somewhat sheepish at his lack of knowledge on the subject.
”I think Poseidon may be able to forgive you. It happens to far more than just you.”
Bringing a hand up he smoothed his thumb over the wrinkles between her brows, pressing a kiss to the spot as an attempt to encourage her back to cheer. Even if she was exaggerating, seeing her frown filled him with a desire to remedy the situation. The softness of her smile helped ease any fears that had reared up within him, and Iason could not help but smile back, even if there was a hint of color in his weathered cheeks.
”I confess, I have little knowledge of childbearing or symptoms of such. I know only that sickness is a sign to look for before the babe begins to make its presence known.” Sheepishly rubbing a hand across the back of his neck, he gave a grin and shrugged, looking down at her flat stomach briefly before wrapping both arms around her waist once more. ”When the gods see fit to bless us so, I imagine we will know.”
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Her laughter at his lame attempt at a joke warmed him and he smiled into her hair, breathing in the scent that was unmistakably her. Persephone hadn’t always made him feel like this. In the beginning he’d assumed that they would be cordial, perhaps eventually friendly, working for the betterment of the kingdom and the honor of their families. The eventual flight from the palace had thrown them into turmoil and anger which turned to passion and faded into something else. This new sort of bond between them that had been building from the ashes of what they’d fled from was entirely unexpected.
Iason had all but forgotten his question when she spun around and looked up at him. His smile faded at her look of confusion and though he kept hold of her he was no longer quite as confident as he had been. Her outburst was a surprise, and there was a fear that she disliked the idea of having a child with him. Insecurities ran through his mind for a moment until she began to explain, and though there was still an uncertainty present, he had the grace to look somewhat sheepish at his lack of knowledge on the subject.
”I think Poseidon may be able to forgive you. It happens to far more than just you.”
Bringing a hand up he smoothed his thumb over the wrinkles between her brows, pressing a kiss to the spot as an attempt to encourage her back to cheer. Even if she was exaggerating, seeing her frown filled him with a desire to remedy the situation. The softness of her smile helped ease any fears that had reared up within him, and Iason could not help but smile back, even if there was a hint of color in his weathered cheeks.
”I confess, I have little knowledge of childbearing or symptoms of such. I know only that sickness is a sign to look for before the babe begins to make its presence known.” Sheepishly rubbing a hand across the back of his neck, he gave a grin and shrugged, looking down at her flat stomach briefly before wrapping both arms around her waist once more. ”When the gods see fit to bless us so, I imagine we will know.”
Her laughter at his lame attempt at a joke warmed him and he smiled into her hair, breathing in the scent that was unmistakably her. Persephone hadn’t always made him feel like this. In the beginning he’d assumed that they would be cordial, perhaps eventually friendly, working for the betterment of the kingdom and the honor of their families. The eventual flight from the palace had thrown them into turmoil and anger which turned to passion and faded into something else. This new sort of bond between them that had been building from the ashes of what they’d fled from was entirely unexpected.
Iason had all but forgotten his question when she spun around and looked up at him. His smile faded at her look of confusion and though he kept hold of her he was no longer quite as confident as he had been. Her outburst was a surprise, and there was a fear that she disliked the idea of having a child with him. Insecurities ran through his mind for a moment until she began to explain, and though there was still an uncertainty present, he had the grace to look somewhat sheepish at his lack of knowledge on the subject.
”I think Poseidon may be able to forgive you. It happens to far more than just you.”
Bringing a hand up he smoothed his thumb over the wrinkles between her brows, pressing a kiss to the spot as an attempt to encourage her back to cheer. Even if she was exaggerating, seeing her frown filled him with a desire to remedy the situation. The softness of her smile helped ease any fears that had reared up within him, and Iason could not help but smile back, even if there was a hint of color in his weathered cheeks.
”I confess, I have little knowledge of childbearing or symptoms of such. I know only that sickness is a sign to look for before the babe begins to make its presence known.” Sheepishly rubbing a hand across the back of his neck, he gave a grin and shrugged, looking down at her flat stomach briefly before wrapping both arms around her waist once more. ”When the gods see fit to bless us so, I imagine we will know.”
As Iason took her more securely into his arms, Persephone felt the movement of the ship ease a little. Her intended's legs were clearly better than her own for monitoring to roll and waver of the ship's deck and countering the act with his own distribution of strength. In leaning on him, Persephone relied on his countermeasures over her own and her stomach was eased.
In standing so close to him, she was able to breathe in the scent of his skin, of his presence, before the sea wind could whip it away and out onto the breeze of the ocean. Such a sense was growing more and more familiar to her, tied to memories of warmth and security. She breathed him in and remembered times of them riding together through Taengea, of their time in Chaoedia where she had given herself to him in all the ways she could.
Since then, they had slept together in the same bed but never once joined their bodies. The first night had been back in his father's home, ensuring they remained in their own rooms, but the limited cabins in the ship they had boarded the next day had forced them into close quarters. Not that either of them minded. Too disturbed by the idea of any noise or motion they made being easily audible to the other sailors on the ship - not to mention the underbelly of the vessel being cold in the water - they had fallen into an unspoken agreement to not sample one another's skin once more until they had docked in Athenia. A promise that would last for only a few more days.
Her gaze turning up to watch him as he spoke, without the hesitation or demurity that noble women so often exhibited, Persephone smiled a little when he spoke of child-rearing, of a future together. The smile widened as he leant forwards to kiss between her brows. Her lashes lowered in a flutter as she felt his lips against her brow, the heat of his breath and the rough and masculine bristle of stubble brushing over her skin. It was tickling sensation that made her feel infinitely feminine in comparison.
Reaching down, Persephone found his hands at the small of her back and drew them to her front. Interweaving their fingers and holding them together before her flat belly, her features reflected affection and maturity.
"Any such advent would be a blessing, Iason." She told him, with confidence. "I do not want you to believe otherwise." She then swallowed. "But I do not know what awaits us in Athenia or how long it will be before we return to Cha-... Before we return home." Her eyes narrowed in a look of apology. "So, I hope you will not think me lacking in commitment to us when I say I hope us not to hold such a blessing until they can arrive in the lands of your family?"
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As Iason took her more securely into his arms, Persephone felt the movement of the ship ease a little. Her intended's legs were clearly better than her own for monitoring to roll and waver of the ship's deck and countering the act with his own distribution of strength. In leaning on him, Persephone relied on his countermeasures over her own and her stomach was eased.
In standing so close to him, she was able to breathe in the scent of his skin, of his presence, before the sea wind could whip it away and out onto the breeze of the ocean. Such a sense was growing more and more familiar to her, tied to memories of warmth and security. She breathed him in and remembered times of them riding together through Taengea, of their time in Chaoedia where she had given herself to him in all the ways she could.
Since then, they had slept together in the same bed but never once joined their bodies. The first night had been back in his father's home, ensuring they remained in their own rooms, but the limited cabins in the ship they had boarded the next day had forced them into close quarters. Not that either of them minded. Too disturbed by the idea of any noise or motion they made being easily audible to the other sailors on the ship - not to mention the underbelly of the vessel being cold in the water - they had fallen into an unspoken agreement to not sample one another's skin once more until they had docked in Athenia. A promise that would last for only a few more days.
Her gaze turning up to watch him as he spoke, without the hesitation or demurity that noble women so often exhibited, Persephone smiled a little when he spoke of child-rearing, of a future together. The smile widened as he leant forwards to kiss between her brows. Her lashes lowered in a flutter as she felt his lips against her brow, the heat of his breath and the rough and masculine bristle of stubble brushing over her skin. It was tickling sensation that made her feel infinitely feminine in comparison.
Reaching down, Persephone found his hands at the small of her back and drew them to her front. Interweaving their fingers and holding them together before her flat belly, her features reflected affection and maturity.
"Any such advent would be a blessing, Iason." She told him, with confidence. "I do not want you to believe otherwise." She then swallowed. "But I do not know what awaits us in Athenia or how long it will be before we return to Cha-... Before we return home." Her eyes narrowed in a look of apology. "So, I hope you will not think me lacking in commitment to us when I say I hope us not to hold such a blessing until they can arrive in the lands of your family?"
As Iason took her more securely into his arms, Persephone felt the movement of the ship ease a little. Her intended's legs were clearly better than her own for monitoring to roll and waver of the ship's deck and countering the act with his own distribution of strength. In leaning on him, Persephone relied on his countermeasures over her own and her stomach was eased.
In standing so close to him, she was able to breathe in the scent of his skin, of his presence, before the sea wind could whip it away and out onto the breeze of the ocean. Such a sense was growing more and more familiar to her, tied to memories of warmth and security. She breathed him in and remembered times of them riding together through Taengea, of their time in Chaoedia where she had given herself to him in all the ways she could.
Since then, they had slept together in the same bed but never once joined their bodies. The first night had been back in his father's home, ensuring they remained in their own rooms, but the limited cabins in the ship they had boarded the next day had forced them into close quarters. Not that either of them minded. Too disturbed by the idea of any noise or motion they made being easily audible to the other sailors on the ship - not to mention the underbelly of the vessel being cold in the water - they had fallen into an unspoken agreement to not sample one another's skin once more until they had docked in Athenia. A promise that would last for only a few more days.
Her gaze turning up to watch him as he spoke, without the hesitation or demurity that noble women so often exhibited, Persephone smiled a little when he spoke of child-rearing, of a future together. The smile widened as he leant forwards to kiss between her brows. Her lashes lowered in a flutter as she felt his lips against her brow, the heat of his breath and the rough and masculine bristle of stubble brushing over her skin. It was tickling sensation that made her feel infinitely feminine in comparison.
Reaching down, Persephone found his hands at the small of her back and drew them to her front. Interweaving their fingers and holding them together before her flat belly, her features reflected affection and maturity.
"Any such advent would be a blessing, Iason." She told him, with confidence. "I do not want you to believe otherwise." She then swallowed. "But I do not know what awaits us in Athenia or how long it will be before we return to Cha-... Before we return home." Her eyes narrowed in a look of apology. "So, I hope you will not think me lacking in commitment to us when I say I hope us not to hold such a blessing until they can arrive in the lands of your family?"
Iason leaned back as she drew his hands away from her back and instead placed them on her abdomen, a small smile on his lips as he thought of the potential future. They would be blessed when the time was right, he knew that, but there was still a secret hope within him that it would be sooner rather than later. As he’d spent time with her and come to embrace the idea of being husband and father, he realized that it had somehow been the thing he most desired. He’d always known it was his duty, and more than anything he wanted a family of his own, but he hadn’t realized how deeply rooted the need for it had been within his heart until the possibility had been put before him. Now he selfishly hoped that they would quickly find Emilia content and in no further need of her sister, or eager enough to leave that they could depart without much fuss. All the better to return home.
Athenia had held little appeal for him when he had first arrived, he found the court too stifling and the propriety and statuelike personalities and perfection of the nobles much to his distaste. He may have been called boring by many a Taengean, but was it so wrong to want a happy medium between a lavish lifestyle of wine and pleasures, and an austere solidness that felt like an unbreakable cage?
”Home, I like hearing you say that.” He grinned down at her, for now allowing himself to forget about the uncertainties that awaited them in Athenia. That was not a problem that could be solved until they arrived and saw the state of things.
”I agree, I hope they wait until we are properly settled. Though I hope we don’t have to wait too long.”
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Iason leaned back as she drew his hands away from her back and instead placed them on her abdomen, a small smile on his lips as he thought of the potential future. They would be blessed when the time was right, he knew that, but there was still a secret hope within him that it would be sooner rather than later. As he’d spent time with her and come to embrace the idea of being husband and father, he realized that it had somehow been the thing he most desired. He’d always known it was his duty, and more than anything he wanted a family of his own, but he hadn’t realized how deeply rooted the need for it had been within his heart until the possibility had been put before him. Now he selfishly hoped that they would quickly find Emilia content and in no further need of her sister, or eager enough to leave that they could depart without much fuss. All the better to return home.
Athenia had held little appeal for him when he had first arrived, he found the court too stifling and the propriety and statuelike personalities and perfection of the nobles much to his distaste. He may have been called boring by many a Taengean, but was it so wrong to want a happy medium between a lavish lifestyle of wine and pleasures, and an austere solidness that felt like an unbreakable cage?
”Home, I like hearing you say that.” He grinned down at her, for now allowing himself to forget about the uncertainties that awaited them in Athenia. That was not a problem that could be solved until they arrived and saw the state of things.
”I agree, I hope they wait until we are properly settled. Though I hope we don’t have to wait too long.”
Iason leaned back as she drew his hands away from her back and instead placed them on her abdomen, a small smile on his lips as he thought of the potential future. They would be blessed when the time was right, he knew that, but there was still a secret hope within him that it would be sooner rather than later. As he’d spent time with her and come to embrace the idea of being husband and father, he realized that it had somehow been the thing he most desired. He’d always known it was his duty, and more than anything he wanted a family of his own, but he hadn’t realized how deeply rooted the need for it had been within his heart until the possibility had been put before him. Now he selfishly hoped that they would quickly find Emilia content and in no further need of her sister, or eager enough to leave that they could depart without much fuss. All the better to return home.
Athenia had held little appeal for him when he had first arrived, he found the court too stifling and the propriety and statuelike personalities and perfection of the nobles much to his distaste. He may have been called boring by many a Taengean, but was it so wrong to want a happy medium between a lavish lifestyle of wine and pleasures, and an austere solidness that felt like an unbreakable cage?
”Home, I like hearing you say that.” He grinned down at her, for now allowing himself to forget about the uncertainties that awaited them in Athenia. That was not a problem that could be solved until they arrived and saw the state of things.
”I agree, I hope they wait until we are properly settled. Though I hope we don’t have to wait too long.”
Persephone watched Iason's expressions as he thought upon her words, noting the affection on his features and the softness in his eyes. She had never been one to doubt the man's courage and strength - not after his rescue of her in Athenia, and certainly not after having seen the man without clothing... for there wasn't a piece of him that was overtly soft. But it was also nice to witness a sweeter disposition to a man that had always loomed sturdy in her mind.
When he spoke of her reference to Chaoedia as home, she felt her lips pulling into a soft smile, dimpling the soft tan of her skin in each cheek and causing a lock of hair to become caught against her teeth. Paying it no heed - for on the high seas, the removal of one wayward stand inevitably led to the appearance of another - she simply tilted her head in an almost teasing angle.
"Then I shall have to practice it further." She insisted with a brightness to her gaze.
For whilst she feared what they would find in Athenia and how entrenched her sister might be in whatever calculations she knew Elias was likely to have formed upon her, Persephone could not help but admit the little beacon of light that her future with Iason, back in Taengea, set off in her mind. In time, they would return to Taengea and they would have the peaceful life that they had each come to the realisation that they wanted.
It was like the promise of a treat after good behaviour that one might lure a child with.
And such a thought, returning the mind to maternal considerations, had Persephone's lower lip drawn in behind her teeth. Biting her lip in a moment of wistfulness, she squeezed Iason's hands in a reassuring manner her slim and swan-like throat rising and falling in a swallow of determination.
"It shall be as soon as the Gods allow, I am sure."
And then she reached up onto her toes to make sure an assurance a promise, accompanied by a soft and affectionate kiss.
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Persephone watched Iason's expressions as he thought upon her words, noting the affection on his features and the softness in his eyes. She had never been one to doubt the man's courage and strength - not after his rescue of her in Athenia, and certainly not after having seen the man without clothing... for there wasn't a piece of him that was overtly soft. But it was also nice to witness a sweeter disposition to a man that had always loomed sturdy in her mind.
When he spoke of her reference to Chaoedia as home, she felt her lips pulling into a soft smile, dimpling the soft tan of her skin in each cheek and causing a lock of hair to become caught against her teeth. Paying it no heed - for on the high seas, the removal of one wayward stand inevitably led to the appearance of another - she simply tilted her head in an almost teasing angle.
"Then I shall have to practice it further." She insisted with a brightness to her gaze.
For whilst she feared what they would find in Athenia and how entrenched her sister might be in whatever calculations she knew Elias was likely to have formed upon her, Persephone could not help but admit the little beacon of light that her future with Iason, back in Taengea, set off in her mind. In time, they would return to Taengea and they would have the peaceful life that they had each come to the realisation that they wanted.
It was like the promise of a treat after good behaviour that one might lure a child with.
And such a thought, returning the mind to maternal considerations, had Persephone's lower lip drawn in behind her teeth. Biting her lip in a moment of wistfulness, she squeezed Iason's hands in a reassuring manner her slim and swan-like throat rising and falling in a swallow of determination.
"It shall be as soon as the Gods allow, I am sure."
And then she reached up onto her toes to make sure an assurance a promise, accompanied by a soft and affectionate kiss.
Persephone watched Iason's expressions as he thought upon her words, noting the affection on his features and the softness in his eyes. She had never been one to doubt the man's courage and strength - not after his rescue of her in Athenia, and certainly not after having seen the man without clothing... for there wasn't a piece of him that was overtly soft. But it was also nice to witness a sweeter disposition to a man that had always loomed sturdy in her mind.
When he spoke of her reference to Chaoedia as home, she felt her lips pulling into a soft smile, dimpling the soft tan of her skin in each cheek and causing a lock of hair to become caught against her teeth. Paying it no heed - for on the high seas, the removal of one wayward stand inevitably led to the appearance of another - she simply tilted her head in an almost teasing angle.
"Then I shall have to practice it further." She insisted with a brightness to her gaze.
For whilst she feared what they would find in Athenia and how entrenched her sister might be in whatever calculations she knew Elias was likely to have formed upon her, Persephone could not help but admit the little beacon of light that her future with Iason, back in Taengea, set off in her mind. In time, they would return to Taengea and they would have the peaceful life that they had each come to the realisation that they wanted.
It was like the promise of a treat after good behaviour that one might lure a child with.
And such a thought, returning the mind to maternal considerations, had Persephone's lower lip drawn in behind her teeth. Biting her lip in a moment of wistfulness, she squeezed Iason's hands in a reassuring manner her slim and swan-like throat rising and falling in a swallow of determination.
"It shall be as soon as the Gods allow, I am sure."
And then she reached up onto her toes to make sure an assurance a promise, accompanied by a soft and affectionate kiss.