Sinbad lay on the bed, quietly looking over the maps that needed reading. He counted off the leagues to the next port, trying to avoid any sand bars that were known to appear. He felt the bed shift slightly as his lover moved onto her back. Sinbad sighed, and looked down at his beautiful wife. She lay prone, cover by Sinbad’s shirt from the waist up, the blankets covering her lower half. Sinbad put his maps to the side and lay down so he was looking at her.
Her breasts had become fuller with pregnancy, as had her stomach from the growing child inside of her. Sinbad reached out and traced the scar on her neck, which Maeve had made to declare her love for him. During that long night they had discussed their pasts. Sinbad had been shocked to learn that Dermott was Maeve’s fraternal twin brother, and that he was the reason for her quest to kill Rumina. She had told of him of the night that she lost her father in a war against several invading tribes, of how her stepmother had tormented both Maeve and Dermott about their missing mother shortly before. Sinbad gazed up at her face lovingly, seeing the peaceful expression that was on her face, and he smiled gently.
He placed his hand on the slightly swollen place where his child was sheltered. Of course, he had tried to be protective of Maeve and their child, but Maeve wouldn’t have it. She had screamed at him that she felt smothered and had moved back to her cabin. Sinbad had all but dragged her back to their cabin. Their making up had been quite pleasant, and Sinbad decided to let Maeve handle her pregnancy in her own way. They had married only a month ago, when they were on land long enough. The Caliph had wanted it to be large celebration, and Sinbad had as well. But one look at Maeve’s pale face had told him she couldn’t face a large group of people that had used to call her enemy. Therefore the ceremony had been private, and Maeve joined him on their honeymoon with a smile…and then some.
Sinbad heard Maeve’s stomach growl loudly, and smirked. She already out ate Doubar in every sense, and Firouz was already beginning to wonder if she would twins. Maeve had laughed and said that the chances of a twin having twins were rare for her line, especially for the first child. There were bets about the sex of the baby, and what it would like. Bryn had only smiled at them in her secretive way, saying that it should remain a secret. Maeve used her shape shifting to get her exercise, preferring her gryphon form to fly. She remained toned and lean, except for her stomach. Sinbad had joked with Doubar that he hoped she wouldn’t go into labour, because she might just lay eggs. Maeve had heard that from her mind link with Dermott and had promptly given Sinbad the cold shoulder; therefore he had to abstain for a week. Sinbad shook his head at that thought. Maeve was like a tempest nowadays. One minute she could be seductive and outgoing, the next she was distant and sad.
Sinbad leaned over and brushed a gentle kiss against Maeve’s stomach. Maeve stirred a bit, but still did not awaken. Sinbad grinned mischievously, and began to gently caress her breasts. She moaned, “Mmm, that feels nice, Firouz. Better than that stupid husband of mine’s callous hands.” Sinbad growled and she opened her eyes at him.
“That wasn’t funny, wife,” he said. She smiled dazzlingly down at him.
“In truth, I thought it was quite amusing,” Maeve retorted. She looked bemused, and her voice was thick with sarcasm as she spoke. “Gloating again?” she asked. Sinbad smirked and crawled up to have her at his eye level again. Maeve smirked back. “It’s still a daughter, you can’t change that.” Sinbad groaned.
“Maeve, you’ll be so disappointed when I’m proven right,” he answered smartly, kissing her longingly before she could protest. Her arms crept around him and he allowed his hands to roam over her body. The kiss they shared was like any they had ever shared, a statement that they could never truly survive without one another. She moaned softly into his mouth, and then broke away gently.
“When I’m too big to make love to, you’ll be abstaining for quite a while,” she whispered softly into his ear. Sinbad chuckled and reached up under the shirt and quilt to touch her intimately.
“Is that an invitation to love you every night until then? That’s one challenge I’ll take you up on, my love,” he commented, watching her face as her back arched. Pleasure swept over her body, and Sinbad had a hard time controlling his own passions. He peeled of her shirt and his pants and settled on top of her. He slowly slid inside of her, revelling in the completeness that came in from being inside of her. She sighed as they began to move against one another, the feel of his muscles pleasurable and comforting. More than ever, she needed him, their child needed him. She bit into his shoulder as the tension gave a tremendous squeeze, causing her to yelp as it released. Sinbad moaned and gave himself over to the tremendous satisfaction he felt as he climaxed with her.
Maeve heard the footsteps before Sinbad and quickly pushed him off, pulling her robe on. Sinbad followed suit and was just getting into his pants as Bryn burst in. Maeve eyed the other woman from where she was getting her clothes out. “Allah’s blood, girl! Do you never stop to knock?” Sinbad demanded as he tied his vest. Bryn raised an eyebrow, eyeing the flush appearance of Maeve’s face.
“We thought that there were two wildcats down below. I guess we were wrong, eh?” she asked. Maeve smothered a laugh. Sinbad gave a wicked grin.
“Ah, sweet, innocent Bryn. One day, you’ll know why Maeve gives those cries,” Sinbad answered smartly, squeezing Maeve’s waist. Bryn opened her mouth to speak but Maeve cut in.
“I’m crying out for help from the wolf’s jaws,” she retorted, “not to mention his horrible skill.” Bryn began to laugh uncontrollably as Sinbad stared agape at his wife. Maeve winked at him and walked out the door, Bryn following her. Sinbad grabbed his sword belt and started after them.
“Sinbad, you’re becoming a late riser. Not a very good habit,” Firouz joked. Sinbad smiled.
“Get yourself a spitfire like my wife and you’ll spend all night trying to tame her like me,” he smirked. He continued up deck and blinked at the brightness of the sun.
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