The next day, they departed the dismal islands. Aidana helped Hydrangea to thank the queen for Sion—Aidana seemed to have gotten something through to the man about Hydrangea's fidelity to her husband.
On the way back to The Venerable, Bastian constantly kept his hand on Hydrangea's hip and occasionally her stomach. It was comforting. When they arrived the other men met them, saying to Bastian that the pirates from the south were truly plaguing the land. She met his eyes and they both asked each other the same question. 'How could they spare troops to help us then?'
Rodas also had news to share once they boarded the ship. The winds were not favourable, the return journey would be much longer. Hydrangea's blood drained from her face as worry after worry struck her. By the time they reached Cadarama, she would be heavy with child, and Lord Stone may have already married Daphne to the Sultan, her sea sickness would be worse not to mention the rest of the changes that were to come with pregnancy.
"Hydrangea?"
She snapped her eyes up to Bastian's haggard face and attempted to smile reassuringly, "It's alright, I'm just getting used to the boat again."
He nodded, his hand leaving her waist as he began to work on plotting the course with the ship's navigator. Looking to Aidana the other woman nodded and Hydrangea shrank away, back to their room. The next few months looked to be very bleak. In the back of her mind there was a dream to have a beautiful nursery for her child; to surround her precious baby with love and warmth, the opposite of what she'd received from her mother.
Her heart pinched at the memory of her siblings. She hoped they were well, and that Dimitri, Ariston and Brigitte were caring for them.
Lunch was served, fresh Bentuki fish with fried plantains and stewed greens. Hydrangea ate as much as she could, the sliminess of the greens eventually got to her and she was forced to put her bowl down.
A hand on her thigh prompted her to look up, she hadn't even notice Bastian move to sit next to her. His brow was creased with concern and she tried to soften the sadness in her own eyes. She felt lonely and she couldn't explain it.
Without a word he stood and helped her to her feet. After telling Rodas and a few other men to set sail as soon as they could, he led them off to their room. He closed the door behind them and turned to her. "What's wrong?"
She heaved a sigh, "I…I feel lonely. You—we…I want you." He laughed and she snapped her eyes up angrily, "Don't laugh!" Her face burned and she slapped his chest only for him to catch her hand.
He continued laughing as he ducked his head to being his lips to hers, "I want you too, Hydrangea." His lips took hold of hers with a dizzying passion and she responded with need. She needed him.
Their clothes were gone within the next seconds and their hands touched the other's body as if it had been years since they'd seen each other. Their bodies became one and with frantic movements they both reached their climax and slumped to the sheets.
Panting, Hydrangea reached her hand to hold his face, "Three more months, Bastian, until we're home." She searched his eyes, feeling his hot breath across her skin. "Seven more until our baby's here."
His eyes turned warm and his warm palm cradled her cheek, "I'm more excited for the latter. Do you suppose that she'll have your eyes?" She blushed at his attention, "I would love that."
"What if I wanted him to have your eyes?" She asked and he sighed dramatically.
"Then maybe our child will have both and be a sorceress."
For the next few days they remained in their cabin. But when the crew caught sight of krakens and other sea monsters, Bastian stayed above deck. In the hours of the night he and Hydrangea would read together and plan ways to fix their country.
After four long months, in which Hydrangea's stomach had grown dramatically, they spotted the mountains of Bobian. The fleet was still stationed at the channel and they allowed through, some of them relieved to see them returned.
Docking the Venerable just north of the channel they prepared to wait. They continued with their planning and gathering of resources. Being as close as they were to one of the larger cities in Crescent, Balfrey, they managed to recruit a few willing men. Those who were just as discontent with the change in government as they were.
There had been no news from the island in five months. Hydrangea knew worry was not good for pregnant women, but she couldn't help the pervasive thought that the Mathubans could already be tearing Waxingville apart.
After two and a half months, the Bentuki fleet arrived.