Aurelian’s face turned serious. “As do I. I owe him my life many times over.”
Madeline, who had been lost in her own thoughts, turned to face them both. “Enoch,” she said, “if your troops are going to make these kinds of sacrifices for my benefit, then they deserve some kind of reward. And not just some medal with ‘Thanks From Tarma’ stamped on it. They deserve something that matters.”
“They are doing this because I ask them to, but I take your point,” replied Enoch. He sighed. “We’ve been hitting and running for a long time. It would be nice to have something more permanent to offer. It’s been a long time since we had any hope.” Enoch smiled at Madeline. “I know how it feels to have hope once again. They should have some sense of this as well.”
Any further conversation on the topic was interrupted by the return of General Marwan. She had a jubilant smile on her face. “Hah!” she crowed. “The neutrals practically fell over themselves to be the first in line to join us. They know the way the wind is blowing. Combined offensive operations will begin within the hour.”
Aurelian punched the air and let out a whoop. Enoch nodded, satisfied. Madeline felt an overwhelming sense of relief, and with that relief came exhaustion. She sat down heavily.
Enoch said to the general, “It seems like you have things well in hand for the moment. We know that the assault on the capitol will most likely be the last phase of operations. Do you think you could spare Madeline and I for a couple of hours rest?”
“Absolutely,” affirmed Marwan. “The next phase is my wheelhouse. This is what all those exercises in Staff College are supposed to train me for.” Her smile turned predatory, almost wolflike. “That musclebound idiot Branko won’t know what hit him. Go, get some shut-eye.”
Enoch walked over to where Madeline was sitting and put his hands gently on her shoulders. “Time for some rest, Maddie,” he whispered softly in her ear. He helped her up and gently escorted her out of the situation room.
“But this is a critical time. A turning point,” murmured Madeline.
“One that we planned and prepared for. Aurelian and Cornelius are both close at hand. They will let us know if there is anything that needs our attention. We need to rest,” murmured Enoch soothingly.
“I need to rest, you mean,” said Madeline as they walked to their quarters. “You, you don’t ever seem to stop. I don’t know how you do it.”
“I was made for a harder life,” observed Enoch. “One that I’m glad you never had to face. Besides, it will do my spirit good to see you rest and recover some energy.” He opened the door and walked Madeline inside. Once they reached the bedroom, he removed her clothes.
“You really mean it, don’t you?” asked Madeline sleepily. “You really do feel better when you see that I’m doing okay.”
Enoch pulled back the sheets, lifted a now-naked Madeline, and gently slipped her into bed, sliding in beside her. “Yes, I do,” answered Enoch, half to her and half to himself. “I really do.”
Madeline snuggled into his warm body and laid her head on his muscular chest. “I guess that means you love me,” she murmured happily. She was asleep within seconds.
Enoch looked down at her. Her flame-red hair was spread across his chest, and breasts were pressed against his body. He watched as her upper body rose and fell, and he stroked her back and shoulders. Madeline gave a happy sound in her sleep and snuggled even further into him.
“I do love you, Madeline Marx,” Enoch sighed tenderly. “I really do. So much.”
***
When Madeline awoke, she turned to find Enoch sitting up in bed next to her, tapping on a tablet. As she shifted and opened her eyes, yawning, he looked down and smiled.
“Gods,” murmured Madeline, “how long was I out?”
“Just a couple of hours,” replied Enoch. “Don’t worry, I’ve been keeping tabs on things. I would have woken you in the event of any major developments.”
Madeline sat up, pushing her hair back. “Shouldn’t you be in the command center?” she asked.
“I’ve been monitoring everything on this,” he answered, raising his tablet. “I didn’t want you to wake up alone.”
Madeline felt a warm feeling rush through her, and she patted his muscular forearm. “That’s sweet. Give me five minutes to take a shower, and we’ll go back together.”
The shower in their quarters was small but serviceable. Madeline kept the water on the cooler side, to help her wake up, and turned in surprise when the shower door opened, and Enoch stepped in.
“Hey! I said five minutes!” laughed Madeline.
“I don’t remember agreeing to that,” replied Enoch, with a predatory grin. “Besides, I thought you might need your back scrubbed.” He reached down.
“Sure you did,” said Madeline. “And that’s not my ba—oh, my…”
Enoch had stepped close behind her, so close that she could feel his hard cock pressing at the cleft of her ass. His strong arms wrapped around her, and he was pressed up against her back. One of his hands was massaging her breasts, while the other had reached down to cup her mons. Just as Enoch lightly pinched her nipple, he also found her clit and circled it with her finger.
Suddenly, Madeline was wet in a way that had nothing to do with the shower. “Oh yes,” she breathed, “please don’t stop.”
