Meena let out a soft sigh as the breeze gently caressed her skin. Her lashes fluttered rather sweetly as they peeked open. She had lain there momentarily, nestled into the silken sheets. She contemplated lying there for the entirety of the morning, but she knew Arion would be sorely disappointed with her if she did such a thing. Letting out pouty huff she sat up, her bare back exposed to the open balcony. Stretching her arms up to the gods she squealed in her stretch before bouncing from the large bed.







Irakles had already left early that morning. He’d had matters to attend to in the palace and he had tried his best to convince her to accompany him. Meena smirked mischievously as she remembered her lover’s ever persuasive lips. He had a knack for finding all of her most vulnerable spots and using them to his advantage. Unfortunately for him, Meena wasn’t as easily swayed as he was. So, in the end she got her way with him, as always, and she stayed behind to enjoy the peaceful archontiko.







She made her way to her bathroom where her hand-maid, Astraea, was waiting. Steam filled the room and Meena hugged herself as the chilly air nipped at her naked body. Astraea was just finishing up pouring the luxurious oils into the water before Meena stepped in and slipped down into the water. Relaxing into the tub Meena dipped her head back as her hand-maid began scrubbing her body. Her thoughts were aimless and wandering. All she wanted to do was just rest inside this tub until the end of time.







She imagined a life outside of the Mikaelidas household. She wondered where she would have ended up had Irakles not taken a fancy to her all those years ago. He’d provoked her passion and awakened a sense of power within her. Though, to say that he caused that or merely unveiled what already was there is still left to be determined. Meena need not tailor herself around the general and she appreciated that. Nor did he with her. They both thrived in chaos and within each other’s presence there was no judgment. Meena was aware of Irakles’ dark nature and she knew his most hidden secrets. Myrto and the court be damned. Meena knew how to bring that man to his knees in more ways than one and she reveled in that truth.







“My lady, I have your dress.” A soft voice, Astraea, broke Meena’s spiral of contemplation.







Feeling rather friendly that particular morning Meena offered Astraea a genuine smile with a small nod of approval. “That will suffice. Thank you, Astraea, dear.”



Flicking the surface of the water with her fingers she tilted her head, a wavy tendril falling to the side of her face. “I think that I would like to remain in here a bit longer before I head to the stables.”







“Yes, my lady.” The maid replied before resuming her position at the entrance way and awaiting further instruction.