The chatbox has been hidden for this page. It will reopen upon refresh. To hide the CBox permanently, select "Permanently Toggle Cbox" in your profile User Settings.
This chatbox is hidden. To reopen, edit your User Settings.
She was right to keep her secret. He knew nothing about the liaison between herself and his father, and likely never would. Perhaps, if she'd admitted it from the very beginning, it might not have mattered. Especially if she'd ended it with the old king. But those words never passed her lips and he never bothered to ask why she was at the palati so often. Perhaps it was a little bit of arrogance to assume she was there for him alone. Perhaps not.
But there were no rumors linking her to the king. They linked her to his brother instead, and those rumors he'd never once paid attention to. There was no way that Zacharias would have done anything like this with her. And thanks to Xene's explanation of his brother's real proclivities, he knew that better now than ever. His only real opinion of his wife's 'darker' qualities now was that she was a social climber, grasping for power...but other than that, he considered her fairly innocent. Fairly.
In this moment, it was as if the gulf between them was bridged, or did not exist. There was no kingdom, no throne, no arguments or fights. There was just the bed and the two of them. He smirked at her breathy tones and kept up what he was doing, though he slowed the pace a bit to prevent her from mounting her own pleasure ride too quickly. But she rolled her hips back against him. The heat of her was enticing and even though he knew it was not a good idea, he reveled in the temptation.
There was no way he could pretend he didn’t want exactly what she did. His body betrayed that desire and with her drawing him in for another kiss, he was nearly lost. His other arm was around her chest, holding her against him. He was so close. All it would take to have her was adjusting his hips ever so slightly…
But he grinned against her lips, mostly content with her tongue entertaining his.
When she coaxed him to just give in, mentioning the battle and luck, he gripping her tighter and pressed harder against her, though not into her. “Stop…” he mumbled, kissing distractedly down her neck and to her shoulder. His attention was barely on what he was doing anymore and was wholly focused on the way she was rocking to meet him.
This was amazing torture. He would not leave where he was right now for anything. Sense had flown and logic was being buried deeper and deeper beneath the craving for her that she had elicited in him. He was not thinking anymore of that horrible night, or their fight, or anything else but this moment, of the taste of her skin as he kissed and nipped and sucked on the curve of her neck.
She nearly had what she seemed to be after - he wanted her. Badly.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
Badges
Deleted
Deleted
She was right to keep her secret. He knew nothing about the liaison between herself and his father, and likely never would. Perhaps, if she'd admitted it from the very beginning, it might not have mattered. Especially if she'd ended it with the old king. But those words never passed her lips and he never bothered to ask why she was at the palati so often. Perhaps it was a little bit of arrogance to assume she was there for him alone. Perhaps not.
But there were no rumors linking her to the king. They linked her to his brother instead, and those rumors he'd never once paid attention to. There was no way that Zacharias would have done anything like this with her. And thanks to Xene's explanation of his brother's real proclivities, he knew that better now than ever. His only real opinion of his wife's 'darker' qualities now was that she was a social climber, grasping for power...but other than that, he considered her fairly innocent. Fairly.
In this moment, it was as if the gulf between them was bridged, or did not exist. There was no kingdom, no throne, no arguments or fights. There was just the bed and the two of them. He smirked at her breathy tones and kept up what he was doing, though he slowed the pace a bit to prevent her from mounting her own pleasure ride too quickly. But she rolled her hips back against him. The heat of her was enticing and even though he knew it was not a good idea, he reveled in the temptation.
There was no way he could pretend he didn’t want exactly what she did. His body betrayed that desire and with her drawing him in for another kiss, he was nearly lost. His other arm was around her chest, holding her against him. He was so close. All it would take to have her was adjusting his hips ever so slightly…
But he grinned against her lips, mostly content with her tongue entertaining his.
When she coaxed him to just give in, mentioning the battle and luck, he gripping her tighter and pressed harder against her, though not into her. “Stop…” he mumbled, kissing distractedly down her neck and to her shoulder. His attention was barely on what he was doing anymore and was wholly focused on the way she was rocking to meet him.
This was amazing torture. He would not leave where he was right now for anything. Sense had flown and logic was being buried deeper and deeper beneath the craving for her that she had elicited in him. He was not thinking anymore of that horrible night, or their fight, or anything else but this moment, of the taste of her skin as he kissed and nipped and sucked on the curve of her neck.
She nearly had what she seemed to be after - he wanted her. Badly.
She was right to keep her secret. He knew nothing about the liaison between herself and his father, and likely never would. Perhaps, if she'd admitted it from the very beginning, it might not have mattered. Especially if she'd ended it with the old king. But those words never passed her lips and he never bothered to ask why she was at the palati so often. Perhaps it was a little bit of arrogance to assume she was there for him alone. Perhaps not.
But there were no rumors linking her to the king. They linked her to his brother instead, and those rumors he'd never once paid attention to. There was no way that Zacharias would have done anything like this with her. And thanks to Xene's explanation of his brother's real proclivities, he knew that better now than ever. His only real opinion of his wife's 'darker' qualities now was that she was a social climber, grasping for power...but other than that, he considered her fairly innocent. Fairly.
In this moment, it was as if the gulf between them was bridged, or did not exist. There was no kingdom, no throne, no arguments or fights. There was just the bed and the two of them. He smirked at her breathy tones and kept up what he was doing, though he slowed the pace a bit to prevent her from mounting her own pleasure ride too quickly. But she rolled her hips back against him. The heat of her was enticing and even though he knew it was not a good idea, he reveled in the temptation.
There was no way he could pretend he didn’t want exactly what she did. His body betrayed that desire and with her drawing him in for another kiss, he was nearly lost. His other arm was around her chest, holding her against him. He was so close. All it would take to have her was adjusting his hips ever so slightly…
But he grinned against her lips, mostly content with her tongue entertaining his.
When she coaxed him to just give in, mentioning the battle and luck, he gripping her tighter and pressed harder against her, though not into her. “Stop…” he mumbled, kissing distractedly down her neck and to her shoulder. His attention was barely on what he was doing anymore and was wholly focused on the way she was rocking to meet him.
This was amazing torture. He would not leave where he was right now for anything. Sense had flown and logic was being buried deeper and deeper beneath the craving for her that she had elicited in him. He was not thinking anymore of that horrible night, or their fight, or anything else but this moment, of the taste of her skin as he kissed and nipped and sucked on the curve of her neck.
She nearly had what she seemed to be after - he wanted her. Badly.
His protestation sounded weak, there was a fear there that anything they did would hurt the baby and she knew it well, but many of her midwives and even her mother had said that there was no harm in taking part. Indeed he hadn’t protested at all when they had gone into the woods on their last ride before her confinement. No doubt the night of the fight had changed things, it had scared them both solidly, and there was the always lingering fear in the back of her mind that he had taken another lover. Perhaps he was simply too tired to have her after his preferred mistress. There was little she wouldn’t do for him but there were souls more depraved than she who could bend to a king’s whims easily.
Exhaling a soft whine at his denial, Olympia settled in his grip as he trailed kisses along her neck, his hand lavishing her with what she wanted but it wasn’t enough. It was a good start, but she wanted him wholly, to feel how much he still wanted her even in her current state. From behind she didn’t look so different, but from front and side the growth of their son was evident no matter how loose her chitons were tied. She didn’t think she would be able to withstand nearly two more months of confinement without his touch, it was already too lonely and tiresome with only her sister’s occasional visits and her mother’s absence. Evelli had explained it was for her own benefit, that a queen must seem strong and not rely on her mother’s presence. But it felt unfair that in this moment she was forced to go without. What other time in her life would she need her mother’s guidance than when she was with child?
”We can be careful..if there’s any discomfort I’ll say so. Please, Stephanos. I need you.”
Her hand slipped down his hip, reaching for the hardness that pressed against her in an attempt to guide him towards where she desired him most. If he was going off to battle tomorrow, why not take the chance to take pleasure and comfort from one another, if only one more time. Whatever happened, she needed this more than she had ever needed him or anything else in her life, a reminder that their lives could be wonderful and peaceful once this was all over. The thought of him fighting was enough to bring her to tears and so instead she pressed back against him, her kisses more desperate, wanting to break his resolve.
In another life they could have been happy, without the pressures of the crown on their heads they could have raised their children in peace. If Zacharias had survived, and they had still wed, she could have had everything she ever wanted and more. Without a target on their backs, perhaps he would believe she loved him instead of just thinking not incorrectly she had only come to him to survive. Looking back on it now, Pia thought she would have given up everything to live out her days with him on a country estate in prosperity and comfort, welcoming him home warmly not just because she was afraid every time she saw him would be the last.
Pia gave one last plea, a plan in place to try to further tempt him if he still refused to give in, still very much unaccustomed to being told no. “Steph...please?”
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
Badges
Deleted
Deleted
His protestation sounded weak, there was a fear there that anything they did would hurt the baby and she knew it well, but many of her midwives and even her mother had said that there was no harm in taking part. Indeed he hadn’t protested at all when they had gone into the woods on their last ride before her confinement. No doubt the night of the fight had changed things, it had scared them both solidly, and there was the always lingering fear in the back of her mind that he had taken another lover. Perhaps he was simply too tired to have her after his preferred mistress. There was little she wouldn’t do for him but there were souls more depraved than she who could bend to a king’s whims easily.
Exhaling a soft whine at his denial, Olympia settled in his grip as he trailed kisses along her neck, his hand lavishing her with what she wanted but it wasn’t enough. It was a good start, but she wanted him wholly, to feel how much he still wanted her even in her current state. From behind she didn’t look so different, but from front and side the growth of their son was evident no matter how loose her chitons were tied. She didn’t think she would be able to withstand nearly two more months of confinement without his touch, it was already too lonely and tiresome with only her sister’s occasional visits and her mother’s absence. Evelli had explained it was for her own benefit, that a queen must seem strong and not rely on her mother’s presence. But it felt unfair that in this moment she was forced to go without. What other time in her life would she need her mother’s guidance than when she was with child?
”We can be careful..if there’s any discomfort I’ll say so. Please, Stephanos. I need you.”
Her hand slipped down his hip, reaching for the hardness that pressed against her in an attempt to guide him towards where she desired him most. If he was going off to battle tomorrow, why not take the chance to take pleasure and comfort from one another, if only one more time. Whatever happened, she needed this more than she had ever needed him or anything else in her life, a reminder that their lives could be wonderful and peaceful once this was all over. The thought of him fighting was enough to bring her to tears and so instead she pressed back against him, her kisses more desperate, wanting to break his resolve.
In another life they could have been happy, without the pressures of the crown on their heads they could have raised their children in peace. If Zacharias had survived, and they had still wed, she could have had everything she ever wanted and more. Without a target on their backs, perhaps he would believe she loved him instead of just thinking not incorrectly she had only come to him to survive. Looking back on it now, Pia thought she would have given up everything to live out her days with him on a country estate in prosperity and comfort, welcoming him home warmly not just because she was afraid every time she saw him would be the last.
Pia gave one last plea, a plan in place to try to further tempt him if he still refused to give in, still very much unaccustomed to being told no. “Steph...please?”
His protestation sounded weak, there was a fear there that anything they did would hurt the baby and she knew it well, but many of her midwives and even her mother had said that there was no harm in taking part. Indeed he hadn’t protested at all when they had gone into the woods on their last ride before her confinement. No doubt the night of the fight had changed things, it had scared them both solidly, and there was the always lingering fear in the back of her mind that he had taken another lover. Perhaps he was simply too tired to have her after his preferred mistress. There was little she wouldn’t do for him but there were souls more depraved than she who could bend to a king’s whims easily.
Exhaling a soft whine at his denial, Olympia settled in his grip as he trailed kisses along her neck, his hand lavishing her with what she wanted but it wasn’t enough. It was a good start, but she wanted him wholly, to feel how much he still wanted her even in her current state. From behind she didn’t look so different, but from front and side the growth of their son was evident no matter how loose her chitons were tied. She didn’t think she would be able to withstand nearly two more months of confinement without his touch, it was already too lonely and tiresome with only her sister’s occasional visits and her mother’s absence. Evelli had explained it was for her own benefit, that a queen must seem strong and not rely on her mother’s presence. But it felt unfair that in this moment she was forced to go without. What other time in her life would she need her mother’s guidance than when she was with child?
”We can be careful..if there’s any discomfort I’ll say so. Please, Stephanos. I need you.”
Her hand slipped down his hip, reaching for the hardness that pressed against her in an attempt to guide him towards where she desired him most. If he was going off to battle tomorrow, why not take the chance to take pleasure and comfort from one another, if only one more time. Whatever happened, she needed this more than she had ever needed him or anything else in her life, a reminder that their lives could be wonderful and peaceful once this was all over. The thought of him fighting was enough to bring her to tears and so instead she pressed back against him, her kisses more desperate, wanting to break his resolve.
In another life they could have been happy, without the pressures of the crown on their heads they could have raised their children in peace. If Zacharias had survived, and they had still wed, she could have had everything she ever wanted and more. Without a target on their backs, perhaps he would believe she loved him instead of just thinking not incorrectly she had only come to him to survive. Looking back on it now, Pia thought she would have given up everything to live out her days with him on a country estate in prosperity and comfort, welcoming him home warmly not just because she was afraid every time she saw him would be the last.
Pia gave one last plea, a plan in place to try to further tempt him if he still refused to give in, still very much unaccustomed to being told no. “Steph...please?”
This was taking far more self control than he had ever exhibited in his entire life. Her constant refrain of ‘it’s safe’ was beginning to weaken his resolve. Though she seemed afraid that it had, his desire for her never waned because of her changing form. Circumstances surrounding them were not in their favor. The fight had kept him away, the fear had kept him away, but she herself had not.
It was why he was here now. Why he’d needed to see her before the battle. For her own sake, he’d intended just to sleep next to her. But now she was literally grinding and begging for more than he’d initially wanted to give. She reached down and guided him to her. He did nothing to stop her but instead kissed her neck, sucking and nipping but nothing to leave a mark where anyone would see. She was the queen. Not a common nobody.
This was the first time since the day he’d found out that he wished she wasn’t pregnant. There would be nothing at all to this if she was without the baby. He’d have taken her at the first plea. But, if she wasn’t with child, likely she would not be here now. Or at least, she wouldn’t be here now as his wife.
That was a sobering thought. Because, as much as he hadn’t wanted to marry her when he’d done it, he’d since come to terms with the decision, and even was happy with it. He didn’t want to be married to anyone else. And with that thought, his resolve broke.
“Steph...please?”
She’d already guided him to her opening. All it took was to ease his hips forward. He moved inside her, far more slowly and gently than he’d ever considered he might have to do. There was a reason she wasn’t usually told no. He wants were simply usually aligned to hers. Even in this instance. “I love you,” he murmured into her ear. “Whatever happens tomorrow.”
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
Badges
Deleted
Deleted
This was taking far more self control than he had ever exhibited in his entire life. Her constant refrain of ‘it’s safe’ was beginning to weaken his resolve. Though she seemed afraid that it had, his desire for her never waned because of her changing form. Circumstances surrounding them were not in their favor. The fight had kept him away, the fear had kept him away, but she herself had not.
It was why he was here now. Why he’d needed to see her before the battle. For her own sake, he’d intended just to sleep next to her. But now she was literally grinding and begging for more than he’d initially wanted to give. She reached down and guided him to her. He did nothing to stop her but instead kissed her neck, sucking and nipping but nothing to leave a mark where anyone would see. She was the queen. Not a common nobody.
This was the first time since the day he’d found out that he wished she wasn’t pregnant. There would be nothing at all to this if she was without the baby. He’d have taken her at the first plea. But, if she wasn’t with child, likely she would not be here now. Or at least, she wouldn’t be here now as his wife.
That was a sobering thought. Because, as much as he hadn’t wanted to marry her when he’d done it, he’d since come to terms with the decision, and even was happy with it. He didn’t want to be married to anyone else. And with that thought, his resolve broke.
“Steph...please?”
She’d already guided him to her opening. All it took was to ease his hips forward. He moved inside her, far more slowly and gently than he’d ever considered he might have to do. There was a reason she wasn’t usually told no. He wants were simply usually aligned to hers. Even in this instance. “I love you,” he murmured into her ear. “Whatever happens tomorrow.”
This was taking far more self control than he had ever exhibited in his entire life. Her constant refrain of ‘it’s safe’ was beginning to weaken his resolve. Though she seemed afraid that it had, his desire for her never waned because of her changing form. Circumstances surrounding them were not in their favor. The fight had kept him away, the fear had kept him away, but she herself had not.
It was why he was here now. Why he’d needed to see her before the battle. For her own sake, he’d intended just to sleep next to her. But now she was literally grinding and begging for more than he’d initially wanted to give. She reached down and guided him to her. He did nothing to stop her but instead kissed her neck, sucking and nipping but nothing to leave a mark where anyone would see. She was the queen. Not a common nobody.
This was the first time since the day he’d found out that he wished she wasn’t pregnant. There would be nothing at all to this if she was without the baby. He’d have taken her at the first plea. But, if she wasn’t with child, likely she would not be here now. Or at least, she wouldn’t be here now as his wife.
That was a sobering thought. Because, as much as he hadn’t wanted to marry her when he’d done it, he’d since come to terms with the decision, and even was happy with it. He didn’t want to be married to anyone else. And with that thought, his resolve broke.
“Steph...please?”
She’d already guided him to her opening. All it took was to ease his hips forward. He moved inside her, far more slowly and gently than he’d ever considered he might have to do. There was a reason she wasn’t usually told no. He wants were simply usually aligned to hers. Even in this instance. “I love you,” he murmured into her ear. “Whatever happens tomorrow.”
A triumphant smile was replaced by a sigh of pleasure as he finally gave in, joining their bodies in the way that was most natural for them. From the beginning sex had been their drive, their pull to one another, everything else had grown from how easily their bodies fit and the instinct that moved them. His lips on her neck and his breath in her ear made her shiver as her hand reached for his hip, then those three little words hit her.
Stephanos had shown her how he cared in the past, demonstrated in little ways that he found her fairly tolerable and even enjoyed having her around. But this was the first time she had ever heard him say that he loved her. She felt the prick of tears and squeezed her eyes shut to try to keep them from spilling free, there had been enough tears between them lately and she didn't want him to think she was utterly weak and unstable. After all, she was to be the mother of his heirs and if the mother was not strong how could the son be.
"I love you. Whatever happens tomorrow, come back to me."
Pia lifted her hand from his hip to tangle in his hair, reaching and twisting back so she could seek his lips instead as she rolled her hips back against him. If this was to be the last time she wanted to savor every moment and every thrust between them, and if there was to be more then she wanted to remember this as the moment they truly recognized the love between them. It was slower than they were used to, more gentle and cautious, but now for her the emotion and knowing that he loved her was all the more intense.
When they came to rest, she reached to draw the blanket over them, curling up as best she could against his chest. Heartbeats slowed and Olympia wrapped her arm around him, tucking her face against his shoulder and trying once again not to cry. She didn't want to let go, didn't want to see him go off to risk his life. As much as she had been trying to tell herself he would be fine, and as much as she believed that he would return victorious, she was terrified of what tomorrow would bring.
"Will you stay with me tonight?"
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
Badges
Deleted
Deleted
A triumphant smile was replaced by a sigh of pleasure as he finally gave in, joining their bodies in the way that was most natural for them. From the beginning sex had been their drive, their pull to one another, everything else had grown from how easily their bodies fit and the instinct that moved them. His lips on her neck and his breath in her ear made her shiver as her hand reached for his hip, then those three little words hit her.
Stephanos had shown her how he cared in the past, demonstrated in little ways that he found her fairly tolerable and even enjoyed having her around. But this was the first time she had ever heard him say that he loved her. She felt the prick of tears and squeezed her eyes shut to try to keep them from spilling free, there had been enough tears between them lately and she didn't want him to think she was utterly weak and unstable. After all, she was to be the mother of his heirs and if the mother was not strong how could the son be.
"I love you. Whatever happens tomorrow, come back to me."
Pia lifted her hand from his hip to tangle in his hair, reaching and twisting back so she could seek his lips instead as she rolled her hips back against him. If this was to be the last time she wanted to savor every moment and every thrust between them, and if there was to be more then she wanted to remember this as the moment they truly recognized the love between them. It was slower than they were used to, more gentle and cautious, but now for her the emotion and knowing that he loved her was all the more intense.
When they came to rest, she reached to draw the blanket over them, curling up as best she could against his chest. Heartbeats slowed and Olympia wrapped her arm around him, tucking her face against his shoulder and trying once again not to cry. She didn't want to let go, didn't want to see him go off to risk his life. As much as she had been trying to tell herself he would be fine, and as much as she believed that he would return victorious, she was terrified of what tomorrow would bring.
"Will you stay with me tonight?"
A triumphant smile was replaced by a sigh of pleasure as he finally gave in, joining their bodies in the way that was most natural for them. From the beginning sex had been their drive, their pull to one another, everything else had grown from how easily their bodies fit and the instinct that moved them. His lips on her neck and his breath in her ear made her shiver as her hand reached for his hip, then those three little words hit her.
Stephanos had shown her how he cared in the past, demonstrated in little ways that he found her fairly tolerable and even enjoyed having her around. But this was the first time she had ever heard him say that he loved her. She felt the prick of tears and squeezed her eyes shut to try to keep them from spilling free, there had been enough tears between them lately and she didn't want him to think she was utterly weak and unstable. After all, she was to be the mother of his heirs and if the mother was not strong how could the son be.
"I love you. Whatever happens tomorrow, come back to me."
Pia lifted her hand from his hip to tangle in his hair, reaching and twisting back so she could seek his lips instead as she rolled her hips back against him. If this was to be the last time she wanted to savor every moment and every thrust between them, and if there was to be more then she wanted to remember this as the moment they truly recognized the love between them. It was slower than they were used to, more gentle and cautious, but now for her the emotion and knowing that he loved her was all the more intense.
When they came to rest, she reached to draw the blanket over them, curling up as best she could against his chest. Heartbeats slowed and Olympia wrapped her arm around him, tucking her face against his shoulder and trying once again not to cry. She didn't want to let go, didn't want to see him go off to risk his life. As much as she had been trying to tell herself he would be fine, and as much as she believed that he would return victorious, she was terrified of what tomorrow would bring.
"Will you stay with me tonight?"
As his wife turned over and nestled into him, drawing the blankets up and over them, he felt like he’d lost the battle of wills. She’d gotten her way, as usual. But he found he wasn’t angry, like he probably should have been that she’d kept pushing and tempting until he gave in. Rather, he let her settle against his chest. He rested his chin on the top of her head and stared at the opposite wall.
Through the window, he could see the deep, bruised blue of night. Olympia’s arms were warm around him and for a time, they were both silent. Despite the concerns for tomorrow, his body was relaxed and his mind wandered down meandering paths that ultimately led nowhere. He blinked slowly as a drowsy calm descended.
Pia spoke into his chest, asking if he would stay.
“That’s why I came to you,” he said. His voice was quiet in the near silent room. The fire burned low in the bronze bowls of the braziers and eventually simmered down to nothing but glowing embers, dimming the room to near perfect darkness. With her there, he slept about as soundly as he ever did sober.
Just before morning, a servant slipped into the room and whispered into his ear to wake him, careful not to be loud enough to wake the queen. He gently disentangled himself from her and bent down to kiss her forehead before he took up his clothes from off the floor, dressed quickly, and left the room. It was time to prepare for battle.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
Badges
Deleted
Deleted
As his wife turned over and nestled into him, drawing the blankets up and over them, he felt like he’d lost the battle of wills. She’d gotten her way, as usual. But he found he wasn’t angry, like he probably should have been that she’d kept pushing and tempting until he gave in. Rather, he let her settle against his chest. He rested his chin on the top of her head and stared at the opposite wall.
Through the window, he could see the deep, bruised blue of night. Olympia’s arms were warm around him and for a time, they were both silent. Despite the concerns for tomorrow, his body was relaxed and his mind wandered down meandering paths that ultimately led nowhere. He blinked slowly as a drowsy calm descended.
Pia spoke into his chest, asking if he would stay.
“That’s why I came to you,” he said. His voice was quiet in the near silent room. The fire burned low in the bronze bowls of the braziers and eventually simmered down to nothing but glowing embers, dimming the room to near perfect darkness. With her there, he slept about as soundly as he ever did sober.
Just before morning, a servant slipped into the room and whispered into his ear to wake him, careful not to be loud enough to wake the queen. He gently disentangled himself from her and bent down to kiss her forehead before he took up his clothes from off the floor, dressed quickly, and left the room. It was time to prepare for battle.
As his wife turned over and nestled into him, drawing the blankets up and over them, he felt like he’d lost the battle of wills. She’d gotten her way, as usual. But he found he wasn’t angry, like he probably should have been that she’d kept pushing and tempting until he gave in. Rather, he let her settle against his chest. He rested his chin on the top of her head and stared at the opposite wall.
Through the window, he could see the deep, bruised blue of night. Olympia’s arms were warm around him and for a time, they were both silent. Despite the concerns for tomorrow, his body was relaxed and his mind wandered down meandering paths that ultimately led nowhere. He blinked slowly as a drowsy calm descended.
Pia spoke into his chest, asking if he would stay.
“That’s why I came to you,” he said. His voice was quiet in the near silent room. The fire burned low in the bronze bowls of the braziers and eventually simmered down to nothing but glowing embers, dimming the room to near perfect darkness. With her there, he slept about as soundly as he ever did sober.
Just before morning, a servant slipped into the room and whispered into his ear to wake him, careful not to be loud enough to wake the queen. He gently disentangled himself from her and bent down to kiss her forehead before he took up his clothes from off the floor, dressed quickly, and left the room. It was time to prepare for battle.
