Babylon, Persia---June 323 B.C.
Hushed whispers are heard throughout the room. A woman in the background is heard sobbing and gasping, praying for air to fill her lungs and the man she loves. That man, her husband, lies dying on a bed surrounded by his wife and men. The man stretches his hand toward the sky, a ring held high. Finally the man gasps and his arm falls limp, the ring clattering to the floor. My name is Cithara, Queen of Macedonia, and Wife to Alexander the Great. And this is our story……
Pella, Macedonia
Alexander and I lay on the bed listening to his mother sing us a lullaby. My mother had died in childbirth and my father; well he never wanted to be burdened by a child. Olympius, Alexander's mother, took me in. Through her kindness, Alexander and I became the best of friends. However, many people said that if Alexander were to ever become, I was sure to be beside his side as Queen.
Olympius played with a snake in her hand as she sang. "Trust the ones who give you love. Life has just begun my little ones." Alexander sat up watching his mother intently while I hid behind him, afraid of the snakes bite. Olympius motioned me closer and pulled me in front of Alexander, who in turn wrapped his small arms around me to comfort me. "Her skin is water, her tongue is fire. She's your friend." She whispered to me. I looked on with interest and slight fear as she stretched her hand holding the snake, out towards me. "Take it. If you hesitate she will strike. Remember that, never hesitate." She said sternly. I stretched my small hands out and gently accepted the snake into my hands. Alexander touched her gently as she wove around our hands. I giggled at the feeling of her skin on mine and Alexander smiled. "Yes my little ones, they are like people, you can love them for years, feed them, nurture them, but still they can turn on you." She spoke softly. She smiled as Alexander and I became engrossed in the snake.
Crashes of plates, glasses and shouts of men could be heard from outside. I winced in Alexander's arms and buried my head into his shoulder. He hugged me tight and Olympius pulled the snake from our hands. "And he calls me a barbarian; Phillip makes a mockery of Dionysus every night." I climbed out of Alexander's arms and crawled toward the edge of the bed as Olympius knelt down in front of a large basket. She lifted the lid and a small white snake slithered slowly out and into her hands. She stood and turned to me looking me straight in the eyes. "Listen closely to me little Cithara. Women are the only ones that know Dionysus." She then walked over and lit the incense before a shire to Dionysus. I smiled and lay back on the bed as she walked back over and pretended to hide behind curtains. Alexander loved that game. He smiled brightly towards his mother. "My little Achilles." She whispered smiling at Alexander. Olympius crawled up next to Alexander and I who were side by side on the bed. My small head was placed on his chest as he played with my hair. She smiled down on us and took off her armbands and covered us with a blanket, settling in after us. I smiled and closed my eye, feeling sleep coming upon me.
Suddenly the door banged open and my head snapped up to see King Phillip walk, or rather stagger into the room. "Stay Alexander, Cithara down." She whispered. I clutched tightly to Alexander, fear running through my body. She stood from the bed and walked over to King Phillip. "What is it you—"She was cut off as Phillip grabbed her head and kissed her harshly. She struggled and whimpered. "Six months to the day." Phillip said as she struggled in his grip. "No not here!" Olympius cried. I buried my head against Alexander as he clutched me tight to his chest. "Drop it to your King!" Phillip cried. "King of what?!? Sheepherders men?!" Olympius cried. Alexander quickly grabbed a blanket and covered our heads. Phillip's laughter could be heard throughout the room. "I am Achilles royal blood." Olympius said. Phillips merely laughed louder. "Well Achilles runs in my veins." He replied. Alexander peeked over the blanket and I yanked on his shirt urging him to move it back over his head. "You are nothing but a drunken whore!" Olympius screamed. I heard them struggle more as Alexander pulled the blanket back. Suddenly a large weight was dropped on the bed. "You think people respect you, you think they don't know your bastards?" Olympius said loudly. I gasped and all suddenly became quiet. The blanket covering Alexander and I was then yanked from our bodies. I immediately sat up and moved away from Phillip, Alexander not far behind.
A stunned look crossed his face as we sat there cowering away from him. He stood up and anger became apparent on his face. "Damn your socereous soul; keep them here like your damned snakes! I told you not! I told you not!!" He screamed throwing things around the room. I winced and Alexander wrapped me in his arms again and pulled me close. "It'll be me." Phillip whispered. He lunged and wrapped his hands around my ankle. I screamed as he dragged me out of Alexander's arms, who was desperately clinging to me, and pinned my small body beneath him. I thrashed and screamed as he yelled out towards Olympius. "You will be with me, or I will kill her with my bare hands." He then wrapped his hands around my throat and squeezed. I gasped and tried to pry his hands from my neck. Olympius screamed, "Phillip no! She is only a child!" Alexander sprang onto his fathers back. "Stop stop stop!!" his small voice screamed. Phillip reared back and knocked Alexander from his back. The small boy was flung across the room as Phillip continued to squeeze my neck.
The door suddenly flew open as maids of Olympius flooded into the room. "Your majesty no!" Phillip withdrew breathing hard. Alexander and I were quickly scooped up as I spluttered into Olympius's shoulder. She stroked my hair and shushed me. From the corner of my eye I could see Alexander squirm from one of the maids and dart towards his mother and I. "In the name of God, he will never be yours. NEVER!!" Olympius screamed. I cried harder as Alexander wrapped his arms around me. I pulled myself from her and grabbed onto Alexander, tears spilling onto his shoulder. "In my womb I carried my avenger! And alongside that girl, they will avenge me!" Olympius screamed at Phillip. He turned and ran from room, pushing passed his guards. Olympius continued to scream in agony, anger, and hatred. I tried to ignore her and clung tighter to Alexander. "Alexander, may God have mercy on us all." His only response was to hold me tighter.