A Soldiers' Duty, 11

Hephaistion remembers how Philip blackmailed him.

Rating: Disturbing sexual imagery, rape

Eleven

It had started with his being called into Phillip's office at random. Sometimes Phillip simply spoke with him, asked him questions about he and Alexander, he'd done this so much at first and in such a kind manner that Hephaistion felt completely comfortable with the older man. He'd forgotten his opponent was a brilliant strategist and had been played right into his open hands.

The first time had been bad enough, shocking enough, but yesterday was the worst. Afterward he'd thrown up until he lay, unmoving in the grass. It wasn't so much the act as the feeling of violation. To him what he and Alexander shared was sacred. Now he felt it was ruined. He couldn't help his feelings, and began to loathe himself for being so weak.

He didn't know what to do, he couldn't afford to wait for the next time. He shivered unknowing Alexander was watching him, wondering. Hephaistion sipped the wine while in his mind he was back in Phillip's office that first time remembering as his King blackmailed him.

"Ah, Hephaistion, I've wanted to speak with you. Come here," Phillip had been genial and friendly when he walked in. Hephaistion was at ease thinking they were going to talk again and smiled widely at the older man.

"I've heard some disturbing news about you and don't like it. You've been getting in fights? This cannot continue, you understand? I will not brook insubordination among my troops." Phillip got up and strode around the large room until he stood behind Hephaistion who was at attention before his worktable.

"Yes, my Lord." He sighed, dismayed, he'd hoped Phillip hadn't heard about his fighting. He didn't want him to take a dislike to him now. He'd been trying so hard, doing everything Kleitos suggested staying in the King's good graces and trying to please Alexander. "I'm sorry, my Lord, I'll try harder."

Phillip moved closer, closed his eyes, and took a deep breath. He could smell the youth's essence - it excited him. He put a hand on Hephaistion's shoulder, and then slid it up under the long fall of hair until he reached the nape of his neck. "I'm sure you will." He said congenially as his thick fingers stroked the tender skin.

Hephaistion froze. He was about to shift his weight, carefully, and move from Phillip's reach when the hand moved down his back coming to rest with an obvious sensual caress on his hips.

"My lord," he began as his eyes widened in shock at the inappropriate touch. Quickly he was silenced as Phillip put his hand over his mouth and pulled him back until he was captive against the brawny chest.

"Now, Hephaistion, we will have a little talk."

Hephaistion schooled himself to calmness. The somber mask that had slowly over the past months become a part of his outward features came down hooding his eyes, hiding his racing heart, his sense of terror, his fear and distress.

"You will recall that I asked whether you were my friend or foe. And you assured me you were my most loyal subject. You recall this, do you not?"

Hephaistion shook his head, and tried to concentrate on his breathing, which was now timed to the fingers slowing traveling their way down his chest toward his belly and loins.

"Yet the affair continues with Alexander. Since Alexander will not obey me, and you have defied me, one of you must pay for this disloyalty. I have decided it shall be you."

Hephaistion had never been afraid in battle, but now he started to shake, he tried to control it, but his limbs seemed bewitched. Phillip's fingers were tugging at the shoulder of his chiton, loosening it, pulling it down. He pushed him forward until he rested against the table. Then he released his hand.

"My Lord, please –"Hephaistion gulped trying to get his breath which seemed to be robbed with each stroke of the seeking fingers along his body.

"Do not speak, Hephaistion, it is past time for words." Phillip admonished him and bent down kissing the bare neck and back. "I could have you whipped for disobeying me, you know that? Remember you are in my service and answerable to me only. You do recall that, don't you? You know your Father would be most distressed to hear you would not amenable to pleasing your king. Should I tell him?"

"No!" Hephaistion jerked at the words and moaned softly. No, that would be almost as bad as Alexander finding out.

"Good, good," Phillip smiled to himself this was going well. The boy just needed some breaking in. His hands roamed under the chiton, along the length of ivory thigh he'd so admired the day Kleitos had tossed Hephaistion in the pond.

"I see you are wise enough to know when it is futile to struggle. But, in case you try, now," he paused, "or in the future, I will tell you this, if you resist my advances I will make life so miserable for my son, he will wish himself dead. Do you understand me? Do you?"

Hephaistion shook his head in agreement and staggered, clutching the edge of the table, praying to Apollo not to faint. Just when he thought, his heart had calmed a bit, Phillip's hot fingers found him. He closed his eyes and moaned, at the pressure grasping him, but it was not a moan of pleasure.

To Phillip's ears, it was the sweetest of sounds. He lifted the rest of Hephaistion's chiton baring him to his greedy eyes.

"So, Hephaistion I will tell you how things are going to be with us." He paused smiling as he listened to the soft distressed cries issuing from the boy's lips.

Hephaistion shook his head, "I… no! Please Ph-" he glanced around wildly, heat flooding his face at the memory.

To be continued