Chapter 13
"Taking Chances"
The blue-green sea reflected the rosy golden rays from the evening sun setting over the Aegean. The sky was a seamless watercolor of gold, purple, pink, and orange, and every peak of the waves upon the sea was a glitter of gold in the distance. The salty sea breeze was balmy as it caressed Lila's cheek gently, and the sand on the beach under her bare feet retained the warmth from the day. The sweet smell of the flowers woven into her hair mingled with the breeze embracing her, and her every step forward made her heart race faster and faster in her chest in both excitement and anticipation. There was no fear or sadness, and the thought of her imminent departure was the furthest thing from her mind. Simply put, there was no room in her heart at that moment for anything other than love.
Her hazel eyes were situated on the face of her Trojan prince. He looked so incredibly handsome in his royal blue robes with a gold leafed crown nestled neatly into his wild chestnut curls. His normally dark eyes were warm in the evening light and lit up with tender happiness as he watched her approach. The soft gurgle of the waves crashing upon the shore formed her wedding march, and a sudden breeze playfully lifted the gauzy material of her white dress and tossed her auburn waves up into the air. There was a curve to her prince's lips, and she was beaming brighter than any star in the night sky. In that moment, she was prepared for the happiness swelling within her body to engulf her and light her slender frame on fire under the evening sun.
Lila had insisted the ceremony be small, including only their family and close friends, and similarly, she had no desire for decorations or music. All she wanted was Hector. Still, she maintained some familiar traditions from her time: the bouquet of exotic flowers in her hands, her current approach toward Hector where he waited patiently for her by the high priest, and the rings. Helen had insisted on designing her dress, and Lila had to admit the princess had outdone herself. The material was thin and delicate, but it was layered to maintain a sense of modesty and cover her adequately. In the sea breeze, however, the light layers lifted and twisted easily in a beautiful fan behind her. At her shoulders the fragile material was gathered in delicate gold pins offset with small pearls, it plunged down in the front, but in the back it was open all the way down to her lower back. A slender gold band twisted around her ribs down to her waist, molding the material against her curves. Her auburn waves cascaded down to the middle of her back, and gold bands and small white flowers were woven into her hair. She wore no jewelry or sandals, and it was a way for Lila to feel grounded. She never enjoyed the idea of hiding inside some cupcake gown beneath pounds of makeup and covered in veil. Lila felt exposed but pure.
When she finally stood before her love, she passed her bouquet to Helen at her left before Hector enveloped her hands in his own. Her thumb gently caressed his large, worn hands as she peered up him with a smile on her face. Hector's beard was trimmed, his coils combed, and he looked so handsome, it made Lila's cheeks flush when he smiled broadly down at her. The high priest began the foreign ceremony, but as with the waves, his voice faded into the periphery of her mind. Perhaps she shouldn't admit it, but she couldn't have cared less what the priest said. Her sole concern was standing proudly in front her, and he was capable enough to guide her patiently through the ritual without causing her any embarrassment or making her feel alienated. Then Lila assumed control by taking his left hand in her own and slipping a small gold band on his finger, and she recited the words she had heard so many times before, "I take you to be my husband for richer or for poorer, in sickness and health, to love and to cherish from this day forward until death do us part." The normally elusive words suddenly had a purpose and clarity when she looked up into Hector's face. She meant every single syllable.
In turn, he slipped a slender gold band on Lila's left ring finger and returned, "I vow to love you faithfully, to protect you, and to care for you until my death." Hector had never been a man of many words, but Lila knew as the weight of each one filled the space between them that there was no deceit or uncertainty lacing them. It made her heart flutter, and she suddenly realized warm tears were rolling down her flushed cheeks. Without hesitation, he swept them away with a gentleness unexpected of the seasoned soldier, but Lila had come to love the tenderness he granted her daily.
Kind old King Priam stepped forward then with a delicate gold leafed crown between his hands, and Lila bowed her head as he placed it on her. When she lifted her gaze, he was beaming at her and announced, "I give Troy her princess and future queen: Lila."
The priest took Hector and Lila's hands in his own and finished, "With the gods as my witness, I pronounce you husband and wife for the rest of your days."
The small crowd clapped and cheered, but Lila grabbed her husband and kissed him with more passion and happiness than she knew possible. His strong arms wrapped around her waist and lifted her off the ground with ease. When her toes finally met the sand again, she hugged Hector tightly to her and whispered, "I love you."
"I love you too," he promised into her hair, and then they faced their family and friends no longer as lovers but as man and wife. It was the greatest feeling either had ever experienced.
High above Mount Olympus lightening crackled and thunder clapped loudly as an extension of Zeus' anger. His children were constantly causing trouble of some sort and disobeying his orders (perhaps it was a trait they inherited from their powerful though often corrupt father), but this level of dissention from his son Apollo especially irritated him. It was well known that he had a low opinion of mortals who were so insolent and ungrateful for their petty lives and the world they inhabited. As time passed, Zeus had begun to notice the way mortals seemed less and less concerned with serving and honoring the gods, and the vain god in turn felt tempted on several occasions to flood the entire Earth and start over with a more appreciative bunch of followers. Then, of course, he had to deal with the fact that some souls would not stay in the afterlife. Zeus suspected it was his jealous brother Hades who sent the souls away time and time again as a way to taunt Zeus and to remind him that although he was the leader of the gods, he was not as omnipotent as he liked to think.
Furthermore, his meddling son Apollo had to bring a mortal back in time to save Troy. Normally, Zeus would not be too concerned with such an act –especially considering he had a soft spot for Apollo- but a soul mate? Zeus angrily threw a lightening bolt at the sun god standing before him, and Apollo narrowly dodged it. "Are you truly so stupid or simply insubordinate?" the father of the gods growled.
Apollo knelt before his father as a sign of respect and answered, "The Greeks desecrated my temple, murdered my unarmed servants, and decapitated my statue… Father, I could not let them take Troy."
"You should have punished them for their arrogance and impudence!" Zeus agreed easily. "But you purposely betrayed my trust and brought Hector's soul mate through time. You ingrate!" he roared as a new wave of anger washed through him. Thunder shook the gods' palace in the heavens with more force than an earthquake.
"I meant no disrespect," the sun god assured him. "It was the best way to punish the Greeks and protect my servants."
Zeus' sky blue eyes narrowed suspiciously. "You care more about the love of your mortal servants than the love of your father?"
"No! We thrive on the worship and sacrifices of our servants, and I am the protector of Troy. Would you have me abandon them?"
"I would have you choose your actions more wisely, you arrogant swine!" The air around Zeus crackled with electricity.
"We can't separate them," Artemis pointed out from her position behind her twin when it became obvious that Zeus would not settle down.
"They should never have been brought together," the father of the gods grumbled angrily as he sat back on his throne and mused the situation over with bitter annoyance.
"She's only a mortal," Artemis offered, playing on her father's arrogance. "Can't she remain?"
"She is a mortal who has already drastically changed the course of history and saved a city from its fate. What will she do next? Perhaps give the Trojans Greek fire? Her knowledge is too dangerous to leave her," Zeus growled low in his throat while thumbing idly at a lightening bolt in his massive hand. Finally, he decided, "We cannot separate them if they were never joined."
Both Artemis and Apollo gasped at their father's statement. "Are you suggesting…?"
"I will turn back time to before your idiotic mistake."
"But Troy will fall!" Apollo stood up in shock and anger.
"What do I care?" Zeus rejoined with an edge to his voice as if he desired for the city fall that very second. "Leave me!"
Athena had watched the exchange from afar, and she frowned at her father's decision. The goddess of wisdom was known for her patronage of heroes throughout the ages, and in particular, she had a great deal of respect for Hector, the hero of the Trojan War. The thought of a deserving soldier dying and his beloved city of Troy falling to such an ignorant glutton as Agamemnon easily irritated the goddess. True, she had an interest in Odysseus for his guile and wit, but her admiration for one mortal king was not worth sacrificing an entire city or risking the life of such talented warrior as Hector. Consequently, her mind was made within moments.
She quickly caught up with Apollo and Artemis and said, "I will help you."
"There's nothing to be done, Athena," Apollo answered with the slightest pout to his rosy lips.
"Zeus has decided," Artemis added, and her midnight blue eyes shimmered with a mixture of sadness and anger.
"We can convince him otherwise," Athena assured them.
"There's no time," Artemis objected with annoyance.
"We will make time." The twins peered at their older sister with curiosity replacing their anger and despair, and Athena granted them a wise smile. Zeus' decision had inspired her, and she explained, "We will hide them."
Night was met with revelry in the streets of Troy as the countrymen celebrated the union of their beloved prince and welcomed their newest princess and future queen. Hector was brimming with an unhindered happiness as he glanced down at his beautiful bride. Every time he saw her, it took his breath away. Her hazel eyes glittered in the candlelight as they met his, and the most amazing feeling flooded the prince's body from his toes to his head. Her smell was intoxicating as Lila leaned in to him and whispered, "I don't feel like I'm worthy of all this." Her small hand motioned to the crowd celebrating in the square.
"This your country now. These are your people. You deserve their love and respect, and they deserve yours in return," he answered earnestly. She caught her bottom lip between her teeth thoughtfully, and at the sight, Hector suddenly wanted to kiss her full lips. His hand cradled the back of her neck gently, and he lowered his face to brush his lips across hers.
When he pulled away, she ran her tongue across her lip and grinned at him. "You taste like wine," she observed. Lila had told him how some sort of research had discovered that drinking alcohol while pregnant had adverse effects on the baby, and consequently, she hadn't indulged in a drop since learning of her condition. Clearly, however, on such a celebratory night she missed the drink somewhat, but the prince knew she would never endanger their unborn child. So, Hector quickly kissed her again with the excuse of allowing her to taste his lips, and she giggled against him. "My husband," she murmured and was obviously pleased with the feel of the words rolling off her tongue.
"My wife," he answered, enjoying the sensation of the title as well. He had allowed Lila to plan the entire event however she pleased. Considering his previous traditional though flamboyant marriage to Andromache, he had no need for anything spectacular or extravagant. Still, he had decided easily that his love would have her dream wedding whatever that entailed. To his surprise and pleasure, Lila had insisted on a very small event despite Helen's constant attempt to upgrade. Eventually, Lila had silenced the princess by allowing Helen to design her dress, and as his eyes roamed comfortably across her exposed delicate skin, he mentally thanked Helen for her contribution. Lila was the most enchanting woman he had ever come across. Even when he first met her in the chamber beneath the palace floors, she had bewitched him with her dazzling eyes, and he would not trade her for a thousand Helens. True, his brother's wife was beautiful; but Lila's looks were unique, and her charismatic manner was enticing. She was unlike any woman Hector had met: fierce yet reserved, brave though terrified, mysterious but open, resilient and fragile, short-tempered with an abundance of kindness. It was an enigma to him how such a small woman could be capable of so many qualities, and he fondly remembered how Paris had observed days after meeting her that she was like a fawn within a lioness' skin. Frankly, Hector couldn't have said it better himself.
Lila was talking with Helen and Paris at the moment. Helen held Astyanax, and Hector had the feeling that his sister-in-law longed for a child of her own. He had been able to see the slight flicker of jealousy in Helen's eyes yesterday evening when Lila had confided to her friend about her condition. At that moment, Lila covered her mouth to hide a sudden yawn, and he smiled. The pregnancy left her tired most days, but it was to his advantage as far as the prince was concerned. There would be no complaint from him about his lover lounging naked in his bed. None whatsoever. It was their wedding night after all, and although they might have already beaten everyone to the punch line, Hector was insatiable for her –especially in her gown which left little to his imagination. "My lord," a servant said from his left, drawing Hector from his thoughts of Lila.
"Speak," the prince rejoined with a hint of annoyance.
"There is a visitor here who desires an audience with you."
Hector frowned. "It is the night of my wedding. Whoever it is can wait until tomorrow."
"My lord," the servant pressed and bowed lower as he realized he was overstepping his boundaries, "it concerns Princess Lila."
The prince tilted his head in wary curiosity. "Very well," he decided with a glance at his wife who immediately took his arm when he stood. She had not overheard the conversation between himself and the servant and was clearly confused by his sudden departure from her side.
"Where are you going?"
"A matter of the court, my love. I'll return soon." With that he kissed her temple and left before she could ask another question. It was not a strategy the prince was particularly proud of, breezing past his new wife on the night of their wedding, but he felt no need to distress her or pull her from the revelry. As her husband, it was his responsibility to handle such matters. The servant led him within the palace into a room stemming from the entryway. Inside stood a cloaked and hooded figure whose face and all identifying attributes were hidden from Hector. "Show yourself," he commanded gruffly. In response the person dropped the cloak to the floor, and Hector gasped. Quickly, the prince took a knee before the goddess Athena and said, "I apologize, Goddess. I did not know it was you."
"Stand, brave Prince Hector," she advised with a silky voice. Hector obeyed, and Athena slowly trailed a circle around the prince, examining him with interest. He didn't speak a word out of turn for he greatly respected the goddess of wisdom and also understood if only vaguely the extent of her influence. "I wish I was not forced to disrupt your wedding night, but I'm afraid there is no time left."
"Are you here to take Lila?" he asked with unmistakable pain lining his eyes though he tried to hide it.
"Yes and no," the goddess rejoined and finally stopped where she had began in front of Hector. "Zeus wishes to turn back time to before you and Lila were brought together." Hector wasn't sure what to say, but he was unable to stop the frown from creasing in his handsome brow. "Fortunately, I favor you, and therefore I favor Lila. I have come to help you both."
"How?" The prince asked and felt a tinge of hope for the first time in days.
"I will hide you while I convince Zeus to alter his plan." Suddenly, the goddess offered a half-smile to the wall behind Hector and announced, "You can come out of hiding." Hector turned to see Lila step out from around the corner with Astyanax on her hip. "All of you." Soon Paris and Helen followed Lila, and they all stood by Hector in front of the goddess with a mixture of anxiety, hope, and embarrassment. "Come here, Lila," Athena commanded, and the redhead approached her cautiously. As with Hector, the goddess circled Lila slowly and looked her up and down for minutes without speaking a word. "For once," she decided as she paused to the left of Lila, "Apollo wasn't exaggerating."
"About what?" Lila curiously asked and glanced at Athena.
"You," the goddess answered cryptically without any desire to divulge anymore beyond that. "I assume you three overheard my proposal."
"Yes," Paris admitted for the group. "We are very grateful for your help."
"I had not intended on including all of you," the goddess mused aloud.
"I don't understand," Lila spoke up. "What do you mean by hiding us?"
"If time is the issue, then I shall hide you within the sands of time," Athena answered with a mischievous smile. "I will have an opportunity while Zeus searches for you to convince him to abandon his plan."
"You mentioned all of us," Helen said softly from her place beside Paris, and the princess bowed her head respectfully when Athena's gaze fell upon her.
"I cannot risk you revealing what I've done with Hector and Lila." Her bright green eyes floated across the faces of the four Trojan royals while she mentally adjusted her scheme. "You'll all have to go."
"What of my father?" Hector asked immediately. "He does not have much time… He needs an heir in the event that he passes."
"There is no cause for concern," Athena assured Hector. "If I succeed and am able to return you to Troy, it will be as if no time has passed. It will still be your wedding night."
"And if you fail?" Paris bravely spoke up, but his boyish good looks were contorted in concern.
Athena paused in momentary thought before she admitted, "I'm not certain." The wise goddess crossed her arms over her chest and offered, "The choice is yours, but it must be made quickly."
Hector turned to face the other three and felt more torn than ever. "I cannot lose my wife and my child, but I cannot ask you to follow us."
Paris swallowed loudly before he answered, "You fought a doomed war for me, brother. I can afford you the same."
Helen took Lila's hand and smiled warmly at her friend. "You saved us," she agreed with her husband. "Now we can return the favor."
Lila hugged Astyanax tightly against her side and looked at Hector with tears in her eyes. The newlyweds seemed to silently be weighing the options. It was obvious neither wanted to risk Troy, Helen, or Paris for their love, but they were unable to say those words aloud. It would be even worse if they lost each other. "Here's to taking chances," she murmured sarcastically with a small smile up at Hector before Lila turned to the other couple. "Thank you." Paris and Helen nodded with resolute expressions, and it was clear that their minds were set.
"Where will we go?" Hector asked as he faced Athena who had observed the scene before her with a mute intensity. In answer, Artemis and Apollo suddenly appeared by Athena's side, and all three gods raised their hands toward the group.
Without warning, there was an explosion of light which engulfed the room, and Hector felt his body being compressed and squeezed through the pressure of time. It was painful, and he couldn't make out anything through the blinding light. It easily disarmed him and left him in a state of alarm. Then he was seated in a tiny sort of contraption with Lila and Astyanax to his left and Helen and Paris behind them. Through the windows, he saw some bizarre building before them, and they were situated in the middle of a black field. Astyanax was wailing loudly, but all four of the adults sat in stunned silence, trying in vain to reconcile what had just occurred.
"Oh my God," Lila whispered, and Hector looked at the shocked expression on his wife's lovely features.
"Do you know this place?" he asked quickly.
"Yes," she said and laughed softly. "This is my gym."
Author's Note: Oh yes I did. My evil master plan has finally come to fruition and now prepare for all sorts tomfoolery set in modern times haha Sorry for the delay everyone, I had family in town and was unable to fully dedicate myself to this chapter. Thank you EmmyMK for the lovely review as always, and I have to admit that I watched The Other Boleyn Girl over the weekend and decided that even as a pompous jerk, Eric Bana is perma-hot haha Now, I realize the story has taken turn in new direction, but I hope you all will continue reading! xoxo