Alexander and Ptolemy waited in the market the following morning, in the hope that Hephaistion might appear.
"What do you have planned?" Ptolemy asked, while watching a servant girl wander round the stalls, smiling when she looked in his direction, pleased to catch his eye.
"That we go to Iasus' house and take Hephaistion."
"Don't you think that might be difficult? If the alarm was raised?"
"Iasus won't see the sun set, let alone have the chance to raise an alarm," Alexander said, decisively.
Ptolemy sighed. "And yet, from what you've said, Hephaistion believes himself in love with the man. If you kill him, how will he look on you then?"
Alexander thought over this point. "He was the one who arranged…who wanted Hephaistion captured, who has made him believe that he is Amphion. If he is left alive who knows when he will try again."
"And what of our host? What of Schedius? How will things be for him if he is suspected in being involved in the murder?"
Considering this, Alexander smiled at Ptolemy. "I spoke to him this morning. He's coming with us, my father will give him a place at Pella, Schedius is more concerned for business than for the place he lives. His trade connections are in the north and he can only benefit when we win the battle.
"I like your confidence," Ptolemy laughed, turning to look on the girl, who smiled over at him.
"Schedius is having our things taken to the ship. Go to her if you want to, Ptolemy. I will go back to the house and wait for you there."
Ptolemy looked at him, tempted by the offer. "A conversation would do no harm."
Alexander laughed. "I think you have more than conversation on your mind, but don't take too long about it." He slapped his companion on the back and then made his way from the market, not taking long to reach the house.
A servant informed him that Schedius was at his desk, writing letters, so Alexander poured himself some wine, careful to dilute it, then wandered in to the courtyard and sat down, lost in his thoughts.
He had hoped to take Hephaistion back, riding back in some triumphant parade, ready for battle. It was not going to be as simple as that, not when this Amphion, that had been created from the foundations of the man he loved, thought himself incapable of anything but submitting to Iasus' will.
He closed his eyes, his mind running through his plan to capture Hephaistion that afternoon. They would have to leave it as late as possible, so the ship could go with the tide the moment they reached the harbour, with Schedius already on it. Again he thought through the route to the harbour.
"Thessalus?"
Alexander looked up to see Hephaistion before him, and for a moment believed that his memory had returned, but then he remembered that he had been called by the pseudonym given to him by his host.
"I have come to say goodbye," Hephaistion said softly. "A servant let me in. Iasus said he did not want to be disturbed, and Pheres has gone out. I took my chance."
"Who hit you?" Alexander asked, putting down his wine cup and stepping forward, reaching up to brush his thumb against the bruise on Hephaistion's cheek.
Hephaistion bit his lip. "I tried to say no." He looked down at the marble floor, then back in to Alexander's eyes. "I told myself not to come here and yet I could not keep away. Iasus is not the most considerate of men and his kisses…his kisses have never made me feel the way that your kiss did.
Alexander gazed in to Hephaistion's eyes, seeing the fear in them. If he was not careful he would pull away, try to leave.
He placed his hand under his chin and softly kissed his lips, feeling him respond, to even seek more.
"Come to my room," Alexander murmured.
"I shouldn't," Hephaistion replied, mournfully, but made no move to back away.
"You want this," Alexander whispered. "As much as I do."
Alexander took Hephaistion's hand and led him through the house, up the stairs to the room he had been given. Desire burning through him, needing to reclaim what he had thought was lost.
He unclipped Hephaistion's chiton.
It was too much, Hephaistion began to push away. Alexander quickly claimed his lips again, calming him, allowing the fabric to fall away, knowing better now than to unclip the other side. He broke the kiss, breathless, holding still for a moment, his body pressed against Hephaistion's, seeing what he would do. When he made no move to leave, he relaxed.
"If Iasus found out…"
"He won't," Alexander soothed.
"He has been good to me…"
"Let me be good to you."
Hephaistion stared in to his eyes. Alexander saw that the fear was still there, but now desire was there too. He went to say his name, just stopping himself. He felt tears form in his eyes. "Let me love you," he pleaded.
Hephaistion needed no more encouragement. As if the decision to lie with him had already been made, and there would be no turning back, he gave himself freely. He kissed with such a hunger, and passion, pulling Alexander to the bed, needing his touch as much as Alexander needed his.
Alexander wrestled with Hephaistion, as they fought to remove each other's clothing, he worshipped Hephaistion's body, the way he had dreamed, kissing every inch, feeling desire building inside of him, but wanting to savour everything.
He was scared of losing him again, of Hephaistion suddenly rejecting him, but Hephaistion was holding him, wanting him.
Alexander moved down the bed, to pleasure Hephaistion, knowing what excited him and what prolonged the enjoyment. Hephaistion seemed shocked by it, though his fingers entwined in Alexander's hair, as if to keep him there, never wanting it to end.
Alexander teased him, then left him wanting more, moving up the bed, staring in to Hephaistion's eyes. The fear had almost gone. Hephaistion parted his legs, holding Alexander with his thighs, as he entered him. As Alexander moved inside of him, Hephaistion clung to him, gasping with surprise, before moving with him.
Hephaistion laughed, then sought Alexander's lips, keeping the rhythm, taking equal pleasure.
Alexander reached for him, moved his hand in time, his eyes locked on Hephaistion's, now burning with passion. He raised himself, knowing what to do, to find the place to bring even more pleasure. Hephaistion caught his breath, then groaned and thrust with release, bringing Alexander over the edge with him. They held each other, both riding the wave of pleasure, each thankful to the other.
When they finally stopped, sweat had sealed their bodies together. Hephaistion seemed in no hurry to move. He brushed a wayward strand of hair from Alexander's face, and smiled.
Alexander kissed him softly, unable to resist. "Thank you," he whispered.
"I should thank you," Hephaistion replied, "Iasus is not…" Fear came back in his eyes, and he began to struggle out from under Alexander.
Before Hephaistion could move off the bed, Alexander grabbed his wrist. "Stay here," he said.
Hephaistion pulled his wrist away, and grabbed for his clothing, putting it on. "I can't," he said, clipping his chiton back in place, then reaching for his belt. "I shouldn't have done this…I can't do it again. Iasus has been good to me, this was just a momentary weakness, that's all, an afternoon's pleasure. He sat on the bed, quickly fastening his sandals. "It can't happen again. Pheres watches me usually, and I owe a lot to Iasus."
"You owe him nothing!" Alexander snapped.
Hephaistion looked on him as if he were a fool. "He took me in when I had nothing. Nothing. He loves me, and cares for me. You are just like a dream, Thessalus, that's all you ever can be. Like a walk in a summers meadow." He reached for and clasped Alexander's hand before walking away and leaving the room.
Alexander ran after him, taking his arm, pulling him back. "A summers meadow, in the evening?" he said. "You remember it?"
"How did you know?" Hephaistion replied, leaning back against the wall.
"We were there. It was our first kiss."
Hephaistion shook his head. "It's just a dream."
Alexander clutched his shoulders, shaking him. "It happened, Hephaistion. Try to remember." Hephaistion pushed him away, but Alexander reached for him and held him tightly. "Come back to me," he whispered. "Come back."
Hephaistion brought his hands up, but only to push him away again. This time Alexander made no move to hold him, the look on Hephaistion's face warned him not to. "Who is Hephaistion?" he asked. "Some lost love that I remind you of? Is that why you wanted to bed me?" He shook his head, then stepped away, pursing his lips, deep in thought, then gave a wry laugh. "Perhaps it is just as well. At least with Iasus, he loves me for who I am, not for someone he lost."
He turned and went to leave again, but Alexander caught him once more and pulled him back, grappling him to the ground.
Somewhere, from within, the fighting force that was Hephaistion emerged, and Alexander struggled to gain the upper hand, but the submissive creature that this Amphion was, rose to the fore, leaving his opponent weak enough for a moment, so that Alexander could reach for his belt and tie Hephaistion's hands behind his back.
"Let me go!" Hephaistion pleaded, trying to struggle to his feet.
Alexander straddled him, pinning him, breathless with the effort.
"I always wondered what the two of you got up to."
Ptolemy was leaning against the doorway. Grinning.
"Don't just stand there. Tie his feet," Alexander ordered, rolling off Hephaistion as Ptolemy reached for another belt and did as he was bid. He realised then that he was naked and understood why Ptolemy was so amused at the scene.
Alexander grabbed for his chiton, from where it had been so hastily discarded and dressed, watching Hephaistion at all times, though he lay silently upon the floor, like a lamb about to be sacrificed.
"Would you stop Schedius from sending out the letters he is writing? He won't be coming with us now, there won't be any need," Alexander said. "But help me get him up first."
As Hephaistion was lifted to his feet, he groaned and visibly shivered. Ptolemy and Alexander looked at each other, knowing without saying anything that this was some remnant of his experiences since being taken.
They sat him on the bed and then Ptolemy left the room.
"I thought you were my friend," Hephaistion whispered, gazing up in to Alexander's eyes.
Alexander crouched down beside him. "I am more than your friend. I think somewhere you know it, like you remembered our first kiss, walking through the fields at Mieza…on a summers evening."