Chapter 24
"Was It a Dream?"
"BRAKES!"
Hector slammed his foot down, and when her small form was flung forward from the force, Lila had never been more thankful for the narrow seatbelt across her chest. She was certain she would have been thrown through the windshield otherwise and suffered a gruesome, painful death on the concrete. Immediately, one hand covered her racing heart while the other cradled her baby bump. Thankfully the other car at the four-way stop didn't appear too concerned by the navy blue Mini Cooper which had undoubtedly left two skid marks feet from the stop sign Hector had very nearly run. The driver was an old woman of at least eighty years, and she merely glanced over, shot them the birdie, and continued on her merry way. Without hesitation, both Lila and Hector began cracking up laughing at the sight, and Hector tried to go easy on the gas when he started off yet again. Lila sighed and chided him, "You have to stop when you see those red signs that conveniently say 'STOP.'"
"I was looking ahead," he rejoined with a grin. Lila had been reminding him to drive ahead –meaning to drive beyond the car immediately in front of them, and it served her right now that he was feeding her her own words.
Consequently, she withheld any caustic remarks about his driving and calmly said, "Ok… but next time please don't slam on the brakes like that. I was nearly strangled by my seatbelt."
Hector glanced over at his wife and observed, "No harm done."
Lila rolled her eyes and smiled softly. "Keep your eyes on the road, prince."
Silence permeated the car momentarily while Hector drove to yet another stop sign and properly braked without burning the rubber from her tires. "Where are you taking me tonight?" he asked so coolly one would have thought he had been driving cars around for ages.
"It's a surprise," she answered with a grin. He had been attempting to get it out of her ever since Lila's mom had offered to take care of Astyanax, Helen, and Paris so that Hector and Lila could have a date night. Lila was undeniably ecstatic about the prospect, and she had small butterflies in her stomach as she thought about getting dressed up and going on really her first date ever with her husband. 'Better late than never, right?' she mused as she glanced over at his handsome profile. "Hopefully you'll like it. I picked somewhere completely different for you to try." It had been four days since his episode, and in that time, Lila's mom had made it clear she wasn't leaving any time soon. Of course how could Lila blame her? She had been granted the knowledge that at any given moment her daughter, grandson, and son-in-law might disappear forever. What mother could leave with that sort of knowledge? Lila wasn't entirely sure what Tanya had said to convince her boss to give her the week off (sudden death in the family, or her daughter had a terminal disease maybe?), but evidently it had worked. In the meantime, Lila's mom had been fully spoiling her grandson as a proper grandmother should and warming up considerably to her new son-in-law. It made Lila so incredibly happy to watch her mother with her son, but there was a piece of her that felt a tinge of sorrow. Would Astyanax even remember these moments spent with his grandmother? Lila both welcomed and evaded the possibility of returning to Troy. Leaving behind her life for Hector had seemed so much less complicated before her friends and family made an appearance. Somehow in her months spent in Troy, she had already said her goodbyes, and yet now she was forced to resurrect and reconcile those feelings all over again.
"Lila?" She hadn't realized she had faded off into her thoughts, and she quickly straightened to take in their surroundings and make sure there was no danger or cops in sight. "Lila?" Hector repeated with a slightly furrowed brow when she still did not answer.
"Sorry," she breathed once she was certain there was no immediate concern. "What did you say?"
"I asked whether I should continue straight or turn," he repeated for possibly the fourth time.
"Oh." Lila glanced around to assess where in fact they were, and she realized to her annoyance that they had missed the turn she had been planning. "Um… just turn left up here. We'll circle back around, or actually we can take another way. Sorry." Hector slowed the car at an intersection, and she added, "Turn signal." His hand was already poised on the lever, and he shot her a look to silently warn her that she was micromanaging. She lifted her hands in surrender and repeated, "Sorry." However, once she realized it was her third time to apologize in nearly a minute, she fell silent and decided she wouldn't say a word for the next five minutes. Her eyes even marked the time on the clock, and she tried to relax back against the seat. 'Ease off for Christ's sake,' she chided herself. 'He's your husband, not your student. You don't want to be that wife.' "Sorry. You're doing really well for your first time," she blurted out and then mentally hit herself. 'Shut up!'
Hector chuckled and miraculously managed a perfect u-turn. Once he had straightened the car, he glanced at his wife and remarked with a completely straight face, "You apologize too much." His uncanny ability to read her thoughts and tease her appropriately was simultaneously amusing and annoying.
As a result, Lila was torn between grinning and glaring at him, but she ultimately reached over and patted his knee when she realized something far funnier. "True, but you're going the wrong way down a one-way street."
The pair swiftly righted their course and continued driving about town for another half hour while Hector practiced his driving. Lila had to admit there was something incredibly gratifying in seeing her husband's excitement at getting the chance to drive. It was almost as if she were remembering her first experience with driving a decade ago, and she felt like she was living vicariously through him and reminded of the days when driving wasn't a chore but something fun and new. Actually, it was a truth that extended beyond driving: watching Hector, Paris, and Helen experience the modern world somehow also stimulated Lila in a way. It caused her to consider her familiar, boring surroundings in a new light and with a revitalized sense of awareness. She couldn't recall ever feeling so engaged by her own life.
Zeus had watched carefully when Aphrodite approached Hades, and then the father of the gods had followed them through time and consequently had found the couple that had eluded him for far too long. As he had intended, Aphrodite's jealously got the better of her, and she had cursed the prince of Troy so that he would find no satisfaction until he slept with another. Zeus couldn't have asked for a better betrayal because such a curse could effectively ruin the young lover's romance and cause them to split by their own choice. In fact, he had already been planning how he would break the news to his two treacherous offspring: Artemis and Apollo, and he had taken his eyes off the pair. However, when the great god of the sky looked down once more, he had been utterly enraged to see that the curse was broken, and he did not know how. Swiftly, he had approached Aphrodite who merely suggested that the prince slept with another, but if that were the case, how could they still be together? Did the girl not care? Had Hector not told her?
His incessant rage had left the heavens in a constant state of unrest: thunder rolled through the clouds like endless waves upon the sea, and lightening crackled without pause. Currently, Zeus sat upon his throne and mulled the situation over. It appeared impossible to separate the pair, and the god did not enjoy feeling so impotent in matters concerning mere mortals. He was the greatest god in the heavens. He had cunningly overthrown his own parents and usurped his father's place as leader of the gods. If he were capable of outwitting and overpowering other immortals, how was it he could not seem to unravel two humans? The notion nearly drove him mad. Zeus mused on how easily he could tear their bodies to shreds and scatters the millions of pieces across the Earth's surface where they could never again be reunited, but what of the souls? Their souls were joined as the Moirae had warned him, and he could not understand how he did not have the ability to separate them. Was Hades truly so much more powerful than Zeus that he could bind two souls together? "Not possible," the god grumbled under his breath. If Hades had such power, then he would be King of the gods and not ruling the underworld. Still, Zeus could not understand who had the audacity and strength to perform such a deed. Only the Moirae were so powerful, but Zeus could not comprehend why they would want two mortals to be joined for eternity. Nothing about it made any sense, and the god easily grew more frustrated as he continued mulling it over.
"Perhaps I will speak with them," he decided suddenly. "I will trick them. I will convince them to separate."
When Hector and Lila returned home, they found Tanya playing with Astyanax in a brightly colored jumper that Lila had never bought for her son. Apparently, Tanya was not only doting on Astyanax constantly, she was also dishing out new toys. Lila wanted to say something about it, but Astyanax giggled so happily when his little legs kicked and caused him to bounce in the contraption. It swiftly silenced any complaints Lila had about it, and also, Lila realized that it wouldn't be fair of her to ask her mother to not spoil her grandchild. It was equivalent to asking the sun not to shine. Tanya's affection for Astyanax was inevitable, unavoidable, and frankly really adorable.
"I see you two aren't road kill," Tanya observed with a bright smile.
"Surprisingly," Lila rejoined as she knelt beside her son and kissed his forehead in greeting.
"I did quite well," Hector assured his mother-in-law, and he granted her his hand to help her off the floor.
"I'm sure," Tanya returned. "I'll bet you handle a car like a natural."
Lila was tempted to point out how he had nearly run a stop sign and a light, and also how he had driven the wrong way down a one-way street. She caught herself, however, and noted that she had done all those things as well when she was learning to drive. She allowed Hector his pride and simply addressed her young son, "Aren't you special? Having your grandma take care of you all day?" He didn't answer of course, but Lila had always thought that he understood more than he let on. His blue eyes spoke of an intelligence beyond his age, but she knew that was silly. She was a proud mother who naturally assumed her son was the smartest, brightest kid ever created.
"Where are Paris and Helen?" Hector asked when he realized how quiet the small apartment was.
"Liam took them out," Tanya answered. "I let them borrow my rental."
Lila feared for the worst after the boys' night out, and she wondered, "Where did he take them?"
"The movies I think," Tanya said without a hint of concern.
"I hope they don't get into any trouble," Lila murmured and shot a look at her husband who merely smiled and bowed his head. His chestnut eyes naturally settled on his left pectoral muscle. Though his shirt covered the area, he had practically memorized the look of his tattoo and now pictured it in his mind. There were worse things he could have done with Liam, and though they had gotten in two fights and nearly been picked up by the police, Liam hadn't let any grave harm come to them. It had also been one of the most entertaining nights for the prince since arriving in the future. He doubted there would a repeat, however, considering Lila's reaction. He couldn't deny that he enjoyed her worrying about him like a proper wife.
"Liam might not always have his head screwed on straight, but he's a good kid," Tanya assured her. That was a mother who thought the best of her son even after all the crap Liam had pulled in his lifetime.
"I love Liam," Lila said then, "but his idea of 'safe' doesn't exactly jibe with Webster."
Rather than answering her daughter, Tanya turned to her son-in-law. "I'm convinced those two will be fighting like cats and dogs until I die."
"He's such a pain," Lila interjected in annoyance.
"They haven't ceased arguing since I've been here," Hector admitted, and Lila glared at him. 'Hello, Eddie Haskell,' she mused, but her husband merely grinned down at her, unaware of her irritated thoughts.
Tanya smiled at the exchange. "Get used to it," she warned. "I swear sometimes it's trench warfare between those two."
"We're not that bad," Lila scoffed, but Hector and Tanya both fell silent and exchanged a knowing look. "Oh whatever. He starts it most of the time!"
"He also helped you when you came to him with this problem," Tanya pointed out swiftly like only a mother could.
"I know," Lila grumbled. "Sometimes his help though only seems to hurt."
"He may be immature, but he means well," Hector spoke up then.
"Exactly!" Tanya beamed at Hector as if he were the son she had always dreamt of while Lila resisted the urge to vomit. "You know what Liam needs? A serious girlfriend! He needs someone to give him a reason to grow up and help him along the way and then kicked him in the pants if he screws up."
"He had that," Lila reminded her mother.
"I always liked Melanie," Tanya admitted with a sigh. "It was such a shame that they broke up. I think she was good for him."
"Maybe he wasn't good for her," Lila suggested gently.
"When the time comes, he'll rise to the occasion," Hector said, and both women considered him with mild surprise at his words. "Even Paris matured when he found Helen. If he can, Liam can."
Lila laughed and stood from the ground. "On that note, I'm off to shower for our date night!" She clapped her hands excitedly and hurried off to the bathroom to begin preparing for her night out. Hector was left alone for the first time with his mother-in-law, and a silence fell between them as they both undoubtedly searched for some topic of conversation.
"I've been thinking about calling Lila's dad," Tanya said suddenly.
Hector realized the significance of course since Lila and her father so obviously did not get along, but he also was unsure how to respond properly. "Lila did not wish to contact him," he pointed out instead. The underlying message of his statement of course being 'She doesn't want to talk to or see him.'
"I know," the older woman answered with a sad smile. "Has Lila told you about her dad?"
"Somewhat. I only know that you two are separated and that he and Lila no longer speak."
"If only it were so simple," Tanya rejoined bitterly and took a seat on the couch. "Come here." She patted the empty seat beside her, and Hector grabbed his son before settling on the couch as well. "You're not part of the family unless you know all the dirty secrets," she joked and sighed while considering how to begin. "Lila was always much more mature than I could understand. I don't know what I did, or what she did to turn out that way. Anyway, her father and I had always had marital problems of some sort, but they came to head when Lila was about nine. I'm ashamed to admit it now, but I was too caught up in my own problems to be much of a mother to my children. I love my kids more than anything, but I wasn't in my right mind." She paused and regrouped before considering Hector in a serious gaze. "How do you tell your nine-year-old daughter what's going on when she finds you crying on the bathroom floor? How do you explain to a child that mom and dad aren't in love and actually hate each other? Something changed in her when she saw me like that." Tanya shook her head softly. "My baby started taking care of me and protecting me. She stood up to her father and told him to leave me alone. Nine-years-old… You know my ex remarried and has a new wife and children and a golden retriever? He didn't even help Liam or Lila through school. Lila worked forty hours a week to pay her bills. He doesn't send them birthday cards or call them to see how they're doing. He doesn't care."
"Why do you want to call him?" Hector interrupted. After receiving this new insight into her young life, Hector was certain if he met her father, he would have a serious talk with him.
"Because… even if he is a rotten bastard, he's her father, and this may be his last opportunity to act like it. If you two go back to Troy, he'll never be able to realize how amazing his daughter is and what an asshole he was for ever abandoning her. I think Lila deserves that."
Hector paused before suggesting, "Does he deserve that chance?"
Tanya laughed and lifted her brow. "No." She adjusted her seating and explained, "Lila's strong. I don't know where she gets it from, but that girl has a backbone of steel, I swear. In college, she met this guy… Sam. He was her end all, be all. She gave up every piece of herself to him." Her voice which had previously been sorrowful took on an angry edge. "That little piece of shit took everything from her and left her for someone else. Lila's strong, and she can handle being abandoned by her father and the man she thought she'd marry. She's moved on from that. That's not that part that kills me." Tanya's eyes were ablaze when they considered Hector. "Those assholes made her think she was replaceable."
Hector felt similarly disgusted and angered, and he suddenly understood why Lila had been upset when she saw Andromache had returned. He had made her think that she was replaced, and it easily tore Hector up inside even if it were an event in the past. "I will never leave her or hurt her," Hector swore earnestly.
"Good," Tanya decided when she saw the sincerity in his eyes. "Because if you hurt my daughter, I don't care if you're back in Troy. I'll find you and kick your ass."
Hector smiled unexpectedly at the idea of the petite older woman seated beside him attacking him. "I would gladly give my life before allowing any harm to come to her."
Tanya nodded in approval. "I'm beginning to like you more and more." A thoughtful silence formed between them, and she asked swiftly, "So are you giving it to her tonight?" At that moment the bathroom door opened, and they immediately fell silent so that Lila would not overhear their conversation.
The redhead walked into the living room with a towel wrapped about her, and her wet hair hanging down her back. "Hector, we have reservations at 7, so I don't know when you need to get ready."
"He has time," Tanya assured her daughter. It was only around 5 o'clock after all.
"We need to leave about a half hour early," she explained. "It's a bit of a drive and parking is a mess."
Hector nodded though frankly he wasn't entirely sure what more needed to be done than perhaps changing his shirt. Then again he wasn't even certain how he was expected to dress since he didn't know where they were going, but that knowledge might not have helped him much either since he was mostly ignorant to modern social situations. Finally, he said, "I won't be late."
Lila grinned then as if she could read his thoughts. "I can lay out some options on the bed if you want so that way you won't be underdressed."
"Thank you," he said with a smile. Lila then turned on her heel and retreated to her bedroom to finish getting ready. Tanya and Hector made small talk, watched TV, and played with Astyanax for an hour before Tanya considered her watch and told him he ought to go get dressed. As Lila had promised, she had laid out several button-down shirts, his khaki slacks, and his dress shoes. Clearly they were going out somewhere nicer than usual, he observed, and his curiosity was undeniably piqued. He easily changed into the slacks and a light blue shirt. It took him longer than he anticipated to button the shirt up, and he nearly jumped as he felt a hand pushing the material into his pants.
Lila laughed when she realized she had surprised him, and she quickly chided, "Stand still. You need to tuck it in." Once the shirt was tucked properly, she grabbed his belt and helped him find the holes to lace it through. It appeared modern clothing was as exotic and tricky for him as those ancient Grecian dresses had been for Lila. Hector turned once she finished, and he suddenly forgot how to breathe at the sight of her. "You look so handsome," she admitted and grinned up at him. "You look really good in blue." Hector, however, couldn't answer immediately. She wore a pale green dress that oddly reminded him of the first dress she had worn in Troy. This one, however, stopped at her mid thigh and was sleeveless with a slight v-neck in the front. Delicate vintage cream lace followed the neckline from her shoulders down to the middle of her waist and lay over the green fabric. Tiny pearls trailed down the center and acted as buttons to keep the material in place. The dress cinched at her waist, accentuating her gentle curves. His eyes trailed down her body and noted her long legs ended in a pair of nude colored heels, and his eyes slowly returned to her face. Her normally straight auburn hair was curled in loose waves and cascaded down her back, and she tucked a piece behind her ear self-consciously when she noted his wandering eyes.
"You are beautiful," he breathed in complete sincerity, and Lila blushed unexpectedly.
"I still need some jewelry," she said coyly and headed to her jewelry box where it was situated on her chest of drawers. She added a few small gold accents and checked her reflection in the full-length mirror inside her closet door. "Ready, prince?" she asked when she saw him watching her.
"I think so," he admitted and chuckled sheepishly.
Lila grinned and assured him, "You're so handsome… I might need a stick to beat the women off." Hector rolled his eyes, and she nudged him playfully in the ribs. When they returned to the living room, Tanya squealed at the sight.
"Oh my God! You two look amazing. Oh-oh let me find my camera!" She swiftly grabbed her purse and began rummaging around inside.
"Mom, this isn't prom. There's no need for pictures," Lila said with an embarrassed laugh.
"Can't a mother have something to remember her daughter and son-in-law by?" Tanya asked with a slight pout.
Lila sighed and put her hands on her hips. "Ok drama queen. Take the damn picture." Tanya found her camera, but then she realized she needed her glasses to be able to see the small buttons. Lila quickly took the camera, turned it on, and pointed out the button to push. Then she adjusted her hair and dress, slipped an arm around Hector's waist, and placed his arm around hers as well. "Ok, we're ready."
"Right." Tanya stood up and squinted at the small screen on her camera as she held the device up and directed it at them. "Ok… I think I want a face shot and then a full body."
"Whatever mom. Just take the picture," Lila said through her teeth since she was already smiling.
"Smile, Hector," Tanya instructed, and the prince did as he was told. The camera flashed, and Hector rubbed his eyes in surprise. Tanya paused, however, to check the picture before turning the camera length-wise and preparing once more. "One… two…" Flash. Lila immediately released her husband and grabbed her purse. "Wait!" Tanya called. "We need one with Astyanax." Lila grumbled and took her son from his place sitting inside his jumper.
"How should we hold him?" she asked her mother, the would-be photographer. She didn't really know since she had never had any pictures taken with her child.
Her mother dropped the camera and considered them intently. "Oh I don't know," she admitted and sat into her hip as she thought it over. Without another word, Hector grabbed his son and adjusted him into his arm so that he was visible to Tanya. "Perfect!" the woman cooed and held up the camera once more. With yet another flash, they were finally done, and Lila kissed her son goodbye. Hector followed suit and handed the child back to Tanya. "Now you two have fun, ok? Don't worry about anything. I'll take care of it. Just have fun!"
Lila and Hector thanked Tanya before they left, and Lila slipped her hand in her husband's. "I thought we'd never make it out of there."
He chuckled and shrugged. "Are you surprised? She is your mother. You should have factored her in to your time."
Lila laughed and nodded. "I know." They slipped into her car and drove out of the parking lot with Lila driving this time around. "We need to hurry," she observed with a glance at the clock on her dashboard, and her foot weighed down on the accelerator in response. Lila kept a weather eye out for any sign of cops as she merged onto the highway and headed downtown. As she had promised him earlier, the location of their date night was unlike anything Hector had ever experienced, and she had her fingers crossed that he would like it. Lila had always wanted to go, but she had never really had a reason until now. On a Friday night, the downtown area was more crowded than usual, and rather than driving around for thirty minutes looking for parking, Lila decided she would do valet. After all it was a special evening. She drove her car to the curb in front of the restaurant, and a valet opened Hector's door while another rushed around to get Lila's for her. She handed him her keys, took her ticket, and smiled as she heard the music pouring out of the small building. There were some people gathered outside waiting for tables, and Lila was incredibly glad that she had called in advance and gotten a reservation.
"What is this place?" Hector asked curiously as they headed up the narrow steps, and a man opened the door for them.
"Fat Cat's," she answered with an excited grin. "It's a jazz club and restaurant. I've been wanting to try this place forever." Lila talked to a hostess at the entrance while Hector took in the surroundings. The lights were fairly dim, and it was crowded in the small space. There was a bar on the left with stools lining it, a small stage at the front of the building with a band playing out music he had never heard before, small tables clustered before the stage, and further back there were larger tables for the restaurant portion of the club. The music was fairly loud, and he didn't hear Lila calling his name until she took his hand and guided him after the hostess to one of the circular booths lining the back wall. Lila slipped in first before Hector followed, and the hostess handed them menus and left as swiftly as she had come.
"What do you think?" Lila asked over the music.
"It's a bit loud," he admitted, and she grinned.
"It's just this band. They'll probably play some softer songs later." Their waitress appeared then to take their drink orders, and Lila encouraged Hector have some wine even though she couldn't indulge with him. The dinner continued flawlessly, and even though the music was louder than Lila had anticipated, it gave her an excuse to sit closer to her husband and lean in to talk to him. Even if they were already married, Lila felt excited by their date, and she enjoyed being able to act like newlyweds. It was also so incredibly nice not to have Paris, Helen, Astyanax, Liam, or her mother around to pester them. Alone time for the pair was few and far between. After dinner, Lila and Hector sat in the both and continued listening to the band play.
"I think I will be driving home tonight," Lila teased as Hector poured the last of the bottle of wine into his glass. Of course he was so large that she wondered if he even felt it. Hector naturally didn't understand the joke about drunk driving, but he smiled at her all the same since he recognized her teasing voice. He was so handsome even in the dim light, and Lila reached up to kiss him. "Did you ever think we would end up together?"
"Not really," he admitted and placed a hand on her knee under the table. "I never expected for any of this to happen."
"Me neither… I remember seeing you in that dungeon. It's so funny looking back on it."
"What did you think of me?" he wondered with a wolfish grin.
"You were so serious," she admitted and returned his grin as she glanced over at him.
"My country was at war," he pointed out when he met her gaze. "Did you expect me to dance about?"
Lila laughed at the thought of the brave commander of Troy doing a jig through the palace halls, and she nudged him. "No!"
Hector lifted an eyebrow when she fell quiet once more. "Serious? That was all? You married me because I'm a serious man?"
"No," she repeated and sipped at her glass of water. Drawing out the conversation was much more entertaining than immediately granting him the answer he wanted. Hector, however, merely considered her with his dark eyes without uttering another word, and she cracked under his gaze in less than three minutes. "Ok-ok… When I first saw you, I was so frustrated and annoyed from Apollo that I was prepared to berate the next person who walked through the door, but you were the next person, and-" She bit her lip and dropped her chin self-consciously as she continued, "You completely disarmed me. You were so… strong and handsome. I couldn't yell at you." She sighed and patted his hand where it was placed on her knee. "I still can't yell at you… at least not yet."
"I wonder how long that will last," he commented absently though he was clearly teasing her.
Lila opened her mouth in faux shock at his words. "Oh, I will yell at you this very second."
His gaze slid over to her, and she immediately regretted her words when she saw the look in his eyes. "Please do." It was a challenge, and Lila inevitably took in the numerous people surrounding them in the tight space. "Right now," he added when he noticed her dancing eyes.
Lila's heart sped up, and she licked her dry lips. She always had difficulty backing down from a challenge, and she didn't want to chicken out before him. There was no telling how long he would tease her about it if she did, and it was so obvious that he didn't think she had the guts to do it. "Ok." With one more reluctant glance about them, she opened her mouth. "HEC-" His hand covered her mouth, muffling the rest of his name, and she burst into giggles. When he was certain she wouldn't continue, he lowered his hand and shook his head in mild disbelief that she actually would have. She was undeniably pleased to have surprised him, and she said, "Your turn."
"To?" He sipped at his wine nonchalantly though a smile was evident in the corners of his mouth. Apparently two could play dumb.
"To tell me what you thought when you first saw me," she replied.
Hector grew quiet while he no doubt recalled the first time he had seen her in the dark dungeon. "I knew you were not a Greek spy," he admitted.
"Why is that?"
He smiled sardonically. "You never answered any of the questions as a spy would have. You were too honest, and you were dressed so bizarrely and your accent." He paused thoughtfully before deciding, "Everything about you."
"And you made me stay in there anyway?" she gasped. "That wasn't very nice."
"I didn't know what to make of you." His eyes swept over her then. "You disarmed me as well."
"You weren't what I expected," Lila confessed suddenly, and his brow knit in silent question. "I had heard about Hector of Troy… You were some mythical figure who was a hardened solider, loyal husband, noble prince, and this almost perfect example of what a man should be." Lila realized that she was making it sound as though he exhibited none of those qualities, and she swiftly explained, "I didn't expect for you to be so much more than that." He didn't comment, and her fingers curled around his large hand still situated on her knee. "I think I almost fell in love with your imperfections more than all your perfect qualities."
The comment clearly confused him, and he wondered, "What do you mean?"
Lila bit her lip as she searched for an appropriate example. "Well, I expected you to be a completely loyal husband… but I loved the way I would catch you looking at me. I loved how you weren't always certain –how you would seek me out for my advice. I loved that you didn't always do the right thing even though you meant well. Or when you would hold me before you left for battle like you didn't want to let me go, I loved that. But what I loved most?" Her eyes met his, and she smiled softly. "I always thought you were selfless and would sacrifice yourself for your country and family without question, but with me, you were selfish. You stood by me, and you put me above everything else even though it wasn't wise or even when it made your life harder. You gave yourself to me completely before you ever married me."
He didn't return her smile, and his eyes bore into her with the intensity he often managed. "I didn't have a choice," he finally admitted, and Lila bit her lip at the thought that he was referring to them being soul mates. "You had me all of me long before I realized it." Lila dropped her gaze to her lap, but he continued, "I thought you more beautiful than any woman I had seen. You were brave how you spoke to me, but I could also see you were afraid. You've always managed to seem so fearless on the outside, but now I know how vulnerable you truly are." She wasn't sure if that was a compliment and considered him with a mild frown. Hector chuckled at her confusion and assured her, "You would make a fine general for that, but I'm glad you let me see the other side of you. I've never had someone care for me so deeply or risk their life to save me. You are unlike any other, my love."
She smiled and blushed simultaneously at his words. "Well I am your soul mate. What did you expect?" she joked, and Hector laughed easily.
"You surprise me each day," he said, and he pulled something out of his pocket from under the table. Lila's eyes adjusted quickly in the dim light to see the small black velvet box in his hand. "I am told this is a proper time to give you this." Lila looked up into his eyes in a mixture of shock and confusion and didn't even reach out for the box, afraid it might disappear at any moment like a mirage. "Open it," he coaxed with a grin. Lila was speechless, but she took the box from him and felt the velvet with her fingertips while she worked up the nerve to pry it open. She held her breath expectantly, and her eyes nearly popped out of their sockets when they settled on the diamond ring inside. Hector was peering over her shoulder and gauging her reaction excitedly. "Do you like it?" he asked when she hadn't spoken a word.
Lila sputtered for a moment while her mind struggled to form a coherent sentence. All she could manage was, "Oh my God." Once she said it, however, she couldn't stop. "Oh my God…. Oh my God!"
Hector laughed. "You shouldn't curse the gods so," he teased. "Try it on."
As if the thought hadn't even occurred to her until he said it, she quickly removed it from the box and slipped it onto her ring finger next to her gold band. "Hector," she breathed in amazement as she gently moved her hand and admired how the ring sparkled in the candlelight. A new question arose, and she tore her gaze from the ring to look at him. "How did you?"
"Liam," he admitted. "And your mother. She picked it out mainly. I hope you like it."
"Like it?" she said with a laugh. "Hector, it's so amazing. I can't believe you did this. I didn't need a new ring."
"It was Liam's idea. He said he wanted to do something for you before you left for Troy, and he thought you might appreciate this."
"Liam? My brother Liam?" Her confusion and surprise grew at the idea that her brother was the mastermind behind this. Her eyes considered the ring once more, and she shook her head. "Thank you. You are the best husband ever. I don't know how I got so lucky."
He bent down to kiss her temple and wrapped his arm around her shoulders. "I'm the one who's lucky," he assured her.
That night Hector stirred in his sleep due to a slight sound, and he searched the darkness for the source. Lila lay peacefully asleep next to him, and he was careful not to wake her when he sat up in bed. Feeling him missing from beside her, she groaned softly and turned over to face his side of the bed. He watched her carefully and tucked a piece of hair behind her ears gently, but his wife did not wake.
"She is as fair as they say."
Hector's head snapped in the direction of the voice to see a crooked old man hunched over a cane at the foot of the bed. He was dressed in rags and had long wiry white hair which fell down his back and a matching white beard hanging from his face. His eyes were two sunken black coals, and his lips were parted in a crooked grin which revealed several missed teeth. His unwarranted presence and appearance left an eerie foreboding feeling in the prince's gut, and he tensed in response. "Who are you?" he growled in warning.
"Do you not know?" the man replied and chuckled under his breath as if Hector's ignorance amused him.
"No," the prince replied though he hated to admit it to the man, and he noticed that Lila still had not stirred. Normally she was as light a sleeper as he was, and he found it unusual that she did not wake when she heard their voices.
"She will not wake," the man said as if he could read the prince's thoughts. "I do not wish to speak with her tonight."
"Why are you here?" Hector asked with his dread growing by the second. The entire affair was completely off, and he wished he had some sort of weapon to defend his family.
"To warn you, prince."
"About what?" Hector realized then that he could not move. His body was frozen in place as if he were a statue. The unknown threat before him in addition to his now motionless body sent a wave of anxiety up his spine.
"Your demise, brave Hector." He coughed unexpectedly and doubled over in a sudden fit of hacking. When he regained his composure, he continued, "She will be the death of you. You cannot have her and survive."
"Then I will die," he rejoined without hesitation.
"She cannot live without you. She will take her life."
Hector's eyes narrowed at the understood threat. "She is strong with or without me."
"Are you so certain?"
The question caused the hairs on the back of Hector's neck to stand up, and his anxiety increased twofold. "What would you have me do?"
"Return to Troy. Find another wife. Forget her."
"No," he stated through his teeth.
"You have no other choice."
"I will find a way," the prince assured him with more confidence than Hector in fact was feeling. To be honest, even seeing Agamemnon's massive army approaching his city had not caused him this amount of dread.
"What power do you have?" the old man asked with a crooked grin.
"I am a free man," Hector growled.
"No man is free from death." The form shifted before his very eyes until the god Hades stood before him, peering at him through his bottomless eyes. They tugged at something deep within the prince, and Hector groaned at the searing pain as if he were being torn in two. Hades was calling for his soul. Hector was lifted to his feet beside the bed, and his body seemed to be compressing under the weight of Hades' gaze.
He fought desperately against the god's will, but his attempts seemed futile. "I'll find her again. I will always find her," he promised with defiant brown eyes.
Hades lifted a bony finger and shook it from side to side. The simple gesture made Hector feel as though his skin were melting from his flesh, and he fell to his knees, writhing in pain. Flashes of gruesome battles, numerous fallen soldiers, blood quenching dry soil, screams of anguish, faceless dead, and an endless pit of black despair took over his vision. "Do not test my patience, Hector."
Hector gathered every ounce of strength left and steeled himself against the horrible pain. He gritted his teeth and met the god's black gaze. "You expect me to look upon your wrath and tremble? I've seen the extent of your generosity and the honor you have granted so many of my soldiers and friends, and I tell you now you cannot have her!"
Dark laughter rung out like screeches of pain, causing Hector to cover his ears at the horrendous sound. It was within his head, however, and he cried out painfully. Blood trickled down from his ears, but Hector wouldn't surrender. It felt like a terrible eternity as he was tortured, but suddenly it all stopped. Everything was blanketed in pure, unyielding darkness, and the god of the underworld disappeared from sight. Waves of torturous pain washed over the prince, and he gasped for air. "She's mine," he heard the god whisper to his ear, and the prince yelled in frustration.
"Wake up!" Lila's hands were on his face, and he shot up when he returned to reality as if fleeing from his own subconscious. His eyes desperately searched the darkness for any sign of the cruel god who had visited him, but the room was precisely as it had been when he fell asleep. There was no sound but the fan overhead and his wife at his side. "It was just a dream. You're ok," she whispered and wiped his damp hair from his forehead. When he realized that it had only been a nightmare, he grabbed his wife and pulled her into his lap. He held her tightly to him and bent over her as if he could wrap himself around her and protect her from anything. The truth, however, was the prince was afraid. "Hector, what's wrong?"
He shook his head and kissed her hair. "Nothing," he lied, but he found himself remembering Hades' threat.
Author's Note: Thank you to EmmyMK as always for the review. You are honestly my sole loyal reviewer, and I appreciate it so, so, so much :D I apologize for the delayed upload. I was out of town, and when I came home, I was having a nasty case of writer's block. Hopefully you enjoyed this :)