The servants had made themselves scarce as soon as the king and queen have arrived. The obvious tension was a sure sign for them that none of their services were required tonight.
Leotychidas showed his wife into their chamber and slammed the door shut.
-DON'T EVER put ME again in a situation like this!
He was furious. He could swear that his wife was taking every moment to humiliate him.
-Do you hear me?!
He shouted at her getting even angrier when he saw the disinterest on her face.
-I hear you…
She finally replied.
-Your sharp tongue will get us in trouble!
He pushed her down on the bed in frustration.
-You should learn that silence is wise!
She gave him a cruel smile.
-I at least had the nerve to voice my concern.
He could not believe his ears.
-CONCERN?!
-She had no right to go against our customs. Just because they are…
The king shoved his arms up in the air like he was trying to reach the gods for support.
-In Zeus's name Ligeia, do you have nothing else in mind, but Gorgo?
-There are laws…
He hated her hypocrisy.
-… you never cared about those laws!
Ligeia shot him a warning glance.
-I will not hold my tongue, just because my dear husband is too much of a coward to speak.
He leaned close to hear face so his brown beard almost brushed against her cheek.
-Your dear HUSBAND keeps in mind how insecure our current positions are.
She turned her face away from him.
-Need I remind you?
He tried to keep his voice under control.
-Remind yourself. Everything is your fault!
She shot back at him, pushing on his shoulders.
-Careful Ligeia!
She stood up walking away from him. She intended to keep her dignity.
-If you can not control your tongue than you better bite it off, before I start to control it.
He really meant it this time. Tonight they have gotten very close to an open conflict and he knew he could not afford to have the new king becoming his enemy.
Ligeia decided to take this even further, if her husband wanted to discipline her she would not be in his debt.
-That comes when you make a pact with the Agiads! Your greed has brought us this far…
She turned to him meeting his eyes.
Leotychidas furrowed his brow not amused by the tone she used.
-I do not remember you objecting when I was offered to take Demaratus' place.
Ligeia folded her thin arms in front of her chest
-I would have never been such a fool to take an offer from Cleomenes!
His lips turned into a knowing smile though the anger was very much present in his voice.
-I am surprised. Since when have you become such a great politician my dear wife?
Her own anger was growing stronger with every moment. She felt hurt and her pride would not allow her to stay silent.
-Don't mock me Leotychidas.
-As far as I am considered you are mocking yourself every time you open your mouth.
The moment he finished his sentence Ligeia walked up to him; she raised her hand slapping him hard on the face. Despite her thin form she possessed a surprising strength.
-Dare insult me again!
He wiped his lips with the back of his hand debating whether to return her loving gesture.
-I do not care what you think about Gorgo as long as you keep it to yourself.
Her dark eyes were on fire, but she finally managed to keep her shrill voice calm.
-I will not keep silent just to please you.
He put his hands on her shoulders squeezing just enough to make her feel how much stronger he was.
-I am warning you Ligeia!
He made sure that she listened and squeezed a little tighter.
-If your foolish insults towards the new queen turn Leonidas against us than I am going to send you to Hades with my own hands.
She tried not to show how much pain he was inflicting upon her.
-That only proofs what a real coward you are. You are afraid of the Agiads!
He let her go and Ligeia fought the urge to rub her shoulders.
-Presently we are very close to being debunked. I have no idea how much the old fool has told his brother before he died.
He tried to make her understand, but failed to accomplish as her reply clearly showed.
-Should I care?
She raised an eyebrow in disinterest.
-Only if you wish to stay one of the two queens of Sparta.
He was not sure how much it would take to make her see the problem.
-You can not scare me in the slightest.
She stated confidently.
-Do you think you are going to stay queen after I have been executed?
He used a voice that really made her feel like she was lacking any sort of intelligence. She could not bear that voice.
-I hate you.
She hissed through clenched teeth.
-Do as you please, but do not forget that if I am leaving the throne I am taking you with me.
He pointed at her taking little notice of her anger.
-Maybe I should speak before the Gerusia and ask their allowance so I can divorce you.
Her sweetly forced smile and voice was now the one mocking him. He gave her a questioning glance.
-Is that what you want?
She squared her shoulders.
-I have the right to divorce you.
He nodded curtly.
-Of course! Divorce me, make a scandal…
His face turned serious.
-…but do not expect to live long enough to tell anyone of our little secret.
She felt a certain a shiver run down her spine.
-I am not afraid of you Leotychidas.
He stepped up to her, hooking one finger under her chin.
-We are in the same boat Ligeia. You and I. Whether you like it or not.
He forced her to look at him.
-Now listen to me carefully, for I do not wish to repeat myself.
She grabbed his wrist, but was unable to free herself.
-I will never respect you again. I hope you know that.
He raised a sarcastic eyebrow.
-Why? Has there been a time when you used to respect me?
She did not answer.
He pried her hand off of his and kept it down.
-You are never again going to speak to any member of the Agiads like you have done this evening.
He took a breath before he continued, his eyes never leaving hers, his hands keeping her still.
-You are going to come with me tomorrow and pay your respects to Cleomenes.
She gave him a disdainful sneer.
-Anything else you wish me to do?
Leotychidas managed to keep his control.
-I do not wish you to do it. I command you.
Her smile only widened as the hate continued to burn in her eyes.
-You may have power over half of Laconia, but you have no power over me.
For a moment neither of them spoke.
Ligeia was taken by surprise when he grabbed the stripe of her Chiton and ripped it open. The next thing she knew that he had tossed her on the bed unceremoniously.
-That is a false assumption.
She watched him pull his Chlamys down and an intense sick feeling started to form in the pit of her stomach.
-You are disgusting.
He didn't look up before he was ready to join her on the bed. Only when he continued to free her from her clothing did he answer.
-Since it comes from your mouth I will take that as a compliment.
Ligeia's struggle was brief. He was determined to teach her how much power he had over her.