Alexander found Hephaistion in his rooms, standing by the window, a cup of wine in his hand, when he returned, later that day.

He smiled to see him there, and signalled to a servant, who had accompanied him, to place a tray of food and wine down on a table.

"There is no banquet tonight," he said, as the servant bowed and left. "Our hosts thought we might want some time alone. Although I think they meant all of my companions to join me for supper, I prefer to spend some time with you alone."

"You've seen Ptolemy," Hephaistion stated.

Alexander poured himself some wine, then added water, mixing it before he drank it. He looked over at Hephaistion, seeing him waiting for a reply.

"He told me what happened. Deiochus had heard that Iasus had a surgeon go to him and came to me. Ptolemy was easier to find"

"And what did Ptolemy say?"

"That Iasus had cut himself shaving. Deiochus was not concerned by it, he just said that Iasus should learn that a dagger could be a dangerous thing."

Hephaistion looked down in to his cup. "I do not think that I will have another chance." He sighed, and stepped away from the window to gaze on Alexander. "He has threatened to do the same again, some day. He knows how to find Eumelus but will not say where he is, as he knows he will need the man."

"He will not take you again," Alexander said, sounding confident in his reply.

"Look how easily he arranged things before. Must I always look over my shoulder now? If I had managed to kill him today I would know I was safe." Hephaistion lifted the cup to his lips, but then stopped himself from drinking, as if he knew it was not the answer.

"But you would not be safe from my father's anger," Alexander reminded him, going to his lover and embracing him, pleased when Hephaistion took the offered comfort. "Deiochus has men looking for Pheres. Perhaps if the master will not speak, the servant will. However, he says that the man appears to have gone to ground."

"He'd know where Eumelus was," Hephaistion agreed.

Alexander kissed Hephaistion's right cheek. "I hear Iasus will have a good scar on his face."

"Money buys him what he wants, a scar will not harm him." Hephaistion stepped away, put down his cup and began to undress. "The servants prepared a bath for you," he said, before Alexander thought of anything else.

Alexander drank the wine, put down his cup and followed Hephaistion to the bath, undressing while Hephaistion stepped in to the water, then lay back in it, watching Alexander.

"You have the body of a god," Hephaistion observed.

"Then we are gods together," Alexander replied, stepping in to the water, smiling as Hephaistion reached up to caress his thigh. "Is this just to be a bath?" he asked.

"It was," replied Hephaistion, "but I changed my mind."

Hephaistion lifted himself up, anxious to taste Alexander's lips as he knelt down beside him, and lowered himself in to his embrace. His hand reached down to take Alexander's erection, to feel it grow in his hand. Alexander moaned with pleasure, opening his lips to allow Hephaistion's tongue entry.

As if he wanted to do more, but knew release was coming quickly Hephaistion brought his own erection against Alexander's, holding them together and then thrusting forward, smiling when Alexander thrust back, almost unable to control himself.

He ran his hand down Alexander's back, along his buttocks, caressing his thigh as he moved against him. The water lapped against their bodies as they explored each other, pressed themselves closely to each other and echoed those desires in a passionate kiss. Hephaistion arched his back, throwing his head back in to the water, clinging to Alexander as if his life depended upon it.

When he opened his eyes, Alexander was smiling down at him. He had not yet found his own release.

"I was watching you," Alexander laughed, "I love what I can do to you, what you can do to me."

"Stand up," Hephaistion ordered, getting to his knees.

Alexander obeyed, groaning with delight as Hephaistion took him in his mouth, running his hands along his thighs, to his hips, holding him as he pleasured him.

"By the gods," Alexander whispered, twisting his fingers in Hephaistion's hair, not wanting the sensation to stop. He thrust forward gently, then fought to delay his orgasm as Hephaistion took him deeper and flicked his tongue against his length. "Oh, Hephaistion!" he cried unable to resist the sensations overwhelming him. He closed his eyes, laughing as he echoed Hephaistion's movement, arching his back and throwing his head back.

When Hephaistion released him, he sank to his knees, seeking Hephaistion's lips and kissing him, tasting himself, though he felt as though they were one person, not two.

"Let nobody part us," he whispered.

"Only death," came the reply.

"Not even death," Alexander replied, claiming another kiss, feeling as if he could never get enough.

He ran his hand along Hephaistion's body, and the thought came to him that Iasus had known this pleasure, but then he assured himself that he had not known the love, not truly known it, and Hephaistion's love was worth than all the gold that was in the world.

"You don't mind?" Hephaistion asked.

"Mind what?" Alexander replied, although he knew what Hephaistion meant.

"That Iasus has known me."

Alexander shook his head. "He hasn't," he replied. "He does not know you, Hephaistion, he knows a creation called Amphion, but the man I see before me now is so much more than that." Alexander stood up and held his hand out to help Hephaistion to his feet. "When I have to take a wife, when I have to get her with child, will you object then, Hephaistion?" He smiled, knowing the answer. "You will not, because we know this love we share is strong, and nothing matters when we are together."

"It's not the same thing," Hephaistion said, but smiled and stole a brief kiss.

"It's exactly the same thing," argued Alexander. "I would not choose to marry if I were not a prince, and I will get no pleasure from the act."

"And what if someone else catches your eye, Alexander? You know that Tychius would not refuse you."

"That's another topic altogether," Alexander laughed. "But it's you I love, Hephaistion, and nobody can ever take the place you have in my heart. Remember that." He stepped out from the bath, reaching for a towel and made his way back to the main room, looking back at Hephaistion to see him following. "I did not know you were jealous," he teased.

"And you aren't?" laughed Hephaistion. "Do you forget how you reacted when Iphiclus left me a gift of a fine brooch, last year?"

"It wasn't the brooch, it was the note he sent with it," Alexander replied, "and no, I wasn't jealous."

"You hit him."

"It was only a friendly tap."

"His nose was broken, Alexander. You were jealous, admit it."

"I won't, you're exaggerating, Hephaistion."

Hephaistion grabbed for him, and man-handled him on to the bed, attempting to pin him down. "Admit it."

Alexander laughed, and struggled to release himself. "I won't."

Using more force, Hephaistion pinned Alexander to the bed, raising himself over him, holding him down. "Admit it," he whispered.

"Never," Alexander replied.

Hephaistion leaned forward and placed a gentle, loving kiss on Alexander's lips. "Admit it."

"That's a dirty move," complained Alexander.

"I can show you another dirty move, if you just admit it."

Alexander laughed, lifting his head to try to take another kiss, but Hephaistion moved back.

"Admit it."

"I was jealous," Alexander said, gaining his reward as Hephaistion lowered himself down on him.