Author's Note: Hi everyone! Hope everyone is keeping well. Sorry, this one has taken ages. I knew what I wanted to happen but I had trouble writing it down and connecting the dots, so I hope it doesn't read too badly. Also, just a heads up, this chapter has another sex scene (hey, in my defence, this is a story about basically a concubine!) but I promise it's the last one for a while and it serves a purpose here I think. Anyway, enjoy (I hope!)
I was sat at the Hetaerae table during a banquet realising that I was just beginning to get a grasp of the calendar of events at the palace - every month there was a Symposium, followed by a banquet the next night. Dinner then was very much the same merry scene as I had experienced once before – the drums and singing, the loud voices and laughter of the many guests in attendance, the poor servants being worked very hard and the tables, benches and chairs a shamble on the Great Hall floor. It looked the main course would be lamb this time, as I watched the servant turn the reddish-brown, headless and hoof-less meat over the charcoal flames on the spit at the back of the hall whilst the same hounds watched patiently, mesmerised in their hunger.
Again, most of the other Hetaerae were engrossed in their tittle-tattle and bitching, leaning in to Acantha at the opposite end of our table. I rolled my eyes at them in antipathy and coolly took a sip of my wine, determined not to be disturbed by them. I did feel quite at ease I realised, comfortable and confident in my station now that the Prince and I had finally found our way together. I felt happy in fact, the happiest I had been for a long time – I had bumped into the sweet Lysander on my way to the Great Hall that night and not only did he graciously accept my humble apology for being so rude to him after I had been attacked ("It is fine!" he told me in his usual friendly tone. "I know you were not yourself and given the circumstances it was understandable.") but he delivered the joyful news that his sister - my friend Korina - had safely given birth to a perfect baby boy and both Mother and child were doing well. Apparently, she had not minded her new arrival was not the girl she hoped for, she was just pleased the baby was healthy. In my mind I said a toast in honour of my friend and her new son before I took another mouthful of my wine.
I looked where Hector was sat on his grand Prince's throne, raised above the throng on the dais with his family. He was again sat next to his father - our King - and he was flanked on the other side by his lovely wife. He looked noble and dignified in his neat blue robe, his prince's golden laurel crown and his favourite necklace in place. As he popped an olive in his mouth and chewed slowly, I noticed that he ate a lot more politely when he was on display with the other royals and I smiled at his calculated decorum. He turned to speak a few words to Andromache and I realised with some surprise that his hair was still in the braid I had woven for him the night before. It caused the vision of him completely stripped of his finery pop into my head then, making me smile again fondly at the memory.
When I had properly awoken that morning, Hector had gone, off for his usual early-morning horse ride I supposed. Although I was a little saddened to be alone, I took some comfort in the fact I could still smell him on my skin and when I sat to take breakfast, I could somehow feel where his body had been inside of mine. A small piece of parchment also sat on the food tray. In spiky-looking quillwork (which I would later come to recognise as Hector's own handwriting) the note said:
"Kitten,
Come to the stable tomorrow morning, the same time as before and I will give you your first riding lesson.
H."
My heart did a little leap when I had read his invitation - it was very thoughtful of Hector to remember his promise to me and I at least knew when I would be seeing him next. I hoped he would not go out of his way to keep his distance from me ever again.
Of course, I only found out that day at the Gynaeceum that there was to be a palace banquet that night and I would be seeing Hector sooner than I thought. There had been an odd atmosphere to the room that day I decided. When I took my usual place on a floor cushion next to Thais, nothing looked physically out of place. Andromache was quietly sewing in her chair whilst her handmaiden sorted through different skeins of thread. The Governess was snoring away on her chaise as usual. Acantha and her cronies were camped together in the same corner but were surprisingly silent. My mother had quite a stern look to her face when I first saw her, so much so I was worried I had done something to displease her but shortly, she was sat in between Thais and I, guiding us with our pieces in her usual kind manner so I knew that it had not been me that had upset her. I must admit, my owl embroidery was already starting to look much neater thanks to her teaching and she seemed pleased I was finally learning a feminine skill.
The tardy arrival of Thais to the banquet broke me out of my musings. She quickly sat down next to me at the table, looking flushed, flustered and a little askew.
I raised my eyebrows dryly as I looked to her, knowing there must be a story there. There always was with Thais.
"You are a little late, what happened?" I asked her calmly.
She signed heavily as she had finally arranged herself on her seat "Polites happened!" she wailed in exasperation: "He did not even get as far as getting my gown off this time! I did not need his prick in me, I need food in me!"
I almost spat out my wine in reaction to that as she piled the empty platter in front of her from the bowls and dishes scattered on the table – olives, eggs, stuffed vine leaves and a huge hunk of bread.
"I would slow down on that bread if I were you. Your hips are already starting to get a little too thick." We both heard from across the table.
We looked up to see Acantha's brittle, narrowed eyes and thin mouth directed at their target – Thais. All her chicks stared at us smugly. Thais' usually happy, round face looked like she was now on the verge of tears. I felt anger rising from my belly and the desire to stand up for my friend was overwhelming.
"That is not true and you know it, Acantha." I stated, my expression serious, my will unbending: "I am sick and tired of your constant malice. There is no need to be so cruel."
There were gasps around the table from the chicks – I guessed nobody had dared to stand up to her before.
Acantha laughed quite fiendishly that someone had the nerve to challenge her: "Why should I listen to you, silly girl!" she spat at me. "Golden Boy will soon tire of you! You have no notable skills to amuse him with - you are nothing more than his whore!"
Obviously, I did not take too kindly to her disrespecting Hector and saying such awful things about me. I was not hurt much by her scathing words, but I was livid that Acantha thought she had the right to say such terrible things. I somehow kept my cool as I slowly and deliberately slid out of my seat to take the few steps to approach her. As I did so, I innocently picked up the little pot of runny honey from the table that was meant to be eaten with the bread and fruits.
"I figured you could do with sweetening up." I told her calmly as I stood over her where she sat and drizzled the entire contents of the pot on her head.
The chicks gasped again, this time in horror. Thais broke out into an uncontrollable fit of giggles. It took a moment for Acantha to realise what I had just done to her - she touched her once-perfect hair and realising there was a sticky substance running to her forehead, she screamed in rage and lunged out of her chair at me. Just in the nick of time before I was knocked to the floor there was a large, male body between us.
"Ladies – time to stop now, you are in the company of our King." He scolded evenly. I took a few steps back to realise it was Jasper of all people that had come to my aid.
"Captain!" Acantha raged: "Tell your best friend how his plaything has just disgraced herself!"
I had no idea he was such a good friend to Hector. I looked to Jasper. He was wearing a neat, white robe like most of the men in attendance at the banquet were, without his wolfskin. His curiously light eyes had a liveliness to them. I noticed then the only finery he wore was a simple necklace - a worn leather thong that tied a smooth, pretty, rounded piece of orange Jasper around his neck. I wondered if that was how he got his nickname.
"I will do nothing of the sort!" Jasper laughed, showing of a row of white, perfect teeth: "I heard what you said and was witness to what happened … I think what Phile did was not wholly undeserved. Besides, her tenacity is one of the things Hector loves most about her."
My heart suddenly leaped at his last comment but I decided it was probably best not to take it to heart.
I nonchalantly turned to my friend who was still giggling to herself at the other end of the table: "Come Thais, let us find somewhere else to sit away from these mean women." I told her.
As Thais nodded her certain agreement to me and was sliding out of her own seat, Acantha raged again.
"You cannot do that!" She protested. Her face was now red as fire, I had annoyed her so much.
Jasper, clearly amused by the situation, threw his head back and laughed: "Why not?" He told her with a shrug: "Hetaerae are allowed to do as they please, are you not?" He asked rhetorically.
"It defies custom!" Acantha complained, as one of her chicks was trying to dab the honey out of her hair with a napkin – a fruitless task if ever there was one.
Jasper arched one of his thick eyebrows wryly: "You know very well Golden Boy has never been a stickler for those." He told Acantha, ultimately silencing her – she obviously had not realised quite how much of our conversation Jasper had overheard.
He then turned to address Thais and I, an attractive smile wrinkling the corners of his mouth
"There is an empty table over there." He told us, pointing to one just under the tapestry that resembled my father: "Enjoy the rest of your dinner, ladies" He said politely before disappearing as quickly as he appeared.
When we were settled at our own table and had both quickly downed a goblet of wine each to calm our nerves, Thais thanked me sincerely for standing up for her.
"The Gynaeceum will be … interesting from now on!" I told her with a little regretful wince. I was not good at looking before I leapt as I have noted before, although the relief I felt sitting away from the other Hetaerae was huge.
"You should have dumped some wine on her too." Thais laughed mischievously.
"I am not one to waste good wine, thank you!" I told her playfully and we both crashed into a fit of giggles. I think the wine was starting to take effect.
After we enjoyed a nice meal together and drunk even more wine, Thais said: "You and the Prince looked very cosy last night at the Symposium, did you have a good night afterwards?"
I grinned to remember it, trying to think of what to tell her in way that would preserve the privacy of Hector and me.
"That smile tells me you more than did!" She told my slyly.
"Well" I began to delicately explain: "last night was the first time we became … properly acquainted … since I arrived". I hoped she was shrewd enough to understand what I was saying.
"Really?" She sputtered incredulously: "You have been here for a month! But, I suppose he is a busy man." She pondered and I was relieved that she had come to her own conclusion on that and I did not have to explain. "Last night you two looked like you had been lovers forever." She mused. I was touched.
"We took a bath together, actually." I revealed to her, the wine loosening my tongue a little.
She sighed dreamily: "Very nice! I wish Polites was an adventurous lover. I get bored of doing it in my bed in the same four positions" She said, rolling her eyes: "When are you seeing the Prince next?"
"Early tomorrow morning." I admitted, already feeling the butterflies in my stomach rise in anticipation of then: "He has asked me to meet him at the stables, he is going to start teaching me to ride."
"Ride, huh?" Thais giggled wickedly: "I bet he ends up screwing your brains out in the hayloft!"
"THAIS!" I laughed at her crudeness "You have such a filthy mouth!"
She smiled, taking a sip of her wine: "It is what Polites likes best about me!" she told me proudly. I did not doubt that for even a fleeting moment.
A little later, although the party was still going strong, I decided it was time to put myself to bed. I had to be up early and the wine had definitely gone to my head - I was feeling a little woozy and sleepy. I bid goodnight to Thais and slipped away quietly, not wishing to draw any more attention to myself. As I had almost reached the archway that led to the covered walkway in the South Courtyard and Hector's wing at the palace, I felt a large hand gently grasp my wrist from the shadows of the vestibule outside the Great Hall and pull me to the body of whoever owned it. Hector held me to him and danced me around in the darkness to the music drifting from the banquet I had just left. He was humming along to the tune; I think he was just as merry as I was.
"Hector!" I gasped: "You gave me a fright!"
"Sorry Kitten" He grinned, halting his surprisingly graceful movement but with his arm still holding me to him: "I just wanted to say kudos for putting that horrid Acantha in her place; witnessing that was the best thing I saw all night!" He laughed.
"It probably was not very wise." I admitted remorsefully, worried about any repercussions.
"She is probably ruing the fact that Eryma's family have come to live here, that is for sure!" He told my wryly: "The apple did not fall far from the tree, as they say. I hear from Andromache that your mother gave Acantha a huge verbal dressing down due to her rudeness at the Gynaeceum this morning, my wife says Ariadne was rather magnificent!" He laughed again. So, I was not the first person who had dared to stand up to Acantha! I felt so proud of mother – and that explained the strange atmosphere there that morning, I thought.
"That awful woman is just bitter that my father no longer has anything to do with her." Hector added, matter-of-factly. "Do not fear though, she would not dare retaliate."
I was not worried about the latter now – I was more alarmed at the King growing weary of Acantha. She had told me Hector would tire of me too - was it that usual for a Kyrios to lose interest in their Hetaerae?
Before I could fret about this anymore, Hector pulled me into a darkened door way in the vestibule and kissed me passionately. My fears melted away momentarily as his warm, soft lips took ownership of mine and our tongues performed their eager dance. We were not kissing for very long before we heard certain, confident footsteps approach. Wary of being caught and our impropriety discovered, we quickly tore ourselves away from each other, stepped out of the doorway and swiftly arranged ourselves to make it look like we were up to something more innocent than stealing kisses in the darkness. Looming out of the dimness coming towards us was King Priam, Hector's father I realised with a pang of alarm. I was not worthy.
"Father." Hector acknowledged politely with a nod.
The King stopped in his tracks to address Hector "My boy." He said, affectionately. He then turned his keen gaze to me. I curtsied and bowed my head appropriately, suddenly finding myself mute. "So, this is Phile, daughter of our beloved Erymas." The King said thoughtfully: "I thought it was rather fitting that you were sitting beneath our tribute to your father tonight. He is missed by us all." He added, confirming that tapestry was indeed my father.
He drew me from my reverent bow with a simple touch of his ringed fingers under my chin, willing me to look at his face and meet him as an equal. He smiled gently at me, an expression I recognised in his son. "I am pleased you have finally joined the family." He told me. "I hope my son is being good to you?"
"Yes, sire. He is very good." I told him meekly.
Satisfied by my answer, he proudly patted Hector on the shoulder and took his leave from us.
As we watched him walk away Hector hissed with amusement: "I thought I was your bad boy – now I am good?"
I giggled: "Well you were good to me last night." I told him as he gently pushed me back into the shadow of the doorway again. "You did take me to see the stars."
I felt Hector crane his head to put his mouth to my ear "That was only the beginning, Kitten." He breathed seductively before his lips found mine again.
After a few moments, I found the strength to tear myself away from him.
"Hector – you must let me go, I have to get up early tomorrow, remember?" I entreated of him. I assumed he did not mean to join me in my quarters that night - otherwise he would have met me there and would have not waited for me in the vestibule.
He groaned, hesitant to let me take my leave from him but also ultimately knowing I was right.
"Yes, I need sleep too." He agreed: "I had a beautiful companion that kept me up late last night, she is quite the distraction!" He teased, speaking of me.
After I had bid Hector 'good night' and was back in the serene surroundings of my apartment, I drifted easily to sleep, partly due to the wine but mainly as I felt so enormously contented. That night, I dreamt of a beautiful tree in a strange-looking, perfectly green land. Under the tree happily played four children, their laughter joyful and infectious. The oldest, biggest boy bore a striking resemblance to Hector, I remember thinking – he had the same curly hair, dark eyes and odd-shaped ears. I was curious to take a closer look as the children did not seem to be able to see me but before I could, I felt the pull of waking take me from the scene. It made me sad that I could not stop it, as much as I tried to fight it. Then, I found myself laying cocooned in my bed and back to reality. I heard the unmistakable crash and rumble of thunder, the noise alarming me enough to peek out from my bed covers. I could see from the window that dawn was just breaking and rain was pouring from the skies. My heart sank – if the storm did not clear soon, I would not get my riding lesson with Hector.
I forced myself up and walked to the window to watch the storm for a while. A brilliant white-blue fork of lightening crackled between the pendulous clouds, brilliantly illuminating the South Courtyard below for a fleeting moment. I sighed. I usually enjoyed whenever Zeus saw fit to send us a storm and I especially liked the charged, fresh smell to the air after one. However, that morning I was more than disappointed as it more than likely meant I would not see Hector, as we had planned. I pondered on what I should do or more specifically, what Hector would do. The storm may prevent him going for his usual morning ride but I did not think it would stop him visiting the stables to tend to and feed Whitefoot. I had decided. I quickly donned my favourite blue gown and sandals, left my hair free and lose, fastened my cloak and pulled up the hood (not that I really believed it would be very effective in keeping the driving rain off me).
When I had reached the stable, I was indeed drenched. I let myself in and stood just inside the entrance, dripping on the neat flagstone floor for a moment, my vision clouded by the unrelenting raindrops. I wiped them from my eyes with my fingertips and when they finally focussed, there Hector was, sitting on a low stall outside Whitefoot's pen.
"You came." He said, smiling and standing to greet me: "I did not think anyone else but me was mad enough to venture out into this storm!" He laughed.
I took off my soaking cloak and hung it next to Hector's on the hooks near Whitefoot's pen: "When your Prince requests your presence, you of course obey. When your lover requests your presence, you go out of your way to make him happy." I told him affectionately: "Besides, you seriously overestimate my level-headedness!" I laughed.
Hector was too busy admiring how my wet gown had turned partially see-through and clung to my curves to laugh with me.
"I am rather wet." I said as he reached forward, his arm circling my waist and pulled me to him.
"So I see." He breathed seductively: "We will not get a ride today I am afraid." Hector said, whilst running his fingers through my hair, trying to detangle it: "I think instead I need to get you out of that soaking gown and warm you up."
I smiled at his suggestion: "Is that your idea or Trouble Maker's?" I asked him, as I could currently feel him very awake and pressing against me through Hector's skirt.
"He is very pleased to see you, I will not lie." Hector smirked.
I smirked back: "Well this handmaiden does have a certain itch to scratch if the lusty stable-hand is willing?" I teased.
"More than willing." He answered me emphatically: "Not here though." With a nod of his head he gestured to the ladder leading to the hayloft above.
Once we had climbed up there, I could see the hayloft was huge but at the same time, quite cosy, probably because of the piles of dried grasses all around. It smelt wonderful – nutty and sweet all at the same time. Even now, the smell of hay puts in my mind the naughtiness Hector and I got up to in that loft. There was only one window, about as big as me and triangular in shape, it's function probably to let air circulate there but it let in enough light so our surroundings did not look too dim. I saw another of Zeus' lightning bolts momentarily flash and heard another loud crash of thunder as Hector wasted no time in reaching up to the roof and pulling a large, clean and neatly-folded blanket from where it had been stashed in the eaves. There would be no reason for it to be there – unless:
"Did you plan this?" I asked in astonishment.
Hector smiled slyly as he spread the blanket out on a patch of soft meadow hay: "No, not planned. Rather I hoped … I have been fantasising about it since the last time you came here … and it took all my willpower not to ravish you then." He answered with an arch of his eyebrow, remembering a few days ago. Things had changed so much since then.
"I wish you had!" I told him as I quickly pulled my gown up and off over my head and kicked off my sandals, impatient to feel his naked body against mine.
I lay down on the blanket, pulsing with anticipation as Hector undressed himself with surprising speed. There he was. Big, angular, hard and hot. I could not wait to taste him.
"And what does this fantasy consist of?" I asked him as he crouched over me and took in my naked, aroused form closely, scanning down my body as he emitted an animalistic growl of lust at the sight of me.
"Worshipping you." Hector answered certainly in a way that made me shiver, his dark eyes now looking to my own as he finally tore his hungry gaze away from in between my legs.
He pressed himself against me then and we kissed feverishly, his hand travelling tantalisingly down my body – first to play with a breast, down to my belly, across to my shapely hips and then to my aching loins. I raised my hips up to meet his fingers, my hand grasping at a dimple in his lower back and I gasped to feel his touch there.
"You were right, you are wet." Hector whispered in my ear as his fingers entered me and became slippery from my secretions. I could feel myself blush, a little embarrassed.
He sensed this and breathed a little laugh: "Do not worry, it is a good thing. A very good thing." He told me as he moved his two fingers deeper inside of me before pulling them out and bringing them to his mouth, sucking on his own fingers.
I was a little shocked by his actions at first but there was also something quite erotic and intimate about it.
"You taste wonderful." Hector told me. "but I desire more … do you trust me?"
"Yes, more than anyone." I told him with a longing murmur as my fingers trailed down his broad, muscled chest to his navel, following the trail of hair further until I took hold of his hardness in my hand.
Hector smiled at my wanton action and closed his eyes blissfully as I stroked him for a while but he soon lent into nuzzle and kiss my neck, continuing downwards meaning I could not reach his erection any longer. I closed my eyes and moaned in pleasure as his mouth came to rest on one of my nipples. He circled it with his tongue and gently sucked, making it rigid and moist with his saliva before abandoning it to give the same delightful treatment to the other. Wet like that, I could feel the coolness of the morning air on them. His tongue continued to trace a path lower to my stomach before he stopped and I opened my eyes as his hand found their way back to my loins, toying with me so deliciously. Hector was now crouched on his knees in between my legs, watching longingly as his fingers played in me whilst he stroked his own hard length. I was too aroused to feel self-conscious of where his gaze was trained and I watched with interest as Hector pleasured himself, the way his wrist would give a slight twist at the head - the sight of him doing that was stirring me even more.
Hector bent down to nuzzle and kiss the insides of my thighs and I tensed for a moment, alarmed as I suddenly realised where his mouths desired destination was. Hector was undeterred of course as soon his talented tongue was gently licking my entrance. My apprehension soon melted as pure pleasure took hold whilst his mouth licked, nibbled and sucked at me in a building rhythm that seemed to be led by the grinding of my hips. I slipped my fingers into his hair as if to keep his head down there, moaning and whimpering with gratification as I felt my climax building. Reading my body language perfectly, Hector could sense I was nearly there. His mouth was joined by his fingers, which he slid deep inside there and jerked. That was all I needed and I cried out his name, eyelids clenched and body convulsing as I found my rapturous ending. I think I may have also cursed several times too, which was unlike me as Mother had always told me it was something that good girls do not do.
Just as the waves of pleasure subsided to tingles, I felt Hector quickly enter me and he softly thrusted, aware of how sensitive I was there now. I opened my eyes to see him looming over me, his dark eyes full of affection and lust as my gaze met his. I smiled and wrapped my legs around him, raising my hips slightly as I welcomed him inside of me.
"I hope I have not totally spent you." He whispered playfully as he gently made love to me.
"Not quite yet." I giggled in response, my loins feeling delight building again as Hector moved within me.
"Good. Time for your first riding lesson, I think." He told me mischievously and as I was wondering what he could possibly mean Hector rolled on his back, taking me with him so now I was on top.
A felt a little awkward at first but I could see in Hector's eyes that he loved seeing my body being fully displayed to him whilst being intimate, so I quickly gained confidence. With his hands on my hips, he guided me to use my thigh muscles to rise and fall and to rock on him. It felt amazing and I soon got the hang of it. Hector seemed to like it too as he was groaning deeply, his hips bucking and he was clenching his eyes shut momentarily, every now and again, as his own pure pleasure took hold. I was now making love to him, I realised. The power of being on top, the mechanics of the position and the way Hector thirstily watched me soon bought along another delicious climax in me. I leant back as I did, arching my back and bracing myself on my arms with splayed palms either side of Hector's thighs and cried out again so loudly I was sure I probably scared some of the horses below us.
Once I had sufficiently recovered, Hector rolled me to my back again thrusted his length quickly and deeply a few times before pulling out. Back on his knees and in between my legs he hastily stroked himself a few times before he finally reached his own end. As he closed his eyes, threw back his head and pretty much roared, his member pulsed in his hand and half a dozen jets of hot, milky white liquid spurted from it, landing in a pool on my stomach. He ended up bracing himself either side of my body with his arms, head low over me and panting as he tried to recover. I reached over and absently touched the silky substance he deposited on my belly – his seed I thought. I remembered the other night and how he did not finish inside of me then. I understood that this must be his way of avoiding illegitimate babies.
"Sorry." I heard Hector say as he came to his senses: "I can be messy, I should have warned you. I hope you are not offended."
I was not. Hector took a corner of the blanket and carefully wiped me clean as I lay there. I was touched at his care and attention.
"I have never imagined having children in my future." I told him honestly as he flopped down next to me, pulling me close.
He was as hot and sweaty as I was – how I loved the smell of him. I could still hear the rain pouring outside and tapping on the roof top but it was lighter now. I could see from the window that the sky did not look so grey. There was a low rumble of thunder but it sounded very far away - the storm would soon pass.
"Do you know what I think?" Hector said thoughtfully as he stroked up and down my upper arm with his fingertips: "We would make fine, strong babies together."
I was flattered but also a little alarmed to tell you the truth. What a strange thing to say, given his beliefs.
"I guess we will never know." I told him with an edge to my voice that put an end to that line of conversation: "So did this innocent handmaiden please her lusty stable-hand?" I asked him playfully.
He laughed: "Please me? Kitten, you made my ending come so hard I think I went blind for a few moments!"
"Another good thing?" I asked him with a smile.
"The best!" He answered emphatically, craning his head down and kissing the top of my head in gratitude.
Now totally consumed by each other, we lay there in a peaceful and slightly sleepy silence for a while, our sweaty limbs in a comfortable tangle. I listened to his strong heartbeat as it slowed to a more normal rate. Making love with him certainly made my own heart pound. The rain stopped and Apollo's bright sun was trying to break through the dreary clouds.
"I wish I could stay here all day with you." Hector told me softly.
But we both knew that could never happen - he had his princely, political and military duties, not to mention a wife who he loved above anything else. I lifted myself a little so I could look to his face. His dark eyes were bright, the edges creased as he returned my affectionate gaze. With one hand, I gently pushed some of his curls away from his face.
"It is a shame you did not get out for your ride this morning." I told him, understanding how much he valued it.
He sniggered a little: "That is not exactly true … I did get a ride of sorts and I took much pleasure in being your stallion. The memory of it will keep me sane through all the Council meetings I have today. In fact, I think I have a new favourite hobby." He told me with a wry arch of his eyebrow.
"Which is?" I asked, my own eyebrows arching quizzically
"The exquisite corruption of you." He answered in the same certain tone as when he told me he wanted to worship me.
Suddenly, I remembered what Acantha had spat at me the night before and what Hector had flippantly told me about his father tiring of her. My smile dropped. "What happens when my corruption is complete?" I asked him.
Hector looked concerned at my sudden unhappiness "Are you worried I get bored of you?" He asked and I wondered if it were his perceptive nature speaking or whether Jasper had told him in detail about the argument between Acantha and I. I found I could not answer him with words, so my now melancholy gaze dropped from him, which told him all he needed to know.
"Kitten": He said, putting his fingers under my chin to lift my face so I would look at him again, almost in the same way his father had done the evening before: "The Gods could not keep me from you." He said sincerely, mirroring what I had told him in the bath to ease his own insecurity.
He kissed me then, softly and tenderly. I wished I could have believed him. I tried to imagine growing old with Hector in my mind's eye but I simply could not.
"You are full of surprises, you know." Hector suddenly said. "I thought you would be shy and hesitant as you are so new to this kind of intimacy - but you are most definitely not. It is like …"
"We have been lovers forever." I finished his sentence for him without really thinking, quoting what Thais had said about us. It really did feel that way.
He held me closer.
"Yes." He murmured thoughtfully: "Exactly that. I could not have put it better myself." He said, smiling that tiny smile. I was relieved I had not embarrassed myself by expressing an emotion that he did not return.
I smiled then too, thinking of my surprisingly astute but foul-mouthed friend, realising what Thais had predicted last night did just become reality. Thank goodness we did not put a wager on it.
Suddenly, we could both hear a man's voice calling Hector's name from outside the stable. Hector rolled his eyes and groaned, before untangling himself from me and standing to look out of the window. His sinewy back, muscled buttocks and the thick columns of his thighs looked rather impressive haloed in the cool, white morning light.
"Duty – and reality - calls as always." He said regretfully as he stooped to pick up his skirt and vest from where he had hastily discarded them on the hay.
"Who is it?" I asked him, still stretched out on the blanket, on my side and propped up on my elbow. I was feeling rather chilly now Hector's warm body was not next to me and I could see goose bumps popping up on my thighs.
"My Army Captain." He answered. Jasper, I thought - also his best friend. I found it odd that Hector did not really talk about him and that I knew these facts second hand. I thought perhaps I should ask another time but then again, I was not sure I wanted to know anything more about that peculiar, miserable man.
"I am late for sword training" Hector confessed as he dressed himself, nowhere as quickly as he had undressed. "Jas is going to mock me so much for not having my armour with me."
I watched, in no hurry to make myself more presentable – I thought if Hector's friend waiting outside saw us leave the stable together looking a little sheepish and dishevelled, it would have been immediately obvious what we had been up to that morning and I definitely did not want to feed the Palace gossips any more fodder. I planned to quietly slip away once the men were engaged in their sword play.
When he was dressed, instead of rushing off down the ladder and out of the door to meet his friend, Hector stood for a moment, his head cocked to the side, gazing warmly at me.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" I laughed.
"So, I can remember you like this until the next time." He said softly, his voice full of affection.
A little later, I was properly dressed in my damp clothes (which did not feel nice at all) and had smoothed my hair into some sort of decent shape. I folded up the blanket and stashed it back in the eaves of the hayloft, hoping that first time would not be the only occasion we would be using it up there. I slipped quietly out of the stables and on my way back to change ready for the Gynaeceum, I stopped for a moment, hiding behind a tree so I could watch Hector and Jasper train in the arena. I looked on proudly as Hector easily bested his friend. It was almost the same scene as I had witnessed when I first arrived at the palace - Hector strong, graceful and bold with his sword, like a lion toying with its prey before the kill. Back then, the sight of him sparring had frightened me but now I was quite gratified by it. I admired him for who he was – the strong, fierce and skilled fighter. The noble, polite (and sometimes a little arrogant) Prince. The clever, generous, thoughtful but oft-troubled man. My lover.