The battle against Athens is won, yet there are camps and forts Sparta has to take over in the region. There are still some enemy forces around Boeotia.
Kassandra has to go. She may return again to help Brasidas, but for now she has nothing to do here. She must remain focused and continue her cultist chase all over the Greek world.
She has to fulfil her task assigned by Pausanias as well. In three months she is heading to Ellis and the magnificent Olympics.
Brasidas will be in Boeotia to help Sparta occupy key spot fortresses, until the kings assign him elsewhere. They may meet again soon, or not. She will rush to his side to assist him at any time with just a simple request. Such as he is going to keep an ear out for her, to know where she will be.
Thought at the moment, it's time to say goodbye and neither of them really wants to. Two nights ago Nikolaos walked in on them in the forest and since then they haven't spoken much to each other. The first failed effort to reconcile was made the very next morning.
A short heated argument followed by disregard for the rest of the day. Then, only the absolutely necessary exchange of words, mostly in a way of crosstalk. It couldn't be any worse for either of them. They have to go on separate ways when they are at their worst time.
Brasidas never cared about breaking the law since he met her. He's not only a Spartan citizen, but also a Commander. He should marry soon a Spartan woman. However, he's willing to go against the laws and face the consequences to be with Kassandra.
He didn't expect anything would make him have second thoughts, until now. He has started feeling bad for their relationship, knowing that the Wolf doesn't approve.
She is very angry with him for taking Nikolaos's words at heart. Mostly she is furious at her father. The man who betrayed her has no right to intervene in her personal life.
Brasidas commands not to be bothered for the night to rest after the battle in his tent. He has asked her to meet him there in secret, hoping she's finally calmer.
He closes the opening and lets his shield down when a familiar voice behind him reveals a second presence.
"You are reckless. You are vulnerable without your shield and I could have killed you right now." Kassandra's voice sounds a bit edgy.
He is going to stay here without her and she is worried about him. He may be a target, his position and their relationship can easily be a huge threat for his life. Despite being irritated, she still cares deeply. On account of them both, it is obvious. The atmosphere is still a bit electric initially. Brasidas smiles at her and instantly changes the vibe.
"You wouldn't. Who would have your back then? Kiss you at every single chance?" He chuckles stepping closer to her.
"I could find another lover, like my father said the other night and you almost agreed."
She is harsh. She doesn't really mean these words. She's driven by her anger. She didn't expect him to react like that. He was cool with their arrangements, he wasn't bothered by the fact she wasn't a Spartan citizen and she might never be considered one.
It didn't matter that they were sharing a bed and they would continue to at every given chance in the future, no matter how scarcely that might be. Months, maybe even a year or two without seeing each other.
None of these was considered a serious enough reason to slow them down. For Kassandra this was the kind of life she would have to go through, in spite of who she would choose.
For Brasidas, on the other hand, this wasn't the case. He could choose another woman. One that would be staying in one place. Someone that would be waiting him to return from his assignments. He seemed satisfied with what she offered, but after Nikolaos confronted them, Brasidas changed his stance.
"I didn't agree. I just want you to myself." His voice is calm and soothing, a small smirk playing on his lips.
He is used to her outbursts and her reactions. He has a lot of patience and he has learnt by now that if he makes her laugh, her nerves will go away.
"Oh, you won't get away so easily this time! Why did his words affect you so much?" She grumbles annoyed, crossing her arms over her chest.
"I dishonour you, your family name, ... everything, with our reckless relationship." Brasidas sighs, lowering his head as he touches her left shoulder with his fingertips.
"You are regretting this now? After me sleeping with you in your own house in Sparta for weeks?"
He quickly looks up to her face again and tries to grab her hand but she shoves him back.
"You must be kidding me." She huffs throwing her hands in the air.
"I love you Kassandra. I want us to be together. Still I hate myself for being the reason you may be treated poorly."
He walks closer holding her gaze. He is assured she can see the truth in his eyes. His worries and regrets have to do with her, not her father. He is concerned he is hurting her image. The look in her eyes softens and he smiles cupping her cheeks and leaning his forehead against hers.
"Well I don't care much. If anyone is stupid enough to dare and say anything I will handle it with my spear for you to feel eased."
"I'm sure you will." He chuckles and kisses her forehead. "But maybe there is no need for that." He hesitates for a moment and encircles her body with his hands.
"What do you have in mind?" She asks eyeing him with a raised eyebrow.
"Marry me." He utters gazing into her eyes.
"Alright Commander, that was kind of funny."
He remains silent for a moment causing her to sober up. Her smile fades and a grimace replaces it. She clenches her jaw, the muscles begin to become visible and disappear again with every fidget of her fingers.
He notices the shift. Reluctant to argue anew, he decides not to delve into the reason she is so negative towards that matter. He hopes they will have the chance to discuss it some other time when they won't be on edge. Time is running short.
He has the ability to turn a blind eye for her. Just for her, and react with humour at her rejection. He forces his lips to curve up and embraces her tighter.
"So, it's a no. Let me punish you for rejecting me." He hisses into her ear and lifts her off her feet while he buries his face into her neck kissing her.
She laughs as he walks her towards his bed. After laying her onto the furred bedroll he takes off her armour and then he gets rid of his.
He kisses and sucks her neck taking small breaks demanding from her to tell him yes. She laughs insisting on refusing him considering it a game.
Much later the heat has risen and Brasidas continues asking. He has Kassandra begging him to stop teasing her and finally make love to her. He persists that if she doesn't accept he won't show mercy and licks her earlobe muttering words of love and desire into her ear.
"Damn you Brasidas! Yes, I accept just come here right now!" She hisses and bites his shoulder.
Half an hour later they lay together in the bed caressing each other's body. She rests her head on his chest as it goes up and down steadily with every breath of his. He draws circles on the soft skin of her arm with his fingers while she runs her palm through his chest playing with his chest hair.
"I love you and I will miss you so much." He mutters and kisses her forehead.
"I love you, too." She smiles up to him pressing her body closer against his.
"I will be sending you letters. Just don't forget about your husband completely, alright?" He chuckles and waits for her answer with a mischievous smile carved on his lips.
"My what?"
"Me, your husband. If I just cut your hair, we would be considered married. You gave yourself to me willingly and accepted to become my wife." He chuckles softly happier than Kassandra has ever seen him.
"Brasidas! You sly fox, with your continuously scheming mind!" Kassandra begins and she's interrupted by his laughter. "You haven't cut my hair though so it can't be considered a marriage."
"I wished you wouldn't say it, I can still fix that." He sighs as he cuts with a quick move a small lock of hair with a knife he had hidden beneath the bed.
"Hey!" She vociferates and jumps up. "Hm, a single lock doesn't count." She waves off.
"I don't want to cut your hair, as I don't want to tie you down. I only ask you to do me the honour and accept." He pleads throwing the knife away and embracing her.
"Brasidas, I love you, but no. You are affected by the incident with Nikolaos." She groans and lets out a heavy breath.
His face falls and he remains silent gazing into her eyes. She gets really annoyed and releases a huff before giving him a hard glare.
"You're doing this for him and I hate it. Stop it before I lose my temper."
She doesn't understand. She still believes he is under Nikolaos's influence. She has no faith in him and that hurts. As a matter of fact, their relationship is too green for such commitment; it's too soon. He acknowledges it, though simultaneously, he doesn't fear it. His feelings are genuine.
There is no possibility he would regret his choice. Kassandra is special for him, unique. She is the woman of his life. What he tried was undoubtedly a cheap trick that he didn't honestly expect to work. He wanted to be two steps ahead just in case and hoped he would prove it is his wish.
Swallowing his pride once more along with the bitter aftertaste of her rejection he raises his head again to face her. He forces a sad smile and pats the bedding next to his body with his palm, motioning for her to return beside him.
"Fine. Come back to bed with me. We need some sleep." He utters almost in a whisper and pulls her hand lightly.
She abides, though she remains silent, crawling up to bed with an annoyed expression over her features. Brasidas is downcast though he does his best not to show it. She turns her back on him, lying on her side, at first. Soon, the chilly weather coerces her to look for his arms to keep her warm. He gladly welcomes her head on his chest, immediately encircling her in his arms.
They sleep embraced together for the next hours. He wakes up at Kassandra's attempt to slip out of his embrace.
He pulls her back to him kissing her passionately. They vow their love for each other and offer sweet words and promises of reconnection. They bid farewell with a last desperate kiss and wet eyes.
Kassandra puts on her armour and sneaks out of his tent leaving him alone with his thoughts in the empty bed which smells like her.