The moment she was able to feel solid ground beneath her feet again, the Warrior Princess opened her crystal blue moons, just to gasp in surprise at the breathtaking view she had before her. They were definitely not in Greece anymore judging by the oriental species of trees and flowers surrounding them, and despite the fact that she had no idea where exactly on the world map he had brought her, it was definitely an enchantment to the eye- a suspended paradise in which countless terraces, high walks supported by stone pillars, miniature lakes, artistically designed water fountains and incredibly realistic statues were combined in such an unprecedented harmony that she could hardly take her eyes away from them….It was as if they had entered a different world, one that had nothing in common with anything she thought she knew till that day….
Without saying a word, she slowly made her way out of the War God's protective embrace and, as if hypnotized by the rare beauty of the landscape, she headed towards the white marble steps of the inviting stairs leading towards an even higher platform and, as if oblivious that Ares was still there, behind her, she curiously rushed to see where they led. This time, as she got to the small terrace from which she could see the vast area the gardens covered, her astonishment was finally vocalized….
" Wow! What is this place? Where are we" she asked, staring in awe at the rainbow coloured blanket of amaryllis, anthuriums, blood red roses, gardenias, lilacs, and so many species of trees that she couldn't even name them all….At a first scan, she recognized a few wild almonds, orange trees, some olives, fig trees and vines, and just l like a child who had just been brought for the first time in a toy shop, she began touching the soft petals of a striking purple-blue down flower….She almost couldn't believe it was real….
" Babylon…." Ares answered, placing a light kiss on the side of her neck.
It took her a few seconds to register the information, but once she made the connection, her eyes widened in shock.
" Babylon? Are these the….?" she stopped though in mute amazement before finishing her sentence.
" The Hanging Gardens….." the War God uttered it for her, very pleased with himself for having managed to paint such a lovely smile on her face. She was clearly fascinated with everything and that could only make him happy….
" I thought they were only a myth!" she exclaimed, her gaze sweeping over him questioningly.
" Well… they look pretty real to me…" he answered with a chuckle, finding her reaction illegally sweet. " King Nebuchadnezzar built them for his wife."
" Amytis?"
" Yeah… She has him pretty hooked; the wimp doesn't deny her anything on the face of the earth " he said, only to silently laugh at the awareness that he was slowly but surely heading down the same road with his Chosen . " …So when she began crying over the fact that she was missing her homeland, he decided to build her …this…." he said, gazing around them.
" He must be really in love…." Xena whispered thoughtfully, without looking at him, and the God instantly detected that hint of sadness in her voice.
" I had no clue your idea of love is measured in gardens and palaces…..But if that's what it takes to impress you, Honey, just let me know, and I will place all the world's richness at your feet." he replied, gently tucking a dark, silky strand behind her ear, wondering if she was really that naïve as to fall for something like that.
"It's not what I meant…"she clarified, arching a sharp eyebrow at his subtle reproach. She must have really gotten to him " And plus, why would you even do that?" she cunningly challenged, her eyes holding a faint, curious smile as she said it.
It was not as if the War God was the man to back down from a challenge regardless of how veiled. Consequently, he immediately accepted it, and, taking one step closer to her- enough for him to feel her beating heart against his chest, he lovingly caressed her cheek before giving her the closest answer to what she actually wanted to hear.
" You're my Warrior Princess…..my star employee…It is vital to keep you satisfied….." he said under his breath, the corners of his lips twitching with amusement at the dramatic whirl of mixed up feelings his statement had thrown her into ….
She tried not to appear hurt by his answer but partly failed when a shade of bitterness darkened her beryl moons…..My star employee….his words echoed inside her head like a broken bell, and as much as she struggled to keep that smile plastered over her lips, she failed miserably when she realized that between a worthless slut and a star employee, there wasn't really any notable difference…..Her heart tightened at the awareness.
Eyes glowing while watching her inner fight with her own thoughts, the God decided that despite the fact that he loved playing with her like that, creating situations just to anticipate how she would react, the last thing he wanted was for her the get to wrong idea about his intentions…She did mean the world to him, and even if he had never said it out loud- he could barely digest the idea himself- she got him wrapped around her little finger.
"Don't sweat over it…..It's not what I meant…" he teased, using her own words to do it, cupping her chin with one hand and leaning down to place a chaste kiss on her already slightly parted lips. " So uh…just how hungry are you….? " he murmured , without pulling back an inch from her face, his entire body tensing with the desire building inside him when his other hand began roaming up and down her bare back, the delicious feel of her velvet like skin sending waves after waves of sensations rippling through his every cell….
"Very….." she answered, cleverly brushing her fingers through his hair before she let out a small chuckle, very similar to his own. So...he wanted to play...she could do that... "... Why? Were you planning on feeding me flowers, War God?"
" No…that's not exactly what I had in mind…." he jokingly replied, sweeping her up into his arms and effortlessly carrying her down the stairs towards the center of the gardens…..
" What are you doing? Put me down!" she ordered, as they encountered the first couples walking lazily down the labyrinthine alleys. She hated being in the spotlights and that was precisely what he was doing...
He just gave her an amused glance, placing another kiss- a more passionate one this time on her lips- and walked a few yards more, as if completely ignoring her demand before he allowed her feet to touch the ground again. She nervously smoothed her dress, rolling her eyes both at him and at all the people who now had a new gossip to rant about.
Without wasting any more time, Ares snaked a possessive hand around her and, pulling her closer, they started heading in the direction of the imposing ziggurat dominating the landscape.
"Where are we going?" she restlessly inquired, still working hard at reading him.
" Well….I thought you said you wanted to eat right…..? And given that flowers are beneath your royal preferences…" he remarked with a merry laugh that only made her shake her head in amusement as well.
"Go on…."
" I'm taking you out -my dear Warrior Princess- to a very special dinner."
" Special, huh?" he questioned, gazing at him in disbelief….What was he up to?
As soon as they were in front of the gates, her heart skipped a beat.
" What is this place?"
" Well…Amytis' palace of course. "
" Are we going to have dinner with the Queen?"
"And the King. " he casually added as if he were talking about the weather.
" Wait, wait wait! Why didn't you tell me?!"
"….And spoil the surprise?!...No…..this look on your face is worth all the dinars in the world."
" Ares!"
" What? They have the best cooks in this part of the world,….Trust me, your stomach will thank me, later."
" Do you want me to go in there dressed like this?" she lashed at him, suddenly overly self- conscious about just how exposed her form was.
" You look absolutely stunning. The King is about to fall in love again. Who knows? Maybe he will build you some gardens as well." he laughed. She was adorable when she was insecure. Imagine that…..a woman to rival in beauty any mortal or goddess who had ever walked the earth, feeling insecure about her appearance….The thought itself made him wonder if she had ever taken the time to closely study herself in front of a full length mirror.
" Very funny!" she retorted, spitefully slapping his chest. " Seriously, Ares, you need to do something about this….." she insisted pointing at her almost bare breasts.
" I thought you'd never ask…." he simply replied, sliding a hand under the soft fabric that was barely covering her and anxiously flicking his thumb over her nipples.
" Ares!" she exclaimed, and this time, her tone told him that it was high time he stopped fooling around.
" Ok…..ok….. Colour, length, fabric?"
" Dark blue, long, silk…."
Within a blink, her statuesque form was covered in the most breathtaking navy blue evening gown she had ever seen, the floral beaded corset and the mermaid cut making her look even sexier than before, despite its apparently simple design.
" You are definitely getting those gardens tonight….." he made sure to mention, tilting his head lightly and biting his lower lip as he scanned her from head to toe. " Every man in that room will fantasize about undressing you..."
"You have been plotting this the whole time, haven't you?" she asked, her hands snaking around his neck for a few precious seconds…Despite herself, she couldn't help loving the fire burning in his eyes every time he looked at her.
"There's always a plot…You look absolutely ravishing anyway..." he said, inviting her to walk through the gate.
"Wait!" she nervously added again. " What should I do...when I meet them? Should I bow or something?" she asked, panic in her voice.
" To bow?! To whom?" he asked, as if failing to understand her question.
"To the King and Queen..."
" Princess...you are the Chosen of War...my Chosen...You bow to no one. On the contrary, they will be the ones to bow to you..."
"To me?! she incredulously exclaimed, snorting at the scenario. " Why in Zeus' name would they do that?!"
His answer was cold and his voice steely but the fire burning in his eyes was hard not to notice.
"Because they know what's good for them..."
With that, they headed for the throne room.
XXX
On the other side of the globe, in a cheaply looking tavern, disguised as a poor fisherman, Theodorus was letting a bunch of villagers know what his opinion about Xena was.
" I'm telling you there is no reason for you to fear her. She's just a meaningless slut that knows nothing about war and warfare….the God of War is the one temporarily supporting her given that she's his main distraction ….But that won't last long….The moment he has had his fill with her, he'll drop her like a nasty habit….."
"You said it yourself, fisherman, slut or not, she has the War God protecting her….And we're no fools….Going up against an Olympian God would mean our doom!"
" You don't even need to face him, people of Dion, you just have to cut the head of the snake- that is if you give a damn about your life, you know?"
" What do you mean?" one of the peasants inquired, suddenly interested in the idea.
" An swift, poisoned arrow to the heart and all your problems will end there…."
There was silence for a few moments, and Theodorus could tell just how much impact his words had managed to have on them.
"What about Ares?" another one asked, fear present in his eyes….
"Ares? …." he paused before the most ironic grin twisted his lips. " Ares will just have to find himself another whore. But you and your families will be safe…You won't be living the drama of seeing your wives and children burned alive like I did…"