A long pause followed the Warrior Princess' bitter chuckle….Was he that blind as to miss the fact that she didn't trust him one bit given the circumstances and that everything that had happened those past few days had only shaken her self confidence to the core?!
How could he even think that she would ever accept to spend eternity by his side- or better said, how could he so lightheartedly offer her immortality when it was as clear as daylight that he still had feelings for that infatuated bitch- 'cause no, there was no doubt about it in her mind now- it was their unresolved affair that continued to keep him chained to that place.
Evidently, a part of him was still under Amytis' spell and that drew him to her like a magnet- regardless of what he was telling her or himself. The fact that he had also made her immortal, no matter how grateful he had been to Nabbuco for having saved his life- that….well …that made her wonder….For some reason it just didn't sit well with her.
What bothered her most though- even more than this distressing awareness that the God's heart was still partly occupied by that slutty witch - was that accursed uncertainty that had clogged her mind and fogged her head and though she had done even the impossible to figure him out- to see beyond the alluring projections of his distracting, carefully chosen words-she couldn't really tell apart the truth from the wonderfully embroidered white- or maybe not so white- lies she was sure he must have used to spice up that story….In the end, did he want her by his side for the sheer destructive power her undeniable skills could eventually bring him- for the inextinguishable fire he had seen burning in her- the same fire that, unleashed on any battlefield would only leave empty carcasses behind- or was it indeed something else that had been plaguing his mind all along- that special something he had timidly confessed he wanted to hold on to, no matter what?... And looking back at it now…. did he really mean that…? Could she believe anything that came out of his mouth when his actions were in blatant contradiction of his words?
On the other hand, she could simply put on a mask- both on her face and on her soul- and go on pretending that she didn't really care whom his heart belonged to and just accept that damn offer- which had been surprisingly generous after all, coming from him – the War God wasn't particularly renowned for his altruism…..In order to keep her mind busy, she could always focus on keeping that lethal power that would be flowing freely through her blood in check, and just bury whatever feelings she had developed for him under the constantly amassing piles of bodies that would be littering the battlefields….
In short, the more she thought about it, the more his proposition was starting to turn into something almost...appealing... With every passing second, the perspective appeared less and less atrocious and more and more…noble – given all the positive changes that her reign would bring…At least he had been right about one thing...she would become the architect of a new world- and by Gaia herself, the society she had been living in, sure used a transformation - and a radical one, too.
As tiny- but painfully expressive- bits and pieces of conversation between Ares and the Queen- as well as their infuriatingly intimate gestures in her presence - began to tormentingly flash before her eyes again though, her mouth unwillingly twisted in a disgusted grimace, just to smile uncomfortably when the God hooked his index finger under her chin, tilting her head up, forcing her to look at him, and their impossible nearness only made things even more difficult….
When their eyes met, for a fraction of a second- sunk in thoughts as she was- Xena was genuinely shocked to notice that a shade of deep concern had been etched in the lines of the Olympian's divine visage. His chocolate brown eyes-that were now gazing at her expectantly- held a very uncharacteristic anxiety- as if her own reaction had actually managed to trouble him….Her heart naturally skipped a beat at the realization….was this just another act of his to get what he wanted, to somehow indirectly push her onto the path he had spoken to her about, or was it genuine emotion he was displaying?
Whether she liked it or not, a small voice in the back of her mind obstinately refused to let her place her trust in him- and for good reason. After all, the question did remain ….what did he want with her…and why? .. Thus, even though she knew far too well that ignoring her any doubts and worries and just take advantage of that amazing opportunity would have been the smartest thing to do -any sane person would have done the same- …the countless ideas that kept bouncing up and down like rubber balls inside her brain just wouldn't let her act as she pleased. ….
" I need to think about this" she murmured unhurriedly after careful consideration, scratching musingly her fingernails through his beard while her enchanting gaze locked with his. Nabuuco had jokingly claimed that she had the handsome Olympian eating out of the palm of her hand- and though she believed that statement to be slightly exaggerated, there was still a grain of truth in those words – enough to have him do things her way…If he was really interested in having her by his side till the end of time- regardless of what his intentions actually were- he was going to have to learn to be patient and give her all the time she needed to decide what exactly it was that she wanted…Time was irrelevant for Gods after all….
...Nonetheless, as more and more seconds elapsed, despite the fact that she was supposed to have an effect on him, something fluttered inside her stomach when, taking his time studying her, his own gaze became so penetrating as if he was trying to literally see through her, to drill a hole into her soul and thus take a peek inside- obviously desperate to find out what in the name of Hades had her so preoccupied, and what exactly were her feelings for him…Had he screwed up so much with Amytis that she suddenly felt the need to protect herself from him? From him, out of all people?!Was that it?! By the Styx, it was only a freaking kiss!...To top it all, she had been the one who kissed him…she couldn't possibly blame him for that.
" What's there to think about? " he bluntly questioned, his voice raspy and deep, trying hard to keep his cool. He didn't get it….he had just told her that he wanted her by his side for the rest of time- as his Queen- and yet, her mind seemed to be still spinning around the silly scenarios she must have created inside her head about his relationship with his ex ...Or maybe he was just being paranoid and the only thing bothering her was his offer...Maybe he had been awfully wrong about her in the first place and world domination wasn't even something that she craved for…
" What do you mean? It's not like someone comes along every day to lay the world at my feet" she cleverly remarked, as if sensing his own unuttered question.
" That's precisely why I thought you'd jump at the opportunity. What's holding you back?" he asked, visibly bothered now by her lack of enthusiasm.
She paused a bit, her fingers brushing absently now along his cheeckbone while searching for an answer to please them both. She would definitely hate herself later if she were to refuse such a staggering offer and she knew it- but still, first of all- for her own peace of mind- she needed to understand a few things...
" Nothing…I just don't get the haste…..As you put it, this ambrosia isn't going anywhere- and since the entire world has been unsuccessfully looking for it all these millenia, they sure won't find it now….So why all the rush?"
"You're evading... What's holding you back?" he insisted, fighting her with her own weapons- his thumb, now sensually massaging her lips, breaking in a flash all the self control she had hoped the rage and frustration had fueled. Before she knew it, her arms were tightly wrapped around his muscular torso and by Aphrodite and Cupid, during those few moments in which he leaned down the tiniest bit, his mouth so close that she could actually taste him, her heart began hammering again frantically against her chest and nothing made sense anymore...nothing but him... Soon, his soft tongue began exploring her mouth, tangling with hers, making her moan dirtily- completely lost in that whirl of emotions swelling deep inside her, and let's just say that not even if her life depended on it, could she remember why she had been angry with him in the first place- definitely, incapable of finding a good enough reason to reject his once in a lifetime proposition….Nothing appeared to be wrong with it any more….
"I'm sure that whatever doubts you might have on this, I can make them vanish…." he charmingly added, halting that kiss for just a little while- enough for her to catch her breath- despite the fact that the gulp of air that had been meant for her lungs, never reached its destination, simply because it unexpectedly caught in her throat when his hands began skimming lightly over her sides, heading up…..
As a result, every rational part of her brain shut down instantly when, despite his apparent calmness- his fingers started trailing towards the luscious curves of her waist - with the hottest need she had ever felt from a man- brushing tenderly over her aroused breasts before his palms cradled her face again, brutally taking possession of her mouth this time, devouring her …He was temptation incarnate, and though she was fully aware of what he was trying to do, the mere thought of having him stop was unthinkable….…The power radiating from within him was simply magnetizing and with everything she had, she craved for that bloody power...She wanted it for herself despite how utterly wrong it felt.
It didn't take long until everything around them seemed to dissolve- and the Warrior Princess know far to well where this was heading and how it was likely to end. Under the influence of a last flash of sanity, she tried to save herself by talking, by breaking the spell he had her under, by making him think that she wasn't as impressed by his little routine as he wanted her to be, but unfortunately, the blazing heat radiating through the thin fabric of her dress, now that she couldn't possibly hide…
" I'm sure you can….I'm also sure that it wouldn't kill you if you were to wait a few more days to get your answer…" she mildly protested, a faint, flirtatious smile on her face- that kind of smile that always got to him- and just as he started to object- eager taste her again- she pressed the tips of her fingers against his lips.
Little darts of fire flicked inside him as she spoke...
"After all, as you so poetically put it, you have been waiting for me for an eternity…what's a few more days?" she asked- in a small, innocent voice- the deep dark pools of her eyes filled though with such a tempting combination between desire lust and hunger that he was unable to resist her.
"Is it me or you are trying to lure me into doing what you want by using your feminine wiles, Warrior Princess?" he jokingly remarked, his fingers tangling even more into her thick, raven hair now making it impossible for her to move an inch-not that such thought had actually crossed her mind-and for what felt like an interminable moment- it just stretched out forever- he gazed at her with an impossible to ignore passion…Apart from being the perfect killing machine she was also an amazingly sexy woman -one that constantly- and most likely deliberately too- had- in little less than a year- shattered to little pieces everything he was certain he knew about women in general...
" Is it working….? "
" It always works…" he whispered using their bond, not really comfortable with saying it out loud, but definitely wanting to give her something palpable to hang out to, something real when it came to their unsteady relationship….."You just have to learn to push the right buttons…"
"Is that so? " she playfully inquired, a warm, kittenish smile flashing over her face and for a split second the storm in her eyes was actually replaced by sunshine, and, that made the War God's heart flutter with the most unusual joy. "That's good to know…" she finally said out loud, almost patting herself on the back for a job well done...Even though, he hadn't clearly specified it, she just knew she got what she wanted...time. "Anyway…we'd better get back to the palace. The party's about to start and I need to get dressed. " she ended, frowning as soon as she had mentioned that wretched place. Ares immediately noticed the change of course.
" Just say the word, I'll get you ready in no time. "
" I'd rather surprise you…Plus, I already have a costume…."she answered, in an almost cold voice now, immediately averting her gaze...She was killing him...Slowly, as brutally as possible and without even realizing it.
"Hmmmmmm …you do now? Will I like it? " he replied, using the same jocular tone as before, casually glancing over his shoulder at the dark rose behind him...Sooner or later she was going to eat that ambrosia even if he had to force it down her throat.
" What do you think?"
" I somehow have the feeling that- as always- you'll be the sexiest woman in the room... So I'm particularly tempted to say yes…"
This time, his sincere compliment could no longer make her smile and her aura radiated sadness and ...disappointment...
" We' ll just have to wait and see won't we?"