Warning: This chapter has strong sexual themes. Viewer Discretion is advised.
Chapter 7
Xena opened a door and saw a large bath with candles all around it. Steam glided from the top of the water as flower petals of lavender & rose floated on the surface, scattered throughout. She sighed as she took a moment to breathe in the aroma and breathe out some tension. This was just what she needed, a relaxing moment to herself. Although she was a Demigod, she still could get hurt, she had a large bruise on her hamstring that needed some attention.
She slipped off her straps from her shoulders and worked her way out of her leather armor. As it dropped to the floor, she held on to her sword, clenching it as tight as ever. She felt safe knowing she had a weapon at the ready. She slipped off her black undergarments and worked out of her black leather boots. She eyed the steps leading to the water and stepped towards it. She dipped her toes in the water, and a warm, hot sensation embraced her as she slipped into the steaming hot liquid.
"Mmmmm" she let out a sigh of relief.
She knocked off a few candles and placed her sword where she could reach if needed. She descended deeper into the water, submerging her body, and finally her head, feeling the steaming hot water rush over her face. The warmth relieving pressure from her neck and shoulders, the temperature of the water stinging her face, but it was welcomed. She liked it hot. Go figure?
She pierced her head through the top, as the water dripped from her face she took in a deep breath. Relaxation was finally being had. The aroma of the lavender and rose petals helped to calm her as it filled her senses. One or two petals sticking to her shoulders.
At that moment the candles in the room lit with rage! Xena turned her head watching the spectacle with curiosity. The flames seemed to tower high as it burned brightly before finally lowering to normal little flames. And she could hear faint music flowing throughout the room, but she didn't see anyone playing an instrument! She continued to look around but didn't see anyone...
"Ares..." she muttered and shook her head in disapproval.
A spark of pink light appeared in front of Xena, and it got bigger until a woman appeared in the bath with her!
"Not exactly, my bro is off straightening out some warlord or something. I wanted to meet his new protege, if you play your cards right, we could be best girlfriends!" She said in a high-pitched valley girl accent. She snapped her fingers and a muscular man appeared behind her, and began massaging her shoulders.
"Um, excuse me?" She looked at the handsome guy with a sweet an innocent expression on her face, but with daggers in her eyes. Literal images of daggers formed where her pupils would normally be.
The man snapped his fingers and a pink & yellow drink appeared, along with A piece of pineapple was on the rim!
He handed it to her as she eagerly waited.
Xena still trying to grasp what was happening, took a moment to eye the mysterious woman and dude now sharing her bath. She began reaching for her sword...
"Oh no you don't. That won't be much use against me anyway." The woman said with a smile... "Goddess and all."
"Who are you? What's your story?" The new woman claiming to be a goddess said.
Xena cocked her head slightly, "Athena?"
"As if! That washed out over inflated ego of a hag-stir is not mwah! I can't even believe you would insult me on our first meeting!"
"I apologize, I'm not familiar..."
"I'm Aphrodite, Goddess of love, duh! It's nice to officially meet you. Sorry to barge in you like this, but you looked so comfortable, and the bath looked like the perfect thing to put me in a better mood. Being a Goddess can take its toll ya know? I guess you wouldn't, but kinda right?" Aphrodite said as she took a quick sip of her drink.
Xena smiles and began to speak -
"Except your still like half mortal or something, and can still be hurt and stuff, and that's no fun... What are your intentions with my brother? Are you after his heart or just his really big... Sword?"
"No..." Xena interjected, "we've got an arrangement. He's teaching me something's and I'm allowing him to. For now."
"Well, that's great! Just don't steal his sword, it really pisses him off and then I gotta drop what I'm doing to help him... It just starts a whole big mess."
Xena took a mental note of what she had just said. A potential weakness with the God of War?
"I've got my own sword, I'm happy with it."
"Mmmhmmm! Mmmhmmm!" Aphrodite said eyeing the sword and then sipping her drink and puckering her lips with approval.
"I'm Xena."
"Xena? I've heard of you... You burn down villages and slaughter people! Perfect fit for my brother, he's always liked the dangerous murderous type."
Xena felt uneasy for a moment by Aphrodite's choice of words.
"I've been around. Done somethings that were necessary for survival..."
"Ya, like conquering villages, recruiting men to join your bloodlust missions? All in the name of "survival" huh?"
Xena flinched slightly, something began setting in that she was unfamiliar with... A feeling, It lingered and left her.
Aphrodite snapped her fingers and before Xena could brace herself, knowing something was about to happen, bubbles appeared and covered every inch of the water! "Tehehe." A slight high pitched snicker echoed throughout the room.
"Well, this is more like it!"
Xena was not amused, she wasn't the bubble bath, fruit drinking type. If this were on Xena's terms, her sword would be at the woman's neck. And the man... He'd already be dead.
Xena composed herself and gave a forced laugh. "I'm... This is nice... So many bubbles... Stab me now", The last part she muttered under her breath.
Aphrodite shook her head with vigor, excitingly taking in the scene as she sipped her drink, a drink that suddenly seemed to refill itself.
Xena rolled her eyes... And then... "I'm an ale type of girl... Could you?"
Aphrodite snapped her fingers and a cup of frothy ale appeared in Xena's hands.
"Thank you... I didn't realize I'd be meeting the family so soon." Xena said as she began chugging the ale like a big thirsty warlord. Some of the ale leaking down her mouth, dripping into the bath water.
Aphrodite looked at her and the way she drank her ale and almost heaved. She covered her mouth and tried not to look. "Well, you caused a bit of a stir among the Gods, we all knew someone new joined the ranks... Even if it was part of the lower ranks... I like to make a point to know whom my brother deals with. Plus... I'm kinda bored." Aphrodite said sighing.
Xena dug deep, trying to put on a bit of charm. She's known to do it from time to time, and pissing off a God didn't seem like the best strategy at this point... "It's nice to officially meet you. I like your hair." She was able to muster.
"Thanks! I just had it done! I'm thinking maybe adding a little color. The blonde is getting a little old, ya know? I was thinking of maybe even doing something with my nails... I've got an eye for being different and fabulous." Aphrodite said in an excited, sure of herself tone.
Xena opened her mouth, letting out a half smirk... Trying to force a full-on smile but it just wouldn't happen. "Maybe... Pink nails?"
"Oh, my goodness I love it! I come up with the best ideas I swear!" Aphrodite said taking credit.
"Well, I'm starting to prune, time for me to head on outta here. Got more training to do."
"Oh yeah, good idea. Well, it was nice to meet you again Xena, I'm sure we'll get along great as long as you don't become a full-on psycho and kill everyone you meet!" Aphrodite said following a high-pitched laugh. "Chow!" A pink light surrounded Aphrodite, and before you knew it she vanished. No man servant, no bubbles... Everything was as it was before, except for the faint sound of music stuck around. Xena didn't mind because it was soothing and peaceful.
"Thank the gods." Xena rolled her eyes... She continued to relax in the water a little longer. As she did, she rubbed her hand down her hamstring where her bruise was but didn't feel any pain. It healed completely. Xena raised an eyebrow, noticing she's beginning to heal faster than she would normally. In that moment she was quite satisfied and happy with herself.
Suddenly the candle flames yet again grew with rage as a snickering could be heard.
"Oh, come on. What now?" Xena said looking around fairly pissed off.
Suddenly two people popped into the room behind her, one was a tall man with dark short hair, dark brown eyes, and caramel skin. His broad shoulders carried himself well, with his chiseled muscular chest and his near perfect long lean torso. His muscular arms and hands behind his back cupping his hands together, pressed against his tan cloth tied around his waist, the only thing covering him as it draped along his upper thighs, which were also muscular. She smiled at the woman standing next to him.
A woman with dark hair and dark colored eyes, and skin as dark as chocolate. She wore a white tight garment covering her chest, and a white silk cloth covering her lower region. Her long lean dark chocolate legs were delicious looking as she returned the look back at the man beside her.
"I want you to relax and enjoy yourself." A voice sounding like Ares whispered in Xena's ear. The candle flames dimmed down, and the two people entered the bath one on each side of Xena. Xena smiled at them as they sat beside her looking at the man who looked at her with lustful eyes. She stepped further out into the bath facing both of them and shrugged her shoulders. The man got behind her and started kissing her neck slowly and sensually, and the woman pressed her lips against Xena's. The woman took a large breath and went under the water. Xena gasped with pleasure as the man ran his tongue up her neck and to her lips where they both made out for what seemed like eternity. The woman grabbed Xena's Legs and lifted them to the surface, causing Xena to lay on top of the water. The man ran his tongue down her neck again, and towards her chest, biting her playfully along the way. The woman nuzzled her face in between her legs and made Xena gasp once again with pleasure.