Liberty awoke to the sound of alarmed voices rushing up and down the halls.
She sighed and rolled over, pulling her arm up over her eyes. "Yes, yes.
The Greeks are here. Everybody panic."
Her door burst open and Charis rushed inside. "Helen is gone, my lady! She fled the city this morning! Menelaus doesn't believe though, so he's still calling for Paris' head." Her eyes welled up. "Is Paris going to die?"
Liberty grabbed Charis' arm and pulled her down onto the bed. "No, love. Paris is not going to die." She looked toward her window. "But I fear for Hector's sake right now."
"Hector's wife has been following him around all morning, with his crying son. She screams that she will not see him die. She wants to leave the city and take him with her, but he won't go." Charis met Liberty's eyes. "You may get Hector yet. It seems he and Andromache were fighting all night because she found out he visited you while in the bath. I'm afraid Priam also wants to see you gone. He says you've caused a lot of trouble in this kingdom. He blames Helen leaving on you, and the Greek attack."
Liberty laughed, despite her somber mood. "I guess we better tell the gods that the deal is off."
"What deal?"
The two girls turned to see Hector standing in the doorway, a threatening look on his face. "Charis, please tend to Paris. He was wounded in a stupid fight with Menelaus."
Charis gasped and rushed from the room.
Liberty was about to greet the Trojan prince when he grabbed her roughly by the arms and threw her down onto the bed, pinning her with his body. "What have you done!?!" he shouted into her face. "My wife is threatening to leave me. Helen has already left. My father says that you brought the Greeks here and that you're trying to separate me from my wife. What are you about, witch?!"
Liberty hissed at the pain where his hands dug into her arms. "Fuck you, Hector. I don't know if you know what that means, but it's bad. I am not a fucking witch. I am from the future. I know everything that happens. I read the book. I read about how you die at the hand of Achilles and Troy burns." Tears slid freely down her cheeks. "I am changing history by helping you, but it's something I need to do, whether or not it changes the future." She struggled beneath his powerful form. "I could destroy everything I know by doing this, but Zeus and Apollo brought me here and made me..." She dropped off.
Hector shook her roughly, tears threatening to form in his own eyes. "You what? Tell me! You what, Liberty!?"
"I FELL IN LOVE WITH YOU!" Liberty screamed, startling him enough that she rolled him off her and took off running.
She barely made it to the door when Hector appeared, blocking her way and pushing her up against the wall. He stared angrily into her eyes for a few moments, until he suddenly pressed his lips to hers. She was afraid and didn't know how to respond until he deepened the kiss and she couldn't help but kiss him back.
After he broke the kiss, he dropped his head onto her shoulder and grimaced. "What have you done to me? You've turned my world upside down. What am I supposed to do when I love my wife and son, but I also love you?"
Liberty pried his hand from her arms. "You are supposed to be loyal to your country, but also careful." She reached up and caressed the side of his face. "Your wife is a good woman. Be with her. But also... a warning." She swallowed hard and avoided his questioning gaze. "Be careful when it comes to Achilles. Please."
She ducked out of his grasp and ran off down the hall. Hector didn't follow her. He was too stunned.
Charis knocked on the door before poking her head into the room, "Lord Paris?"
Paris looked up from his bed, sprawled out on his back with the wound on his leg bleeding through the ill made bandage, "Come in..." he sighed heavily, clothed in nothing more than the sheet from his bed.
Charis came in with a bowl of fresh water and bandages and sat on the bed next to his leg that poked out from underneath the sheet, "Are you alright?" she dipped a rag into the water, before removing the blood soaked bandages so that she could tend to the wound.
Paris nodded from underneath his arm that was lying across his eyes, shielding them from the light that poured into his room, "Yes, I'm fine." He then winced at the touch on his wound.
"You're lucky to still be alive my lord."
"I know...but I couldn't concentrate..."
"Because of the Lady Helen leaving?"
Paris gritted his teeth from another sharp pain as Charis began to stitch the wound close, "No...because of that woman from last night before I ran into you. Amalthea."
"What about her?"
"It wasn't her beauty...I've never felt like this...perhaps it is what true love is...but she said the oddest thing to me." Charis looked up as she finished stitching and began to wrap the wound in bandages as he let out a sigh, "She told me...oh what was it?" Paris sat up and folded his arms in thought as he tried to remember.
Charis got up off the bed and walked over to a nearby table setting the bowl and other items down, "She told you to see her for her." She spoke with her back to the Prince.
Paris blinked at Charis, "But...how did you know? Servants aren't allowed in the hall during meals."
Charis spun around and looked at him, "Can you not see?" Tears sprang free from Charis' eyes as she began to sob softly. She buried her face in her hands as she ran from the room. Moments later she reappeared wearing the soft lavender dress and sat on the bed next to the Prince.
Paris's eyes went wide as the realization hit him like it was one of Zeus's lightning bolts, "It...was you...my dear...Charis..."
Charis nodded as Paris gently took hold of her hands, "It was...it has always been me..." She sniffled and choked on her sob. "I...have always loved...you...Paris..."
Paris wrapped his arms gently around Charis' frame, "You...my gentle Charis...have taught me...what real true love is...that is why Helen left...I realized after seeing you that I didn't love her...I just desired her...lusted for her...like all those other women...but when I held you in my arm last night...there was this new feeling...my heart skipped a beat...I couldn't think of anything but you...that's why I came looking. I wanted to understand that feeling...I wanted to hold that woman again...and here she has been right in front of me this entire time."
Paris leaned forward and wiped the tears off of Charis' face with his thumbs gently, before gently running his right thumb over her lips. Before Charis could even draw a breath in to protest, not as if she would have at that moment – Paris's lips met hers in a gentle kiss as she wrapped her arms around his torso and held onto him as if she never wanted to let go.
Paris sighed as his head rested on Charis' shoulder, his warm breath tickled the nape of her neck before he sat up, "Forgive me...for being so blind to the beauty in front of me." As he apologized Paris gently caressed her cheek with his left hand.
Charis nuzzled against the warmth of Paris' hand before she looked up at him, "It was not entirely your fault Paris...my shyness would always get the better of me."
Paris leaned in mere inches away from Charis' face before running his fingers over her lips again, being gentle yet fascinated with their softness. Despite all that was going on in the world beyond the walls of Paris' room seemed to vanish, both he and Charis caught up in the moment.
His hands then made their way to each of her shoulders and undid the ties of the dress as the fabric fell and gathered around her waist. Charis blushed and her force of habit caused to her cover herself up, but Paris stopped her by gently grabbing hold of her hands.
"It's alright...no reason to be ashamed, you are very beautiful..."
Paris reached up and ran his fingertips over the skin of Charis' shoulder, then began to leave small kisses across her shoulder making his way to the nape of her neck. He then lifted his head and kissed her cheek before grazing his lips across hers, teasing her before finally kissing her lips. Charis wrapped her arms loosely around Paris' neck as he pulled her into his lap. As she returned the kiss, Charis ran her hands over his broad shoulders savoring the feeling of how soft his skin was.
It was Paris who was broke the kiss, breathless. He paused to draw in a few deep breaths as his hands feasted on the supple skin of Charis' breasts. He smiled as he could feel her nipples react to his touch as he pinched and teased them with both hands. Charis let out a small moan of approval as she ran her hands through Paris' thick curls. Freeing his left hand from playing with Charis' right breast, Paris lowered his hand down to where the fabric of the dress was draped over her thigh. He pushed the fabric aside as he ran his hand up and down her outer thigh, gently caressing her skin as Charis nibbled on his right ear lobe. Her warm breath against his cheek caused Paris to get small chills He then slid his hand from her outer thigh to her inner thigh. Charis bit her lower lip in a poor attempt to muffle another moan as she could feel the Prince begin to massage the sensitive flesh in-between her legs. Lifting her head, Charis met Paris' lips with a hungry kiss, which he eagerly returned.
After a few moments of rubbing the sensitive flesh in between Charis' legs Paris stopped and broke the kiss gently, "I will be as gentle as I can."
Charis nodded an understanding nod as Paris gathered her up into his right arm and parted her legs with his left hand. Paris then pulled her into his lap gently as he slowly entered her. Charis let out a small painful cry as Paris' pelvis pressed against hers and his arms wrapped around her.
"The pain won't last for long. Are you alright?" He asked with genuine concern in his voice as he wiped the two tears rolling down her cheeks away with his hands.
Charis nodded, "I am. Temporary pain is bearable finally being able to be one with you."
Paris sat there pausing for a few moments letting the pain subside having broken Charis' purity. Charis drew in a breath as the pain finally subsided; she then cupped Paris' face gently in her hands and drew his face near for a kiss.
Paris smiled through the kiss running his hands gently through her hair as the kiss ended, "I love you." He said softly barely above a whisper.
Charis smiled a warm, gentle smile kissing the tip of his nose, "I love you too."
Paris leaned back against the headboard still one with Charis and his hands rested on her hips as she shifted becoming comfortable in the new position. She leaned forward and ran her hands over Paris' muscular chest as she swayed against him, pressing her pelvis against Paris'. He reached up and gently cupped her face in his hands as he lowered it down to him to give her a hungry kiss, which she returned eagerly. Paris pressed himself against Charis causing her to break the kiss with a low moan. Their swaying motion quickened and as their bodies intertwined, caught up in the moment of passion. Low cries of pleasure filled the room as the new lovers reached their peak. Charis laid her head on Paris' shoulder as they attempted to catch their breath. The quiet in the room embraced them both as they rested.
Suddenly frantic footsteps of servants were heard as they ran up and down the hall.
"One of the myrmidons is at the front gate!"
"The myrmidon warrior seeks vengeance! His cousin was slain by Prince Hector!"
"They say his name is Achilles and he is one of the greatest warriors ever known!"
As quickly as it had come, the love and peace enclosed in the four walls of Paris' chamber was shattered with the fear of death looming. Paris and Charis quickly scrambled out of bed, clothed themselves, and ran towards the main gate where Achilles awaited Hector.
Her door burst open and Charis rushed inside. "Helen is gone, my lady! She fled the city this morning! Menelaus doesn't believe though, so he's still calling for Paris' head." Her eyes welled up. "Is Paris going to die?"
Liberty grabbed Charis' arm and pulled her down onto the bed. "No, love. Paris is not going to die." She looked toward her window. "But I fear for Hector's sake right now."
"Hector's wife has been following him around all morning, with his crying son. She screams that she will not see him die. She wants to leave the city and take him with her, but he won't go." Charis met Liberty's eyes. "You may get Hector yet. It seems he and Andromache were fighting all night because she found out he visited you while in the bath. I'm afraid Priam also wants to see you gone. He says you've caused a lot of trouble in this kingdom. He blames Helen leaving on you, and the Greek attack."
Liberty laughed, despite her somber mood. "I guess we better tell the gods that the deal is off."
"What deal?"
The two girls turned to see Hector standing in the doorway, a threatening look on his face. "Charis, please tend to Paris. He was wounded in a stupid fight with Menelaus."
Charis gasped and rushed from the room.
Liberty was about to greet the Trojan prince when he grabbed her roughly by the arms and threw her down onto the bed, pinning her with his body. "What have you done!?!" he shouted into her face. "My wife is threatening to leave me. Helen has already left. My father says that you brought the Greeks here and that you're trying to separate me from my wife. What are you about, witch?!"
Liberty hissed at the pain where his hands dug into her arms. "Fuck you, Hector. I don't know if you know what that means, but it's bad. I am not a fucking witch. I am from the future. I know everything that happens. I read the book. I read about how you die at the hand of Achilles and Troy burns." Tears slid freely down her cheeks. "I am changing history by helping you, but it's something I need to do, whether or not it changes the future." She struggled beneath his powerful form. "I could destroy everything I know by doing this, but Zeus and Apollo brought me here and made me..." She dropped off.
Hector shook her roughly, tears threatening to form in his own eyes. "You what? Tell me! You what, Liberty!?"
"I FELL IN LOVE WITH YOU!" Liberty screamed, startling him enough that she rolled him off her and took off running.
She barely made it to the door when Hector appeared, blocking her way and pushing her up against the wall. He stared angrily into her eyes for a few moments, until he suddenly pressed his lips to hers. She was afraid and didn't know how to respond until he deepened the kiss and she couldn't help but kiss him back.
After he broke the kiss, he dropped his head onto her shoulder and grimaced. "What have you done to me? You've turned my world upside down. What am I supposed to do when I love my wife and son, but I also love you?"
Liberty pried his hand from her arms. "You are supposed to be loyal to your country, but also careful." She reached up and caressed the side of his face. "Your wife is a good woman. Be with her. But also... a warning." She swallowed hard and avoided his questioning gaze. "Be careful when it comes to Achilles. Please."
She ducked out of his grasp and ran off down the hall. Hector didn't follow her. He was too stunned.
Charis knocked on the door before poking her head into the room, "Lord Paris?"
Paris looked up from his bed, sprawled out on his back with the wound on his leg bleeding through the ill made bandage, "Come in..." he sighed heavily, clothed in nothing more than the sheet from his bed.
Charis came in with a bowl of fresh water and bandages and sat on the bed next to his leg that poked out from underneath the sheet, "Are you alright?" she dipped a rag into the water, before removing the blood soaked bandages so that she could tend to the wound.
Paris nodded from underneath his arm that was lying across his eyes, shielding them from the light that poured into his room, "Yes, I'm fine." He then winced at the touch on his wound.
"You're lucky to still be alive my lord."
"I know...but I couldn't concentrate..."
"Because of the Lady Helen leaving?"
Paris gritted his teeth from another sharp pain as Charis began to stitch the wound close, "No...because of that woman from last night before I ran into you. Amalthea."
"What about her?"
"It wasn't her beauty...I've never felt like this...perhaps it is what true love is...but she said the oddest thing to me." Charis looked up as she finished stitching and began to wrap the wound in bandages as he let out a sigh, "She told me...oh what was it?" Paris sat up and folded his arms in thought as he tried to remember.
Charis got up off the bed and walked over to a nearby table setting the bowl and other items down, "She told you to see her for her." She spoke with her back to the Prince.
Paris blinked at Charis, "But...how did you know? Servants aren't allowed in the hall during meals."
Charis spun around and looked at him, "Can you not see?" Tears sprang free from Charis' eyes as she began to sob softly. She buried her face in her hands as she ran from the room. Moments later she reappeared wearing the soft lavender dress and sat on the bed next to the Prince.
Paris's eyes went wide as the realization hit him like it was one of Zeus's lightning bolts, "It...was you...my dear...Charis..."
Charis nodded as Paris gently took hold of her hands, "It was...it has always been me..." She sniffled and choked on her sob. "I...have always loved...you...Paris..."
Paris wrapped his arms gently around Charis' frame, "You...my gentle Charis...have taught me...what real true love is...that is why Helen left...I realized after seeing you that I didn't love her...I just desired her...lusted for her...like all those other women...but when I held you in my arm last night...there was this new feeling...my heart skipped a beat...I couldn't think of anything but you...that's why I came looking. I wanted to understand that feeling...I wanted to hold that woman again...and here she has been right in front of me this entire time."
Paris leaned forward and wiped the tears off of Charis' face with his thumbs gently, before gently running his right thumb over her lips. Before Charis could even draw a breath in to protest, not as if she would have at that moment – Paris's lips met hers in a gentle kiss as she wrapped her arms around his torso and held onto him as if she never wanted to let go.
Paris sighed as his head rested on Charis' shoulder, his warm breath tickled the nape of her neck before he sat up, "Forgive me...for being so blind to the beauty in front of me." As he apologized Paris gently caressed her cheek with his left hand.
Charis nuzzled against the warmth of Paris' hand before she looked up at him, "It was not entirely your fault Paris...my shyness would always get the better of me."
Paris leaned in mere inches away from Charis' face before running his fingers over her lips again, being gentle yet fascinated with their softness. Despite all that was going on in the world beyond the walls of Paris' room seemed to vanish, both he and Charis caught up in the moment.
His hands then made their way to each of her shoulders and undid the ties of the dress as the fabric fell and gathered around her waist. Charis blushed and her force of habit caused to her cover herself up, but Paris stopped her by gently grabbing hold of her hands.
"It's alright...no reason to be ashamed, you are very beautiful..."
Paris reached up and ran his fingertips over the skin of Charis' shoulder, then began to leave small kisses across her shoulder making his way to the nape of her neck. He then lifted his head and kissed her cheek before grazing his lips across hers, teasing her before finally kissing her lips. Charis wrapped her arms loosely around Paris' neck as he pulled her into his lap. As she returned the kiss, Charis ran her hands over his broad shoulders savoring the feeling of how soft his skin was.
It was Paris who was broke the kiss, breathless. He paused to draw in a few deep breaths as his hands feasted on the supple skin of Charis' breasts. He smiled as he could feel her nipples react to his touch as he pinched and teased them with both hands. Charis let out a small moan of approval as she ran her hands through Paris' thick curls. Freeing his left hand from playing with Charis' right breast, Paris lowered his hand down to where the fabric of the dress was draped over her thigh. He pushed the fabric aside as he ran his hand up and down her outer thigh, gently caressing her skin as Charis nibbled on his right ear lobe. Her warm breath against his cheek caused Paris to get small chills He then slid his hand from her outer thigh to her inner thigh. Charis bit her lower lip in a poor attempt to muffle another moan as she could feel the Prince begin to massage the sensitive flesh in-between her legs. Lifting her head, Charis met Paris' lips with a hungry kiss, which he eagerly returned.
After a few moments of rubbing the sensitive flesh in between Charis' legs Paris stopped and broke the kiss gently, "I will be as gentle as I can."
Charis nodded an understanding nod as Paris gathered her up into his right arm and parted her legs with his left hand. Paris then pulled her into his lap gently as he slowly entered her. Charis let out a small painful cry as Paris' pelvis pressed against hers and his arms wrapped around her.
"The pain won't last for long. Are you alright?" He asked with genuine concern in his voice as he wiped the two tears rolling down her cheeks away with his hands.
Charis nodded, "I am. Temporary pain is bearable finally being able to be one with you."
Paris sat there pausing for a few moments letting the pain subside having broken Charis' purity. Charis drew in a breath as the pain finally subsided; she then cupped Paris' face gently in her hands and drew his face near for a kiss.
Paris smiled through the kiss running his hands gently through her hair as the kiss ended, "I love you." He said softly barely above a whisper.
Charis smiled a warm, gentle smile kissing the tip of his nose, "I love you too."
Paris leaned back against the headboard still one with Charis and his hands rested on her hips as she shifted becoming comfortable in the new position. She leaned forward and ran her hands over Paris' muscular chest as she swayed against him, pressing her pelvis against Paris'. He reached up and gently cupped her face in his hands as he lowered it down to him to give her a hungry kiss, which she returned eagerly. Paris pressed himself against Charis causing her to break the kiss with a low moan. Their swaying motion quickened and as their bodies intertwined, caught up in the moment of passion. Low cries of pleasure filled the room as the new lovers reached their peak. Charis laid her head on Paris' shoulder as they attempted to catch their breath. The quiet in the room embraced them both as they rested.
Suddenly frantic footsteps of servants were heard as they ran up and down the hall.
"One of the myrmidons is at the front gate!"
"The myrmidon warrior seeks vengeance! His cousin was slain by Prince Hector!"
"They say his name is Achilles and he is one of the greatest warriors ever known!"
As quickly as it had come, the love and peace enclosed in the four walls of Paris' chamber was shattered with the fear of death looming. Paris and Charis quickly scrambled out of bed, clothed themselves, and ran towards the main gate where Achilles awaited Hector.