With a few hours before the Feast I let him sleep.
Knowing he was exhausted without having to hear his deep breaths.
Even though he was tired we had gone to bed. For most of the afternoon it was where we remained. Where he lay under a soft woven blanket.
Had the blanket covered him to his neck , one would be able to see his youth.
Hardly at his thirtieth year.
Even with his soft beard , his brown eyes still bright , even his smile was bright.
I softly pushed a lock of his brown hair from his face.
Watching him sleep.
Noticing a new scar upon his stomach. The blanket came halfway up his stomach. Showing the effects of war and travel. For one so young , his body looked as if he had fought since childhood.
While many women looked upon the muscular frame with lust. Few thought of how he came by such a frame.
Careful not to move to quickly , I sat up. Taking a closer look at the new scar.
It was from a knife.
I could identify any scar to any weapon.
It was a long scar which disapeared under the blanket.
Where had he recieved that? His armor covered his stomach entirely.
Letting my curiousity get the better of me. I lifted the blanket , his hand quickly clamped over my own.
Looking to my husband , I saw he was watching me rather closely. While he was obviously tired. There was no hiding the passion on his face.
I smiled at him , "I am merely looking at your scar."
He didn't let go of my hand.
Instead he used it to pull me ontop of him. Till my nose touched his own. Kissing my lips softly he spoke softly , "You have a lifetime to count my scars."
Count them!?
Seeing the disbelief on my face , he silenced me with a kiss. One I felt to my barefeet. One that I returned with a equal urgency.
Sliding my palms over his strong shoulders , I found they could fill my palm completely.
I broke his kiss , taking a gasping breath.
As if I had run a mile!
My chest heaved agains't his , feeling the warmth of his skin. I kissed his bottom lip desperatly. Pushing his hair from his face.
A thought had come to my mind.
One I sadly could not postpone , well I could , but I would forget it. "Hector?"
"Yes , Love?" he asked , kissing my lips again.
Forcing me to take his face in my hands. Forcing me to run my thumbs over his cheeks. Feeling the soft skin , the one scar on his left cheek. Or the swell of them under his eyes. Even the warmth his skin held distracted me.
I kissed him quickly then asked , "Why did they keep you so long?"
For a moment he could not manage a thought , "What?"
I looked into his eyes.
Knowing one could not question him in bed. One could get a answer from him in his dead sleep. But not when I shared his bed.
"When you came , why did they hold you so long?" I repeated.
Seeing the realization slowly come across his face.
"Don't worry , I will be home for some time."
I watched his eyes.
Seeing he was telling me the truth. "Promise?"
Hector thought about it for a moment , "I think."
I narrowed my eyes at him , "You think?"
He thought?
I'd been alone for three monthes and he thought!
"Andromache! I cannot think with you undressed. More less upon my lap!" He cried.
I smiled.
Knowing I was being a tease , I didn't care. He had been gone three whole monthes!
"Did you miss me?" I asked.
Hector stared at me for the briefest moment.
I sat up , "Or have you taken a lover?"
A lover.
What a silly thought.
It took all my will power to hold a straight face. I crossed my arms and held his gaze. His disbelieving gaze. As if I were some sort of a mad woman!
Quickly he sat.
"Darling you are quite a handful as it is , I would have no patience for a lover." he told me.
I knew it was a compliment.
Though I teased him , "Are you saying I am difficult?"
"Never." he assured me.
Pushing my long brown hair over my back. His hands remained on my bare shoulders.
"What are you saying?" I asked.
For a moment he had to think , seeing a smile overcome my face , he knew I was teasing him.
Letting out a cry of agony he dropped down onto the bed.
I took advantage.
Climbing off his stomach and onto the floor , "Shall I send for your lover then?"
Quickly his hand snagged my wrist. Pulling me back to our bed.
Pushing me onto my back , he climbed my stomach. Pinning me to the soft mattress.
Not painfully.
The weight he held me with was comforting.
I could not help but smile.
Watching as he lowered his face to my own. "There is no need she's already here."
I knew he was truthful. I was his lover , his wife , his friend and partner. I would always be his only love. It filled me with a warmth I couldn't explain.
I smiled at him , "I love you."
His lips touched mine , showing me how much he loved me in a single kiss.